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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think that 35 is not middle-aged

270 replies

vic77en · 24/03/2011 11:07

My colleague yesterday referred to someone as middle-aged. When I said they weren't middle aged, were maybe early-mid thirties, he said that 35 was middle-aged.

I guess technically it's half of the "3 score years and 10" but FFS life expectancy for a woman is 80-something, no?

I am 34 and do not feel ready to be middle-aged for at least another 10 years.

So when do you think "middle-age" starts?

OP posts:
Zazacat · 25/03/2011 17:09

Geocentric you're spot on! I'm looking forward to being a village elder at 70. Sounds great.

satonthesofa · 25/03/2011 17:32

Someone recently told me I was 'middle-aged' as I now have to help take care for my father . I am 41 :(

ginger55 · 25/03/2011 17:59

Being middle aged to me is: a) Anyone moving to Surrey
b) Anyone still listening to Phil Collins
c) Anybody dating a girl called 'Chi Chi' from
a Korean 'Wives' website
d) Anyone who thinks that 'Midsummer Murders'

is real
e) Anyone who joins the gym expecting to
transform their body by wearing a brand new

pair of trainers

                                   I am 102.
walkersmum · 25/03/2011 18:07

Middle age is a 'description', not an actual age.

Means becoming a bit frumpy and too serious.

Like old age, some people are old at 65, some are still not old at 80.

I have friends of 30 who are far more middle aged than I am.

My father aged 82 is old, my mother aged 80 is really young in her outlook and so different to my dad it's untrue.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 25/03/2011 18:11

To add to ginger's list - if you've been to a swingers party you are middle aged.

littlemisslozza · 25/03/2011 18:42

I was 30 last week and my SIL put 'welcome to middle-age' in the card! Shock I do not consider 30 to be middle aged!!!

purplebrickroad · 25/03/2011 19:32

Posture, posture, posture.

usedtobeahappycamper · 25/03/2011 19:34

oopsadaisywhen I was 42 with two teenage DCs I got pregnant.

What I wonder all the time is "Am I old enough to shop in Bon Marche yet?

Ooopsadaisy · 25/03/2011 20:22

usedtobeahappycamper - I hope that was a happy event for you. Smile

I am certainly not wanting to revisit that era of my life again, so am friends with my Mirena! Grin

I am also going nowhere near Bon Marche and neither should you!

We are far too youthful! Wink

LoveLeonardCohen · 25/03/2011 20:47

50's

bengtasaninepoundnote · 25/03/2011 21:15

The thing someone said about going to boring clothes shops just goes to show that it's more to do with attitude than actual age. I have been overweight for so long that Top Shop was never an option, even if I had been interested in fashion, and the clothes in Evans et al fill me with horror still. So yes, I do shop in M&S for black slacks (well, my mum would have called them that) and always have, even when I was in my twenties.

Does this make me an evergreen middleager? I just don't like fashionable clothes and fidn it too difficult to not be overweight.
Maybe my own definition of middle age will be when I find it too difficult to be overweight and have to make an effrt to lose some, for the sake of my health...

barbaraellen · 25/03/2011 22:02

59 this week and I am definitely not middle aged. Its about your outlook not a number

Ponders · 25/03/2011 22:37

oh gosh barbaraellen, I do agree, I will be 60 next month & I am def not middle-aged either! (but otoh as far as the world is concerned I am old. which is a bit Sad)

(thrilled to see you on this thread though, & another 58-59er earlier Grin)

Ponders · 25/03/2011 22:38

sue52 it was

we un-middle-aged need to stick together Grin

mzcla · 25/03/2011 22:42

So as i am 35 and obviously middle aged can i have a mid life crisis and find something tall dark and fruity?????

lilyjen · 25/03/2011 22:43

No way! I'm 31 and i'm in college with 18 year olds and don't feel too different really except that I can use bigger words, read books on trains and have a broader music taste. I have more life experience but that's it really! I love being this age it feels great, to me 30 was when I began to grow up to be honest..could be a late developer but I feel in my prime and am looking forward to a long life ahead of me!

I think middle aged is when you feel middle aged..whatever that means! In my opinion if you feel old you will act old but I think people put too much importance on it, getting old to some people is an excuse to give up on themselves, get uptight about little things and refuse to embrace anything new..I prefer to think of life as a journey rather than worrying about the different stages of it. Every age has something to offer, something to look forward to and different ways of being happy!

Oh yeah and sometimes I get strange looks when I play on the swings/see-saw etc with my 7 year old and actually ENJOY it instead of pretending to or just doing it for her benefit. The other day I went on one of those zip wire things it was cool and I highly recommend getting 'down with the kids' after all they can't have all the fun!

mzcla · 25/03/2011 22:56

Have you tried a roundabout?.... a lot more fun than i remember

Lotkinsgonecurly · 26/03/2011 08:45

I feel old and am 38. The village clique is all getting a bit much really hate all the little factions. Its really making me feel my age!

I'm having a lovely day with the children and then going to London to see some old friends this evening.

I'll feel 20 something by the end of the evening! And 90 tomorrow morning.

Lotkinsgonecurly · 26/03/2011 08:46

Slightly better term am loving the term middle youth.

usedtobeahappycamper · 26/03/2011 15:06

oopsadaisy I was told it was "the last fling of the ovaries" so watch out!
It was actually a big shock Blush.

Fruitsmoothie · 26/03/2011 15:49

Mathematically, for a female living where you are, it's juuust about 41. Grin

ValiumSingleton · 26/03/2011 17:01

Are you counting childhood though!? I might think 81-18 = 63 63/2 = 31.5=18 = 50 ish. ok phew.

I am 41! Actually, I don't mind saying I am 41. Will admit that to all and sundry but middle-aged is a state of mind as well isn't it.

RitaBix · 26/03/2011 20:33

look

halfcaffodils · 26/03/2011 22:09

Watch it Ladyofthe Manor! You might find that quite a lot of people you think are 34 are quite a bit older...or something.

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 26/03/2011 22:19

Middle aged is when you talk back to the telly and the radio!
I do it all the time, especially when Hugh Fuckly Pissingtall is on!
(49 soon )