Do you call yourself old?

I told my son that having a son who is middle aged was a sign of being old. He replied that I have a few years to go! I'm 71 and he is about to be 41.

I think when we look at our children and realise they are getting middle-age spread and going bald, then we are brought up with the sudden thought that time is passing. I often say to my husband 'come on old man', and he just says 'not so much of the old please'. We are both past our best before date, but mix with some younger people which is good for us, and managing to get about helps of course. (We are both in our 80's)

I'm elderly. Not old though.

Does it matter what we are called - it is only words?
I heard a saying on Radio 4 today - you don't stop being young because you have grown old - you grow old when you stop being young.
I feel better at 71 than I did at 50 (admittedly I don't look as good but I don't care about that.)
The only thing that reminds me of my age is when my grandchildren seem to think I can't appreciate raunchy jokes - I haven't become less broad-minded with age.

Glad you feel fitter Greatnan now than you did when you were 50 because its the same for me. I believe its the walking I do. I know you do a great deal yourself.

I am of the opinion that mixing with people of all ages helps. I would never go to something like U3A - I would rather be on my own. No I dont call myself old. The BBC seems to want to put people into age-groups. Adults are young if they are under 40. Then they are middle-aged if they are over 40. Then - cheeky sods - elderly for over 60.

I just dont like the sound of elderly. I am ME.

I agree, flowerfriend! I am 60 and certainly not 'elderly', in mind, attitude or, I hope, appearance

I'm not old. My mum is old, I'm her daughter therefore I can't be old!!

I'm 65 and regard that as late middle age.

Anyway, old is the new black!

Notso just love your post !!! but be a wee bit generious on the age bit please as I only have 3yrs to hit late middle age and don't feel ready for that just yet,still feel about 25 ?

What is U3A ?

u3a.org.uk/

University of 3rd Age,groups of people who study a particular subject or topic that they are all interested in,from crafts to hill walking such a good idea and very popular.

Do you have to be a bit old for U3A or is it for all age groups ?

Let's removed all the value judgements from this debate and work on the facts. Average lifespan is moving towards 90, 0 - 30 is young, 30 - 60 is middle age and 60 + is old.

What we are, feel, look or compare ourselves with is irrelevant. I am looking forward to telling some thirty somethings that they are middle-aged.

So I'm middle-aged now, but next birthday will be OLD?

I like to think that I'm mature, and voluptuous, others may think I'm getting on a bit and a tad heavier than I used to be!

But not elderly! Awful word!
On paper I will be 66 in June but in my head I'm still a giddy 21.

Third Age, Nonu. to quote the web site:

"U3A membership is not related to a specific age but to a period in one’s life (the third age) after the second age of full-time employment and parental responsibility. Anybody in their third age can join U3A and this includes people who are working part time. There is no lower age for membership."

Ours is just a year old and has almost 400 members. We have all sorts of groups - books, writing, walking, card making, languages, photography, painting... and if you want to start another one, you can!

Thanks for being so knowledgeable about that Annobel I knew the basics but not the full in depth explanation.

Well, I like the word 'elderly'! It's better than 'old' (which no-one is until they are at least eighty). And how can you possibly call yourself 'middleaged' at seventy?! Well, alright, if you really think you're likely to live until you're a hundred and forty!

And, yes. You have got to be something!

FlicketyB you do not go from middle-aged to old!

There is an in-between.

Nanachrissy, my sentiments exactly, although i have to say I am working on the overweight , as I"m fed up with being probably a stone overweight and getting bored with it . Anyway , it will be a nice little project for the next few months, to get it off . Annobel , thanks for the info. it was really helpful , you all have a lovely sat. eve. me and my DH will , might even have a glass or two dash , there goes diet , still tommorrow is another day (was it scarlett who said that )

My husband's contract says he treats elderly and infirm patients. I passed this info on to someone (young) wanting a home visit and was told it was against the law to say "elderly"! So there!! We can't possibly be elderly!

It can't be against the law! I don't believe it!