Friday 18 April 2014

O is for Old


I am one of those who believe that age is just a number. (Well, I’m over the hill now, so that’s what I will advocate right? J )

I was in my late twenties when the first strand of grey sprung up. That definitely has to do with genetics. I also humour myself by thinking they were early signs of wisdom. I’ve had dark circles under my eyes ever since I remember. Apparently, I never used to sleep as a child. I think I am not too old to start learning tennis, an instrument or a new language. I tell myself, if I had the time, I would have made it to the national swimming Olympics team. (Yeah, I like to flatter myself at times) When I talk to friends, I realise it will soon be a decade since I graduated from college. When kids in my apartment call me “aunty”, more often than not, I do not respond, because it doesn’t even strike that it is me they are referring to!

But there was one day, when I really did feel old. It was at a coffee shop in upmarket Mumbai. A group of young girls, barely in their teens walked into the store. Most of them were outrageously dressed and wore heavy make up for an age that tender. They flipped out thousand rupee notes, placed their orders, had conversations peppered with words that sounded rather disgusting coming from them. What bothered me was that this whole thing was rather casual, it seemed to come to them naturally.

I don’t remember living a life like that at that age. That’s when it hit me - I belong to a different generation.




16 comments:

  1. There's a book called How to Be Hepburn in a Hilton World...it came out a few years ago but its goal was to show young people that this trend of acting unladylike for attention is not a good thing and they should learn to have class...THAT will get them what the want in life. (Careers, boys, etc.) Too bad more kids didn't read it.

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    1. Oh thanks for that Stephanie. I think I will read that right away! :)

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  2. =( I know what you mean. It's strange seeing these kids grow up and wondering what has been their prevailing influences. Still, we need a stable older generation to help correct some of the behaviors that will tear down society if not checked.

    True Heroes from A to Z

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    1. Very true Crystal. What worried me about this is - this lifestyle has probably become he norm now... I felt very out of sync with behaviour like that.

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  3. I'm not at an age yet that is considered old, but sometimes I feel it. The gap between generations grows every year, I feel, and like you, I've had circles under my eyes since early childhood. Light sleeper combined with overactive mind doesn't grant easy nights of sleep.

    Still, I agree that age is just a number. As long as you can find ways to keep your mind active and learning, age is just a way to tick off how much you've learned in life.

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    1. Oh you've articulated that so well! Absolutely agree with you on all counts. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  4. There are many young people who embrace modesty. I read a FB post this morning that described a business started by a young woman who wanted a modest bra but couldn't find one.

    Found my first gray hair my first year of teaching. i have to get the "skunk stripe" zapped every month. Fortunately, I don't have many wrinkles. via A to Z Challenge www.evolvingenglishteacher.blogspot.com

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    1. Ha ha, that's nice to hear Glenda. And yeah, it does seem reassuring to find youngsters who embrace modesty.

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  5. It is really hard to relate to these kids - I always wonder what their parents must do, that they allow their kids to be flush with money!
    PS: I'm closer to 50 and you're calling yourself old! ;)

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    1. Ha ha.. Corinne it was just that one incident that made me feel like I was from another planet!

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  6. I know the feeling! Good O!

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  7. They think they know it all , but sure didn't we all think that when we were young....*sigh*

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    1. I think every generation feels that way about its next!!!

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  8. Ya I know what you are talking about. I sometimes find such disparities even now when I see my own peers. Is it only about generation or something even more threatening? Whatever it is, it's sad.

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    1. I'm not sure what it is either. Anyway, we need to gear up and face it head on!

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  9. Can I say - I could relate to every single word in this blog!!! If I had written it, I'd be saying the same things. I am hearing more and more people of 'our generation' (there goes :) ) echoing the same feelings about these teenagers . Where did we go wrong? The parents of these kids must be 12 or 13 years older than us - what really happened to 'that generation' which raised this one! I wonder. About the age thing - well I always remember when I went to B-school at the age of 25, a 22-year told me upon knowing my age "But you look so young". The answer I gave her, will remain my answer for life - "I am young".

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