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Everyday Ageism

The Invisible Woman

(29 Posts)
JackyB Sun 28-Feb-21 13:49:49

I just heard this song on Cerys Matthews' Sunday morning programme.

It's about us!

youtu.be/WyIQDLLyyoA

nanna8 Sun 07-Mar-21 00:57:08

I wouldn’t say I was invisible, not round here anyway. People are pretty friendly and often smile and say hello. Not so much in the city but I avoid peoples’ eyes there , you don’t know what they might have in mind! Too many tales of robbery etc.

GagaJo Sat 06-Mar-21 23:43:08

I agree. Older women do become invisible. But I don't see it as a negative. I like flying under the radar and am quite happy to pass unnoticed.

M0nica Sat 06-Mar-21 21:57:04

Sorry, nightowl but what do you mean by We can believe we’re not invisible if we wish to, but quite honestly no one really sees or takes any notice of old women.

I am still be treated by any authority I deal with in life exactly as I was 20, 30, 40 years ago. People I come across casually in shops, employees, not customers, with the same attention and courtesy I have always received.

For the last three months since DH became ill, I have been dealing with medical personnel of all kinds and all levels on his behalf. I cannot think of a single occasion when I was ignored and slighted because I was old. Once again I was delat with, with courtesy, I was kept uptodate with everything that was happening. I was talked to directly, no talking down to me or in a patronising fashion.

I really do not understand what you mean.

Gwyneth Sat 06-Mar-21 20:24:52

I’ve heard many romances begin in the supermarket katie?

Katie59 Sat 06-Mar-21 20:20:48

If you’re worried about being invisible just smile and say hi, I got chatted up in the queue at Waitrose today.

foxie48 Sat 06-Mar-21 19:11:06

As long as I am "visible" to the people I care about, then I'm happy

Redhead56 Mon 01-Mar-21 10:08:00

I definitely make sure I am heard and until it was snowy (hair) I was definitely seen!

Greeneyedgirl Mon 01-Mar-21 09:04:46

Redhead56 ??

Redhead56 Sun 28-Feb-21 23:25:26

Never judge a book by it's cover and do not make assumptions.
Peggy Seeger was an advocate for equality and rights and most definitely not invisible. The song is reference to how some (not) all people dismiss the older woman. I think it's a lovely well written considerate song. Its not meant to make the listener feel invisible it's a message that we are not.

Grammaretto Sun 28-Feb-21 23:00:49

I can relate to the song. I think Peggy Seeger is great.
She is certainly not invisible. She's 85 and still sings beautifully

nightowl Sun 28-Feb-21 22:50:20

We can believe we’re not invisible if we wish to, but quite honestly no one really sees or takes any notice of old women. And Peggy Seeger, who has led a remarkable life, and is a musical icon, still gets that.

MayBee70 Sun 28-Feb-21 22:46:29

...not the Felicity Jones film, though. It had subtitles....

MayBee70 Sun 28-Feb-21 22:43:09

I thought this thread was about a film we saw at the cinema which was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen.

MerylStreep Sun 28-Feb-21 22:26:47

its about us
It's certainly not about me. I've never been invisible and have no intention of being so.

M0nica Sun 28-Feb-21 22:10:43

I am not sure about formidable, but certainly assertive, which means I probably am formidable, Oh dear! grin

Greeneyedgirl Sun 28-Feb-21 19:41:36

You are obviously a formidable woman MOnica grin

M0nica Sun 28-Feb-21 18:43:11

I am still waiting to experience this invisibility that I keep getting told is my lot.

Eloethan Sun 28-Feb-21 18:35:01

I'd never heard that song - or singer - before. It was brilliant. Thank you.

I think it is fairly evident that Peggy Seeger is an interesting and gifted person - with a very nice voice. She is not saying she feels she - or any older woman - is worth nothing; she is saying that often older women - are overlooked. There sometimes appears to be an assumption that they have limited interests and little knowledge of current affairs.

I am surprised that some of the people here have never experienced that - not just in public life but, no doubt with no ill intent, from within the family.

Greeneyedgirl Sun 28-Feb-21 17:54:26

I love Peggy Seeger, and do think she’s spot on with the lyrics, and like it or not it’s often how older women are seen - or not seen - in today’s society. I think however it’s not a song of acceptance because she says “she has plenty to say, and won’t go away” and is more a song of protest. I always make sure that its impossible for me not to be heard!

nightowl Sun 28-Feb-21 17:29:43

Wonderful JackyB. I can’t imagine Peggy Seeger would ever be invisible but she hits the nail on the head. I think invisibility has its advantages though.

EllanVannin Sun 28-Feb-21 16:51:10

Gosh I hope I'm never reduced to thinking or even singing in that vain. You may as well shoot yourself grin

Blossoming Sun 28-Feb-21 16:02:49

Peggy Seeger is fabulous.

ginny Sun 28-Feb-21 15:07:08

Can’t say I recognise myself in the song.

Nannan2 Sun 28-Feb-21 14:38:01

Nanna-rose, id love that sweatshirt!?

Nannan2 Sun 28-Feb-21 14:37:02

Ive not listened to your link. But speaking personally, I am not invisible, in any way.???