I have become invisible

At 79 I still just remain me, Annoying that I cant run any more but still expect to do what I want to , so long as it doesnt make problems for others. I am scrupulous about waiting my turn in a queue but do not expect to miss my turn. I remember being told off by my mother when sent to the shop for something, about how long I had been , and lots of adults used to speak over my head and get served before me, and I was determined not to do that myself. I am sometimes surprised by the attitude of others, for example, I have always loved the fairs and the dodgers and the merry go rounds and gallopers. When the last fair came I had a great time going on the waltzer and got off and held onto a pole as I was slightly dizzy, only to have two different people ask if I needed an ambulance, just because I was stood there. I appreciated their kind enquiry as it might have been needed but explained I was just having a breather before going back on!! You should have seen their faces! Still enjoy driving and now my back is not good , need to use the car more but still get out and about and have no plans on stopping as long as I can manage. Dont forget you are a winner already, as you have had enough sense to still be here breathing and living your life. Carry on and enjoy everything you can!

I'm 73 (just last week) but I'm certainly not an old biddy. A few years ago I was in Laura Ashley and saw a nice jacket. I took it to the till where two 'assistants' were discussing what looked like a stock list. I should say we were no more than two feet apart, if that, directly facing. They didn't look up. I waited, possibly for a full minute. They still didn't look up. That was long enough to be ignored. I left the jacket on the counter and walked away. Their rudeness lost them a sale. I haven't shopped there since.

Jaye53

Sadly No one ever thanked me for replying to their problems. not one personally , just a "thanks all" a couple of times only.

A few posters are very polite and acknowledge separately everyone who offers advice, but they are rare birds. Some give a blanket thanks to all, and yet others never utter a word after posting about their problem. Don’t let that get you down Jaye. We’re all in that same boat.

Jaye53

Sadly No one ever thanked me for replying to their problems. not one personally , just a "thanks all" a couple of times only.

I think GN runs hot and cold, slow and fast - people don't always take time to say Thank You to every response, indeed kind when it happens. Thank you for bringing up reply to reply.

To Kandinsky - shop assistants, cafe, restaurant & especially bar staff for a start!

That's a pretty unnecessary and insensitive comment

I love it too. I told my grandchildren grandma has a super power , invisibility. They thought that was so funny!

whywhywhy

I definitely feel invisible around certain people and I never used to. Sometimes I feel invisible on this site.

I can see you, BBBevan! 👀

Perhaps you're giving out the wrong signals. I would prefer to be 'invisible' but I find I actually get unwanted attention. I seemed to have become a sweet little old lady!

I have never felt invisible, just 69. But I live in a small village, have lots of friends and am on several committees. I retired from a professional management job seven years ago, and have continued to use my specific skills in church and locally. I learnt to put a smile on my face and be friendly to everyone. So far it has worked for me!

srn63

I love being invisible.

Who said that??? 😂🤣

I guess I was about 70 (now nearly 77) when, really annoyed in Halford's after being ignored, a third customer behind me was asked what they wanted, I threw up my arms and shouted out "Eureka!" With everybody now aware I added "I have, it seems, invented a cloak of invisibility!" Apologies were made and I was served. Seems they thought I must be with somebody else (as I was obviously too old and senile to be allowed out on my own?)

Grandmafrench

It's often quite hard not to feel invisible when out and about. It often seems - especially in the south of England - that there is no time for anything now , not even a greeting and a smile. Not important any more. So, after many years of living abroad (where older people do count!) I am tempted to behave a little disgracefully now and then. In England I respond and greet people and make eye contact, I never "grunt" and I always smile. It never worries me that a lot of stressed people might think "nutter". Some day we will all be old and if a very old person speaks to me I NEVER walk past and ignore them : what if mine is the only conversation that person has during the whole day? I will speak to the older cashiers in Tesco who question as to why I am buying so many boxes of Earl Grey Tea and then how do I like living in the sunshine. I don't care if her chatting to me holds up the queue - every single person needs human contact sometimes, we are not robots! Probably heading towards the 'purple coat and red hat' age now, so I don't care, but I welcome a conversation with anyone however young, however old, however short of time I am. We all deserve that. No little child will get a sour-faced response from me when they ask my name or my age and embarrass their Mum. I'm happy to entertain small kids in the Building Society queue whilst their Mothers play with their 'phones....oblivious. Invisibles can strike back! We all need to slow down and start caring and not make anyone feel invisible, ever. Do one small kind thing every day and see how are lives are enriched by that.

Love this, Grandmafrench!

Kandinsky.. I thought your comment was hilarious and it made me laugh. That is exactly what my best friend would have said to me.

Crossstitchfan

whywhywhy

I definitely feel invisible around certain people and I never used to. Sometimes I feel invisible on this site.

I can see you, BBBevan! 👀

Sorry, that was for why why why!

Kandinsky

Who do you want looking at you at your age?

Maybe you didn’t mean it, but that was an unpleasant and unnecessary comment, Kandinsky!

I don’t feel invisible but I do feel less noticed, and I like that, especially when walking past groups of men, I can remember when that made me feel nervous as a younger woman but now it feels great because they completely ignore me.
But when I want to be noticed I make sure that I am, if given a rubbish table in a restaurant when others are empty or just overlooked in general.

I’m a big dresser upper and notice I’m certainly not invisible when dressed up, made up etc. However I do enjoy my invisible days, just dressing comfortably, specs on and anorak etc.

I’ve just started watching Joan Hickson as Miss Marple and it seems being ‘invisible’ can have a plus side😉

If I pass teenagers vaping, I say, with a smile, “ chocolate’s cheaper “, and they laugh and sometimes reply, never rudely. I’ve even been offered the chance to try it. I’m going to stick to chocolate though.

I've never felt invisible when I've needed help. When I have fallen and had trouble getting up, there was always someone - invariably younger - who picked me up and, when necessary, called an ambulance. Nowadays, at 84, when I try to reach a product inconsiderately positioned on a high shelf, there's always a younger, fitter person able and willing to reach it for me, without having to be asked.

Crosstichfan I think you may be wasting your breath because Kadinsky made that comment five years and two days ago.

annodomini, there’s always someone taller, as at 85 I’m shrinking …..

I started feeling like this 16 years ago when I was 50 nobody could mention my birthday without me bursting into tears, I was a little bit the same this year when I hit 66 and realised I was officially an OAP, I envy people who can think age is just a number because yes at 66 I feel invisible often

Sparkling says she feels invisible. I remember the first time I walked into a pub and all the men looked up ……. and then looked down again . Oh the relief !

BBbevan

I often feel invisible on here

So do I