Do I look that decrepit ?

Isn't it annoying silverlining ? On the bright side, I have been out with my DD (who is in her 40s) a couple of times and she has referred to me as 'mum' and a couple of people have siad 'that's never your mum, she doesn't look old enough.' DD was less than pleased but I was happy I'll cling on to the nice comments I think!

I think context (aka ageism) comes into it. Some people only expect to encounter a certain age-band in given situations and treat you accordingly no matter how youthful you look.

Katyk years ago i was with a friend in m&s shoppi g and the assustant said to me ' 'that teally suits your daughter'. My friend was 6 weeks younger than me.

Every time I go on a tube or bus I ma offered a seat. I accept gracefully each time unless I am only going one stop which is unusual. Maybe it is my walking stick- I do not know.

Oh dear NanKate About 5 years ago, after a really bad spell when I lost my hair, I went out with my sister. I was feeling chipper with my new hair system for which I was getting lots of compliments. We met someone my sister knew who said to her 'oh how lovely to see you and this must be your mother'. I was fuming - I am 9 years older than my sister. Well, that brought me down to earth with a bang. My sister however, was thrilled.

"I should have asked if they had a defibrillator to hand"
I was very amused to see a large notice on the door of our tax office - 'this building is equipped with a defibrillator'
Not surprising as there's a steep staircase inside, and a large number of the locals are very elderly (80-90+)

Thanks ALL. I tried to look a bit sprightly after that knock back about my demeanour but I didn't fool anyone.

Hi Kitty I suspect I did look a bit dodgy.

Thanks Joy for noticing my absence.

Finally my friend who I was with said 'Are you limping' ? 'No I am bloody well not, well maybe just a tiny limp'

Still a bit miffed that I was given the "senior citizens " ticket at the cinema and my friends was not. I was 57 and my friend was 60. Still makes me scowl to think of it!

This made me smile, nankate I'm 66 and generally active and pretty fit but had a nasty bug last week and haven't been eating well since so am feeling, and probably looking, a wee bit pale and wan. Yesterday, to cheer me up a bit, we went to visit an NT place and I really felt like sitting down, until I noticed the carefully placed spiky teasels on the antique chairs! Let's hope we both feel on better form soon.

Same happened to me on a bus in Glasgow sarn. A gentleman gave up his seat for me. It was one of those at the front with a notice asking for the seat to be given to the elderly. I might be 65 but I can still run up our hill!
I hope you feel on top form again soon NanKate.

I know how you feel NanKate. I felt similarly when a young man gave up his seat for me on the underground recently. Whilst grateful I was concerned that it meant I was looking old and decrepit. I spent the remainder of the journey closely studying every other standing passenger and comparing them 'age-wise' to myself. I will add, I'm only 58.

Good to see a post from you NanKate, haven't seen one for a while. I'm sorry you aren't 100% at the moment but hope you will soon be fighting fit! Visiting NT houses is a great way of recuperating, hope you managed a while in the cafe for and

Hi Kate! I bet you don't look that bad!