"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.

But you are fit and old so is it the "bird" bit offensive ?

I think you are having a sense of humour failure,

Pick your battles

@pimplebum since when is 50+ old?

I don't think the 'old' bit is very much about age. Terms like "old chum" "old mate", etc are used between people of the same or similar age. At 43, the guy in the OP probably doesn't see himself as young, in running terms, so I don't think he is trying to emphasise an age difference.

Probably. My son’s been known to call me a tough old bird and a wise old bird. I’ve referred to myself that way too.

It wouldn't bother me at all. A non issue. Why do people get so offended over the silliest of things?

Exactly .used by men about themselves or others too - linked to owls being wise etc.

It's thoughtless but intended as a compliment so you have to respond in the same lighthearted way to get your point across so another vote for

'less of the 'old bird' from you, you young whippersnapper'.

Or since it's the bird you object to something like
'Thanks chuck' or 'Squawk!'

'Bird' was very much a sexist, derogatory term in the past. Younger posters here probably aren't having the same visceral, negative reaction to it as OP (and I would).
Not the same context as PPs son calling her a wise old bird at all.

I'm 61 and very familiar with the intensely sexist use of bird that was common a few decades ago (eg the bloke at the train station when I was on my way to an university interview who said "Oh, I never knew they let birds into university") but I am also very familiar with other non-sexist uses of the term, as exemplified in the quotes from PG Wodehouse above.
It is a shame that, despite the clearly friendly and supportive context, the OP leapt to interpreting the remark in terms of the offensive usage.

Spot on.

He should have used a regional variation. In Scotland women are called hen. Some places in England are not averse to saying duck. I’ve even heard the term cock used in an affectionate way.

I can’t be arsed being offended any more. I’m a decidedly unfit old git (gender neutral term of endearment).

I suppose so - if the bloke in question is the sort to channel an inner Bertie Wooster.

So what did the OP do then. Surely that was the point of this post.