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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so fascinated by old people

137 replies

Missu2 · 15/05/2015 22:21

Hi everyone I'm a long time lurker

Today I was at the shops waiting for my child to pick a sweet, when this old lady walks in now, when I say old I mean hunched back can hardly walk sort of old maybe nearly 90! And I was so amazed and I don't know why! I just had this thought "I hope I can reach that age"I tried so hard not to stare at her! but this is not the first time. And I have always had this urge to ask these old people about their lives and a childhood, so long ago it would be history.

My friends think I'm strange and to be that old would be horrible and so near death but I beg to differ, by that age I would have most likely lost most of my loved ones,mum, hubby etc. that dying would no more be scary to me, you have to really think about this lol.

I suffer from pnd my best friend thinks this is why I have an obsession of my interest in very old oaps but it is not, I have always found them inspiring to live life to the fullest and I just can't explain why!

Please someone feel the same way as me?! Or have I always been mad?!

Scared of responses but I'm honest and just want to know I'm not alone in this. oaps phobia is so strange to me, I can only hope to live so long!!

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 15/05/2015 22:24

You've always been mad. And an abuser of the exclamation mark.

amicissimma · 15/05/2015 22:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 15/05/2015 22:29

I think it's nice.

My DS(16) and DS(12) have always been fascinated by OAPs.

They were delighted when their suggestion to invite some members of the local British Legion to visit the school, was agreed by the HT.

The OAPs said they felt like royalty and loved answering all the questions from curious pupils. They ate cake from the cookery club and were very impressed.

They can't wait to come back again and the kids can't wait to see them Grin

whatlifestylechoice · 15/05/2015 22:32

I'm quite enthralled by old people as well. I would like to hear their stories.

Salmotrutta · 15/05/2015 22:38

"Old" people have the best stories of anyone.

Who really knows what their 90 year old neighbour might have done?

Bletchley Park?
Fighter pilot?
Scientist?
War Correspondent?
Air Warden?

Or maybe they were a Union Rep who fought for equal pay for women?
Or taught and inspired a politician?
Or were a Police Officer who caught a notorious criminal?

Get to know your elderly neighbour.

We once lived next door to a little old lady who, it transpired, had been a local Lady Provost (Scotland) and very active in the council in her heyday.

Hakluyt · 15/05/2015 22:40

Or you could just go to the zoo?

GiddyOnZackHunt · 15/05/2015 22:48

There does come a point in your teens when it dawns on you that 'old people' have had a whole life that included being young, falling in love, going to dances, making mistakes, highs and lows and just living.

Original poster
Missu2 · 15/05/2015 23:00

Thank you for your response and to the second poster maybe I am mad, but judging my replies I'm not alone in this. maybe you are right :/ sorry for over use of explanation marks.

My nana and grandma died when I was young I so wish I could of asked them their story's to tell, both of witch my parents don't even know. guess I will make sure my grand/children know all about my time in this world.

Hmm maybe I'm crazy

OP posts:
cogitosum · 15/05/2015 23:04

My grandad died on Tuesday.

I don't have much more to say but yes. We should learn so much from experiences from those who have lived through history.

Original poster
Missu2 · 15/05/2015 23:07

Giddy I think that's what I'm talking about, they were not born old, the way some of my friends seem to go on. I think sometimes maybe I think to much. Gosh I sound crazy I think I should keep my thoughts to myself :/

OP posts:
grumpysquash · 15/05/2015 23:08

I think a lot of people are either scared of old age or can't imagine how to chat to an old person.
I don't think you are mad at all.....just more able than most to imagine the future and willing to learn from the experience of others.
All good. Please do keep making new (old) friends, it will be enriching.
[I run Beavers with a guy in his 80's (I am 40-something) and he is brilliant in so many ways, really good company and lots of fun, always has a great story to tell]

GiddyOnZackHunt · 15/05/2015 23:12

Maybe your friends aren't prone to thinking about stuff?
I sat my grandparents down and said "Tell me how you met" and it's a brilliant set of stories. We talked a lot and it was good. I have the sense of them at 20 and I love that.

freelancegirl · 15/05/2015 23:13

I think it's lovely to be interested in old people and their stories. I lost my beloved grandmother this year, she was 99 and had the most amazing attitude. As well as missing her I miss having her generation in my life. I have tiny children so no time for anything other than looking after them and working right now but in the future I would like to find some older people to befriend!

partialderivative · 15/05/2015 23:14

A school I worked in a while ago would invite local 'old people' in for the the 14/15 year olds to interview about their memories of the places where the kids were living.

It was always a really good experience for both the students and the adults.

HelpMeTummyPain · 15/05/2015 23:18

or you could just go to the zoo?

Hmm Rude.

Tizwailor · 15/05/2015 23:19

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ProvisionallyAnxious · 15/05/2015 23:20

Salmotrutta

My next-door neighbour actually was a listener-in at Bletchley Park. Grin

Original poster
Missu2 · 15/05/2015 23:22

Cogitosum, I'm so sorry to hear of Your loss loved one. Please accept my condolences x

OP posts:
NCTimeAgain · 15/05/2015 23:27

My DS met the father of his maths tutor. The father is 100. DS who's 14 chatted for a while and said how amazing he was. I was very envious.

SenecaFalls · 15/05/2015 23:27

I think it's great to want to know more older people, but just remember that they (we actually) are not an alien species to be trotted out, observed, and experienced. There is a lot of universality in the human experience. That's what needs to be understood and focused on, rather than a view of them (us) as "other."

cogitosum · 15/05/2015 23:29

Thank you missus2. I actually feel really blessed that I have no regrets. He was my last grandparent and we saw them all lots and really knew them and heard their stories which makes me feel so lucky.

Ds met him and whilst he won't remember I feel so lucky that we have pictures and videos of them together.

Original poster
Missu2 · 15/05/2015 23:30

Tiz, I'm sorry I guess I am projecting in what I would consider old age for myself, if you see what I mean? I know there are old people much healthier than me and I'm in my twenties! I just hope I can BE them someday... Unlike most of the women in my family. I hope I didn't cause offence by this.

OP posts:
cogitosum · 15/05/2015 23:30

This was when ds was younger but grandad was really aware of him.

To be so fascinated by old people
NCTimeAgain · 15/05/2015 23:32

But that's the whole point. We can read and watch videos about people's lives and their experiences but to actually talk to someone who has lived a long life is so interesting. Their past and present experience good and bad.

textfan · 15/05/2015 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.