"It's tough getting old" (moving, friendly, crying, relatives)

[yourown2feet]

When I was younger, and was ill or had aches and pains, friends and relatives expressed sympathy.

Now they feel compelled to add remarks like "it's tough getting old" and the like. Makes me feel 100 years old, on top of whatever's wrong.

As an aside, I only share my ills when I must (e.g. have to cancel an engagement). I'm usually pretty chipper.

[borninsac]

Talked to someone I hadn't seen in a long time. He's about 15 years older than me. I asked him how he had been doing. He said fine but he's getting old and there's nothing he can do about it.

[carnivalday]

Getting old? Beats the alternative.

[mschrief]

Keep your aches and pains to yourself. Don't talk about them. Be optimistic and upbeat.

Takes years off, really.

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by yourown2feet

When I was younger, and was ill or had aches and pains, friends and relatives expressed sympathy.

Now they feel compelled to add remarks like "it's tough getting old" and the like. Makes me feel 100 years old, on top of whatever's wrong.

As an aside, I only share my ills when I must (e.g. have to cancel an engagement). I'm usually pretty chipper.

Don't know your age, but I will be 80 in July and I hate to tell you the bad news, but it ain't gonna get any better.

[larsm]

Betty Davis said it best: Getting old isn't for sissies.

[HappyDogToday]

I'm happier now at 62 than I was at 22. No time as good as the present. Think ''old'', be old. Think ''young'', be young.

[NewbieHere]

It's definitely is, I just need to keep on stretching then I'm ok.

[yourown2feet]

Well, I realize I didn't phrase my initial post very well. It being such common knowledge that people age, wear out, and die, why do some feel compelled to mention it to those who turn up with some common ailment, and are over 50?

Why mention how it is only going to get worse with age?

Why not simply say, "I am sorry; hope you feel better soon"?

Not just asking for myself. It seems to be a common thing to say to others, yet it's not news, isn't comforting, and I wouldn't think to say it unless somebody hurt themselves doing something crazy reckless, or was a constant complainer who talked about little else.

Is there a friendly aspect to these "reminders" that I am too dense to see?

Originally Posted by Southern man

Don't know your age, but I will be 80 in July and I hate to tell you the bad news, but it ain't gonna get any better.

[Vision67]

When people ask, I always say "I feel Great!"

Nobody wants to hear stories of your aches and pains.

When I was 17, I worked a summer moving furniture for Allied Van Lines. One old guy they called "crying Eddie" always moaned and groaned about his aches and pains during lunch. Nobody would sit with him.

Keep it to yourself and your doctor unless you want to drive people away.