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Age

(63 Posts)
Emsgran Sun 09-Jul-17 00:27:57

is everyone always upfront about their age or do you knock a few years off?

I've met a few blokes on holidays who have backed off when I've been honest about my age. What's the best way to go?

norose4 Sun 09-Jul-17 11:21:09

Stick to your guns & real age Emsgran, they aren't worth the trouble if they can't cope with your age. Though looking on the other side of the coin, how comfy would you feel with a young man.?, ( I know this could depend on what you are looking for?)

Lyndie Sun 09-Jul-17 11:24:28

I always lied about my age at work. I think ageism is rife. Fortunately prospective employers aren't allowed to asked but agencies always ask for a passport to prove who you are and you never hear from them again. sad

TriciaF Sun 09-Jul-17 11:33:41

I used to underestimate (slightly!) if asked but not now that I'm past 80 - 81 actually.
I wonder when it changes? eg teenagers often add a few years on, to be allowed to do adult things.

grannysue05 Sun 09-Jul-17 11:48:07

Just a point....in Bon Marche and Matalan ...both stores recently asked for my birthday date so that they could " send me a gift voucher on the day ".
Oh yes, Pizza Express also.
I gave false dates just because these computer systems hold too much private information on us !

Cosafina Sun 09-Jul-17 11:58:12

I dont see why they need my age either, so I give DGS's day and my year. This also tells me who has sold my info on when I've told them not to!!

Emsgran Sun 09-Jul-17 11:59:31

Only asked this because of an experience a couple of years ago. I'm not looking to meet anyone, just got chatting to a couple of single men on holiday. Not sure how the age question came up, just spent a good few hours chatting with each of them.
At the time I was 60. The first man told me he was 52, the second one was 55. I thought I'd got on with them really well but then they seemed to avoid me sad

Grannyknot Sun 09-Jul-17 12:04:48

I say "49 (pause) nineteen forty-nine!" grin

I always say my real age because then people feel obliged to reply "You don't look it". grin grin

FarNorth Sun 09-Jul-17 12:06:32

Men are mysterious creatures.

trisher Sun 09-Jul-17 12:11:20

A friend always referred to herself as "49 and holding" until she got to 59 and then it was "59 and holding"

sunseeker Sun 09-Jul-17 12:23:14

When I met new people I can't say I get asked my age but if I were I wouldn't lie about it. Although as someone has already said I can't believe I am as old as I am - when did that happen!!! Still I am fairly fit and healthy so that's all that matters.

Irenelily Sun 09-Jul-17 12:29:40

Had a good "age" experience this morning at coffee time after church. I happened to mention I was going to my eldest daughter's 60th birthday barbecue shortly and someone said "You must have been a very young mum!" I said I'm older than I look" She said "You must be 80" I said "A bit more, I'm 87" Some very pleasant compliments followed I am very lucky being healthy, busy (school governor) and all our family have very good genes! My parents didn't look their age and my 4 children are always taken for 10 years younger than they are. Thank goodness for good health. Hope it carries on! Don't like being old but the compliments are nice!!

Caro1954 Sun 09-Jul-17 12:34:37

No, never, though I do sometimes have to work it out by taking six years off DH's - if I can remember his! I'll be sixty-three on Wednesday!

Jalima1108 Sun 09-Jul-17 12:36:15

I remember being '29 and holding' but it doesn't sound so good at '69 and holding'

grin

grumppa Sun 09-Jul-17 12:40:37

"Men are mysterious creatures." Very true, FarNorth; so they're just like women, after all.

sarahellenwhitney Sun 09-Jul-17 12:45:59

Emsgran If a guy takes a shine to you he likes what he sees so why disclose your age. Of course if it is more than a casual holiday 'thing' then it pays to be honest.

Emsgran Sun 09-Jul-17 13:42:37

How do you avoid a direct question? As I said, we'd been talking for hours, discussing children, divorces etc. the question of age just seemed to come naturally. In the first case we were communicating in my childhood French, he didn't speak a word of English!
He obviously thought I was younger, which is very flattering, but I was sad when he seemed to lose interest

VIOLETTE Sun 09-Jul-17 13:56:41

Sssh only once ...I wanted to buy something expensive on a three month payment plan ,,,,,only to discover the cut off age for the credit agreement was a lot younger than I was ...so I applied using a birthdate ten years less ......and if it had have been noticed I would have said Oh dear, finger slipped it wasn't and all paid for ok ! ..

norose4 Sun 09-Jul-17 14:02:30

Perhaps it was the language barrier, or perhaps he was looking for a (sorrygirls) brainless Bimbo! & realised he was conversing with an intelligent woman . what ever it was I think it's his loss not yours give yourself a big hug & don't forget he did stop to talk so something about you attracted him, you may have been spared from being landed with a boring selfish man ?

NfkDumpling Sun 09-Jul-17 14:18:28

When in my 50s, on the odd occasion the question of my age arose, the reaction was surprise as apparently I looked a lot younger. Now I'm approaching 70 and no one looks surprised. I've also turned grey, walk with a limp and am a stone heavier.

Perhaps I should join a gym (hate gyms) and dye my hair?

AdeleJay Sun 09-Jul-17 16:26:56

I just feel fortunate to be my age 68 and very fit & healthy. I have joined an older dating site for 3 months. I'm shocked at what much younger men look like. I wonder if any of them have lied about their age as it wasn't necessary to provide evidence. It has been a real confidence boost that so many men seem to want to meet me regardless of age. Of course some men in their 60s & 70s only want women who are much younger. I wonder what luck they have? I wouldn't touch those with a barge pole. I say be yourself and be proud of who you are & what age you are.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sun 09-Jul-17 16:36:13

I've never lied as it seems pointless. The truth will out, as my mum used to say. People like you due to your personality, not a number.

Pittcity Sun 09-Jul-17 17:42:53

I don't lie about my age, but I do hate those drop down computer menus where you have to scroll back forever to your birth year.

Ana Sun 09-Jul-17 17:55:37

Yes, I agree Pittcity!

Elrel Sun 09-Jul-17 18:16:28

In my 20s I said to my granny, in her 80s, that I'd expected to feel 'grown up' at some point and was surprised that I didn't. She laughed and said she felt just the same as when she was a little girl. I do too. So do my 2 friends in their 90s.
I've mostly stopped pretending to be grown up too!

NannyBadcrumble1 Sun 09-Jul-17 18:24:42

Me lie about my age? never! Everyone knows I'm 21! And have been for a few years lol...(my kids are 28 and 20!)
No, I don't lie about my age, I'm 51 and proud.