Is the whole world of middle aged people just really vacuous now?

[Sunbury1986]

Hi all, I'm no academic so I'm not talking about education in the formal sense. I just feel that everyone I meet and talk to, many are educated and hold positions of title and status, are really dull to talk to. the main conversations seem to be about property prices, their "job title", which is hardly the brightest way to introduce yourself unless you are really status anxious, or which bloody Russell Group uni their child is applying to, and obviously if their/your child doesn't make a Russell Group they are going to be lucky to get a job in a Pound Shop. AIBU? Or do I need to (re) step away from people I know? I believe many succeed with out a RG uni education.

Its probably something to do with you, tbh.

I aint got a flipping scooby what you are one about and I am 45

Ok Mintyy fair enough

Sounds like you know a load of pretentious twats TBH. Unlucky!

What you describe is just small talk something I'm not very good at. What would you like to talk to them about? You can always change the subject to something more interesting...

oh and when my middle aged friends and I get together the last thing we talk about is property and uni

you obviously know boring dull people ...

Why not steer the conversation to things you find interesting and see how that goes?

You need to mx with different people. I'm 43 and I have much more fun conversations than that.

Oh lovely. Another 'lets bash older people' thread. Just what we need. Have you heard of the Everyday Ageism campaign that Mumsnet and Gransnet are running?

I'm 40 and the people I meet don't talk like this. I don't know what a lot of the people I talk to do for a living. I obviously know what good friends do. I think you are either encouraging this type of conversation or are moving in strange circles.

I actually think the OP has middle class and middle aged muddled up

I've never had a conversation about RG universities in my life.

I would find that conversation quite dull though tbh.

But that's just chit chat with strangers isn't it ? Keep it neutral type thing. Everyone does that.

I'm 48 and don't ever talk about anything like that and nor do any of my friends or colleagues.
All to busy having fun!

Nah, I've only just realised my next door neighbour went to Cambridge. I speak to her three or four times and week and have been living beside her for 3.5 years. I think you're just unlucky.

I'm 40 plus and none of my 40 plus mates talk about anything like that.

We mostly talk about sex

You're spending too much time with over-active underachievers. Get some new friends.

And what BIWI said.

It's ages and stages.
In my 30's it was TTC and babies
In my 40's school places
cough late 40's all the DC that were babies/primary school are now thinking of Unis.
Change the subject if you don't like it.

You couldn't make it up.

Well, maybe be just a bit.

You need to find a different group of middle aged people to talk to.

If it's everyone you meet, could it maybe be to do with your own conversational skills? I don't mean to be rude but it sounds like you are the common denominator! I hear people having interesting conversations all the time; nothing vacuous at all. It might be worth thinkng about how open up new topics and also give people the benefit of the doubt...

Do you mean middle aged or middle class? Either way, sounds like you need some different friends!

Same here, Ive never had such conversations. I'm 52 and believe me OP, still have fantastic fun with my friends

You are mixing with the wrong people. Simple as that.

I've never come across this and I'm 46. I'm higher management (Director level) but never feel the need to discuss my job title, what Uni my children attended or property prices with friends. I succeeded very well in my career without a Russell group education (whatever that is).

It's very easy to change a conversation.