Ageism in adverts - difference between men and women

I fall over if I lean forward. I’m a failure at being old.

And I'll sit in my wingback floral upholstered chair with my cup of tea smiling graciously while someone explains how easy it is to install new windows without any mess!

I'm still waiting to turn into one of those super-groomed women with infinite patience and a permanent sunny smile - they turn up in books too so they must exist, maybe I'll have to wait till I reach my 70s?

Women must smile and look impressed when a male neighbour mansplains about Over-50s funeral plans, as he finishes making his lunch and wiping the counter-tops after him.

When I worked in a house for tenants with complex needs, there was a short window of time in the afternoon to have a quick cup of tea before everyone arrived home.
The ads then would always be informing me and whichever colleague I was with, that one in four women pee themselves.

There was a Churchill retirement flat advert with this little old grandmother offering a slice of cake to a boy of about 7 with a very doubtful look on his face and a grinning garndfather in the back.

The smile on the grandmother's face was so evil, whenever I saw it I was always reminded of the wicked witch in Hansel and Gretel who tempted the children with her gingerbread house with all the sweet things in it before fattening them up and eating them.

Whether the similarity occurred to anyone working for Churchills I do not know, I assume not.

"Oh John, when can we stop with these bloody ads"?

"Shhh now Jean, just grit your dentures and smile! Gotta eek out that pension somehow".

They've just realised how much they're getting paid for this Gransnet ad!

I wonder if you could claim attendance allowance for not being up to jumper drapery?
Perhaps carers to come in, stick your dentures in for you (enough that a small woman can fit in your mouth and jump up and down) drape a jumper, then help you put your court shoes on..

MissAdventure

How funny!
I need to learn how to bend down with my arms outstretched and a winning smile whenever I see the grandchildren, too.

I did that once and a tiny DGD rushed past me wanting a hug from Grandad.
I know my place.

Nobody, male or female, can retire until they can drape a jumper effectively.

Does this mean I have to go back to work?
I can't drape scarves, jumpers, you name it, I can't drape it.

DH doesn't wear glasses - will he still have to go back to work? There could be some merit in this ?

How funny!
I need to learn how to bend down with my arms outstretched and a winning smile whenever I see the grandchildren, too.

Quite right too MissAdventure. Nobody, male or female, can retire until they can drape a jumper effectively. Also, women must learn to carry flowers and a baguette in a basket and men need to learn how to remove glasses in a 'I've still got it way' so they can smile proudly at family photos on the ipad.

Meanwhile, reclining chairs are for women in their early forties who watch daytime TV wearing a pencil skirt and stillettos. The chair sales lady in a suit and medium heel courts will be present in the room at all times.

I must learn how to drape a jumper casually around my shoulders before I reach pension age.

The adverts on GN featuring "older" people are irritating too.
They look too young and glamorous, albeit with grey hair, unlike most people I know.
Or perhaps I move in the wrong circles

I assume the barge is meant to hint about what you could be sending the money on! Ours was to finance an extension.

Coastpath

Older couples always seem to be portrayed as walking on beaches with their (always white) trousers rolled up before cycling home to gaze at each other as they drink coffee at the island in their glossy modern kitchen.

Grandad then goes to the garden where grandchildren chase him around with a hose until Grandma arrives with a tray of home made lemonade and a loving roll of the eyes.

M0nica

To be honest, WhenIwasyourage, my impression is just the opposite of yours. Both partners are white haired and slim and she has a pixie haircut and he is is well-groomed and has a beard. Adverts for Retirement homes have nice ladies, well coifed and well dressed and made up quaffing tea, or a glass of wine.

For some reason I find both groups incredibly off putting.

I was much more comfortable with the Nationwide leaflet for Equity Release and Retirement mortgages. That was a couple on a canal barge looking like real people in a real situation. He had a slightly untidy grey beard and a ponytail and was dressed in real 'living on a barge' clothes and his wife wore a large practical knitted hat and big navy padded jacket and jeans. Just as if they had been photographed leading their normal life.

Frankly I hate these adverts with pimped up, polished and glossed older people

I’m just wondering if Nationwide do Equity Release on Barges

To be honest, WhenIwasyourage, my impression is just the opposite of yours. Both partners are white haired and slim and she has a pixie haircut and he is is well-groomed and has a beard. Adverts for Retirement homes have nice ladies, well coifed and well dressed and made up quaffing tea, or a glass of wine.

For some reason I find both groups incredibly off putting.

I was much more comfortable with the Nationwide leaflet for Equity Release and Retirement mortgages. That was a couple on a canal barge looking like real people in a real situation. He had a slightly untidy grey beard and a ponytail and was dressed in real 'living on a barge' clothes and his wife wore a large practical knitted hat and big navy padded jacket and jeans. Just as if they had been photographed leading their normal life.

Frankly I hate these adverts with pimped up, polished and glossed older people