Typical Gransnetter

Gratitude is not the same as smugness no it isn't varian. It's a good thing to count your blessings and to be thankful for what's good in your life .

Although I have lived for all my life in the real world, I have not suffered the worst of misfortunes which the real world has inflicted on some others, unlike some Gransnetters who have been dealt a bad hand of cards.

Those of us who have lived a long life without suffering dire misfortune must count our blessings.

I do not think the typical Gransnetter is smug, any more than I am.

Perhaps those of us who have lived through changing times and post on GN are, on the whole, more fortunate than others of our age - or maybe not.

During my time on GN I have read of many misfortunes and realise how fortunate I have been.

Gratitude is not the same as smugness

This Gransnetter knows exactly what's going on in the real world. Unfortunately.

Doodledog

Flak jacket? Check.

Tape on the windows? Check.

Tin hat, gas mask, ration book? Check, check, check. . . . . . .

😂

I don’t think Varian was being smug at all. Simply saying that she feels very lucky. I too am very grateful to have a loving and supportive family, good friends and enjoy a very pleasant social life. That’s not to say everything is rosy, we all have our up, downs , trials and problems. Also different hobbies and interests.

Some posters feel able to post about all their illnesses and families problems. and that’s fine . I hope it helps them to deal with them. Others as in ‘real life’ would rather not discuss certain things.

Therefore it is impossible in my view to say what or who is a typical GNter

MerylStreep, Why on earth would you think that Varian or anyone else has no idea of what goes on in the real world? Maybe they/we are all too aware, but prefer to keep their GN contributions relatively lighthearted.

I found your post patronising in the extreme.

I think Varian is a typical gransnetter. No offence meant to you Varian but I feel that most gnetters have no ideas what is happening in the real world.
And thats not a bad thing because when you know you can’t not know, it that’s makes sense.

Surely a typical gransnetter is just somebody who is a grandparent and posts on this site.

Simple definition.

Maybe the typical GNer is rather more on the fortunate side than the unfortunate.
People surely tend to post more about their troubles and heartaches.

They don’t tend to post saying, Gosh, I’m so lucky - I’m in good health with a lovely dh, adorable grandchildren, no money worries and I get on fine with my adult children - do they?

And I suspect that quite a few don’t post about personal matters very much, if at all.

Maybe most Gransnetters feel, like me, fortunate in some ways and not so fortunate in some ways. That's life I think.

I don't think Varian sounded smug, perhaps she appreciates what she has. We all realise we can't see what's round the corner in life - thank goodness!
As for me: I will soon be 75, I am retired and recently moved with my DH 200 miles from the town where we grew up and lived for most of our married life. It's still a learning curve after a year, but we wouldn't change things for the world, as we now live close to our daughter and her family and we are slowly getting to know the area and our neighbours.
As someone also said, there is no such thing as a typical Gransnetter, but we do enjoy getting together with each other through the medium of the internet.

Life experiences aside, I would say the typical gransnetter is over 60, female, and has grandchildren.

I bet nobody here thinks that they're 'typical' - why would they?

Knows!

mumofmadboys

Surely everyone has good times and some very tough times during the course of their lives. Most lives are a mixture

That is so true.

None of us know what is waiting around the corner.

Doodledog

Flak jacket? Check.

Tape on the windows? Check.

Tin hat, gas mask, ration book? Check, check, check. . . . . . .

What is typical?

Do we have a job description please?

Absolutely, Kim19! Empathy and compassion towards others may be generated by our life experiences, IMHO. Reaching out to others in difficulties can help us put our own worries to one side and keep things in perspective.

I understand what you’re saying varian, and I think it’s good to your blessings.
It’s different to say what typical is though, we’re quite a large demographic. Some of us are about fifty, others ninety. Some are working, others retired. Some in good health, others ill or disabled. Some have grandchildren, others don’t. Some married, some divorced, some widowed. Some gay, some straight. Some comfortable, others struggle financially. Most female, but some male, and for all we know some maybe bi or trans.
So what’s a typical Gransnetter? I don’t know.

I think it's our different experiences, good or bad, that make us interesting and often helpful.

I know absolutely nothing about you Varian but I would not change places
with you for a million £££
What makes you think YOU are more fortunate?
Smug does not come close

It sounds like you are ‘blowing your own trumpet’ varian.

You may feel fortunate but there are others who may not be so, for one reason or another.

I’d continue to count your blessings as you just never know what is around that corner.

It is not about celebrating our good fortune, but more about appreciating the struggles that some of our fellow gransnetters have had to overcome misfortune

When I read other Gnetter's stories it makes me realise how fortunate I am
Well that’s nice, for you.
Better not be like the Pharisee though, who prayed
Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men …etc
Not wishing to rain on anybody's parade but I bet we all have things in our lives which we would not change for the world!
So who is or is not fortunate? Who’s to say.
And as for typical - no chance.

Riverwalk

I'm not a typical gransnetter - I don't bake cakes

Varian you sound a little smug, if you don't mind me saying so!

I'm not smug riverwalk

I just count my blessings.

It’s a bit like asking what is a typical human being! We all have our ups and downs, some people sadly have more downs than ups, but everyone is different and people often have different coping skills.