To not want join my colleagues.......

Just do what you want to do margo (hello, if you are new on here). Make it clear you will dip in and out but welcome being asked. They will understand, I'm sure x

Tell then you will come along to watch and laugh, and will bring a big box of plasters and a bag of sweeties for administering first-aid.

No. You are not being a grouch, you are being a grownup. If they want to break a limb, that is their choice, but you don't have to break yours.

Don't feel obliged to take part in any activities that don't appeal to you, margo. If you just say it's not your thing when it isn't, I'm sure the younger people will understand. I know this works as I do it myself. Good luck.

Margo not at all. Be flattered that they invited you, and then say in the nicest possible way "It's not for me".

Thank you all, I feel much better now about saying no, and as Elegran says I shall take a big box of plasters and sweeties!

If the sweeties are not needed to console the injured, everyone will be in need of them for sustenance once the energetic stuff is over!

martgoes That is a bit more than a fitness regime! It sounds bloody dangerous to me!
No you are not unreasonable! Do what you feel comfortable with. If you want to show willing to be involved, go along to watch as it might be fun but only choose the activities you feel comfortable with.

We cant all be interested in the same things.....age has little to do with it..we are just all individuals. Another time perhaps you could suggest making a list of lots of different things.....Theatre, skittles/bowling, pub, meal etc etc and get folks to indicate their preferences. Then a sort of time table could be drawn up for the next few months. But to be quite honest work life and social life combos can be a real mine field. Just because we work well with some folks does not mean we actually enjoy spending social time with them so dont be afraid to smile sweetly, sound enthusiastic but just say 'its not for me thanks but let me know when you arrange something I'm a bit more into!'

Not an old grouch at all they will understand if you tell them you will support them but not participate in their more robust activities but you will enjoy the more relaxed events. welcome if you are a newbie.

I can think of one outing that I would do just about anything not to be invited to...and that's a Hen night. As for other social gatherings, if what's proposed isn't your thing, it's certainly not rude to say so.

Certainly not being unresonable margoescargo perfectly understandable that you do not wish to take part in dry ski slope. I am sure I wouldn't want to either.

When I was on holiday hiking in Peru we oldies were asked to join in the volleyball with the youngsters and locals. I declined but appointed myself photographer. They left me their cameras and I recorded their fun- suited all parties!

Try asking them if they'd like to join you for an evening at the local bingo hall, or a whist drive, or Beetle drive or similar?
There, you see, you wouldn't think that they were being unreasonable if they refused, would you?
Horses for courses as they say, each to their own. It's not a problem. Don't worry. X

They will love a game of bingo.

glass A couple of bouncers [and me wearing a straightjacket] couldn't drag me into a bingo hall.

soop I was being a bit naughty last night.

Margoescargo is in her 50's not her 90's mrsmopp I went to a beetle drive once - not the most fun I have ever had being used as [yawn] emoticon, but it did beat the bingo evening somebody suggested for our village Thursday group. Lost the will to live very early on. I think these activities, while I admit they may be enjoyed by all ages, serve only to reinforce ths doddering old granny image margo is keen to avoid. The skydiving sounds fun though- you are only a few feet off the ground in a vertical wind tunnel - why not give it a go?

glass...Do tell...

Wasn't implying that margo was a member of the bingo brigade! Just making the point that her colleagues wouldn't hesitate to turn down an invite to something they didn't want to go to. So the reverse applies, and it is not unreasonable for margo not to want to join her colleagues.

I get it mrsmopp