To think someone born in 1968 is not ‘nearly 60’?? RUDE!!

[EvidentClyburn]

We left school and did our CSEs in 1984 - note no O Levels/A Levels or 6th Form - dear Mumsnetters

We came of age in 1986 - Hand of God - Mexico World Cup etc etc

Harold Wilson was PM when we were born

only CFs would call us ‘nearly’ ‘60’

I’m with you OP, I’m a ‘68 baby too and my DH (who’s older) referred to me as ‘pushing 60’ recently and I nearly took his head off LOL. While technically true, I think it’s just not nice to be reminded of that next milestone when it’s a full three years away, especially if you’ve only just had a birthday and turned that corner where you’re closer to 60 than to 55 for the first time.

Nothing wrong with being 60, I just don’t think of myself that way and I find it strange that we only do this with older people. You wouldn’t describe a 17yo as ‘nearly 20’ or a 27yo as ‘nearly 30’ (at least I wouldn’t) because those milestones are still a way off.

I might accept ‘nearly 60’ at 59. Maybe 59-and-a-half! But at just turned 57, no thanks, I’d prefer to wait a bit before answering to that description!

What have all those facts got to do with whether you are nearly 60 or not?! That’s a numerical question.

The child example is silly, they are at very different developmental stages so no, you wouldn't say a 7 year old was nearly 10 🙄 Developmentsl stages don't really count when you.hit 50 odd, fo they?

Sorry I've hit a soft spot with you. Don't fret about being almost 60, I'm sure it won't be that bad!

i dont think we were allowed to do metal work and wood work, or technical drawing.
we did needlework and cookery and typing

My DD was born in September 1970 I can assure you she IS 54, not 57!

MN is obsessed with age, the kids are always "almost 12", or whatever, not just 11.

I was born in 68. I have O levels and A levels (taken at 6th Form) less academic pupils took the CSE.

Yes that’s the thing - all the 68 born kids I knew were from deprived council estates - uneducated parents - my own dad spent all his spare time at the pub and was an unskilled manual worker - looking back illiterate probably - he died in the 90s before the majority of people had internet access. I often wonder how he’d have fared in the internet age - but that’s a different thread perhaps !

My DF started saying I was nearly 50 when I turned 40! I'm 53 now and he's not mentioned being nearly 60. Wouldn't bother me if he did.

You are younger than Noel Gallagher and he doesn’t seem old.

Doing my voluntary work in the local charity shop this morning, a conversation related to age came up and the assistant manager who is 62 is of the opinion age is just a number and she doesn't get why people are so secretive about their age and why it is a taboo to ask someone's age. I must admit I don't get it either, perhaps someone could explain it to me. I am 47 and don't have a problem saying I'm nearly 50 and that I do not have the physical fitness I had 20-30 years ago, which matters when (for example) I am planning full day mountain hikes in the Scottish highlands.

Of course u r.

what til you are nearly 60 @asrl78

As someone born in 1968 I completely agree! I do not feel nearly 60 at all and surely it was only just the 80s?

@EvidentClyburn yes we are sadly nearly 60, 3 more years for me.

Exactly !! The 80s only just happened !

Sure, why not what's the issue. You're, and I'm generalising here, old enough to have lived enough to not care what people think, have taken care of a lot if not all of your responsibilities - children, mortgage etc, are still fit and young and are close to retirement to go travelling have hobbies enjoy your space etc. Embrace it!!

'O' levels were aimed at about 25%-30% of the school population, until CSE were introduced in about 1965 the rest did no exams. 'A' levels were taken by even fewer, maybe about 15%-20% so it's statistically more likely that a pupil took no exams before leaving school at, then, 15.

My DH was born in 1968, he describes himself as nearly sixty, because he is.

You ARE nearly 60 and that’s something to be proud of !! I’m just a year behind you and I am always saying I’m nearly 60 and I have no problem with that 😊

I see ‘68 born men as -

handsome
fresh faced
fit
28” waist 🙌

This

See in my school ( I was born 71 there were no kids that did CSE

You still young either way to me( 76 next month) Still 17 in my head!
I don't blame you hanging onto your 50s though!

It's reality I'm afraid! I did my O Levels in 1982 and will be 59 this year (1966 birthday) So although older than you, I have been sanguine about the closeness of turning 60 once I was 56 and thus nearer to being 60 than 50..