How old are you when you are old enough to....

"Pensioners" seems like an unfortunate word to put in such invitations. Would you go if they used a different word? An afternoon tea at a posh restaurant sounds very inviting.

Why don't you ask the village committee to phrase their invitations differently. You may get a positive response.

Afternoon tea at posh restaurant - for free?! - sign me up!

I was extremely happy to be asked the other day in a restaurant whether I'm a pensioner, because it reduced my bill by half when I replied "Yes".

I don't care what people call me, as long as they don't call me late for dinner!

I’d go (and I’m not, strictly speaking, a pensioner yet). I love afternoon tea! ?

Another one who doesn't care what they call me. I would be delighted to join that group if invited.

I would like to know when 'elderly' kicks in, no one seems to know. Am I and if not when will I be?

If I had been invited to a posh restaurant for tea, I'd be glad to go....and I'm only 59

I’d go, I love afternoon tea in a posh restaurant pensioner or not.

I draw a pension so I am a pensioner - what’s wrong with that? Better than OAP.
Afternoon tea sounds good to me.
I don’t consider myself elderly though. I think elderly is not merely age ( 85+? ) but a question of physical condition and / or attitude.
Senior citizen? Senior?
Or do you think the invitation was really intended for those who are mainly housebound or those who live alone or can’t afford treats?

I’d go. Think of the chat and the amazing back stories. I think you are missing out - or at least go a couple of times. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

A few years ago, when Mum was about 82, a friend of hers involved in The Rotary organised a Christmas meal for the 'elderly'

He told Mum he never thought to ask if she would like to go, as he didn't think of her as elderly. She is quite a young looking and acting 80 plus year old. But I think she would have quite like to have been asked.

Forgot to add. My paternal Grandad, when in his 70's used to go to a club for 'Pensioners'. When we asked Nan why she didn't go with him ( she was in her 70's), she replied, 'I don't want to mix with a lot of old folk'!

Seriously, I would have gone, I am 65 and a free anything is one of the perks of being retired!

I think I’d have gone, sounds an excellent afternoon. Grannyknot my Dad used that phrase regularly, and meant it. It seems I share some of his approach to life. .

This reminds me of my Gran. At 96 she was in a home and she'd talk about that noisy old man or that very old lady over there. they were at least 20 years younger than her!
As for myself, I don't care what they label me, I go to the cream teas and cheap theatre trips as often as I can.

I started availing myself of "pensioners' specials" at cafes and pubs as soon as I stopped paid work at 60, even though I can't get at my state pension till I'm 66. I'm a pensioner without a pension, the poorest sort, and every little helps!

When one is old enough to be living on a pension one is at least a little bit old. I'd happily go to a pensioners' posh tea if I was deemed to qualify, regardless of my age.

If age is "just a number", as many people argue (I don't, by the way), then behave as if it is.

I think it's silly to deprive oneself of what sounds like a nice, social occasion in case someone thinks one's old. Let them think what they like! It won't make any difference to your age, or whether you live on a pension.

Though DH and I once went along to a fun day for pensioners organised by our local council, drawn in by the promise of prizes and special offers. It was thoroughly depressing - funeral plans, care homes and mobility aids - and far from winning any prizes, we ended up signing up to a direct debit for Age UK!

I regularly go cycling with a group organised by Age Concern. At 59 I'm about the youngest- some are in their 80s - but very fit! Usually do about 30 miles. What's in a name?
However - I did complain to the local council when they advertised their "Senior Olympics", which included the events of dominoes and welly throwing! Bloody insulting!

I'm 67 and have embraced my inner pensioner. I'll go to anything I'm invited to. Also as soon as I was eligible, I asked about concessions wherever I went.
I love Afternoon Tea, I'll go in your place.

This reminds me of my mum who used to turn down offers of day trips from me and my sister because she would have to be wheeled around in a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are for’OLD’ people she used to say - her being around 75 at the time. ?? I’ve decided to embrace it and take up all offers!

I don't mind being a pensioner but I do think it conjures up images which probably don't suit many of us. I still feel very lively (in the head, at least!) I am also young at heart I think. Inside I am still in my 20s. How did I get to this age? I am thankful I have, but it happened so fast!

My mother at 82 refused to use a stick even though she had a bad hip and back, She'd link arms with her companions. She used to call frailer older people 'poor old dears' never realising she was one herself!

I wouldn't let the term 'pensioners' stop me from going to a nice posh restaurant for tea though.

K9KTK
This could be a friend of mine. I'm the only pensioner that she will socialise with. She lives in 'supported' housing and hates it.

Out and proud as a pensioner, our commune hosts a meal every year for the over 65s. Five courses, different wine with each one and an accordionist playing between courses. All free for us, we love it. Does go on a bit though, starts at midday and still going strong at 7pm.

I would go too as i really enjoy anything like this, it is a great opportunity to chat to new people and you will be surprised what you can find out from some of them, it wouldnt require a perm to make your hair curl!!!

To me pensioner signifies someone who has probably worked for 40 years and is deservedly receiving a pension to allow them to retire. . It is something to be proud of and I much appreciate my bus pass and rail card, and any other perks such as concessionary rates at the cinema etc, although in fact I am still working part time. I don’t understand why people object to calling a spade a spade and see no need to come up with some euphemism to describe my status quo.