To be shocked at the ageism on here tonight

[drudgetrudy]

AIBU to be shocked at the terms used to refer to older people tonight.
We've had "old duffers", "old biddies" "old dears with nothing better to do" and this isn't a TAAT-its been on more than one thread.

If any other group were referred to in generalised and negative terms like this people would be going nuts.
People are people and come in many varieties over all age ranges.
Seriously pissed off tonight.

Rather depressing thread over on Style & Beauty about well-groomed 'older' women looking as though they are 'trying too hard'.

Over-groomed people of any age can look 'try-hard'! Perhaps I should take it up on S&B ... after removing my face & body hair, painting my nails & doing my make-up, yanking on some control pants, pressing a co-ordinated outfit and selecting the perfect accessories ... I may be some time.

I've been on that thread and I agree with the sentiments about 'trying too hard'. But I often call myself an 'older' or a 'middle aged' woman and I don't see any problem with it. It's what I am.

That's a shame, Floisme, that you feel the need to put yourself in a category. Can't you just be a woman?

Hmm. There's a woman in my town who gives me cognitive dissonance. I think most people would have seen someone similar - she wears very short, very frilly dresses with either ankle socks & pumps or brightly-decorated high heels. She has very long, blonde hair and uses a lot of makeup. She is well over 70. Whenever I see her, I get hit by conflicting emotions: I think 'Oh dear, she must be vulnerable at this time of night'; 'Is she a prostitute? What kind of men would use such a woman?'; 'It's kind of sweet, if terribly misguided'; 'Her outfit, her choice, I kind of admire that'; 'What on earth is she thinking?'.

Her appearance arouses all my sets of conditioning at once!

Cate sometimes my age is relevant and sometimes it is'nt. When I think it is relevant I'm not shy about saying so. Why should I deny it? It's part of who I am and nothing to be ashamed of.

Well, the mini buses could def be used by anyone. They do have them where I live, it's a country area so not so easy to get places, and most using the buses are not over 80, maybe some over 70s, some younger. No restrictions.

Ageism on MN seems to be alive and well.