"Fit old bird"

[Platedshoes]

How would you respond?

I've posted my running result this morning. I promise I'm not a complete running bore, but this was a long race and a 20 minute personal best, so I was pretty chuffed.

There are lots of lovely comments and one man who said "excellent running, you're a fit old bird". If context is needed, I'm 53, he's 40ish and married.

Now, clearly he thinks he's being funny and/or nice, but I feel I need to say "something".

I know him fairly well IRL, through running. He's nice enough, but I'd say not terribly bright and I doubt he really gets why this might not be funny.

Meant well clumsy compliment-but see understand why you are not wildly impressed by the old bird remark. You could call him a chunky chicken in a similar context when the opportunity rises.

I'm really surprised how many people think casual sexism is nothing to challenge.

I would be likely to write very similar to this on someone's post as hailing from the west country I use the term bird affectionately.

You will come across as completely humourless, depends if you want to be that person. His wording wasn't great but as a fellow runner I'd look on it as a ham fisted compliment 😵‍💫

😂

I genuinely think it’s just a saying. Bit old-fashioned perhaps. Seems innocuous enough.

I don't see it as sexist as all.

Just an old fashioned compliment.

Its a clumsy attempt from someone who maybe feels he is good enough friends to take this tone with you. Its not intended to offend but maybe it has, thats for you to decide. If you feel strongly enough about it i would private message him and ask him to remove or change the comment as you don't appreciate it.

Much more civilised than calling him out on it publicly.

You'll be happier if you take things how they were intended.

I don't see this as sexist - old bird is like calling a man an old codger. It's something that people on familiar terms might say to each other jokingly, with no serious intent.

On the one hand it's a bit rude.

On the other hand I would love to be a fit old bird with a new personal best 🤔

I can understand your annoyance and if he's otherwise ok and not generally patronising I would let it go.

Perhaps you could respond by saying 'hey less of the old if you don't mind!'

I agree with you. I’d probably reply ‘I’m going to let you sit and think about what’s wrong with this statement, X.’

Say something to who? Him?
He was obviously trying to give you a compliment or say well done. You're overthinking it

Hmmmm that's a good point. I think it's because phrases like old chap came back in the hipster / Bertie Wooster style of speaking. I refer to some of my more statuesque friends as leggy birds and it's not considered remotely offence.
Possibly I have youth privilege though but people used to say I was like a funny little old man even on school.

I do think casual sexism should be called out but I don't think that's what this is. I also don't think it will go well.

Good luck with whatever you do! 💪

I'd delete it and filter him out on future running posts. But I have a low tolerance for assholes in my life.

Platedshoes · Today 09:07
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I'm really surprised how many people think casual sexism is nothing to challenge.”

Really wouldn’t bother me. I’d probably call your male equivalent a fit old duffer and mean it as a compliment.

Sexist and (mistakenly) ageist - 53 isn't remotely 'old' nowadays.

I sort of feel an appropriate response might be an eye roll and withering 'stupid boy' but probably better not

This was exactly my thought as well. No wonder no progress is being made with ingrained everyday sexism when even majority women's opinions are "it's just banter" - no, it's sexist, ageist and demeaning banter, and he wouldn't have said the equivalent to a man, so I agree it should be called out.

You also therefore need to be prepared to deal with all the "banter" folk who will then think that you're "joyless", but since they're not the kind of people whose opinions I respect, I'd be ok with that.

I think its more that some people understand the difference between genuine sexism and humour. Bird is just an idiom, its not pejorative.

I'd find that comment very sexist and irritating. Maybe not face to face,but so publicly, I'd hate it. I stay fit myself for health and longevity but of course, let's just be reminded that what it's really all about is to avoid looking as old as your are.

I'd be delighted to be considered a fit old bird.

I'm clearly not one

Its not ageist because he doesn't really think she's old. That's the joke.

You don't have think its funny or even like it but its quite mad to pretend something lighthearted is both serious and malicious.

It's a saying that I've heard before so wouldn't be offended by this, similar to 'tough old bird' when an elderly lady recovers from a serious illness.

‘Less of the old, mate’.

That's what I would reply with.