# Signs of a Mid-Life Crisis... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 19, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443 "2008-11-19T13:49:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/21 "2008-11-19T18:32:55Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I think it happens to both sexes, but only guys get shit about it…I know I don’t want to spend the remaining 30 years of my life the way I’ve spent the past 20 or so. Yep. Things have been cool so far, but there’s a lot more for me to get out and see, do and try. If you (not _you_ eleanor, but you know what I’m saying) want to call my fast car/big house/hot young girlfriend/adventure vacation a MLC, that’s your business, but it’s not fair or right. Women are encouraged to make big, sweeping changes in their lives, dump the dead weight (usually a husband or boyfriend or SO) and get on with the enjoyment of their lives all the time, and when a guy does it, doing the things that HE likes, as opposed to what women like, then comes the shit. Of course, no one should do dumb, dangerous shit they can’t afford just because they turn 40/50/whatever, but you’ve got to self-actualize a little bit and realize that your today may not turn into a tomorrow, especially the older you get. The older I get, the less I care about what anyone thinks of me and my choices. This life is a chance I get but once and if it doesn’t hurt a little, I’m not doing it right. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/22 "2008-11-19T18:49:50Z")
> [@nikonikosuru](#): > > My dad must be one of the early birds, he had his at around 40. He bought a 1955 Ford Falcon. Not to pick on you, but this has me curious. Is this a typo? There’s such a thing as a 1965 Ford Falcon, but the Falcons started production in 1960. In 1955, there’d be a Fairlane (among others), but not a Falcon. As a car geek, I’m just wondering which car I should be imagining here. Or if it’s really 1955 Falcon, it’s something I never ever heard of and I really want to see a photo! I retired and moved out of town and lost 40 pounds (30 to go). I guess my currently inoperative 1955 DeSoto is my crisis car. Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a crisis, it feels peaceful. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/23 "2008-11-19T18:54:56Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a crisis, it feels peaceful. Well that’s how you know you’re dysfunctional. Nothing is supposed to feel peaceful except the inside of a coffin. You freak. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/24 "2008-11-19T19:48:20Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I think what the OP is saying is that it is out of character for this particular individual. As in, for years he bought plain, functional, cheap boring clothing from Walmart, etc but now all of a sudden he is going for trendy fashions. There’s your problem, Aerospostale clothes are not “trendy fashions”. They’re actually very similar in style to what K-Mart and Wal-Mart have carried for years. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/25 "2008-11-19T20:37:46Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > Not to pick on you, but this has me curious. Is this a typo? There’s such a thing as a 1965 Ford Falcon, but the Falcons started production in 1960. In 1955, there’d be a Fairlane (among others), but not a Falcon. As a car geek, I’m just wondering which car I should be imagining here. Or if it’s really 1955 Falcon, it’s something I never ever heard of and I really want to see a photo! What I think he’s trying to ask is does your dad look like he’s a 1950’s Greaser in his car or does he look like Mad Max in the last of the V8 interceptors? > [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > There’s your problem, Aerospostale clothes are not “trendy fashions”. They’re actually very similar in style to what K-Mart and Wal-Mart have carried for years. They’re trendy in a kind of Gap / Express for Men low-end middle class high school kid sort of way. It would probably have been a better if the OP said he all of a sudden started wearing Diesel jeans or Abercrombie & Fitch clothes. Those are clearly the clothes of the young and hip. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/26 "2008-11-19T20:45:47Z")
I have had multiple MLCs now, usually every 6 years 9since age 20). I really think it is quite normal to reinvent yourself-you are not the same person you were at 20. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/27 "2008-11-19T20:48:09Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > They’re trendy in a kind of Gap / Express for Men low-end middle class high school kid sort of way. It would probably have been a better if the OP said he all of a sudden started wearing Diesel jeans or Abercrombie & Fitch clothes. Those are clearly the clothes of the young and hip. But what I’m saying is that there’s nothing inherently different between clothes from K/Wal-Mart and Aeropostale. The clothes look very similar and only someone that knows what the label says would know. Unless they’re wearing those “Aero” graphic t-shirts that just have the company name in various designs. And even then, catching those at the right time of the year can nab you a half dozen for like $30. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/28 "2008-11-19T20:53:00Z")
I hope the fact that I rode a motorcycle for the first time and then bought one at 30 doesn’t mean I have early onset or anything. Besides, my wife was in on it! ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/29 "2008-11-19T21:22:46Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > I’m so damned boring. Instead of the stereotypical red sports car and trophy wife, I lost 100 lbs and became a fireman/EMT. How you doin’? ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/30 "2008-11-19T22:54:09Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > What I think he’s trying to ask is does your dad look like he’s a 1950’s Greaser in his car or does he look like Mad Max in the last of the V8 interceptors? Mad Max!? Wait, was **nikonikosuru** talking about Australian Fords? If so, everything I said is wrong; I was talking about US Fords. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/31 "2008-11-19T22:57:41Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > Not to pick on you, but this has me curious. Is this a typo? There’s such a thing as a 1965 Ford Falcon, but the Falcons started production in 1960. In 1955, there’d be a Fairlane (among others), but not a Falcon. As a car geek, I’m just wondering which car I should be imagining here. Or if it’s really 1955 Falcon, it’s something I never ever heard of and I really want to see a photo! > > I retired and moved out of town and lost 40 pounds (30 to go). I guess my currently inoperative 1955 DeSoto is my crisis car. Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a crisis, it feels peaceful. Sorry, sorry, I meant 1965. :smack: It’s been about 10 years (he sold it unfortunately) but damn it was a cool looking car. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/32 "2008-11-20T13:02:34Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > But what I’m saying is that there’s nothing inherently different between clothes from K/Wal-Mart and Aeropostale. The clothes look very similar and only someone that knows what the label says would know. > > Unless they’re wearing those “Aero” graphic t-shirts that just have the company name in various designs. And even then, catching those at the right time of the year can nab you a half dozen for like $30. Perhaps not inherently different…the pants all have two legs, the shirts have two sleeves…but he has suddenly developed a need for labels. And higher-end clothes than they can afford. And he’s wearing clothes that are designed for teenagers, not pudgy older men. Oh, and he’s thinking that maybe the Chantix her took to stop smoking is making him gay. And he’s started drinking in bars, something he’s never, ever done before. So like I said, more to the story, and quite a change for the whole family. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/33 "2008-11-20T13:13:25Z")
> [@TroubleAgain](#): > > I was teasing one of my guys at work about having a MLC-mobile. It’s a shiny red Honda. 🙂 Wait, wait, wait… I had a shiny red Honda when I was 28, was that my MLC? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/34 "2008-11-20T13:24:38Z")
What is Aeropostale? Lots of mid-life-crisis guys end up over here. The bargirls refer to them as “walking ATMs.” ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/35 "2008-11-20T13:24:46Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Perhaps not inherently different…the pants all have two legs, the shirts have two sleeves…but he has suddenly developed a need for labels. And higher-end clothes than they can afford. And he’s wearing clothes that are designed for teenagers, not pudgy older men. Oh, and he’s thinking that maybe the Chantix her took to stop smoking is making him gay. [insert record needle sliding sound effect here] Er…WHAT?! :eek: > [@](#): > > And he’s started drinking in bars, something he’s never, ever done before. So like I said, more to the story, and quite a change for the whole family. Sounds like. Good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/36 "2008-11-20T15:34:17Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > But what I’m saying is that there’s nothing inherently different between clothes from K/Wal-Mart and Aeropostale. The clothes look very similar and only someone that knows what the label says would know. You’re probably right but I think the OP was using the store names metaphorically. The point is the old dude started thinking about what the label says when before he didn’t. I mean there isn’t anything about the clothes that inherently makes them for old or young people. It’s really more based on your physique. > [@3acresandatruck](#): > > Mad Max!? Wait, was nikonikosuru talking about Australian Fords? If so, everything I said is wrong; I was talking about US Fords. Beats me. All I know is that Mad Max’s car was a modified Ford Falcon (from the late 70s or early 80s IIRC). > [@Siam Sam](#): > > What is Aeropostale? It’s like a Gap or a J.Crew or an American Eagle Outfitters. Kind of mid range clothing store not quite Old Navy but not Abercrombie & Fitch or Banana Republic either. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/37 "2008-11-20T16:00:06Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > [insert record needle sliding sound effect here] > > Er…WHAT?! :eek: > > Sounds like. Good luck with that. [coffee cup smashing on the floor] [somewhere in the distance, a dog barks] Bwuh? ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/38 "2008-11-20T16:06:27Z")
I don’t need a trophy wife - I have become too accustomed to having an action figure. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/39 "2008-11-20T16:41:25Z")
I got my belly button pierced 2 years ago (I was 39), and called it my mid-life crisis. Does that count? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443/40 "2008-11-24T03:24:33Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > [insert record needle sliding sound effect here] > > Er…WHAT?! :eek: > > Sounds like. Good luck with that. Yes, you heard right. He has started “questioning his sexual orientation” and he is blaming Chantix, the stop-smoking drug, for these urges. Oh, and the bars he’s out drinking in are gay bars. His sister spent $2000 on trendy, Miami-hip clothes for him. Some of the t-shirts (or are they P-shirts?) have rhinestones on them. She doesn’t know about his “questioning”, but these styles are hot in Florida right now. He is actually afraid to wear it out to the gay bar…in Nebraska. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-a-mid-life-crisis/473443.md?page=3)