Who cares about becoming invisible?

As someone who went from spots to wrinkles and cellulite and missed completely the svelte dishy bit in between I'm not sure whether to be depressed that there's no way I'll ever look like the model or pleased for her. And as for that French bloke on the bike ........

I'm fed up with being presented with 'role models' - no offence, mollie.
At my age, I don't really think I need any.

Maybe you don't Ana but I do... in my world life ends before 70 which makes me feel almost ancient so stories like this remind me of an alternative option...

I am what I am dont need a role model, its taken me 58 years to accept who and what I am... no role model needed I managed it all by myself warts and all.

If you're on a mobility scooter or crutches, you become totally invisible, even if you're 5'7" and 14 stone!

OK, maybe none of you need role models but can't we just admire these two people for their individuality and their respective successes? Or is that impossible too?

I'm happy for them and I suppose the 102yr old bloke makes me feel, Good on yer, but I don't think I admire them.

I don't mind being invisible. I can always shout BOO if I want to make someone jump.

I can admire people and may secretly wish to be Judi Dench in my next life but realise that I am me and what I make of myself is down to me! I don't need role models or external inspiration and I willl do my da**dest to remain very visible!

I have never understood so called role models, why would anyone want to aspire to be like someone else. surely we should be ourselves and proud of it

I did read about the increase in pedestrian being hit by mobility scooters Galen

Don't knock poor Mollie for her post. Even if I don't want a role model myself I'm well impressed by the 102 year old speed cyclist and the thought behind a lingerie company using an older model.

I don't actually want to be either person but I did admire their determination to carve their own paths. It's much more satisfying than the whinging and complaining and excuse-making that seems to be so prevalent these days...

Thanks AKA but it's much as I expected really, I'm getting used to it ...

Galen. Last year a woman on a mobility scooter created a stir in our local market place when she pushed her way through a crowd which parted like the Red Sea and found herself in the middle of a group of Morris dancers. Everyone cheered and she waved before driving off.

#onewaytogetnoticed

I've always thought of Isabella Rossellini as being a beautiful, chic, intelligent woman.

Galen. i am 5'10" **stone (!!) yet I am invisible.

As with all of you I was taught to respect my elders but now I have reached pension age what has happened? Youngsters (40 and under ) tut at me for getting in their way and not manoevring quickly, sigh when my arthritic fingers cause me to fumble with my purse and roll their eyes when I say 'I beg your pardon'.

Sometimes I wonder what is the point of me. Please world I am here and I do exist.

I didn't think anybody was knocking anybody just giving our opinions

LizG I am sorry this is your experience. Never feel you have to apologise and if you can inject a bit of Maggie Smith aka Dowager Countess of Grantham, into your "I beg your pardon " so much the better

Soutra

Liz I've stopped apologising for fumble fingers. I now exact revenge by trying to count out the exact money to see if I've got it, and if I have I invariably drop coins and have to retrieve them. Or if after emptying my purse at the checkout I find I haven't enough in cash then it all has to be retrieved, put back in my purse and I have to find my debit card.

If they want dithery old lady I give it to them in spades.

If anyone in the queue gets mouthy I explain that the checkout girl or boy (older people are much more patient) has flustered me.

I've never understood what being 'invisible' means. Can someone enlighten me please?

Soutra please allow me to wear my knickers on the outside of my PJs.

I am not sure whether I am invisible but I am damn sure I'm not inaudible.

That's a difficult question Nanna because it means different things to different people but as a starter - it means remaining unserved at a counter whilst the staff chat, being queue jumped in the post office, people barging past because they have somewhere important to go, having 'you wouldn't understand' opinions therefore The recipient isn't listening, being asked if you want to visit the loo by well meaning family members, being treated like an idiot by telephonic customer services: 'have you switched it on?', receiving no respect. I could go on but hope you get my picture.

Aka love it . sadly I am too big and bulky to play the 'little ol' lady'. My MiL was tiny and played it from her mid fifties, she even walked across the road waving her stick expecting cars to stop. Amazingly she lived to be 92. My own mother was pretty good at it too.

Thanks for making me smile