At what age do you actually Call old !

I started my first job at aged 17 possibly a late 16 and I thought one of the girls was old at 23!
I am now fast approaching 67 and have days when I do feel older, and sometimes I think I look it. Yes I have some wrinkles (character lines) and even the magic cream will not erase them but I try to keep positive and walk every day if I can. Old to me is someone who is 75 plus but I do not judge and I hope I get there one day (but that is another thread)

Agree totally! I’m 72-I’m told I don’t look it, but not sure what 72 is supposed to look like

IMy Mum is nearly 83 and refers to anyone aged under 75 as a young man/woman. . It's all a matter perspective. I have recently turned 60 and still optimistically refer to myself as middle-aged; although there probably aren't many 120 year olds walking around. I have a friend who is 4½ years older than me who is "elderly, but not old," as another friend puts it. It is also a matter of mindset. My grandparents, who were all born at the beginning of the twentieth century, were elderly at fifty and old by sixty. They made themselves that way by the clothes they wore and the attitude they had. By seventy, they were behaving like many of today's ninety year olds. I have a lovely photo of all my grandparents at my parents' wedding in 1963. The ladies wore smart clothes in the style of the late Queen Mother and the men, of course, wore suits. The youngest was 46 at the time and the oldest was 58. I am older now than they were then, but I think I probably look younger than all of them (I could be kidding myself, of course).

When I was 40, 50 was old, then 60 and 70! Now I'm 73, 85 is old. I feel the same as I did at 30, aside from a few aches! I still work 3 days a week. Interacting with 20 to 65 year olds keep me in the loop!

Logically, I know I am old, having had my 73rd birthday last November, but I don't feel old.

You see, I have never really had a definite idea of what "old" means in relation to people.

When I was a child, anyone who was obviously much the same age as my grandparents was "old".

As I grew up, I came to relate "old" more to the state of someone's health than to their age, or relate it to their attitudes.

Some people are hidebound at 40 and never review or renew their opinions after that age. Some poor souls are in constant pain or at least unable to move freely from 60.

Others are hale and hearty in their 80s.

So, I think it fair to say that in my view, we are old when mind or body is obviously wearing out. Not before, irrespective of the date on our birth certificates.

And my father died at the age of 39 from an illness which has been treatable for the past 60+ years.

I will often refer to someone as an 'old lady/man' when talking with my husband. I realise that some of them are younger than me, but I don't feel like an old lady. In fact I am 70 today and just got a good few inches cut off my hair and restyled in a modern look.

Despite several health conditions, I go to yoga, swim, go out with friends and play and babysit my grandchildren. I do have health constraints, but that does not necessarily mean I am old before my time.

So 'old' to me is in the eye of the beholder and not necessarily correctly representative of the person!

A completely different scenario in my family though MOnica.
I am amazed to have reached the age I now am. None of my grandparents, parents generation lived beyond early 60's and very early 70's. Some of my cousins died in their 30's and 50's. I also had a maternal uncle who died at 25.

I'm the same age as you Jules 59 and receiving my pension this year. Still feel young in my head and love fashion and music. Have certainly slowed down after an op last year. Hopefully spring will make us all feel younger

I was informed by the electricity company last week that I am on the priority register because I'm an old person, I'm 71. It was a bit of a shock as I don't consider myself as old. Then a couple of days ago I was mistaken by a neighbour for someone who can't be any older than 45, so that cheered me up!

My health started to decline almost the day after my 70th so, as we're allegedly allocated three-score-years-and-ten, I suppose 71 is my number. Not that numbers count for much. I don't really understand why so many people are offended by the notion of being old. It's like being offended by having wrinkles! Tough mammaries, get over it.

Old for me is someone about 10 plus years older than me. I am 71. I do also think it is mind set. Never been this age before, so every day is new to me,

My friend has a theory that you are not old until you are 15 yrs older than you are now! I see life as a journey- as you get older you are just further along the path. I heard someone say they were building a sunroom for their SENIOR years. Sounds more dignified than old!

Well done Berylc, you have given me hope. This is my 80th year, dont look it or feel like it and have absolutely no intention of giving in or giving up anytime soon. Enjoy your holiday.

Good heavens. 67 in just a soring chicken
I am 86 today and celebrating on holiday in Gran Canaria with .my "boyfriend" (also in his 80's. We have been in the sea. Swimming Pool and on a cruise in a catamaran to see tle dolphins. Having loads of fun
No. We are not old. Maybe I'll admit to "old" when I hit 100.

You're as old as you feel.

Like the OP I have a friend who is always going on about being old. She is 18 months older than me but is in the next decade, 80+, which seems a lot older to me. I have slowed down, but my recent annual review was good, so I am not thinking about being old yet, just older.

In answer to a question about continuing his career into old age Derek Jacobi commented that he was not going to let the old man in . I rather liked that. The old girl is out there . she gets tired easily and she can’t do all the things she used to do but I’m keeping her at arms length by living a full active life as I always have for as long as possible .

I'm 66, my dad's 94- he's old. I expect when he's no longer here I will be "old"

I'm almost 83. First thing in the morning my mirror shows an ugly old lady. Two hours later, lipstick on and hair done, my mirror gives me the thumbs up.

I thought 30 was old when I was a teenager. I told the kids I was age 27 for loads of years until they worked out the maths and said I must have given birth while still at primary school LOL! I have photos of me and my nan when I was very young and now realise she was only in her 30's but wore a pinny, hair net, nora batty stockings, people looked old in those days, nowadays with anti wrinkle creams, make up, good hair cuts, nice teeth and clothes some in their 80's still look like spring chickens. They say you are as old as you feel, that is why I married a toy boy!

I'm 76 and still feel like a teenager.
My knees, however, don't agree!

There is so much negativity about being old. People on here deny they are old as if it were a bad, awful and shameful thing and say they are still young, as if that is the only worthwhile thing to be. This reinforces
prejudice. It is wonderful to have lived a long time. I think it does give us a perspective that we couldn't have had when we were younger. The human community consists of people of all ages and this is part of its strength. People at different ages have different things to offer. We should be proud of being old. Old age should be valued and celebrated.

When I was younger, 70 seemed the threshold, but now 80 feels more appropriate. Women in their 50s and 60s seem really vital right now.