# What caused you to realize you might be getting middle age or older? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 24, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067 "2005-03-24T17:45:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/1 "2005-03-24T17:45:38Z")
I received a few shower and wedding invitations in the past few weeks for several young ladies I with whom I am acquainted. On the bus on the way into the office this morning, I was thinking about how to budget for so many gift giving occasions in light of my husbands impending furlough in the next couple of weeks. Trying to prioritize who was a must gift, who is card is enough, who I could do something sort of fun yet inexpensive and so on. It dawned on me that in every case, while I am friends of the bride or groom that friendship is largely through their mothers. I am no longer friend of the bride. I am friend of the brides mother. I’m not young anymore. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/2 "2005-03-24T17:47:14Z")
Two words: Reading glasses. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/3 "2005-03-24T17:52:14Z")
Heh, yeah. Great example. I’ve not had to get them yet. Although I have noticed that I need the light on to read now and that I have to give my eyes a second or so to focus sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/4 "2005-03-24T17:56:37Z")
As soon as you realize that moving the page _away_ from you helps – it’s time. ---
**Author:** ![Jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@Jammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jammer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/5 "2005-03-24T17:58:35Z")
Well, I’m 40 but I still feel very young in almost every way. However, the last time I visited the doctor he mentioned that when I had my next annual check-up he would be forced to do THAT test. For a moment there, I felt extremely middle-aged. :eek: Jammer ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/6 "2005-03-24T18:05:26Z")
I’m 52. I’ll let you know when I see the first sign of middle age. ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/7 "2005-03-24T18:21:06Z")
I commonly find myself only driving 55 mph on the highway. I’ve got more hair in places I detest than those that I like. I can’t stand that new fangled “rock” music. Did I mention I’m only 29? ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/8 "2005-03-24T18:29:47Z")
I looked down at the ends of my wrists and pondered what my Father’s hands were doing there. I find that really hot lookin’ woman on T.V. was born when I was 15. The ballistics expert on CSI:Miami is a year older than I am…she looks a LOT older than that. (And carries it better, too. 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/9 "2005-03-24T18:48:37Z")
I find myself watching sitcoms for the lead characters’ parents. That hot lookin’ woman on T.V? The same age as my daughter. I’m taking two prescription drugs and six supplements. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/10 "2005-03-24T18:49:43Z")
Well, I passed the middle record speed. Assuming (hoping?) that I live to 90, I’m over halfway there. I don’t look old. Nary a wrinkle. I don’t feel old. I do have a deep understanding now of why my mom and other adults were so fond of naps, though. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/11 "2005-03-24T18:51:03Z")
When I look at teenagers and think, “those kids today!” I don’t mean to do it – it just happens! When I found that a discussion about tax deductions and balancing my portfolio is actually interesting. No reading glasses for me yet – I’m hoping they’ll have perfected surgery for it by the time I need them. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/12 "2005-03-24T19:19:52Z")
> [@Jammer](#): > > the last time I visited the doctor he mentioned that when I had my next annual check-up he would be forced to do THAT test. And what an unfortunate user name . . . ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/13 "2005-03-24T19:28:11Z")
Today my oldest son is 18 years old. I am now the mother of a young adult. On Saturday his younger brother turns 14. My baby is a teenager. When I started telling them to turn their ‘devil music’ down, I knew I’d hit it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sgt.Pepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sgt.Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sgt.Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/14 "2005-03-24T19:46:41Z")
Well for me, it’s not older, but entering middle age. I’ve developed a gut. The typical one you see on older guys. Previous to this I couldn’t put on weight no matter what I did. I usually bounced between 150-160, now I’m 170lbs, the heaviest I’ve ever been. So I’m entering _that_ stage of my life where I must battle with this thing. Middle age had begun. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/15 "2005-03-24T19:52:08Z")
Cellulite. I never had it until I hit 27, and all of a sudden, my butt and hips look like the surface of the moon. It’s not all that bad - my sister and mom have it far, far worse, and my sister’s about four sizes smaller than me - but it sure sucked to get it. And now I can’t get rid of it. ---
**Author:** ![dhcstar957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dhcstar957](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhcstar957)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/16 "2005-03-24T21:05:36Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I’m 52. I’ll let you know when I see the first sign of middle age. I’m with RealityChuck… I am 47 and when the first sign hits me I will let you know. Enjoying life to the fullest and having more fun than ever. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/17 "2005-03-24T21:30:57Z")
Somebody told me that my grayish blue eyes go well with my hair. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/18 "2005-03-24T21:34:04Z")
[RIGHT]White chest hair[/RIGHT] YIKES!! ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/19 "2005-03-24T21:54:45Z")
I always though it happened when I could no longer see shit, hear shit, or remember shit. But no, the defining moment came when an adult man, around 25, respectfully called me “Ma’am.” You may call me koeeoaddi, dear. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067/20 "2005-03-24T21:55:09Z")
I used to date college girls. Now I’m dating a college professor. When I stand up, I make a noise. And those damn kids are too loud. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-you-to-realize-you-might-be-getting-middle-age-or-older/296067.md?page=2)