What 'old lady' things you will refuse to do

[Auburngal]

Following this thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5253796-your-old-lady-habitstastes?page=28&reply=141706023 it was things like doing puzzle books, wearing big knickers etc.

What 'old lady' things would you refuse to do now and in the future?

Mine include wearing beige and brown. It does not look good on me. My skin tones and personality love bold bright colours.

Wearing skirts. TBF I cannot remember the last time I wore a skirt - perhaps to a wedding nor my 74 year old DM.

Have the same foods each day of the week. I know/knew of old people where they ate the same foods each day of the week. Pork chops on Monday, pie on Tuesday etc. Had upset customers asking me if we had any pork chops in as "always have them on Mondays". Plus if their birthdays/anniversary fell on a certain day of the week, their meal plans don't change!

When there is the word snow mentioned in the weather forecast, clear the shelves of tinned soup. Don't get this at all as there are better warming things than sodding soup.

They're like contact lenses. If you can feel them, they're on wrong

We had lap trays when we lived in our first flat, because we had no space for a table, and usually ate in front of the tv. I was in my 20s , however no one policed it 😄

What's a glass of Ballycastle??

I can't decide if I want to be more Nanny Ogg or Granny Weatherwax (though technically not a 'maiden' for a while now).

It's a privilege to grow old, I know a few who didn't get the chance.

Not by me - I'm hopeless with a needle!

The sewing on of name tapes is my high water mark

Absolutely.

The best thing about being old is not giving a shit what other people think and doing whatever you like.

Aldi's version of Bailey's

The only thing I can think of is refusing to cut my hair short! My mum/nan and several other ladies from those generations have all told me that women over 40 shouldn't have long hair!

As an elder millennial all of the looks I consider trendy and youthful are already considered passe by gen z. Skinny jeans anyone? I might think of myself as having a youthful attitude but I'm kidding myself if I think anyone sees me as anything other than middle aged.

Inevitably in a few years my clothes, hobbies, conversation and mannerisms will be considered old ladyish because that is what I'll be - old! I will try and stay as active and independent as possible of course, but really what is so bad about being old? Wisdom, experience and not giving a damn, sounds good!

The same as you about the same foods on set days.

I also hate the rigid adherence to specific times for meals. Especially for eating your evening meal at 5pm.

You'll do a lot of 'old lady' things but not realise you're doing them. That's because it takes a huge effort to keep up to date with changing social trends, be that fashion, language, using technology, acceptable ways to socialise, etc. When we're young and part of the generation that all the social trends naturally capture or are deliberately marketed at, it's relatively easy and most of us do it without even being aware. As you mature it can remain fairly easy for a while if you're well connected and if you have children who expose you vicariously to this stuff. It's harder once your children grow up and leave home, or you retire and no longer have the social network you once did, or you reach a point where you no longer feel so much pressure to conform and so no longer seek out that new cool musical artist or that hip new fashion designer you might have heard mentioned.

A lot of old people who dress in an 'old-fashioned way' will look like a fashion that was right on trend at some point in their lives. Others will know it's not fashionable and just not give a shit, preferring comfort over fashion and thinking there are more important things to be concerned about. Others seemingly 'old' behaviours are actually very common sensical and based on years of experience or possibly the need to be more aware of health risks that come with age (e.g. the sensible shoes over heels or the warm coat over the fashion coat).

Some behaviours are simply a nod to the security humans find in routine. They may be generational but they reflect the same underlying traits. Things like always eating the same things on Mondays are little different to watching Strictly on Saturday. A morning exercise or hair and make-up routine is the same driver. Humans are creatures of habit, it's just the degree and expression that varies. The kind of person wedded to a diet that never changes was probably similarly routine-rooted even as a young adult.

@TallulahBetty Don't knock 'em until you've tried them! My arse has never been happier since I ditched the bum floss and embraced the warmth and comfort of a pair of good old Bridgets!

They're multi purpose, too! You can tuck a hanky in, a spare 5p for the phone, your lunch, a hot water bottle and an emergency flare for, well, emergencies!

Wearing ugly underwear. Surely you can have comfort and some level of prettyness?

As an older person there are a lot of lazy stereotypes here. It’s like me saying mums are always on their phones, too lazy to potty train or read to their kids just shoving them in front of a screen etc etc.
Btw, I love my Step One bamboo lady boxers, they are really big pants and soo comfy.

As you age your digestive system changes. It can be better to eat a few hours before you go to bed. It is sensible to respond to physical needs just as you might need glasses, hearing aids or mobility aids these things are not something you would look forward to but help you continue to live the life you want.

Something that just struck me about my generation (in our 70s) is that many of us dressed like hippies, our boyfriends grew their hair long, we campaigned for women's rights, we rebelled against gender stereotypes, we listened and danced to The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream etc. I don't know anyone in my circle who has a cauliflower perm, blue rinse, loves sherry, collects china ornaments etc. None of us have become Hyacinth Bouquet!

Yes we have reading glasses, hearing aids, some need a walking stick or velcro slippers but we're still wearing jeans and enjoying a jig around to the music of our youth.

With knickers is there always a tradeoff between comfort and "attractiveness"

I've been hiking since a teenager, nothing old about it. In fact I am always so inspired when I see 78 yr olds hike past me, it's obviously working to keep them healthy and fit.

@FrenchandSaunders ahhh I see thank you!

I'm 53, btw! I do love a cardigan in the winter, long skirts in the summer and big, big knickers all year round.

@Resilience I agree. A friend is like some on here - I will never do old lady things. The truth is her hairstyle and a few of her clothes are starting to look slightly old fashioned. She was always very trendy, but just has that hint now of trendy in the past.

and wearing purple

Tweed skirts
American tan tights
A plastic "rainmate" tied under my chin to keep my blue rinse dry in the rain.

Totally! My, my, my, my generation.

I used to wear bikini style pants that were popular when I was young. I never thought I would wear big pants. But I do now. They are comfy.