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Age

(63 Posts)
Emsgran Sun 09-Jul-17 00:27:57

is everyone always upfront about their age or do you knock a few years off?

I've met a few blokes on holidays who have backed off when I've been honest about my age. What's the best way to go?

Caro1954 Sun 09-Jul-17 12:34:37

No, never, though I do sometimes have to work it out by taking six years off DH's - if I can remember his! I'll be sixty-three on Wednesday!

Irenelily Sun 09-Jul-17 12:29:40

Had a good "age" experience this morning at coffee time after church. I happened to mention I was going to my eldest daughter's 60th birthday barbecue shortly and someone said "You must have been a very young mum!" I said I'm older than I look" She said "You must be 80" I said "A bit more, I'm 87" Some very pleasant compliments followed I am very lucky being healthy, busy (school governor) and all our family have very good genes! My parents didn't look their age and my 4 children are always taken for 10 years younger than they are. Thank goodness for good health. Hope it carries on! Don't like being old but the compliments are nice!!

sunseeker Sun 09-Jul-17 12:23:14

When I met new people I can't say I get asked my age but if I were I wouldn't lie about it. Although as someone has already said I can't believe I am as old as I am - when did that happen!!! Still I am fairly fit and healthy so that's all that matters.

trisher Sun 09-Jul-17 12:11:20

A friend always referred to herself as "49 and holding" until she got to 59 and then it was "59 and holding"

FarNorth Sun 09-Jul-17 12:06:32

Men are mysterious creatures.

Grannyknot Sun 09-Jul-17 12:04:48

I say "49 (pause) nineteen forty-nine!" grin

I always say my real age because then people feel obliged to reply "You don't look it". grin grin

Emsgran Sun 09-Jul-17 11:59:31

Only asked this because of an experience a couple of years ago. I'm not looking to meet anyone, just got chatting to a couple of single men on holiday. Not sure how the age question came up, just spent a good few hours chatting with each of them.
At the time I was 60. The first man told me he was 52, the second one was 55. I thought I'd got on with them really well but then they seemed to avoid me sad

Cosafina Sun 09-Jul-17 11:58:12

I dont see why they need my age either, so I give DGS's day and my year. This also tells me who has sold my info on when I've told them not to!!

grannysue05 Sun 09-Jul-17 11:48:07

Just a point....in Bon Marche and Matalan ...both stores recently asked for my birthday date so that they could " send me a gift voucher on the day ".
Oh yes, Pizza Express also.
I gave false dates just because these computer systems hold too much private information on us !

TriciaF Sun 09-Jul-17 11:33:41

I used to underestimate (slightly!) if asked but not now that I'm past 80 - 81 actually.
I wonder when it changes? eg teenagers often add a few years on, to be allowed to do adult things.

Lyndie Sun 09-Jul-17 11:24:28

I always lied about my age at work. I think ageism is rife. Fortunately prospective employers aren't allowed to asked but agencies always ask for a passport to prove who you are and you never hear from them again. sad

norose4 Sun 09-Jul-17 11:21:09

Stick to your guns & real age Emsgran, they aren't worth the trouble if they can't cope with your age. Though looking on the other side of the coin, how comfy would you feel with a young man.?, ( I know this could depend on what you are looking for?)

GrannyGravy13 Sun 09-Jul-17 11:01:36

Very relevant subject - I am 60 this month, and starting to feel part of the "older generation" but still feel 25 on the inside, taken to avoiding mirrors!!!

starbird Sun 09-Jul-17 11:00:37

I think it is different with men if you are looking for a potential boyfriend or whatever. It seems to be a male ego thing to have a partner at least 10 years younger than they are - perhaps to ensure that the woman lives long enough to look after them in old age when they become decrepid. .Don't foget that men lie about their age too, until they are about ninety when they become proud of it. If you hang on for one of those rare and beautiful souls who don't care how old you are you could end up being very lonely as I have seen happen to someone who decided not to seek a partner while her children were growing up, but at forty, found that her age equals wanted younger women (fair enough if they wanted a new family but not all did), and so it has continued - as she never fancied older men and doesn't have the confidence for a toyboy (in spite of several opportunities for same) she is now old and lonely.

Kitspurr Sun 09-Jul-17 10:49:02

My mum & I have a good laugh about people who lie about their age or who won't even say their age. My aunt lies about her age. She even told a boyfriend she had that she was 15 years younger than she was at the time, even though she looks her age. I don't lie about my age, as I don't see why I should have to. Anyone who's "offended" by age, isn't worthy of my time. I'm 50.

JanaNana Sun 09-Jul-17 10:27:13

No why would you? However it is sometimes a shock or surprise to meet friends you have known for years and have"t seen in ages and see how kind or unkind nature has been to them. I went to a school reunion last year with a close friend of mine since primary school.....we had"nt seen some of these school friends for decades. Some of our old school friends we still recognised straight away...others not so ..had changed beyond any resemblance of how we remembered them. In your minds eye you still remember people how you last saw them. On the way home my friend said OMG ...I can"t believe ----was in our class can you. It was a revelation. Some people feel very comfortable as they are while others don"t and maybe lie about age as the thought of growing older frightens them. I have friends who are half my age ..some same age..others a lot older. They just see me as a friend as I do them and our ages don"t come into it.

David1968 Sun 09-Jul-17 10:24:23

I don't care who knows my real age. I'm 67 and my son is 49, so the pretence might not last long! I'd rather they think I'm "OK for 67" than a rather haggard 57!

starlily106 Sun 09-Jul-17 10:15:58

No. What is the point in telling fibs about your age. You are what you are. Turned 80 this week, but still feel 21, (just wish i looked 21).
I still laugh when I remember a small girl on the estate asking me how old I was. When i said 73, she said "Ooh, that's when you die, isn't it!"

Diggingdoris Sun 09-Jul-17 10:04:54

No point in lying. 66 yesterday and proud. I've only a few grey hairs and don't dye my hair so people are usually surprised . It would be embarrassing if I lied and someone found out the truth!

vampirequeen Sun 09-Jul-17 09:55:58

I never bother to lie about my age although there are times I forget it I've had a birthday and drop a year confused

trisher Sun 09-Jul-17 09:55:49

I rarely mention my age. I do sometimes ask people to guess and watch them squirm as they try to decide what would be acceptable and what might be considered insulting. grin However I am now thinking I should make better use of it when I don't feel like doing something- Oh not at my age- I am over 70 you know!

Bellanonna Sun 09-Jul-17 09:52:21

When people stop saying "No, you can't be", then I'll worry. Of course they might be saying I can't be ONLY my age! I do agree with kim19 and I think a lot has to do with attitude and behaviour.

#notlettingon

Nanna58 Sun 09-Jul-17 09:45:37

I never lie about my age because it's obviously just a big mix up - I couldn't possibly be that age when I still only feel 18 inside!?

Teetime Sun 09-Jul-17 09:43:13

I try not to mention it and avoid certain conversations including age, ill health and money.

Jalima1108 Sun 09-Jul-17 09:38:51

I had a boss who was very ageist (I was in my 50s at the time and he in his late 40s!).

I don't mind telling people my age, but equally I don't want to turn into one of those old ladies who say 'I'm 85 you know' and wait for people to say 'Ooh, well you certainly don't look it!', cue for preening, although I would very much like to get to the age of 85 and more.

#onlytwocrownssofar