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Confused ? why do people always think ? I am as old as them

(115 Posts)
NanaDH Sat 05-Sept-20 19:03:29

I am 61. I have very white grey hair ( Not dyed), since I was about 30. This problem has been on going since then but with the introduction of masks it is becoming a daily occurrence. Today was the worst, an older lady whom I was serving at work in the supermarket, said “of course you would remember that during the war, we got use to food shortages”! Last week I popped in to see if my daughter in law was back at work. The lady I spoke to told DIL “ an old lady came in to see you today”!! GS 12; when he realised it was me thought that was hilarious. I am the all modern, up and going NANA with 2 children, 6 grandchildren. What should I do or say when this happens? Any one liners? Welcome. ( that won’t get me the sack) Thank you ?

Happysexagenarian Mon 07-Sept-20 13:31:07

I'm 70 and my hair is totally grey. Last year someone in the village invited my husband to a barbecue and said "...do bring your daughter with you" When I asked who our 'daughter' was he said "he means you!" I think he needs glasses, though I must admit I felt quite flattered.

Jo1960 Mon 07-Sept-20 13:16:19

I was also taken for older than my years (I'm tall) until I was 21 when I suddenly appeared younger. The first time I was asked my age in a pub I was 23 & the last I was 46! I also still have naturally blonde hair although I'm now 60; I put it down to my genes. My dad had only just started to go grey in his 70s & my mother didn't look her age until she became ill in her late 60s. I was also taken for my daughter's older sister & husband's daughter in my 40s. The funny bit is that both my sister & I have both been taken for the other's mother which creased us up (afterwards)!

I reckon I'm closer to looking my age now than ever before but tbh it doesn't bother me at all.

Maggiemaybe Mon 07-Sept-20 12:30:19

Callistemon

^I think my mum mentioned a sugar shortage in the 70's, but thats all.^
There was the toilet roll shortage in the 1970s too
I had a feeling of deja vu this year!

There was a potato shortage when I was at high school in the 1950s/60s because we got bread with our dinners as there were no potatoes. There must have been a poor harvest or even blight.

And there was a bakers’ strike in 1977 which caused a bread shortage. Our honeymoon was a coach trip to Llandudno with a party of pensioners and we were mortified when a limited number of bread rolls appeared at the hotel breakfast and all disappeared into their pockets and handbags before anyone else had chance to grab one. grin

mimismo Mon 07-Sept-20 12:26:53

I'm the same, silver from 30ish on. To compound matters I had my son at 45, so frequently he and I are asked if I'm his grandma, once twice in one day. We find it hilarious and I'm never offended.

Phloembundle Mon 07-Sept-20 12:25:10

My mum refers to "those old ladies". She will be 90 years old next week. No-one who meets her can believe her age, and like me, she doesn't feel old inside.

Callistemon Mon 07-Sept-20 12:13:10

"February 5, 1953: Children rejoice as sweet rationing ends in Britain. Eight years after the end of the war, children and the sweet-toothed could celebrate again as the rationing of sweets ended in Britain. Children and the sweet-toothed were overjoyed on this day in 1953 as the rationing of sweets ended in Britain."

We still didn't eat the amount of sweets that some seem to eat nowadays.

Jillybird Mon 07-Sept-20 12:11:45

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scrappydo Mon 07-Sept-20 12:09:54

My daughter has the opposite problem, she always gets asked for Identification when purchasing DVDs or non alcoholic drinks in supermarkets. She is 30. She is a teacher and works in the same school as her dad, this is confusing for the students & some of the teachers as they can’t work out if they are husband & wife or brother & sister ?

Callistemon Mon 07-Sept-20 11:47:55

I think my mum mentioned a sugar shortage in the 70's, but thats all.
There was the toilet roll shortage in the 1970s too
I had a feeling of deja vu this year!

There was a potato shortage when I was at high school in the 1950s/60s because we got bread with our dinners as there were no potatoes. There must have been a poor harvest or even blight.

Nannan2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:44:25

I think my mum mentioned a sugar shortage in the 70's, but thats all.

Nannan2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:42:56

Maybe theres something in the 'young looking' family link thing-(my mum & her mum were wrinkle free too)& one of my daughters has hypermobility, and i have several different medical issues which one new dr said are all auto-immune problems.but i was sent to test for one specific thing which i dont have.But maybe its something else instead...?

blubber Mon 07-Sept-20 11:36:59

I should have said I was responding to silver lining comment about food shortages

blubber Mon 07-Sept-20 11:35:04

Not so. I'm 76 and rationing didn't finish until 1954 when I was 10

Nannan2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:32:38

Same here Riggie?

Riggie Mon 07-Sept-20 11:30:32

I take my adult son to the community dentist as he has learning disabilities. Hes an adult but I kften get referred to as his Nan by one of the dental nurses!! Now actually I'm older Mum and actually I could be his grandmother, but when every one else complements me and thinks I am a lot younger than I am, it's a bit of a blow!!

Nannan2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:30:09

Geekesse, someone in a shop (where my sons do sometimes go, the almost 22 yr old quite often)asked me other day if my sons had both gone back to school now- theyre at 2nd yr college & uni now!(told you all our family look young) my eldest child, was 40 in april, is occasionally still asked for ID in shops, & she & her daughter,21, are mistaken for sisters ?

Sawsage2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:28:52

I have a high voice. When I answered the phone the other day, the man ringing me said 'is your mummy in?'

vickymeldrew Mon 07-Sept-20 11:19:44

White hair is a poor indicator of age. What about Olly Murs who looks great with his dyed white hair?
As to a suitable retort when strangers comment, I prefer to bounce back with “I’m younger than I look !” and watch them squirm ... ...

Violettham Mon 07-Sept-20 11:14:22

silvedlining Where on earth are you coming from I
was 6 when the war started . I well remember the shortages please check your facts. I agree with annesixty

Aepgirl Mon 07-Sept-20 11:13:06

Anybody over 35 is old to young people. Just laugh and shrug it off. However, don’t forget to do your eye makeup - it can look really sexy behind a mask, no matter what your age.

Gwenisgreat1 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:12:36

I will admit 20 years ago I was friendly with a lady I trained with because I assumed she was similar age or older than me - at that time she was in her forties. We are still friends, I did suggest she coloured her hair, which she did and looks a lot younger than me nowadays

NannyEm Mon 07-Sept-20 11:12:12

Luckygirl. I certainly hope you DON'T have EDS There are many different types of this syndrome, perhaps the only good thing can be porcelain white skin. My 22 yr old grand daughter has hEDS whch is hypermobile EDS and it is a debilitating, painful, condition. That being said, I have never been formally diagnosed with genetic testing like my grand daughter has but I have many aspects of EDS like resistance to anaesthetics in major operations and dental work, stretchy skin (google Sara Geurts) some hypermobility, latex allergies, and have always been taken for many years younger than my age as I dont have any wrinkles on my face. My Mum who died at 91 had no wrinkles and soft white skin on her face . It would have been interesting if she and I had been tested. I just accept things because I see what my grand daughter endures. Perhaps you could ask your doctor to have you tested for your own interest. Meanwhile, enjoy your young looks,

Nannan2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:09:57

Yes maggiemaybe i think mum got the butter vouchers as they were for under 18's.i think i was about 10 or 11 then.?

Nannan2 Mon 07-Sept-20 11:05:49

I often took my grandchildren on holiday,(my older AC's kids) before covid 19, along with my own two youngest sons, and often had to point out which were my grandkids & that other 2 were my own sons!(whom i had at 35 & almost 40!)?

BrandyGran Mon 07-Sept-20 11:04:07

Think of all the fortune of money we have saved by not dyeing our silver hair! When assistants ask me if I would like help with packing groceries I always say "Yes please!"