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Do you ever live up to the stereotype?

(50 Posts)
granoffour Fri 23-Dec-16 08:36:15

There was a slightly patronising advert on the radio yesterday about 'grans' and I tutted and then realised by tutting I was probably living up to the stereotype grin. So I got out my sherry and my knitting and basked in other people's expectations.

Lillie Fri 23-Dec-16 08:47:21

Ha Ha! Well at least you can laugh at yourself!

I'm a "gran," but I think once I retire, (8 years grrr) I'll find it easier to live up to the stereotype. As long as GN is still in existence! grin Although maybe I could start practising a bit now?

DaphneBroon Fri 23-Dec-16 09:05:39

Do you mean to start knitting or to start tutting? grin

Jane10 Fri 23-Dec-16 09:12:48

I do enjoy using my stick in a Granlike way. Not so sure about the sherry and knitting though.

Katek Fri 23-Dec-16 09:30:57

I've started snapping at the tv when things annoy me.....and at other road users. Never used to do this so I think I'm developing stereotypical behaviour as well!

Katek Fri 23-Dec-16 09:32:00

Oh and dismissive wave of left hand has also started....shades of my father!

Jalima Fri 23-Dec-16 09:37:24

I've been knitting on and off since I was 15 - and I do like a sherry now and then (but it has to be very dry, none of your sweet stuff).

And - just to complete the image - I now have an NHS walking stick which I hope will be a temporary measure, but, in the meantime, I can practise poking people with it when I want to make a point!

tchgrin

SussexGirl60 Fri 23-Dec-16 09:59:10

Well if sherry drinking formed part of the stereotype, they've got it so wrong! It's a really 'on trend' drink to have now, I gather. My son and his partner are living the 'London' lifestyle and they drink it a lot. So much so, we've got them some as a present.(it has to be dry though-none of this sweet stuff!!)

radicalnan Fri 23-Dec-16 10:06:06

A walking stick is a must have. I use mine to get things off the top of cabinets and from under the bed, I attach floor cleaning wipes to the end with elastic band and do all the nooks and crannies with it, I pull down branches and dead head roses, I use it to avoid bending down and standing up and sometimes even for walking.

However, sherry gives me head aches and I do knit but only funky stuff. What really would make me a gran is a toy boy, have asked Santa and have been good (have to be as don't have toy boy yet)....being able to pass on good advice is the main element for me.....just wish I had m ore of it to pass on.

patsykelly Fri 23-Dec-16 10:16:14

How about making the most of stiff joints? People waiting right in the doorway of stopping trains/buses really annoy me - so I take my time (even on a good day!) of holding on to a handrail and slowly lowering myself right in their way grin
I made the most of my crutches after my arthroscopy a couple of years ago too - but also genuine thanks to all the lovely people who went out of their to help.

vampirequeen Fri 23-Dec-16 10:21:10

I don't knit or drink sherry but I am still in the hot flush stage (when does it stop [sob]. I have to rush outside even in the rain and/or snow ripping off outer clothing whenever the heat is upon me.

Pinkshoes26 Fri 23-Dec-16 10:28:59

Expectations , knowing and the giving. All can be very diffrent.
I give my time, Talk and play with the grandchildren who come to visit. I have some toys old and new. I craft and make things.
Buy gifts that are never to be seen again! Carefull what I say.
Best of all is pushing a pram, remembering of years gone by.

tanith Fri 23-Dec-16 10:33:58

I do indulge in boasting about all the kids and I do include my own children and grown up grandchildren in that. Can't help myself when they do something that makes me swell up with pride.

Anya Fri 23-Dec-16 10:37:06

It's those grans knitting Shreddies that I want to jump up and down on until they're as flat as the disgusting cereal they advertise annoy me.

Teetime Fri 23-Dec-16 10:39:37

My sister says DH and I totally fit the stereotype of 'smug retireds' what do you make of that?

Margs Fri 23-Dec-16 10:53:21

I find - as the years have rolled on - that I am leaning more towards living up to the stereotype Little Old Dear as portrayed in the magnificently understated film "The Ladykillers" - I catch myself doing it both consciously and sub-consciously.

It has a lot of advantages, if you can steel yourself to put up with the occasional bit of patronising.

ie: But that old lady couldn't have done that/said that/been that....... she looks sooooo harmless!

Blinko Fri 23-Dec-16 11:06:33

We know that old ladies are far from harmless.....grin

Izabella Fri 23-Dec-16 11:10:17

Not yet!! Off on the mountain bike later. Cold water swim New Year's Day (outdoors that is!)

BBbevan Fri 23-Dec-16 11:12:31

I do knit but don't drink sherry as it makes my arm ache ?

Chris1603 Fri 23-Dec-16 11:20:48

Knitting and baking are back in fashion with the young so the Gran stereotype is back on trend.

Not sure about the sherry though, reckon it needs to be gin to be fashionable.

Happy Christmas to one and all!!!

MaryXYX Fri 23-Dec-16 11:21:16

I don't fit any "Granny" stereotypes. I don't knit or even bake cakes, but I do mend computers. This summer I went to a local "Pride" march as Batgirl, with a black PVC minidress. Any more stereotypes I can break?

merlotgran Fri 23-Dec-16 11:21:19

I think I behaved more like a stereotypical gran when I was in my twenties.

We drank sherry (50p from the local pub if you took your own empty bottle) and if you spent the evening with friends - often to watch the telly while the men went to said pub, you took your knitting with you.

Boy, we knew how to live in those days tchgrin

marionk Fri 23-Dec-16 11:54:56

Have been asking for years at what age is it ok to be rude randomly to/about people like mr FIL was - ooops think I may have reached it as I am on a craft site on Facebook where needy (is that rude?)people post pictures of stuff they have made and ask for opinions - have to sit on my hands to stop myself typing SHITE at least twice a day! Also they are constantly asking the same questions about how things are made - just Google it .........Think I have just sorted out my rage problem - will leave the site forthwith and return to a simpler life of road and trolley rage lol ????

Legs55 Fri 23-Dec-16 11:56:47

I too have NHS walking stick (mobility issues) but I have used a stick for several years & I'm only 61 tchsad, helps to look a bit helpless. Now get help when travelling by train either from staff or passengers.

I don't knit, never could learn, enjoy very dry Sherry but prefer a G & T tchblush

I shout at TV, when you're on your own (widowed) I've only got Cat or TV to shout at. Swear loudly, make a navvy blush, when things go wrong (indoors only). I can play the helpless little woman when it suits me but don't treat me like a fool tchgrin

kittylester Fri 23-Dec-16 12:00:58

No-one has mentioned the perm and rocking chair - I have neither.

I hate sherry and although I can knit, I don't!