# Are you old? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 27, 2000, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890 "2000-11-27T18:35:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/1 "2000-11-27T18:35:47Z")
Yesterday was my 42nd birthday and I am old. Well, sortof. When did you first feel old (if you do)? For me, it was about 12 years ago when someone didn’t know who the Beatles were. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/2 "2000-11-27T18:38:29Z")
I’m not old (I’m 24) but yesterday I damn near died when I realized a kid I babysat is now a freshman in college… that was startling. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/3 "2000-11-27T18:44:40Z")
When I quit teaching. - I was teaching the kids of people I went to grade school with. (That wasn’t the reason I quit teaching, but the realization had an impact on me.) Still feel old. Rasa - you’re 24, the kid’s a freshman in college (assume 18, 17 perhaps) - you were babysitting at age 6/7??? ---
**Author:** ![tisiphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tisiphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tisiphone)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/4 "2000-11-27T18:51:49Z")
I got to feel ancient (I’m 34) the night my beloved youngest son turned to me and said, “Y’know what Mom? You’re not human anymore.” “Oh, really,” I reply.“What am I, then?” “You’re OOOLD.” “What does that make Grandma and Grandpa?” Apparently that was too scary to even think about, as he abruptly changed the subject and refused to discuss it any further. Thank you my child. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/5 "2000-11-27T18:52:02Z")
Heh, no. I was probably 17 or so, so he was around 11 when I babysat. But it still ooged me out. And on the teaching thing: my parents both retire this year, and they’ve gotten to the point where they’re teaching the children of people they taught their first years of teaching! ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/6 "2000-11-27T18:52:49Z")
Happy Birthday…I was 42 back in August. Lately I’ve felt old physically. Which is something a little unusual for me. I’ve let my weight creep up very badly this year and haven’t been exercising. That really helps. I guess I am old in that I can no longer control my weight by simply “cutting back”. I absolutely NEED some form of regular strenuous exercise. Sucks doesn’t it?! So quite often now I don’t have the energy I had a year ago when I was taking TaeKwonDo and cardio. I guess that makes me fat not just old. Maybe old and fat. Mentally I feel old, but that’s nothing new. I’ve felt that way off and on for years. Since I was a kid. Like I knew too many unpleasant things that it would be so nice not to know. These past few years I’ve learned even more. Learned things that changed my outlook even more. I’m not the same idealistic dreamer I used to be. But to say that I feel old in general would be wrong. I still love to watch Disney movies with my kids, sing while I’m cleaning the house, shoot hoops, color in a coloring book, watch old musicals, wear tennis shoes and jeans(everyday that I can get away with it), etc. etc. I also do not think there is anything wrong with the wisdom acquired by years of experience. Especially when so much of it is hard won. When I was young I never would have thought I’d get be old. And here it is already! Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/7 "2000-11-27T18:59:19Z")
Rasa. Thanks for clearing that up. This moment brought to you by the letter “duh”. ::note to self - Decaf has the green label. Do not buy green label coffee.:: ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/8 "2000-11-27T19:14:33Z")
I’m 19, and I’m old. The first 5 years, they were the worst. The second 5 were the worst too. After that, it all went downhill. ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/9 "2000-11-27T19:15:35Z")
I don’t think of myself as old yet, I’m only 25. I still feel like I’m 17 sometimes but I wouldn’t want to be 17 again for _anything_. I still watch Saturday morning cartoons (with the kids), I play softball in the summer and fall, I like to ride bikes, and play in the park. I hope I never get too old for that stuff. I think that being goofy and acting like a kid again (when appropriate) is going to help keep my young. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/10 "2000-11-27T19:17:55Z")
Oddly, turning 37 felt old, but I got over that pretty quickly. I’ll be 47 in January and for some reason, I’m getting that old feeling again - what is it about the “7”?? This past weekend, hubby and I decided to start our basement-finishing project - we had to lay about 75 cinder blocks. About 3/4 of the way thru, my poor hubby paused, looked at me and said “I just realized I’m not 25 any more.” We were both moaning and groaning, and NOT for the _GOOD_ reason… Our daughter is driving, and we’ll be retiring in about 9 years. If family history means anything, I’ve still got 35 years or so ahead of me - guess I’m too young to feel old. But two days later, I’m still feeling them cinder blocks… somebody pass me the liniment, please?? ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/11 "2000-11-27T19:19:38Z")
No problem there, screech owl… you did give me a moment’s pause though, I thought “Whoa. How **did** that work?” Then I did the math. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/12 "2000-11-27T19:25:40Z")
I’m 37 and I knew I was old when I looked at my bicycle and I realized it was old enough to be in unversity. ---
**Author:** ![Mundo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mundo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/13 "2000-11-27T19:40:06Z")
My back hurts. My feet hurt. My arms hurt. I’m tired all the time. I feel like I’m going to die soon! I’m 17. That’s what I get for playing Ultimate. 🙂 😃 Don’t hate my because I’m young 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mundo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mundo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/14 "2000-11-27T19:42:07Z")
Wow. Don’t I feel young and stupid. That should say 😃 Don’t hate me because I’m young 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/15 "2000-11-27T19:52:40Z")
I felt old when I was a kid, a teenager, and I feel old now. All I can say is, there better not be anything to this reincarnation gag, or I’m gonna be one pissed-off baby. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/16 "2000-11-27T20:00:47Z")
When I was 15, I felt 25. When I was 25, I felt 25. Now that I’m 35. I feel like I’m 25. So, I guess I’m old (being 35, I’m closer to 50 than I am to 25), but I still feel young. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/17 "2000-11-27T20:02:58Z")
Oops, I meant I’m closer to 50 than I am to 20. [Homer] Stupid mathematics. [/Homer] ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/18 "2000-11-27T20:04:21Z")
I started feeling old when I reached fifty-five. Now that I am sixty, I feel ancient. ---
**Author:** ![Nimue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Nimue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimue)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/19 "2000-11-27T20:21:43Z")
I’m 22 and I’ve never felt old, quite the opposite in fact. I always feel too young. Then again, having a husband 8 years older than myself helps! One of my pet peeves is when people in their 20’s and 30’s complain about feeling old. Even when I was 16 most of my friends my age would sigh, “I am so old…” _[rolls eyes]_ I have trouble thinking of people in their 40’s and 50’s, and often even 60’s and 70’s being old. Unless you’re reckless you can probably expect to live a long time. The age you are today is the youngest you’ll ever be again – enjoy it! ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890/20 "2000-11-27T20:31:38Z")
I’m 33. About seven years ago, I was travelling to Indianapolis with my then boyfriend, his brother, his brother’s SO, and his niece. She was 13 at the time. We’d brought some tapes along, and my boyfriend’s brother popped one in. It was a Bob Seger tape–I don’t remember which one exactly, but I think it was _Night Moves._ Anyway, I’m sitting in the back seat, and we’re all kinda singing along. The niece looks at us and says “You guys know all the _words_ to this stuff?” She was pretty tired by the time she got done walking the rest of the way to Indy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-old/42890.md?page=2)