# You know you're old when... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 3, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611 "2017-11-03T17:49:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/1 "2017-11-03T17:49:18Z")
…the amazon playlist “'80s Pop for Sleep” seems perfect for the middle of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/2 "2017-11-03T17:54:15Z")
When you hear elevator music with songs written by groups like The Sex Pistols ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/3 "2017-11-03T18:05:36Z")
…not only is “Classic Rock” radio playing songs from when you were in high school, but you actually don’t recognize all of the songs because some of them are from _after_ you stopped paying attention to new music. . ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/4 "2017-11-03T18:16:28Z")
The kids who did things that made you feel old are now having things done to them that make them feel old. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/5 "2017-11-03T18:30:47Z")
In this country, I would say it’s not (as they always used to say) when the policemen all start looking like 16-year-olds, nor is it when they start calling you “Sir” - it’s when you expect that they _damn well should_ call you “Sir”. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/6 "2017-11-03T18:35:26Z")
Your doctor is younger than you, and I mean, _way_ younger. Also, I have these really young coworkers, and not only am I older than them, I’m older than some of their mothers. Interestingly, though, one of them is really into Blondie. What the hell, I like big band music. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/7 "2017-11-03T18:48:05Z")
When you realize you were already older when stuff happened in the past that’s supposed to make you feel older now. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/8 "2017-11-03T18:53:41Z")
When you could be your college students’ mother OR grandmother if you started procreating somewhat young. It’s a cliche, but one I’m finding true: the more you know the more you know how much you don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/9 "2017-11-03T19:07:46Z")
The main character on a TV show is the same age as your grand nephew. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/10 "2017-11-03T19:45:13Z")
I teach college. I expect my students to look young. But when I meet their \*parents \*and they look significantly younger than me, I really feel old. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/11 "2017-11-03T19:46:44Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > …the amazon playlist “'80s Pop for Sleep” seems perfect for the middle of the day. You joke, but I must admit that I almost always have the [Seeburg 1000](http://seeburg1000.com) playing in the background, even when I sleep. That service pretty much defined the genre of elevator music. They stream classic 60s/70s elevator music all the time, and I love it. Boy do I feel old. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/12 "2017-11-03T19:52:17Z")
When I was a kid, the restaurants used to play “old fogey” music, stuff from 30 years before, easy listening pop standards - Lawrence Welk, Pat Boone. I used to complain: why can’t they play music for us younger people? One day not that long ago, I was in a restaurant, and they were playing 80’s Alternative. I thought - finally, music for me! It was then that I realized _I_ was now the Old Fogey! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/13 "2017-11-03T19:55:42Z")
In a similar effect, I hated the Stray Cats when they were new. They were updating rockabilly, something that was about 20-25 years old. But I hated how they did it. Like they missed the point. I thought it was like the difference between an authentic 50’s diner, and a 50’s Themed dined. Style without substance. Nowadays, I like the Stray Cats, and I realize it has been longer from their first US album to now then it was between their first album and the music they were reviving. Maybe it’s time for an 80s music revival! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/14 "2017-11-03T20:38:19Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > You joke, but I must admit that I almost always have the [Seeburg 1000](http://seeburg1000.com) playing in the background, even when I sleep. That service pretty much defined the genre of elevator music. They stream classic 60s/70s elevator music all the time, and I love it. Boy do I feel old. Hee. I like how the picture for listening on your mobile phone looks like one of those meme things the young people are crazy about. I expect a joke but no. I’m definitely keeping your link in my back pocket for when I get tired of 80s. Also, I feel old when another person is middle-aged but younger than I am. I feel like the same kid as always but have realized I’m older than at least half of everyone (49). ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/15 "2017-11-03T22:08:09Z")
When you get together with people your age, and the conversation invariably revolves around Medicare and your various illnesses and prescriptions. When every part of you either dries up or leaks. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/16 "2017-11-03T22:22:38Z")
When you hear a news announcer say something like, “Within 50 years, we’ll have a cure for… fill-in-the-blank,” and the smile on your face fades because you suddenly realize if you happen to get or suffer from that particular affliction, it will be too late for you. Similarly realizing you’ll miss out on future space exploration or other fascinating discoveries within the same time frame. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/17 "2017-11-03T22:30:32Z")
If you fall down and everybody points and laughs, you’re not old; if they all get concerned and rush to your aid, you’re old. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/18 "2017-11-03T22:37:00Z")
When you begin to realize just how short twenty years really is. There was a Wonder Years comparison that was making the rounds on social media a little while back. Adjusted for today, it goes “If The Wonder Years were released today, and the show took place as far back in the past as the original, it would be set in 1997.” Also, when you’re at the grocery store and you run into the little girl you used to babysit when you were in high school … and her daughter is dressed in business casual. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/19 "2017-11-03T23:33:40Z")
When you’re talking with colleagues about the new Star Wars movie, and you realize that not only are they too young to have seen the original movies in the theaters, but that they were born after Return of the Jedi came out. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611/20 "2017-11-03T23:52:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > When you’re talking with colleagues about the new Star Wars movie, and you realize that not only are they too young to have seen the original movies in the theaters, but that they were born after Return of the Jedi came out. 🙂 The original _Star Wars_ is older now than _The Wizard of Oz_ was when I was born. Realizing that makes me feel old. Also, I’m in the Dead Parents Club now. Both my parents are dead. It doesn’t matter that my father died when I was only 30, which is kinda young to lose a parent, and 50 is still younger than some people-- my mother herself only lost her own mother a year and a half ago-- it still makes me feel old. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-old-when/800611.md?page=2)