BBC regards older women as figures of fun

People like to laugh at things they fear!

Yes and the BBC was the one to actually commission this survey! Why do it to show yourself in a bad light? About time more respect shown to older women in my opinion.

Because they were told to do that by their grandparents!

"When they did appear on shows such as Strictly Come Dancing they were "exploited" as figures of fun and as the subject of jokes."

"Viewers highlighted Miss Widdecombe who they said had been on the talent show "just for a laugh". "

I think those quotes say more about the viewers surveyed than it does about the programme. I don't Ann W. was selected just for a laugh. I think she was selected to add depth to the show, and to show that the most unlikely people can have it in them to succeed at dancing, or whatever. How boring would the show have been if only fit young people were selected for it?!

I think there are many examples of older people - women especially - being poked fun of by the Beeb, but Strictly is not an example of this.

The voice Terry Wogan used to put on when quoting something an older person might have said, was ridiculous and insulting.

As Pamela Stephenson was on the same series as Anne Widdecombe, I don't think that argument stands up. She was highly successful as a dancer (reached the final, I seem to remember), not as a figure of fun. If AW was a figure of fun, it wasn't because of her age.

Occasionally i hear a R2 programme with "the old woman" on it making inane comments. Gulp. Is that still on?

Just heard Virginia Ironside saying on Women's Hour that 60 is NOT the new 40. That being 60 is easier than being 40 etc etc. I agree with her. As she also said 61 is going on 70 and 41 is going on 50. Two quite different things. She was not at all funny but sensible and gave a few tips on how to be taken seriously. Don't wear things that look comfortable, they can be comfortable, but shouldn't make a comfy impression.
Older women being made tp look funny, its like the mother-in-law jokes. Many men still have to get over the influence their mother had or still has on them.

I have registered what Virginia Ironside said about not looking comfortable, although I think she would have been better to use a word like cosy or frumpy, as the implication of her remark is that you'll be taken more seriously if you look uncomfortable. Surely not. However, once one becomes une femme d'un certain âge, mutton dressed as lamb can kick in. I think the secret of being taken seriously starts and, quite probably ends with feeling comfortable in your own skin.

Depends on the context really. If running a meeting I usually wear a jacket and pearls. Very formal meeting, trouser suit or smart trousers and a non matching jacket. Pearls (plain) are my best tip for looking grown up.
Rest of time, in this weather, it's the dressed for gardening look...
Looking after grandkids down under - tunic, leggings/shorts and trainers in case a quick sprint is needed...

I agree about pearls Jess. My boss gave me a lovely 3 row set when I left work forty odd years ago and it's only now I've started wearing them. Mind you, DD1 did for one row when she was crawling. Found them in the open drawer and, next thing, they were all over the floor! So they are only two rows now.

The "Old Woman" is on the Steve Wright Show in the afternoons. Do you know, I've never thought of her like that. Always sort of assumed she was much older than me!

Charlotta I'm going to listen to that on i-player. Sounds interesting. Virginia I. often talks sense.

I adore pearls. My father gave me beautiful string for my 21st
My dh knew I wanted a triple string so got me one as his last Xmas present to me before he died.
I also have several other strings with
1 red coral
2 turquoise
3a very long string of rose quartz beads with 3 matching pearls between each 2 rose beads
As I said I love pearls

Nothing like pearls - they go with all colourings. I have a lovely string which my parents gave me when I was my sister's bridesmaid. I also inherited a longer string of smaller pearls which I found when I was clearing my aunt and uncle's house. Like pearl ear studs too and have several pairs in different sizes.

I was always told that it was vulgar to wear jewellery set with precious stones during the day – nothing but pearls before six. (Not that I have a lot of either.)

Not these days. Look at what HM wears!

Oh wear it all absentgrana we can throw all the rules out now, that is the joy of getting older

I have a feeling that if I owned much in the way of precious stones I'd be scared to wear them! My Granny's diamond engagement ring being the exception, of course.

I've got a ruby brooch my children gave me for my Ruby Wedding Anniversary (sorry DH!) I lost it and had to seek out and purchase a new one without telling them. Few later, the original turned up. So I've got two now. Identical.

jeni But HM is strangely middle class. Tuppperware? At the breakfast table?

Yes well when one is that rich one can make demonstrations of ones economy to prove one is the same as everyone else!

Absent. I can hear my mother - a very elegant woman saying that. Nothing sparkling before evening. She also said curls flatter a plain face and I have to agree with that many times a day when I see these pumpwater straight hairstyles on women that really would look better with waves and curls.

I can't agree on the pearls- I once read, you have to grow up with pearls, meaning your father could afford to give you them as a present- for them to suit you. Well. I have pearls but only wear them for funerals. They make me look old- or do I feel old wearing them?

As to being comfortable I can't give that up and have house wear and going out clothes. I must admit once out of the house and wearing decent clothes and make up, I do feel younger.

Funny thing is Charlotta, my daughter has started borrowing my pearls now! They really suit her.

You are right about the curls, and I agree thoroughly that once you are made up and looking nice, you feel so much better about yourself.

Maybe if you are truly upper class you don't give a toss about tupperware at the table or wellies or headscarves.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Anyway the sparkling stone rule only applies to coloured stones not diamonds.