Who cares about becoming invisible?

I'm quite good with computers and like looking round computer shops. I love it when a young man asks if he can help (in the tone of "do you realise this is a computer shop?") I then ask a tough technical question just to watch his expression. I once demonstrated TO the assistant how to use the video making program as he wasn't sure. At the Apple Genius Bar I asked a question the assistant couldn't answer - not deliberately - but it did generate some respect for the older generation.

Last year I posted a thread about women and later on men becoming invisible as they become older. I don't want the younger people to bow and scrap before me but as Lizg says at least not have a door not held for me when I've held it for others. Not to tut at me but to be patient.

Can't say I have ever felt I am invisible although sometimes I think it might be nice. There are always the odd impatient people around but I just pretend they are invisible.

Occasionally when I have to use my 'mean machine' ( electric scooter) I find people are on the whole, kind and helpful.

As for people jumping queues and not being served whilst the assistants chat, I suppose it depends if you are confident enough to speak out. In most situations I find a smile and or a light remark seem to get me through.

Role models ? Well I think my parents bought me up to be a fairly nice person and to get on with life in the best way I could so whilst I might admire people for things they do I don't feel I need a role model now.

I don't feel invisible! And if someone treats me as though I'm an idiot then I would assume they would treat other people, of what ever age, in the same way! When that happens I can summon my inner Dowager quite readily but I also think a friendly smile and an interest in other people goes a long way.

Like Soutra, I admire other people for their achievements and I fully intend to be Judi Dench next time round, though the haircut wouldn't suit me!

I have always been invisible to the "gels" at make up and perfume counters even when I stand there holding a product I want to buy.
Years ago in my local Spar the owner and son were busy chatting and did not serve me so I put the items I wanted to buy and walked out. They later complained to my husband about my attitude. We don't shop there now. Nor do most of the village.

I'm still trying to perfect the art of being invisible when I want to be invisible. I often feel too visible.

jeni, are you sure people aren't just pretending not to see you in an effort to be casual about seeing someone "moving around in a minority way"? I find my eyes are naturally drawn to the unusual and that includes wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Like absent, I'm sure you can make yourself visible when you want to

I don't care about being invisible. In fact I'm quite looking forward to it.

Mollie that photo of the lingerie model is a very good example of beauty in older women. Thanks for posting. I could do with her as a role model, because I all too easily err on the side of slob

Now, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith as role models is much more likely for me. Age to them seems more a case of playing a different role - not of having no role at all.

(And the wonderful lady whose name escapes me who plays Peggy Archer.)

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

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

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

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

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.

Soutra

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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 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!