When do you become "old"?

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As I stood at a store's register counter recently, the sales clerk said, “Oh, you have a birthday coming up. (I’m a member of an “insider club,” where the store keeps track of such things) You get 15 percent off, and happy birthday!”

“Thank you, but I don’t want them any more. I’ve had enough!” I joked.

“Yes you do,” she said, quietly and sternly.

I immediately got what she meant. It was days after the death of Farah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson, and yes, I don’t want to be dead just yet. So, I must continue to have birthdays (and perhaps should start really celebrating them).

But as I slowly slide toward 60, I wonder — am I "old" yet? A new survey shows that young people, mid-lifers and seniors view "old" differently. No surprise there. But what does it mean, and what are our expectations of growing older?

Forty may be the new 30, but I don't think 60 is the new 50!

When will you consider yourself "old" — when you start to feel it, or when other people start to view you that way?

Tags: 60, age, birthday, boomers, ed, farah, fawcett, happy, jackson, mcmahon

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on July 17, 2009 at 5:59am: I will feel old when my body can no longer support the life I love living. Until then I am squeezing everything I can out of it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paula Cowan on July 17, 2009 at 6:30am: Feeling old is a personal revelation or choice. I know there were days in my youth that I awoke feeling old, and now there are many more days in my Fifties that I awake and feel as youthful as when I was in my 20's. I think it is a state of mind and lifestyle much more so than a physical restriction. I've also met many who were physically older than myself, yet embodied youth and vitality. My Motto "You're as young as you feel"!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janet on July 18, 2009 at 6:45am: You're only old when YOU decide you are. Remember when you were 16 and 30 seemed ancient? Everything is relative right? But it's what you think that matters.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Federighi on July 18, 2009 at 11:58am: Why do people talk as though becoming old is a bad thing. Years ago age was considered a sign of respect and accomplishment for lifes knowledge. I certainly think that at 48 I am a better person than I was at 18 and it is because of those aquired years. If you are talking looks, well nothing stops time...not even plastic surgery. But you can look and feel your best whatever age you are. I have 3 Aunties that are all in their 80's. Yes they look like 3 elderly little old ladies. But when you get around them and get to know them, they are so full of fun and life that you forget that they are in their 80's. So I think age is really a matter of mental attitude.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vhiel M.R. Vance on July 19, 2009 at 2:38pm: I am 31 and if I look back .. perhaps when I was around 15... I always thought that when you are in your 30's your already old... but now that I am on that age.. i dont feel old at all.. well maybe not emotionally anyway.. although physically I can feel it due to lack of exercise and the way my lifestyle has change...

Although I do agree with some of the reply here and if you are older with just even 2 years with someone else, they look at you as somebody old...

Personally... I'll consider myself old when I stop feeling young.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jamie Pelaez on July 19, 2009 at 6:33pm: You only become old when you decide to be "old". I have met what some may call "old" people that were younger than some "young" people I have met. Basically it's all perception and your attitude.

Forget getting old and remember to be forever young. It's all mindset and of course taking great care of yourself helps as well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eileen Kugler on July 20, 2009 at 10:17am: Pushing 60 myself, I'm a believer that you stay young by always growing -- learning new things, getting out of your comfort zone. I decided I was going to learn Soduko instead of staring at it and am getting better at it every day. I try to keep up with Social Networking innovations. My husband and I are returning to volunteer for 3 weeks in a rural school in South Africa, because we enjoyed it so much last summer we couldn't wait to return. Sure there are younger people who think we're old, but there are also younger people who enjoy spending time with us, just like we do with people who are older than us. We all have lots to learn from each other. One of my favorite quotes: "You don't stop playing because you grow old. Your grow old because you stop playing."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beth on July 20, 2009 at 4:38pm: One becomes old when they stop being a kid at heart. There's no such thing as old! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Deb McNally on July 21, 2009 at 11:24am: I won't be old until I feel old. I just started skydiving and it makes me feel about 10 years younger! So, that means I should have an extra 10 years beyond when I would have been old. So, that gives me a LOT of time. I REFUSE to grown old or up for that matter! Life is way too fun.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Toni Parker on July 21, 2009 at 6:35pm: I think I will be old when I stop living life to the fullest. I am 43 years old and I feel like I am 20 physically, and 30 something mentally. I often have to remind myself that I am 43. However, I do feel some what odd when the sales clerks here is Texas calls me mam. I do ask them if they call everyone that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kenya S on July 21, 2009 at 10:02pm: Well said

Kelly Luzod-Jones said:
I think regardless of your age, anyone younger than you by 2 years or 20 years is going to view you as old! Hence, the big debate is within yourself, what are you going to do about how people perceive you? I just turned 40 this year and my teenage nieces think I'm ancient...my twenty something co-workers think i look good for "my age," and my 30 something friends tease me that I'm now the "next generation!"
My personal view now, is that I'll consider myself "Old" the moment I forget what it's like to be "Young!"

Live it up, you've only one shot at life so make it a great one...60 is just 60, like any other number. Embrace it and have a ball with it girl!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christy on July 22, 2009 at 3:40am: "Old" is just a state of mind, not a number. My Dad is sixty and he's out boating and biking eight miles a day with his wife....it all depends how you look at things. I'm only 35, but I laugh as my 30 year old co-workers freak out about turning 30....my husband just turned 30!!! I feel wiser than them! I love getting older, experiencing more, and having new memories, and I truly cherish each day I am given, for they are all a gift. If I live to be 60, I will feel blessed...God willing, my children will be well on their ways to living productive lives, maybe I'll even have grandchildren! So much to look forward to in life, and I love it!!!! So, Happy Birthday to you!!!! I think 60 is a milestone, and a good one, not one to feel badly about. You are much wiser and smarter than me....I respect that so much and wish I had the gift of your wisdom at 35....it would be useful. :); ▶ Reply to This