I am sure that many of you read Ronni Bennett's blog, Time Goes By. Today she wrote about "good and not so good names for old people." This is a topic she has addressed before, and today's post was prompted by an NPR story which was the aftermath of another story. Oh, how do we refer to a certain demographic, related to date of birth but broader than generations?? Oh, and how do we make name that which we want to name without giving offense???
You will find a survey on both the TGB and NPR. If you were born around 1948 or anytime before that what do you like to be called?
Here's the list from the NPR site. This is just a copy; you cannot take the survey here. You picked what you like and then, from the same list again, what you dislike:
What terms to you prefer?
I like your conclusion - "You can call me a woman". Me too. You can also call me what I am: a grandmother, a mother to adult children, a life partner, of for those that don't know me, an older, gray haired woman who doesn't really act old.
ReplyDeleteYou can call me a Senior citizen if I get the discount. :-)
ReplyDeleteCall me a vibrant older woman.
ReplyDeleteYou may call me a woman as well .... and a little less young than others, as my Dr says.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to be called a senior citizen, but old fut would be okay, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat's in a name? that which we call a rose
ReplyDeleteBy any other name would smell as sweet;
(Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene 2)
"A woman of a certain age" has appeal, too.
Having few illusions of myself or where this process is going to lead, I prefer to be known as the old ________ (fill in your favorite obscenity), for nicety purposes let us leave it at fart or bastard, although I answer to all and actually prefer those with a bit of a risqué overtone.
ReplyDeleteMy wife who views me through the optimistic cataracts of 39 years of being together calls me her silver fox. This most assuredly is wrong, but what the hell will I gain by persuading her otherwise. My own view would be a hybrid of species...an old bald _____ crow. (Again fill in the blank with your favorite obscene modifier.)
Interesting post. Have to say that most of those terms tend to sound a bit offensive (IMO) unless spoken by grandchildren. Who wants some clerk calling you grandpa or grandma (unless you have a grandchild at your side). Even worse is "young lady" spoken by someone years younger than yourself. However, "Senior Citizen" doesn't bother me... especially when it means a discount. And "Retiree" is OK too. If dealing with someone in person, "Sir" or Ma'am" has no age connotation.
ReplyDeleteI like your answer best for many of the same reasons. Born in 1949 I almost qualify for all of the descriptions. As long as no one ever has reason to call me "old and decrepit" that I will be happy. Old is OK I just always want to be active. .
ReplyDeleteJust call me to dinner and NEVER call me Girly. Otherwise, I don't really have a preference. I celebrate my silver hair. It gets discounts, doors are opened for me, heavy packages carried by strangers, and smiles are flashed easily my way. If I am not being called something profane, I'll answer. Gotta love it.
ReplyDeleteI am a woman, but you can call me a man if that means you will listen to me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I saw her post. And you've nailed it: I like Senior because it gets me my discount. But just by calling me Tom, everyone knows I'm old. Thomas was the 8th most popular boy's name in 1950. By 1980 it had dropped to 25th most popular. Now it ranks down at No. 61.
ReplyDeleteI happily was given a senior's discount at the drug store the other day! I was thrilled. They didn't even ask if I was a senior.
ReplyDeleteI'm 57! Like, whatever... :-Q