A conversation in a Restaurant

I'm several years older than the 78 year old, 'poor old soul'. I doubt very much if it would occur to anyone to refer to me that way. OP, you are still young, don't think old.
My granddaughter once said of me... 'Grandma doesn't thinkold.'
My mother thought old from her 40's onwards. She was ten years younger than I am now when she died. My adult children say they never remember their grandmother being 'young'.

To be fair, I was being light hearted. It just amused me, I agree I don't think anyone would say it to me.
Glad you are the same.

I'm 59 and get called a poor old dear! HA!

I am 82 years of age and still feel 21, I love buying clothes, jewellery and perfume and having my nails done. Thankfully I am great healthwise, no aches and pains, long may it last.

There are those of us who age well and those that don’t, I have a friend who is a sorry state at 60 yrs, others are still vibrant at 80 yrs plus

Well I actually thought I was vibrant and energetic , but I must have been looking very poor old soul-ish yesterday when a young till assistant at Superdrug urged me to make sure to zip up my bag very carefully because there are pickpockets about. She'd already gently pointed out to me that the mini toiletries I'd bought for my holiday weren't very good value compared to the full size ones. And then she urged me to "take good care now" as I left the shop. I was quite touched by her obvious concern for an old dear, but I swear when I left the shop I felt at least 10 years older.

“Old” shouldn’t be seen as an insult. I’m 84, which is old, and I’m not ashamed of it.

My body can feel old, but my mind doesn’t. I am quite a lively talker, and I don’t think anyone would call me a poor old soul. Poor old body, perhaps!

My mother at 78 was a poor old soul, my Mother in law wasn't. My mother at 82 is still going strong, My MIL was dead at 79. Books and covers leap to mind!

Some days I definitely feel like a 'poor old soul', thankfully today I don't!
I also never mind being asked if I need help (if I refuse it, I always say 'thank you for asking').
Maggiemaybe, it wouldn't have occurred to me that the assistant thoght you an 'old dear'. I appreciate having safety issues and offers pointed out to me, and assume that the valediction 'take care' is along the 'have a good day' lines.

I would much rather be asked these things and know that people are being thoughtful.

Did you know they were referring to her looks? Maybe her circumstances had hit a rock.

Maggiemaybe

Well I actually thought I was vibrant and energetic , but I must have been looking very poor old soul-ish yesterday when a young till assistant at Superdrug urged me to make sure to zip up my bag very carefully because there are pickpockets about. She'd already gently pointed out to me that the mini toiletries I'd bought for my holiday weren't very good value compared to the full size ones. And then she urged me to "take good care now" as I left the shop. I was quite touched by her obvious concern for an old dear, but I swear when I left the shop I felt at least 10 years older.

I think you'll find that in Superdrug they talk to everyone like that.. it must be their training. We have several Superdrugs where I live and I've always been struck by how friendly and helpful the assistants are...

The shop assistant has just told me to take care as I was leaving.

I hate it when they say "Aw, bless you"!

My 92 year old aunt apologised for being late meeting me for lunch. She said "I got stuck behind an old biddy in the post office!" I couldn't help wondering how old the old biddy was!

GrandmaKT

My 92 year old aunt apologised for being late meeting me for lunch. She said "I got stuck behind an old biddy in the post office!" I couldn't help wondering how old the old biddy was!

The mind boggles!

Yesterday, I was struggling to walk and a young man offered to come and help me into my car.
It was so kind of him, but I did feel like an old lady and I am not old!

When people say "dear" to me it annoys me intensely. I cut an 80ft lawn, walk three mile a day, attend to my garden, cook and bake at 83 years of age. I guess some youngsters don't do that.

I am 79, and I know I look and sound much younger (that can be a problem at times), and yesterday a 59 year-old man told me I looked 59 (and no, he wasn't flirting; he was genuine). He had been shocked when told him how old I was, but after not really speaking to anyone for some time now, I was really cheered up.

The late queen once said when asked how she was”It isn’t difficult to get old- you just have to live long enough!” Wise words.

That made me smile!

My DS has been known to pat me on the head - does that mean he sees me as a poor old soul?

I remember a few years ago being mortally offended when a young man -early 20s?-on the crowded tube offered me his seat. I somewhat churlishly declined. I thought about it as I got pushed and shoved and hung on for dear life for the journey. Fortunately we got off at the same station and I apologised to the young man and thanked him for his consideration. He was with his mum and I explained it was the first time it had ever happened and was a bit of a shock because of course in my head I am still 25😂. They were actually going to a rock concert. Same one as me 😂

My mother once snapped at the assistant in a shop that she wasn’t “his dear!” She was sorry later and went back to apologise and he said “That’s all right DEAR!” How we all laughed.

I shall be 74 in a couple of weeks and I have just spent the last month setting up a new publishing business with DH and DS so feel very much go-go-go-girl. My latest book is nearly finished too. Wish I didn't keep dozing off after lunch ...