gggrrr !!

Must be a case of 'my eyes are dim' but I agree with Soutra and I thought the contestant was prematurely grey, after all we don't often see 'mature' students on UC! ( and women at that )
I did, however, watch the Alumni Shows and I thought their questions were much harder!

That is a completely weird rule by the university Deeda. The sorts of thing universities raise money from in the holidays are conferences and people who go to conferences don't go there to spend hours in the library. If I was her I would give the student's union a quiet call and ask if they are aware. God knows the students pay enough fees! And many foreign students, who pay even more, don't go home in the holidays.

We stayed at Brighton University years ago when we wanted to discover that part of the world; a lot of universities rent out rooms when the students aren't there; at least they used to [we hadn't expected it to be quite so basic, though].

And a nice little earner for the university?

Oops! Didn't notice the DH I don't think anyone would mistake my DH for a student - not even a mature one! I imagine it's something to do with the way the university is used for all sorts of other things during the holidays and they don't really expect the students to be there Ana Last year it was used as accomodation for the Olympics all summer, causing massive disruption for people like her who work there full time.

What a strange rule, Deeda. (I presume you mean your DD, not your DH! )

My DH frequently complains about the University Librarian trying to turn her out of the Library "Because students aren't allowed to use it in the holidays" She's only worked at the University for 18 years so you do the maths!

ME...I couldn't care less. 72 and grateful to have got this far with my own teeth.

Old I can cope with. It's all relative. But sweet?

My 29 year old is continually being asked for ID so always has proof of age to hand. Her oldest sister has only just stopped being questioned and she is 40. Their youth genes haven't come from their mother . I thought the lady on University Challenge looked lovely and remarked upon it to my OH at the time.

I don't really understand what looking older or younger than your age really means. If you're 30, then that's what 30 looks like; it you're 60, then that's what 60 looks like. It's not as if you can work out an average for how people look. I'm in agreement with bags. If someone tells me that I look much younger than I am, it suggests that the age I really am somehow has something wrong about it.

DD3 who is 32 was incensed at being ID'd shortly after her wedding last year in a supermarket when buying a bottle of wine. I should be so lucky!!!

My daughter who is petite and looks much younger than her age gets very cross with people openly remarking on her height and looks. Fortunately she has a robust sense of self and can verbally put down anyone who oversteps the mark.

Was that Monday's University Challenge? I saw it and thought what a YOUNG face she had and a lovely smile!! I assumed she was prematurely grey and yes, also put her as younger partly because of her vivacious smile. How I envy her the thick hair too.
Wish I got questioned over my Bus Pass, MiceElf.

I remember and have probably told you all before how a ticket collector on the train once got a cheer when he looked at a lady's Senior Railcard - I would have said she was easily in her mid to late 70's, with long grey/white hair in a plait - anyway, he gave her a stern look and said "Now my dear, you are being very naughty and I may have to report you (lady looked worried, the rest of us prepared to rush to her defence) then he added .........You really shouldn't be using your mother's Railcard"!
Was that patronising? Or just a nice way to show he was a human being and not an automaton.

As for remarks on Twitter - I continue in blissful ignorance as I never got the hang of Twitter, but I wouldn't be too incensed by anybody's opinions on that social medium.

I do think most people have a mental view of themselves ..not suggesting that people are constantly thinking about it but think we do which is why when you catch a glance of yourself in a window/mirror you sometimes get a bit of a shock because it does not match what you think you look like!

Some people just look 'old fashioned' and some people look more contemporary because of hairstyle/ clothes etc. it is not always anything to do with age! I suspect the University Challenge woman may have looked similar 10 years ago!

Also attitude can age you. At the WI I go to a few of the women have a narrow outlook on life and are not always open to new ideas or ways of doing things and they grumble a lot! They tend to be the women who dress very traditionally/safely and who looked shocked at the thought of a glass of wine rather than a 'nice cup of tea' and have never tried hair 'products'!!. But other women of similar age or older are up for new experiences and enjoy the excitement of life! They always seem more youthful!

p.s I like tea too but I can enjoy a glass of wine!

Bags did you really think that about your age from the age of nine?! Were you a slightly strange odd different child?

I am sorry to have put that dreadful picture of Paxman in front of your eyes if you clicked on that link.

I think she might have knitted her jumper herself

Nothing wrong with that.

Oh dear! You're too clever for me, MiceElf, I feel suitably put down...

So sorry to have offended you Ana. Mind you, having never met you or been the recipient of a 'spoken' comment from you, I can't imagine why you might feel patronised by MiceElf.

I think merely discussing the issue on gransnet counts as getting over it, since I've never mentioned my feelings on the matter to anyone who has made "youngist" remarks .

Just looked at the article Ana linked to. Absolutely sickening.

Stupid stupid world.

To be honest, I feel that being told to 'get over it, everybody' is quite as patronising as inadvertently supposing someone is younger than they look, MiceElf.

Yes, it must be irritating for you and Bags, but perhaps you should 'get over it'!

And when I first got my Freedom Pass I was stopped by the inspector four times (admittedly I was observed from the back and my face was muffled up with a scarf) as being suspicious.

I'm with you here, Bags. Being small i spent the first 40 years of my life being mistaken for a child and I'm still being told how young I look (for my age) No matter how hard I try to appear mature and experienced it never, never works, I'd just like it not to be a matter for comment. Although many people feel free to remark about height in a way they wouldn't dream of mentioning big bosoms or thick ankles or whatever. Just get over it, everybody. As for 'sweet' yuk. As bad as 'cute' and just as patronising.