It wasn't until I was 70 that ....

Quite a bit off 70 but only found out in the last couple of years what the envelope type thing is for at the top of baby’s vests! It’s so yo can slide the vest off the shoulders and down the body instead of lifting it over the head.... especially useful if you’re dealing with a yucky leaking nappy !

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Well said ANNIFRANCE! I never did like the "holier-than-thou" attitude and have noticed it a lot on Gransnet. It's offputting.

Would like to add that GN has taught me that there are more rude and dismissive characters around than I've ever met in RL. Seems to me that these putdowns and criticisms are posted only to boost the ego of the poster!

There you go again Gabriella, dissing lovely people who do not conform to your stringent qualifications of the norm. You must lead a very sad life devoid of the milk of human kindness.

I can't tell my left from my right, I'm not dyslexic, my son is and can differentiate between the two. I am a safe driver, have always had a no claims bonus. However I can do it in French and Italian. Can you?

GabriellaG54 that's an entirely different thing - somehow with your feet and driving it works in an entirely different way. Anyone agree?

Such a long time since I heard of a dental dam. Its a small sheet of very thin rubber (used to be black). A very small incision is made in it then slipped over a tooth (incisor ) preventing moisture getting onto the tooth from gums etc. It is stretch and held in place with clips. Used for delicate treatments.

I'm 54, quite undaft, and it took me until quite recently to be confident of my left and right. I think there's a lot of undiagnosed dyslexics out there in this generation and before...still productive, highly intelligent human beings though.

I sit with a dictionary beside me but still mis-spell some things.

Actually, if you want to learn something new, try reading a dictionary, one of the old ones. Lots of information as well as words which are seldom used these days.

I was approaching 70 when discovered the condition Dyscalculia. It's the numerical equivalent of Dyslexia and symptoms fit me to a T! I struggled constantly with Arithmetic /Maths at school tho excellent at all aspects of English/spelling. If only this had been known 60 years ago I could have had extra help in Maths! Even now I avoid banking where poss and don't mention following directions on a journey!

Some people should never be be behind the wheel of a vehicle if they don't know right from left or brake from accelerator.

Highly intelligent. Dyslexic. Some ubiquitous reasons for mis-spelling, not knowing left from right etc.
I won't type more.
It's always satisfying to have reasons.
No offence...naturally, just repeating parts of some comments.

when driving my friend always says to me (if i am giving directions) is that left/right with the mouth or with the hand as i nearly always have to point with the appropriate hand. Funny i dont have the same issue when i am driving - just as well.

OMG just learnt what a Dental Dam is,what a discovery!

Lefty loosey-righty tighty. Works for screws or almost anything that needs turning as in taps

A friend of mine, not yet 70, was surprised when I told her how to extend the life of rubber gloves when one perished. Just turn say a left one inside out and it can be used on the right hand, but the rubbery outer layer is not so good without the flock lining.
She used to try and manage with say two left gloves, not easy!

Well now I can't wait to reach 70 so I can become a wealth of knowledge on Broad Beans!!

I wish there had been a book on getting older....to read when I was younger, to know what I needed to fit in and max out to the full while I was fitter....

It may seem obvious.....

but things like I can no longer use my king size professional stunt-man trampoline that sits here in full view (after knee replacement) and can probably no longer paint the inside of the house from top to bottom again...

Did catch my 86 year old MIL climbing on to and having a go on the trampoline though!

Well! Not 70 yet and just Googled dental dam... now can't wait to my 70s to learn more. PS Have never skinned broad beans which are my favourite veg but I don't let them get old and tough. I cook with black peppermint and allow to cool slightly before I eat them.

Love this thread, at 65 I have just finally learned what sonofabitch was in many books I have read. All my life I read it as sono fa bitch. Why, just why! I have no explanation for it. As an intelligent, extremely well educated woman why did this get away from me. Cue much merriment from my children and grandchildren.

Dental dam Not what I thought it might be.
Good old GN.

Well I grow Broad beans and have always taken them out of their pods. A lot of pod for not a lot of bean to be honest and they do attract black fly but not had this year. They are so good for you (the broad beans, not the black fly!) and full of protein and roughage. Cheap as well to buy the seeds and set yourself. Still enjoying growing them though and no nasty chemicals on them.

What I’ve just learned at the age of 71 is what a dental dam is

Just googled "dental dam" !! Oh goodness

I grow and love Broad Beans loved them all my life have never taken the skin off after cooking not heard of this, I love them as they are skins and all.