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The Insults of Age

themonthly.com.au

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Re: The Insults of Age

#31

Post by ihaveajob »

beachstartup wrote: post #15
onesixtythree wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Age is a weird prejudice because it depends so much on environment. In most companies, you're viewed negatively before age 30: you're expected to work the worst hours because the assumption is that you have nothing "better" to do and would just be out drinking. In Silicon Valley, you're viewed negatively after 30. Some doors close and others open. I do find, strangely, that I'm way more attractive to women now that I…

> although I'm still glad that I married young because I'd imagine that the dating pool shrinks considerably. it actually doesn't, in fact it grows continuously, but you'll just be shamed by older women and married men for dating younger women.

Obligatory XKCD: https://xkcd.com/314/

Re: The Insults of Age

#32

Post by WalterSear »

rustynails77 wrote: post #27
WalterSear wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Furthermore, she considers a innocent question from a child as a insult to her age and gender.

That's not the half of it. This author deserves no respect based on that article. She is typical of "me me me" and the continual flow of sexism we see from Australian journalists. The last few decades in Australian media have been a dark spot. This author is sexist, arrogant and takes pride in yanking a strange girl's hair (which is tantamount to assault). "In two strides I was behind the schoolgirl. I reached up, se…

Yes, however I originally felt uncomfortable commenting much further here, at the risk of being accused of sexism.

Re: The Insults of Age

#33

Post by zo1 »

larrymcp wrote: post #28
cafard wrote: post #2

Hmm. It's easier on men, I guess. It does wound my vanity a bit when young women on the bus offer me a seat. But otherwise, being on the large size and generally glum looking, I don't get people baby-talking me or condescending much.

It was funny when the chick at Starbucks called me "sir". Heh.. "sir"... that didn't happen when I was in my early 20's...

Really? I've been referred to as "sir" by sales individuals for quite a while, even in my early-twenties. I guess it's a culture thing.

Re: The Insults of Age

#34

Post by ruvis »

doki_pen wrote: post #8

It's interesting that I've had the complete opposite experience as a white man. The older I get the more respect I get in public, for no apparent reason. The painting example was so apt. No one would dare step between me and a painting. It's a very odd thing, as I don't feel like I deserve any more respect than I did 20 years ago.

Same here. I grew a beard and look quite a bit older with it, seems to get me a lot more respect. Terrorist jokes aside.

Said respect tends to disappear once I tell people I'm only 24, so I stopped doing that.

Re: The Insults of Age

#35

Post by Lawtonfogle »

onesixtythree wrote: post #13
doki_pen wrote: post #8

It's interesting that I've had the complete opposite experience as a white man. The older I get the more respect I get in public, for no apparent reason. The painting example was so apt. No one would dare step between me and a painting. It's a very odd thing, as I don't feel like I deserve any more respect than I did 20 years ago.

Age is a weird prejudice because it depends so much on environment. In most companies, you're viewed negatively before age 30: you're expected to work the worst hours because the assumption is that you have nothing "better" to do and would just be out drinking. In Silicon Valley, you're viewed negatively after 30. Some doors close and others open. I do find, strangely, that I'm way more attractive to women now that I…

>I'm still glad that I married young because I'd imagine that the dating pool shrinks considerably.

Why would it? If anything the number of single adults keeps growing each year.

Re: The Insults of Age

#36

Post by Lawtonfogle »

beachstartup wrote: post #15
onesixtythree wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Age is a weird prejudice because it depends so much on environment. In most companies, you're viewed negatively before age 30: you're expected to work the worst hours because the assumption is that you have nothing "better" to do and would just be out drinking. In Silicon Valley, you're viewed negatively after 30. Some doors close and others open. I do find, strangely, that I'm way more attractive to women now that I…

> although I'm still glad that I married young because I'd imagine that the dating pool shrinks considerably. it actually doesn't, in fact it grows continuously, but you'll just be shamed by older women and married men for dating younger women.

Shame on them for being so concerned about with what consenting adults do.

Select every argument about why it is none of their business to outlaw/shame homosexuality, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-P.

Re: The Insults of Age

#37

Post by Jtsummers »

onesixtythree wrote: post #13
doki_pen wrote: post #8

It's interesting that I've had the complete opposite experience as a white man. The older I get the more respect I get in public, for no apparent reason. The painting example was so apt. No one would dare step between me and a painting. It's a very odd thing, as I don't feel like I deserve any more respect than I did 20 years ago.

Age is a weird prejudice because it depends so much on environment. In most companies, you're viewed negatively before age 30: you're expected to work the worst hours because the assumption is that you have nothing "better" to do and would just be out drinking. In Silicon Valley, you're viewed negatively after 30. Some doors close and others open. I do find, strangely, that I'm way more attractive to women now that I…

> I do find, strangely, that I'm way more attractive to women now that I'm older, even though my looks have (objectively) declined.

Confidence and the way you carry yourself. In our teens and early twenties we tend to dress and act for others. As we get older that becomes less common, or we become better at selling our appearance (attire, demeanor, etc.) as ourselves and not a façade. Whether that's a hoodie and jeans and converse sneakers, or a suit and tie, or something in between doesn't matter (mostly).

Also, in your twenties you're still putting on muscle mass and filling out some. If you maintain decent physical conditioning you won't have that scrawnier look that a lot of teens have. You probably have broader shoulders and a fuller face than you did in your younger years, it looks healthier and more attractive, even if it's paired with gray hair and wrinkles.

Re: The Insults of Age

#38

Post by Namrog84 »

jpmattia wrote: post #22
eloisant wrote: post #16

Older people used to be considered wiser and respected. The baby-boomer generation basically invented ageism when they were young in the 70's, it's ironic to see it bite them back now.

The baby-boomer generation basically invented ageism when they were young in the 70's Earlier than that. The original "Never trust anyone over 30" was already a saying by the mid-sixties as a consequence of FSM: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Free_Speech_Movement The movement itself was just another step in the protests of the civil liberties movement, and to some degree HUAC. I'm sure we could go back farther, but th…

Thanks for the wikipedia link. At first glance I was like what does the Flying Spaghetti Monster have to do with this.

Re: The Insults of Age

#39

Post by zentiggr »

Namrog84 wrote: post #38
jpmattia wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The baby-boomer generation basically invented ageism when they were young in the 70's Earlier than that. The original "Never trust anyone over 30" was already a saying by the mid-sixties as a consequence of FSM: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Free_Speech_Movement The movement itself was just another step in the protests of the civil liberties movement, and to some degree HUAC. I'm sure we could go back farther, but th…

Thanks for the wikipedia link. At first glance I was like what does the Flying Spaghetti Monster have to do with this.

omg, nose coffee... Thanks!

Re: The Insults of Age

#40

Post by floopidydoopidy »

onesixtythree wrote: post #13
doki_pen wrote: post #8

It's interesting that I've had the complete opposite experience as a white man. The older I get the more respect I get in public, for no apparent reason. The painting example was so apt. No one would dare step between me and a painting. It's a very odd thing, as I don't feel like I deserve any more respect than I did 20 years ago.

Age is a weird prejudice because it depends so much on environment. In most companies, you're viewed negatively before age 30: you're expected to work the worst hours because the assumption is that you have nothing "better" to do and would just be out drinking. In Silicon Valley, you're viewed negatively after 30. Some doors close and others open. I do find, strangely, that I'm way more attractive to women now that I…

I find it's quite the opposite for me. Women find me significantly less attractive now that I'm in my mid thirties.
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