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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be offended about being called middle aged

78 replies

Dusktilldawn100 · 09/02/2019 15:36

A colleague and I were talking about weekend plans. I told them my plans that I was just going to relax at home over the weekend. He responded with that's what life tends to be like when you are middle aged. I only turned 30 in October while I know I'm not young I'm surely not middle aged just yet?

OP posts:
JasperKarat · 09/02/2019 16:22

This is a joke, he's poking fun at himself too given he's only a few years older

WarpedGalaxy · 09/02/2019 16:24

He was joking, surely? My dc are around your age and if they’re middle-aged what does that make me??! I’m not old in my mid-50s - am I? Anyone?

Dahlietta · 09/02/2019 16:25

30 is definitely not middle-aged, but people will be along in a minute to tell you that as 70 is a reasonable life expectation, then 35 is middle-aged.

WendyCope · 09/02/2019 16:28

joke!

origamiunicorn · 09/02/2019 16:34

30 is only middle aged if you live til 60. As the average life expectancy is 80 (for women) I'd say 40 is more like middle aged officially - although I think personally it's more like 50 these days as people are a lot younger in appearance than they were even when I was younger.

WorraLiberty · 09/02/2019 16:35

What did your colleague say when you pointed out that you're not middle aged?

Sounds like he was joking tbh.

ALongHardWinter · 09/02/2019 16:36

Bloody hell! Surely he was joking? I get offended at being called middle aged and I'm 55! In my head,I'm still only 18.

CheerioHunter · 09/02/2019 16:36

Sounds like he thought you'd find a tongue in cheek comment amusing rather than offensive.
So yeah, very unreasonable in my opinion.

runs away and hides before the rage/tears appear Grin

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 09/02/2019 16:37

Er, stand down. I suspect that he was joking... Hmm

BeekyChitch · 09/02/2019 16:37

I thought 35 was middle aged because it's in the middle of 70 , which in my head was the average life expectancy 😂

Now I know this, yes you should be offended. Just like my friend was when I called her this! Blush

grannycake · 09/02/2019 16:38

I struggle to think I'm middle aged but I'm 62. Still in FT work. But had a text yesterday from Electricity Board to say as I was on the vulnerable people (due to my age) list. I had a special number to ring if there was a power cut due to gales. I didn't know whether to be horrified or pleased confused

Absofuckinglutely · 09/02/2019 16:38

Holy shite....30??
I'm in my 40's, am I geriatric?
(Still 27 in my mind)

Allusernamestakenbutthis · 09/02/2019 16:39

He’s joking for sure.

pointythings · 09/02/2019 16:41

I'm almost 51 and I'm not middle aged. I refuse to be middle aged. I have gone from young straight to daft old bat who does whatever the hell she wants.

NotTerfNorCis · 09/02/2019 16:41

Thirty is not middle-aged! I am middle-aged but I don't mind a bit. No way would I want to keep up with the young.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 09/02/2019 16:41

30?

You're still a baby!

Cheeky sod!

I'm 65 and still nowhere near middle-aged!

SchadenfreudePersonified · 09/02/2019 16:42

I'm almost 51 and I'm not middle aged. I refuse to be middle aged. I have gone from young straight to daft old bat who does whatever the hell she wants.

Moi aussi *Pointythings^

NottonightJosepheen · 09/02/2019 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

reallybadidea · 09/02/2019 16:43

It was ironic because you're not middle aged. Can't believe you need that spelling out tbh

TrickyD · 09/02/2019 16:44

Being offended at such a trivial remark is a sure sign that you are elderly not even middle aged.

Dimsumlosesum · 09/02/2019 16:47

I was 27 and in a club a long long while ago, some20 year old was drunkenly talking to me before asking how old I was. I replied 27. His mouth dropped open and he said "wow, you're so OLD!". I Just laughed at him. Your colleague is being naive.

RomanyQueen1 · 09/02/2019 16:47

I'm 52 and don't feel middle aged, although I think I probably am now.
In fairness though I feel younger than I did at 30 as our kids are mostly grown up now, and when I was 30 had little ones.

OneStepMoreFun · 09/02/2019 16:51

I'm 54 and I am way too middle aged. I dress for comfort now and have a very quiet life. Not what I want really. Need to shake it up a bit. Just not sure how not to be middle aged.
I still go to gigs and travel to new places.

What's a good indicator that you are not sliding into middle age in yoru 50s? What are people doing who don't feel middle aged?

hellojason · 09/02/2019 16:51

I think he's having a dig at your quiet weekend of non-partying which is probably a whole lot more enjoyable than some compulsory fun pub, club, whatever.

30 is young but not daft young, you don't have to be desperately socialising up a storm every weekend. It's not a competition; do what you like best.

thebabessavedme · 09/02/2019 16:53

fucking hell beaky! 70!!!!!! im 56 and only just stepping into my prime, i intend to get MUCH older than 70 (and behave very badly indeed!)