How old is "old"?

@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
August 25, 2007 10:26am CST
In a recent discussion, we talked about retirement. I noticed that people have very different opinions as to what constitutes "old". Now I realize that if you're 15, you'll probably think of 40, as old, that's just the way it is. I'm not saying that everyone who is fifteen thinks that way, but it would be natural for them to do so. What about the rest of us? If you're 25,40,60 or older, what age would say is "old"?
13 people like this
23 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
25 Aug 07
I am almost 29, to me old is 80. LOL Heck by the time I am 80, people may be living to 150 and that would be the new "old". Since being "old" is more of a mind set than anything else, if you think you are young, you will stay young.
3 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Hi sedel1027, Thank you for responding. You are so right. It's in the thinking. Blessings.
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Age denotes wisdom and grace if done properly. It shouldn't be something we shudder at or avoid. Embrace it proudly. Now personally, it depends on the situation. In the dating scene, anyone 10 years or more older than me (not to offend but its hard to make a connection). In other instances, 65 is the senior mark. By the way you can also think old or young so then your question kinda falls out. A 60 year old can think 30ish and a 20 year old could think like a 40 year old (what?! why is everyone staring at me!?)
2 people like this
• Abernathy, Texas
27 Aug 07
You do at times sound older then your years, Pro.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi theprogamer, Thanks for adding to this, You make some good points. Embrace it proudly... reminds me of my father...
3 people like this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Aug 07
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@nana1944 (1364)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Your age is just an indicator of how many years you have been on this earth. I think of it as the number of years God has given me to be here. Some people are older as a teenager than some are at 80. I felt older in my 30's than I do now. I may not work a job anymore but I do my yard work and keep my house a litle less spotless than I used to but I still do it. I have learned to feel over the years that if a person comes just to see my house instead of me, then they shouldn't come at all. I used to work 16 hours and keep my house as nigh next to spotless as I could. Gosh I am glad I learned to slow down and not space out over a s[eck of dirt. If I could afford it, I would travel more than just leaving town to buy groceries and stuff. Our town doesn't have a store except a small antique store. There are 7 houses in town and 5 are lived in. There are an even mix of younger people and those of us over 60.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi nana1944, I agree with your comment. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Vivianh (331)
• China
26 Aug 07
Just like some friends said age is just a number that u've been in the world.and "old",I think it concerns with ones' attitude toward life .if Some 60s people who r optimists , they r not old.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi Vivianh, Thanks for commenting.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Aug 07
I am 60 years old and used to think that 30 was old! Now I do not label anyone with the term "old". To me what is important is the person's heart, soul and what they do in life. Age has not a daggone thing t do about it. sunnywaters
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi sunnywaters, You are so right. Thanks for commenting.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Age is all in your head! I'll soon be 74 and I'm still working everyday. Not because I Have to, but because I Love my work. I've enjoyed good health,and studied nutrition.I do yoga for 45 minutes Every morning starting at 6 am. I bake my own bread, and watch my diet very carefully. I've not had a medical checkup for 30 years, because I enjoy good health. The doctor's job is to find illness,(not good health) and I don't need any of that! I would say that anyone over 100 is Old!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi barehugs, I agree with your comments. Thanks.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Aug 07
Well, it depends, old to me is people who live past a certain age and think like an old person, meaning they are closed-minded and they do not think of anything else, but the past, a person can reach a 85 and still think like a young person.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Very well said rogue13xmen13, Thank you.
1 person likes this
@jeanena (2198)
• Bucklin, Kansas
25 Aug 07
It is had to say what is old now days. people as a general rule live longer lives. I have a great aunt who still gets around so well at 96 that she doesnt seem as old as that. I think I guess it depends on a person as an individual. Sometimes at 43 I feel so much older because of the life i have lived and my health matters.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Hi jeanena, thank you for commending here. I'm sure health does make a difference. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Ha I am 58 as of a couple of weeks ago. I was telling my granddaughter age 4 that my mind tells me sure you can do that. Exercise or feat of physical performance. LOL. But my body is saying. Huh Uh you do that your gonna HURT!. My mom before she passed away told me she would be working in her flower beds or doing something and felt young in her mind. She would go look in the mirror and see an old lady looking back at her. She told me. " She would think. Who is that old lady? How did she get in my house. Then she would realize it was her ownself which always startled her. I can relate to that. I think Old is how you feel. I do not think 80 is all that old, Maybe 100 years would be old.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi Celanith, Thank you for responding. Old or young, it depends on how you feel, so true.
1 person likes this
@jbrooks0127 (2324)
• United States
26 Aug 07
The older you are the less of a spread that number becomes however I would say at the very least 10 to 15 years older than you are right now.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi jbrooks0127, I always say that I will never be old, because old will always be 10 years older than I am. Thank You for adding to this discussion.. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
26 Aug 07
When you start to feel old in your heart. My mom is 73 and younger then she's ever been!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi artemis432, very good comment, Thank you.
1 person likes this
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I think that old is a state of mind. If you think you're old -- then you're old. Otherwise, even if others think you old, I don't believe that you are. A person can be old at 25, or still very young at 60. At least that's my take on it.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Thank you wiccania, I agree with you.
1 person likes this
@iamtetet (44)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
Being old is relative to the person who's asking or looking at it. You may be old in years and body but still young at heart and mind.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Hi iamtetet, Thank you for responding, I believe you have it right. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@alamode (3071)
• United States
26 Aug 07
My husband just put in for his retirement, but he enjoys biking and flying as hobbies. I'm not too far behind him, and I am waiting for tickets to go on sale for the next Depeche Mode concert!! My Mom is 84, and looks and acts younger than my big sister! Old is TOTALLY relative... I know people who feel their lives are over at 30!! I feel that 'old' is when you lose the joy of life and are simply waiting to die. That can be years or only days before you go... it depends on the individual. My Pop was vital and happy til he lost his wife, then in a few years he was gone. No joy, no life.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Aug 07
Hi alamode, Thank you for adding to this discussion. You make a very good point here. You are old when the joy goes out of life...makes sense to me.
1 person likes this
• Australia
27 Aug 07
What age is old? There is no such thing. No age is old. Age is a number. I am not ashamed to say I am 71 years old, but I will not say I am old. Some people are old at 50. Some people are young at 80. Age is nothing but a number.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
27 Aug 07
Hi cloudwatcher, Thanks for commenting, I couldn't agree more.
@rosie_123 (6113)
25 Aug 07
Well age is just a number in my eyes. You can be "old", set in your ways, and boring at 25, - or young at heart at 80! One of my neighbours is 77 years old - yet she still goes to the gym twice a week, and travels alone abroad twice a year, to such "adventures" as walking the Great Wall of China, and on safari in Africa. She will never be old because she has a young, vibrant outlook, and an adventurous spirit - I hope I end up like her!!!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Hi rosie, excellent comment. I hope you end up like your friend too. Good luck.
2 people like this
@xiuluoelly (1224)
• China
3 Sep 07
I think age is just a number, it just that we After years, but if a person maintaining a positive mental state, "old" is not the word for him forever.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
3 Sep 07
Hi xiuluoelly, Thank you for adding to this discussion. Blessings.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
27 Aug 07
Hi Pose123! I am 41 and I consider myself old when I am with people half my age. Haha.. However, I consider myself young when I am with peole who are older than me ten or twenty years or so. I guess for me it depends who I am with. Take care and have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
27 Aug 07
Hi faith210, I see your point. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I think old is when you no longer have the "zeal" for life. Because I remember thinking how thirty was old and when I hit thirty, it changed to forty and now I think that old is what is in your heart. You know the saying, young at heart.. That is what I think old is, is when you are no longer young at heart..
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Sep 07
Hi carmelanirel, I think you just hit the nail on th head. Good comment. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@vinzen (1020)
• India
25 Aug 07
You are as old as you think you are. If you are the kinds who likes to think positive and are optimistic, you would not even think 70-80 to be as old, and if you are the kinds who think that life is nearly over for you and theres nothing left in it, then you would age even if you are 15-20 years old. I think that age factor lies all in the mind, as there are many people who maybe nearly 70-80 yet they think they are young and would be ready to take life with both hands open, i think thats the way to live life to its fullest. I understand that maybe here you are trying to ask the chronological age here, which i think would be as you rightly said, for a 15 year old it would be 40-50 years or maybe for a 40 year old it would be 80 or so,and for those who are 80 and above, they wold think that maybe its time for them to go now!! But all this i think depends from person to persons outlook and how old they want their minds to think, "old" is, and how their thinking process is going on. Over all. for me i think you are as old as you think you are, if you feel that you are old, then you stop thinking young at hear. But if you are forever young at heart, then no matter how old you may get, 80 or 90 years, your heart will forever be young and alive, so live up life!!
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Hi vinzen, It does depend on the persons outlook on life. You are so right. Thanks for commenting.
1 person likes this