created by Zimbo212 on 26/01/2025 at 17:23 UTC
53 upvotes, 159 top-level comments (showing 25)
I've got a bad knee so I sometimes walk with a cane when I go out. It's really no big deal to me but occasionally somebody will say are you all right? Really embarrassing when you're just going to the grocery store and someone has to point out that you're old.
Comment by AutoModerator at 26/01/2025 at 17:23 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Please do not comment directly to this post unless you are Gen X or older (born 1980 or before). See this post[1], the rules, and the sidebar for details. Thank you for your submission, Zimbo212.
2: /message/compose/?to=/r/AskOldPeople
Comment by Elegant_Paper4812 at 26/01/2025 at 17:39 UTC
108 upvotes, 8 direct replies
The secret power you get when you're old is that no one's opinions matter and you can say whatever you want.
Comment by Spacelady1953 at 26/01/2025 at 17:35 UTC
63 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I have a beautiful cane. I use it with pride. I also “accidentally “ hit people with it when they are being rude buggers.
Comment by Debidollz at 26/01/2025 at 17:34 UTC
29 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Never embarrassed, except when I have to stand up in a restaurant after sitting 2hrs. pretty pitiful lol.
Comment by parrothead_69 at 26/01/2025 at 17:32 UTC
20 upvotes, 5 direct replies
I’m constantly apologizing for my bad short term memory. Its really embarrassing at times. I’m currently being evaluated for dementia by a neurologist.
Comment by silvermanedwino at 26/01/2025 at 17:34 UTC
20 upvotes, 3 direct replies
When I had my bum hips……..
I work in senior living, in sales. My job is to meet with families and walk around our 98k sq ft community. I was having a particularly bad pain day, and was very “limpy”. I hated it and tried to down play it as much as I could. The asshole adult son said “Is there someone else we can meet with? You obviously can’t do your job…”. I. Saw. Red. Tears stung. I was instantly furious. His wife saw this, I do believe she was embarrassed. I said, “I most certainly can do my job, let’s walk…”. I hated these people.
Comment by QV79Y at 26/01/2025 at 17:30 UTC
12 upvotes, 0 direct replies
No.
Comment by Laundry0615 at 26/01/2025 at 17:40 UTC
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I have a friend whose mother refused to wear a hearing aid although she could not hear anything without it. Why? Because "only old people wear hearing aids". She was 89.
Comment by jfcarr at 26/01/2025 at 17:31 UTC
8 upvotes, 2 direct replies
My Mom, who is in her 90's, is like this. She really should use a walker or cane but she won't out of pride.
Comment by Garden_Lady2 at 26/01/2025 at 17:45 UTC
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I have a couple canes and don't mind using them when my hip and/or my back hurts like He!!. It has also come in handy when someone starts mouthing off about me not having a right to use a handicap parking spot before I'm even totally out of the car. I grab my cane and tell him to bend over the hood while I whack him with the cane and when he hurts as much as I do he'll have the right to tell me how far I should have to walk. Shut's them right up.
Comment by No-Profession422 at 26/01/2025 at 17:58 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
No. My DGAF meter is maxed out.😄
Comment by mom_in_the_garden at 26/01/2025 at 18:21 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Not embarrassed, but downright pissed off. If someone gets impatient, I tell them “Fuck off. It’s happening to me, I’m not doing it to you.” That language, coming from this sweet little granny’s mouth always makes them back off.
Comment by Full-Artist-9967 at 26/01/2025 at 17:45 UTC
6 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I am sometimes. I look younger than I am, and I suspect that may cause people to be put off when I act like an “old lady.”
They say things like “you’re still young” or “you’re not that old” bc I no longer go out at night, get nervous on freeways and don’t like driving in general anymore, and I love to crochet etc.
My aging somehow makes other people uncomfortable and it’s like they want me to snap out of it and be 45 again. And that initially made me feel like I was doing this aging thing wrong, that I was supposed to resist it mightily.
I’m getting better at sticking up for myself and not being embarrassed. I point out my numerical age to remind them and myself that I’ve earned the right to change.
Comment by fmlbabs1925 at 26/01/2025 at 18:11 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I was ridiculed for being old by a very fat person once. I cruelly pointed out that their fat ass probably won’t live as long as me. I was ONLY 62 at the time but I felt better. No more Mrs Nice Guy I guess.
Comment by onlycodeposts at 26/01/2025 at 17:46 UTC*
6 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I'm a dude, and the number of younger dudes that hold the door for me or call me sir is concerning.
I don't get mad, I know they are just trying to be respectful. I did the same and still do for people even older than me.
Comment by Ok-Afternoon-3724 at 26/01/2025 at 18:11 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have been embarrassed about having to accept help. I'm 74M. Back in 2017 I found out I had a very advanced case of small cell carcinoma, and had one lung removed as well as bits and pieces of this and that internally. And the remaining lung already had damage from a chemical accident years ago. Recovery took a long time. And for a while I required either a walker or a wheelchair. Finally was able to get around without those.
Anyway, I can remember one day feeling pretty good, got to a store and figured, 'Well, hell, I can just walk in, I'm close.' thinking to grab a cart as a substitute walker. Yeah, wasn't a good plan, too soon. I got halfway and felt like I had the world on my shoulders. It was a very hot and humid day and I just couldn't suck in enough oxygen. Knees started to sag despite my best efforts. Suddenly two young people, maybe early 20s showed up and grabbed both sides of me, all concerned. I decided to abort the store run and they helped me to my car. I was embarrassed as hell. Also proud of those young folk, it was good to see that people are still good hearted.
My mobility since has much improved. But I've gotten over being embarrassed about being old.
Hell, now if I'm at a store and in one of those collision situations where two people are trying to get through the same space at the same time, I hold back for young folk and tell them to go ahead, 'I'm old and slow, you go first. I'm in no hurry.' with a big smile.
Comment by DamnGoodMarmalade at 26/01/2025 at 17:36 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
People of ALL ages use mobility aids. They’re not exclusive to being old. And they make some really amazing styles nowadays. Neowalk makes the coolest walking canes I’ve ever seen.
Comment by cartercharles at 26/01/2025 at 17:59 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Never. I'm fucking fabulous
Comment by No_Capital_8203 at 26/01/2025 at 17:30 UTC
3 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Someone has to point out that you are old. That's pretty rude. Tell them to bugger off. Where do you live?
Comment by xJW1980 at 26/01/2025 at 17:34 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My friend is nearly 60. He is a tall, brawny, big forearmed mofo that looks like he should be riding a motorcycle every day.
Unfortunately, due to life circumstances, he’s got really bad knees, and a bad back. He can’t even sit down to tie his shoes.
So yeah, when somebody asks him ,” hey bro, can you help me move this couch?” it does hurt his pride because he looks like this big strong mofo, but he can’t even pick things up off of the floor.
Comment by StrawberryOwn1123 at 26/01/2025 at 17:40 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I definitely am mortified by my inability to remember things and to comprehend dense blocks of text. I used to be so much smarter
Comment by AdProud2029 at 26/01/2025 at 17:43 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The person asking is just trying to be kind and considerate. I’m old too….but my biggest frustration is having people not recognize the fact that I’m now sometimes physically limited. For example, please don’t pack my grocery bags so full and heavy that I can’t lift them off the counter. Even if you lift them into my cart, I can’t get them out of the cart into my vehicle, nor out of the vehicle into my house. Also, please, Occasionally Im limping and hurting. Not always, but it happens. If I should not push my cart back to a cart kiosk after emptying it, it’s because I’m in pain and having trouble walking. Please don’t jump on me for being inconsiderate, because I do it when I can. I spent my youth helping seniors with chores such as this, and I really appreciate occasional help now.
Comment by holdonwhileipoop at 26/01/2025 at 17:46 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Embarrassed? No. Frustrated that I can't do as much as I used to? Hell yes.
Comment by Affectionate_Yak9136 at 26/01/2025 at 17:47 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have MS and walk with a cane sometimes - literally a gray beard. I am a student of the Popeye School of Philosophy- I am what I am and that’s all that I am.
Comment by The_Living_Tribunal2 at 26/01/2025 at 17:51 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Either a person gets older, or they stop getting older = death. Given those 2 choices I'll choose being embarrassed needing reading glasses or getting a senior discount.
Today's young person asking if you need help will be tomorrow's old person needing help; and the cycle continues.