Good news. The ladies only classes have stopped at my leisure centre.

Can you really nmot imagine how hurtful, and frustrating. it would be to have your mental health queried on here? [shakes head in disbelief!]

And if phoenix you think the remark "usual bullies" is more contentious - so be it.

It's not for one poster to theorise on another poster's mental health! Not in print anyway. If you seriously think something is amiss, then report to HQ.

Could not in a million years see Mr N . going to a gentlemans aerobic class .

Incidently , I like the term ladies . Cannot see what is wrong with it !

AND granny23 so do I. (Know many men of that age who try hard to be courteous, and have no idea that they are being patronizing. Cf above.) And I'm happy to let that be, but <not> if they cannot not see that hardened attitudes to women can lead to the acceptance of terrible treatment of women in the wider society. I don't rant and rave, just do a little consciousness raising.....!

Sorry, I don't see absents post as an "attack", more a theory or an observation. I think the comment "usual bullies" is more contentious.

Only just caught up with all this!

when (going back a page) I too dislike the use of the word "ladies" in the sort of context where "women" would be so much more appropriate:

Gentlemen & ladies
Men & women

"gentlemen's aerobic classes" for example? I think not.

"Ladies" can feel so patronising, though I do recognise that it is often a misguided attempt to be nice to the little women...

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On the contrary, I know quite a few men like Frank who are old school 'Gentlemen' and expect ladies to act in a Ladylike manner. They just do not 'get it' that their language and behaviour is considered condescending and paternalistic by modern women, especially as their wives (if any), mothers, sisters and many of their elderly female contemporaries consider them to be perfect gentlemen and butter them up. I am not surprised that the 'ladies' who attend classes with Frank are very friendly towards him. He is a widower, fit, has a full head of hair, speaks fondly of his daughters and Grandaughters, owns his own house and obviously has a bob or two.

We are wasting our time trying to convert Frank to a modern man, he does little harm and much good. Better to concentrate our efforts on the really bad guys.

You're right Absent I had forgotten about the issues at the BBC.
Personal experience doesn't move an argument on either does it. So maybe I'll dip out of this one, however strangely compelling it is!
I did enjoy gracesmum's comment (above- 14:09:50)

This thread has taken on a surreal air don't you think?

Oldgreymare Sadly, there are plenty if old and middle-aged – even young – men who think that women are getting above themselves. It wasn't long ago that the overpaid male news presenters got themselves all steamed up about the "domination of women at the BBC". I wish…

HunterF's posts make me wonder how many other 63 (?) year old men think this way.
I don't know any.
I suppose that makes him unique

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I do not find Hunter's posts at all difficult to follow.

If they were I would not have this picture in my head................

It's not the age thing I'm questioning. Just why would you want to be in a class where all the others are women. I understand you joined the classes some time ago and the class, and you, have aged since then. That makes perfect sense. I just think there must be some more manlythings you could be doing than aerobic. Or ladies' keep fit.

HunterF Is English your first language? Your posts seem very disjointed and a little difficult to follow.

You also seem very determined to make us understand that your doctor, dentist, instructors and others are all 'ladies' Why is that?

The thought of elderly men doing 'aerobics' in baggy shorts is hilarious! The mind boggles!!!

Kit washed every other class? Do you not work up a sweat then Frank? When dried sweat warms up it pongs!

Mad, sad and very funny, I agree hummingbird. I'd love to see Frank strutting his stuff!

This thread is surreal and hilarious!

It's not the full head of hair that would do the convincing, it's not losing the thread of the conversation!

Are we talking aerobics or keep fit here? I can't believe you would get many 60 plus ladies in an actual aerobics class. But if you do, then I'm glad they have medical staff standing by.

You couldn't wear a track suit type jacket for aerobics. You sweat too much.

Get it now .

Hi Nonu

I probably should have described it as more like a track suit top.
Most of the ladies wear similar coat type tops when they walk to the car park.

Frank

Hi j07

You may be surprised but a lady thinks most of the classes she goes to are now ageing.
She told me she has been going since 1985 and she said a good number were there before her.
I was 50+ when I joined these classes in Birmingham but at the time I thought I was too fit to go into a 50+ class and I can remember 2 instructors saying they thought I was a bit lively for 50+ classes.
In some respects I think it is a shame that there is only 1 50+ class left at the centre. There were 2 at one time.
I could be wrong but I think when a person has been in a class for years they make friends there and do not want to change.
Also I think it reflects society. Many of the 50+ ladies are carers and some are 60+ and can not make a specific class every week ( things crop up like hospital appointments ) so they just use the normal classes and just take a bit more care.
Oddly enough I have problems convincing medical staff I am 63. They think I am more like 50 as I have very little grey hair and also a full head of hair.

Frank