What do you find yourself avoiding more as you get older?

"Crowded trains, Chiltern Railways are a disgrace" A constant refrain from my son who lives near Thame. When he moved there apparently it was a very good service. Since Covid a very deminished service, when he goes into London, it's a couple of carriages, so not everyone can get on. It still costs the commuter a small fortune of course.

To my own gripes I'd add, monologues from people who talk about their lives and seem oblivious that a conversation is best conducted when the other person can get a word in edgeways. Also I don't really appreciate a whole load of information about people I've nevet met as if I know them too.

Parking if I need an App. Self service tills. They always go wrong for me.

We don't stay up late any more either, my husband is more than ready for bed by 9.30, though I linger for another half hour or so. This has resulted in us not going out much at night, preferring to go out for lunch instead.
I don't enjoy drinking much alcohol now, unless we're celebrating. I seem to get hangovers very easily and feel awful all day so prefer to drink only occasionally, usually something a bit special.

People who moan.

People who find fault in others.

Noise.

Going out at night.

Places that allow dogs in. Yes, I know we have lots of dog lovers on GN, but dogs are all over the place now.

I try to avoid treading in dog poo that irresponsible owners haven’t bothered to pick up.

I think as you get older you want peace in your life, so avoid any people or occasions that don’t give you that.

The woke young

As you say people and shops! Only go to do food shop at Lidl when really necessary

People who suck the life out of a room. Small talk. People who mumble and mutter. Conspiracy theorists. I am a very social person, though, believe it or not! Also avoid long countryside walks where there are no toilets - which is sad, because I used to love those sort of walks. I avoid cafes/restaurants with low ceilings and wooden floors (unfortunately that’s many of them!) and which are often crowded. Other than that I’m a very tolerant person. 🥴

Nell82

Looking down into a magnifying mirror on my lap ...

we were in JL looking at the magnifying mirrors for me -
one particularly large one like the dish at Jodrell Bank, I
peered into and because the magnification was so strong, thought I was falling down into a crater, horrible shock,
pull back! we bought a gentler one ha ha

Very short sleeves!

steep stairs/cases or small lifts

going somewhere without knowing it is mostly accessible
by steps stairs or steep inclines, without being forwarned,
so having the opportunity to say no thanks

What a great thread!

Mine are similar to those already posted.

someone talking at me when I am required to look
at their face, as my concentration goes and I look
vacant apparently.

an old friend “full of herself” vain and boastful, exhausting

having a meal at someone else’s house, such a lottery,
ditto staying even for one night, especially if it’s cold!

shopping with friend, a grim excursion and wonder why I do it.

Crowded trains yes, Chiltern railways are a disgrace
with their two carriage trains.

a request followed by “for me” even in the bank or BS, awful,

disrespectful attitudes

someone try to walk through me as though I wasn’t there!
pavement hoggers

call centres, even JL and Waitrose have now moved to Manila

doctors and attendants

the most irritating thing for me is a problem solver
of the “why don’t you” kind

Magnifying mirrors, alcohol, boring people, doing too much in one day, cooking elaborate meals, high heels.

The main thing for me is finding I can say No when I want or need to.
Other than that I don’t think my likes and dislikes have changed much.

Looking in the mirror!

Reality TV. I remember when Big Brother started and found it quite interesting, initially. It's obviously cheap to produce so we now have a plethora of reality programmes, each as boring as ever.

Definitely socialising and going out in the evenings.

Eating out.

Driving in the dark and driving long distances especially if I’ve never been there before

I concur with almost all the above. Interesting that so many of us don't want to be around people when we are all inundated with the message that socializing is absolutely essential "at our age" to our mental health. It's the opposite for me, thanks. So happy to hear I am not alone at all in that. I only like to attend events if there is another purpose (meeting, activity, game) rather than just talking--unless it's with very few close friends and siblings.

Confrontations.

Shopping for clothes. Trousers so long, tops too boxy. Even midi dresses are too long. Materials so thin and clingy.

Noise. Especially in restaurants.

Having any overnight guests. I find it really stressful. I'd much rather treat them to a meal out at a destination between their location and mine.