LOUD VOICE

Do not worry one jot. I have a loud(ish) voice. It comes from being a singer in my youth, a Uni lecturer later and enthusiasm for what I am saying. I never needed a microphone to fill a room with song or the finer details of Income Tax (my subject) and it all stood me in good stead.

However, I have been told often (though kindly) to "keep your voice down a bit mum" when I am in a public area and telling someone about my new dentures or how much I admire my son-in-law. I simply say "Oops, sorry, I get a bit carried away" and then try to whisper the rest of my tale, which apparently is still pretty loud.

There's worse things a gran can do. Just be yourself, and have a laugh about it.

I am meeting a friend later this week who has a Very Loud Voice.
At least I can hear what she says and don't have to ask her to repeat everything

I agree maddyone and it's almost as if, because we're retired, we don't have a clue, as if we never held down responsible jobs. I just ignore such attitudes and put it down to immaturity or defensiveness or sheer rudeness.

Melanie take no notice , the "youngsters" seem to be embarrassed by everything these days , I see my son cringe when I call someone "love" when I am out . I am 65 and will continue ?

I totally agree with topsy turvy, I think the younger generation can be extremely censorious towards the older generation at times. It may very well be a generalisation but I find my DD to be worse than my DSs, perhaps girls are more precious than boys.
Personally I find it rather rude when my DD tells me I shouldn't say something, usually something she doesn't agree with, but I think she's out of order. I'm always PC in what I say, I was a teacher for many years and had to be, it's just that my DD is opinionated herself and doesn't mind voicing those opinions however rude that may be, but I know that she wouldn't speak to others the way she sometimes speaks to me. It is a sad indictment of the way society has developed I'm afraid.

I used to say 'young man' to my son until he pointed out it was the equivalent of him calling me 'old woman'. I gave stopped using the term!

When our DS was a little boy, he had a very loud voice, and our other children called him Foghorn Leghorn ( you remember the animated chicken with a booming voice who used to start every sentence with 'I say, I SAY, boy.....! In a US Southern drawl.)

O'h pollyperkins, yes we were taught at secretarial college to address an envelope to say Mrs John Smith and told you would only use her given name if she was a widow - when did it all change, years since I have typed an envelope.

You are you and always have been Melanie.
You sound like a a very natural spontaneous honest sort of person who is not afraid of putting their head above the parapet.
The younger generation can be very censorious and 'Holier than thou'of their elders. I think its shameful that the generation who made life so priviliged for their children should be castigated for every gesture or mannerism which offends their delicate sensibilities.
Carry on as you are and dont you dare feel that calling a barman 'young man' is remotely embarrasing.
Your daughters have the problem, not you. Buy them a pair of ear muffs.

It's the other way round for me! My DD speaks loud and fast, but not "inappropriately", it's just that all her comments can be heard! She's always had a slight hearing problem Maybe it's the same with you - not the hearing problem, just that people can hear you. Try not to worry or be hurt - they love you anyway, as I do my DD.

I can relate to this! My daughter thinks I'm too loud and also 'eccentric' as she delicately put it. I think my reply was 'good' ....

My son, to whom I was speaking on the phone, told me "well you do speak a lot" after me relating something it other from the previous few days. I was quite shocked and responded (after a pause) with "you bitch"! Oh no Mum, it's great that you talk a lot! Eh? The ridiculous thing is that I do chatter on when he calls because I want to appear happy and interested that he calls.

Bless their cotton socks!

I also get told I talk too loud by some family members. My OH and my mum both tend to be a bit mutton so I do find myself having to talk louder than I would normally so that I don't have to keep repeating myself. On the rare occasions I speak to my sister she always cuts me short as I start to talk and says 'before you start please keep the volume down' which I find quite rude.

I think as long as you aren't actually shouting it shouldn't really matter if you are talking a bit louder than the norm!

I'm sure you are not that loud !! I have to almost shout at my husband before he hears me ...his hearing is not good due to service as a gunner in the Royal Navy in the days before ear protection (he is 84) but the doc says the main problem is after his second stroke as it can affect, not necessarily the hearing to a greater extent, but the ability to process and comprehend what is being said. This certainly is the case, as he looks at me blankly when I have, for instance asked if he would like a drink ! Sadly he is also completely inappropriate ..think Alf Garnet and you have it ! Luckily we seldom talk to any English speaking people and he doesn't understand French, so he gets away with it as they don't understand him either ...and if he 'speaks' to them and I interpret for him, I don't always interpret EXACTLY what he has said ! It can be quite amusing !!

Have you ever recorded your voice and seen what decibels you speak at ? and then ask someone else to speak and compare the two ? My hearing is at present very good ...but age is creeping up ...... !

We can't help it if they keep changing age-old rules!!

Oh! I thought black was correct usage these days. I know one shouldn't say coloured. Its very confusing. My DD was really cross when she got a birthday card from an aunt in her 80s addressed to her as Mrs 'john smith' (not her real name) instead of Ann jones (maiden name). I explained that this was how we were taught to address married women and her response was 'She should get up to date! ' She was actually quite insulted !! Im sure that said aunt had no idea shed caused any offence!

I suspect I am often "inappropriate" - my daughter certainly thinks so. I was told off for identifying a young lady running a stall at a recent bead fair as black. Apparently this is not acceptable these days but to me it was the only identifying feature as I couldn't remember what she was wearing or the name of the retailer amongst many.
I have little time for political correctness and think people are far too "touchy" these days. Probably an age thing.

My dad was famous/infamous for his huge voice and it seems to have been inherited by some of the DGC! Apparently my brother and I get noisier and noisier when we are together.

It is very easy now to find you have made an inappropriate remark, its impossible to get to grips with every change over 70 years, I do take note if something is pointed out to me by one of the DC which isn't very often thank goodness.

When they say 'Dont shoutMum ' I raise my voice and sayTHIS IS SHOUTING!'
But only at home not in public!

Dont let it worry , not work me!

My chdren and DH tell me my voice is too loud too! Also I know i talk too much and sometimes use words, phrases or even pronunciation which are not PC enough or just old fashioned and cause much hilarity, or worse, condemnation. I agree that they dont realise how difficult it is when phrases and terminology change. I dont let it work me and yes, i was a teacher too!

It's not always the volume, it's the pitch of the voice too. I know my voice carries, try speaks no a bit lower

Kate my cleaner has a very loud voice! She blames it on the fact that most of her customers are old and deaf! Gary, her husband, says she was born with a faulty volume control!

Melanie, I'm also one that's told to shush, but only by one daughter, she is however the shy retiring daughter ( mother of two).
I'm outgoing talk to anyone etc I think she worries to much about what other people think. My take on it is, it's them not us, it's not as if we are swearing our heads off loudly. Like you I love my DDS to bits and have a great relationship with both of them ( youngest does live in Australia tho) so don't let it upset you or your relationship with them.Ive just learned to think abit before I speak.

Inappropriate can be a generational thing. So granddad saying that the shop assistant has nice legs is inappropriate to someone younger.

Bluebell, I know the OP days she doesn't have e a hearing problem but apparently.neither does my husband, but when I badgered him into getting a hearing test, surprise surprise his hearing is very bad in one ear and quite bad in the other.

Melanie, you sound great fun and as you say it is your job to embarrass your children