That's how it should be. I'm referring to men (as that's the only place I seen this trend) who are single (no woman was ever quite good enough) and just a little past the age of 50. They're set financially, and either don't work because they are no longer employable, or have no interest. They seem to become raging hypochondriacs (it's all about them). The stories they tell about doctors that won't treat their imaginary ailments (from colon cancer to neuropathic pain to anything that requires ativan or other addictive pharmaceuticals), or hypersensitivity to everything from paper used in magazines to the air we breath, are straight out of a comedy (although for them it's dreadfully serious). No conversation with these people, no matter how short, is complete without a long diatribe about their ailments, personal pharmacy, and incompetent doctors. This isn't a phase, this is something that seems to start in the late 40s, and, as years go by, it's their only point of focus ... an obsession that is entirely inwardly focused, off-balanced, and not normal. These are bright educated men who, throughout their lives, were not responsible for anyone but themselves, and, as they age, they are not interested or concerned about anyone but themselves. They are worthy of respect except for the fact that their only interest is in themselves ... which makes them less worthy of respect. They don't respect anyone and perceive almost everyone as beneath them. They're the creeps that nearly run people over in crosswalks, who flash the finger at someone that merges into their traffic lane, who push and shove to get what they want to the exclusion and detriment of all others.
So, you are saying they are 'type A' successful white males on the outside, and scared little children
on the inside.
Lots of the people 30-45 weren't necessarily referring to your age group though (not sure which comments exactly drew your frustration). I know I referred to a generation gap in understanding, not physical or mental ability, and when I discussed physical frailty, it was as a secondary factor. Most people in their 70's I know go like gangbusters still. My paternal grandmother is one exception, as since her surgery last year, after a life time of smoking and drinking in great excess, she's really not doing well. But that's a factor of lifestyle moreso than age. My grandparents on my maternal side though, also in their 70's, when they show up grandpa drags me out for a walk so grandma can clean my house in peace (she's a wee bit OCD). LOL.
just a general statement karrie, nothing personal or significant. It seems to be a normal attitude
by the younger set that people my age are not quite as 'quick', or 'alert', or 'informed', and are
on the down side of life, which excludes them from the mainstream that are in all the commercials,
are talked about as the 'movers' and 'shakers' so to speak.
'Healthy' people in their 60's and 70's, and many in their 80s, are the ones with all of the experience,
wiseness, (at least they should be by then) lol, and have stepped back from the frenzie and speed of
life, slowed down, see the flowers, notice the smaller more important things that make this world a
better place to live, and should be 'more' respected for that, instead of
seen as the age where life is on the way out, poor them, a sad time of life.