Faffing about in Older Age!

I have to say meal times bother me a bit because my DH is diabetic and needs to eat on time. My DD doesn't decide what to eat in the evening until about 7pm whereas I plan what we are going to eat when I wake up.

Faffers-about drive me crazy! I do know a few and a couple of them are old friends who have faffed since childhood so I don't think it is necessarily age-related. (How do we stay friends, I wonder? I guess it's because we're all very tolerant folk!)

We've all encountered them: they shamble through the supermarket till, fussily stowing their items into an assortment of bags then spend several minutes rummaging in pockets and handbags for their wallet. Just as they've found it and you breathe a sigh of relief, they produce a sheaf of vouchers and coupons to be sorted through before they can pay up and go. They do it on the bus, too - stand in line at the stop for 10 minutes gazing into space until the bus arrives then board and start looking for their pass/fare/return ticket in a dozen pockets and/or bags.
My maternal grandmother was a Grade A faffer and yes, she did also obsess about strange things such as the bins, meal times, TV schedules, the neighbours and other peoples' weight....

Witzend

Nor me, dithering and faffing make me want to scream!
I’ve known non-elderly people do it too, though - it’s not confined to older-age.

Yeah, DP drives me crazy with faffing, and not exactly old either.

scribbles😂

Guilty on one count, I have become indecisive, I even irritate myself when I can't make up my mind. Completely out of character for me I always made snap decisions until recently.

I don’t consider myself a faffer. I’d rather research a purchase on the internet first, rather than dither about in stores. I think I’m a bit of a ‘grab the bull by the horns’ sort of person.
My hypochondria friend who gets worse as the weeks pass, describes herself as a ‘complete Fanny’ which really does sum her up.

Used to be indecisive, but can’t decide now!

Couldn’t resist!
The old ones are the best.

I’m 57 and have the Radio Times - delivered.
And also I’m bored with cooking.
So there’s no hope for me 😂

Ah yes! I have started faffing! I am a DIY geek and up to now that has kept me busy. Just fitted a new garden gate and allotment keeps me busy. I'm faffing about a porch roof I've got to change. I'm late 70's now and loosing confidence fast! Oh, well must keep going 'til I drop.

Perhaps we older retirees do seem to ‘faff’ about certain things, and now we have more time, everyday routine at home replaces the work routines we had.

As for the bright young things on MN and similar, it always seems to be the younger members of society posting on Facebook etc, , asking ‘’which bin is it tomorrow?” “What time is the service bus on Saturday?” “Are any takeaways open tonight, I just fancy a Chinese?” …and so on.

Just look it up on your phone.

I have a Committee meeting this afternoon and just typing this makes my blood pressure rise because I know I will spend 2 hours with a couple of prize faffers.

Oh Lord, that took me back to my Clerk to the Governors days, when a committee meeting that should have been over in 15 minutes could be stretched to a couple of hours by the faffers, especially when the Chair was a faffer too. I must admit the worst offenders were the oldest members.

But yes, I agree about the questions on Facebook. It’s usually the young ‘uns on our local site asking about things they could so easily find out for themselves.

Casdon I recognise that revision technique only too well! It also worked for essay deadlines I found.

I agree that traits become more pronounced - my Mum has always dithered and been anxious but now is so much so that it drives me to distraction. I put a lot of energy into not turning into my mother!

If the posters on the dark side live long enough, they may find their behaviiur isn’t so different from that they’re criticising now 😀

I live on my own - no set times for anything…..but I am a ‘list’ person.

Love a list, lost without it...I am a known faffer, but I do enjoy faffing😄

The MN thread seemed to criticise older folk for having favourite items of china for meals, for taking time over things and paying attention to the detail of the little rituals that make up their days.

If young people do these things it's called 'mindfulness' or 'slow living' and deemed good for their wellbeing. If their elderly parents do it it's called faffing and is deemed annoying.

I make lists, but I can procrastinate. Not the same as faffing! I get impatient if someone hasn’t got their bus pass ready and I get frustrated at shop tills then I think maybe that person has not spoken to anyone for days.
Since DH died I don’t need to have the same routines but he needed them for his health, as he was diabetic. I am a creature of habit but can be flexible. I do find I am slowing down these days though.

I get a supermarket delivery every week, I can't be bothered to go myself as I don't drive , I cook our dinner when we're hungry...doesn't have to be the same time every day, the only thing I get anxious about is when things need fixed and I have to find someone to fix it...

I can’t be doing with ditherers. Having had enough real things to worry about during my working life, I am more than happy not to be overly concerned now about anything over which I have no control. I certainly don’t worry about the bins!

I know some faffers and they're various ages.

Sometimes I examine prices in a supermarket (price per 100g etc) but that is being efficient and trying not to waste money!

Perhaps we should all go over to the Dark Side and invade that thread.

I am faffing about on here, though, just as they waste time faffing over there instead of doing something useful.

When I was their age 😂 I wouldn't have found time to faff around on social media sites!

MissAdventure

Most people, including younger ones, like to make sure their bins are put out on the right day because they don't want to have to store rubbish, surely?

It seems obvious!

Perhaps Mumsnetters don't put them out on the right day then have to faff around going to the recycling centre.

Then faff about with the parking,and need to go on social media to draw a diagram and ask if they're being unreasonable.

Then worry and faff because someone is there,but doesnt seem to actually have any recycling, so need to ask if they should call the police.....

Oh, and then ask if there husband is being unreasonable, because he is unable to help, because he is doing "a hobby" (think Morris dancing, but not that)

Their.