Words for those of us who are getting on a bit

Whoohoo! Another member of The RANDY Club here

Mature and sensible! No problem with seniors. But my godmother, a district nurse/midwife when I got pregnant at 25 referred to me as an "elderly primigravida" - wasn't too happy with that!

My DH in his 70s refers to himself as approaching middle age - except when asking for concessions when he says he is extremely old!

I agree with Anya I know who I am so... RosemarySuperager the same thing happened to my daughter in law, it is just the term they use but I don't like it.

I was an elderly primagravid at 28 way back in 1977.

I prefer to be called a 'lady of mature years' though I have to admit that if I'm in a temper my language is less than ladylike (when nobody is within earshot, obviously).

Two of our grandchildren were visiting. The younger one launched herself at DH for a hug. Her sister gasped, "you can't do that, grandad's old". The older one recently made us great grandparents. She is now 24. I wonder what she would call him now.

I don't like old or elderly or pensioner. I'm in agreement with Muswelblue and don't know why we have to be labeled at all. I never offer my age and if rudely asked knock a few years off or on a good day 10years off. A lady never tells her age! Haha!

Greyduster, it's the other way round for me. I told a neighbour today that I was really enjoying the free shuttle bus to town the Water Board have provided while they dig up our roads. He looked puzzled then said "Why? Don't you have a bus pass?". No I ruddy well don't!

In fairness, I don't get mine till I'm 66. Perhaps he doesn't realise this - that's what I'm now telling myself anyway!

Sorry to rain on your parade, Cherry, but mayor in Spanish means elder, it is mejor that means better, but it is still more polite than vieja!

Aggie you were right to put forward your complaint in the way you did.
If making a complaint I am elderly.
If asking for help I am a pensioner.
Such joy of choice but would never use 'over 60' as up to a 100 can be over 60.

I remember my dad buying a new car in which he had to display the notice "Running in - please pass". I think I will have a tee shirt made saying "Running out - please pass!" When we were out on Thursday, I asked the receptionist at the place that DH was having his tests where I could get a bus nearby. He told me and I said "Good job I thought to bring my bus pass!" He said "surely you aren't old enough to have one of those". I thought of saying "should have gone to Specsavers". Instead, I said, "Oh, bless you!"

I'm just pleased to know there are others who had this label muswellblue and you were younger than me!!

I still think of myself as middle aged because my mother is still with us - alive and very much kicking. I am 74. Why do we have to label people? I suppose my DDs are middle aged now ( 45 and 47) but they would hate anyone to call them that.

Whoops just noticed I'm not the first to say the above. Sorry!

When I went into hospital to have my first baby I was referred to as an "elderly prima gravida". I was 26!!

I presented my senior rail card to the man selling the tickets the other day and he said 'oh you've got a wrinkly card, have you?' As he was polite enough to look surprised I didn't feel too insulted! Whenever I buy tickets when we are out I always ask for 2 oldies please, I'm 63 and OH is 70, not sure I'm too worried about what people call us. I quite like to imagine that we don't fit into any fixed category but I'm probably fooling myself.

My friend's children refer to us as 'the crumblies'!

Last year I was boarding a bus and the driver remonstrated with two young people over their behaviour. 'You might have hurt that old lady' he said. I went upstairs and sat for ten minutes thinking I hadn't seen another person getting on then......the penny dropped! Always brings a smile to my face........ To see ourselves as others see us right enough! Happily I'm totally with Anya in that I know who I am so no name tags required or found offensive.

When I gave birth to first DS aged 31 I was referred to as an "elderly primigravida" . So if I was elderly then what the hell am I now? It's all relative anyway my mum at 95 refers to the newer residents in her sheltered housing as "the young ones". Some of them are the same age as me.

I do think we need to distinguish between those in their 60s who are still fit and active and those over, maybe, 80 who are elderly frail - there are 2 generations here. My DGC find it hard to understand that the Queen is very old and her DC are older than me.
I have seen it described as Boomers (with Baby omitted) for younger and Seniors for olders which I find OK and can't think of a better general description.

I don't mind 'retired' but hate 'pensioner'. I'm not keen on 'elderly' at 65 but given the increasing ageism online there are far worse words being used.

To me 'elderly' sounds very old as does 'pensioner;. I think that goes back to when I was younger. I am 66 and refer to myself as 'older' Mind you I don't feel 66....I am just going out on a date...wish me luck...

I can't think of anything I like that refers to be as being older as I always think of mt self as mid range, I am 70 +

A Maori driver of a small tour bus once referred to 'the elder ladies'. It took a moment for my sister and me to twig that he meant us, but we were honoured. Couldn't call myself an elder here because of its religious connotations. My Dad was an Elder of the Kirk.