Job Discussion Forums

[dmb]

My student asked me this very question this morning.
My answer? "Between the age of 35 and 55"
Was this a good answer? I'm 35 next year. I don't wan't to be middle-aged. Just doesn't sound right.

[Shonai Ben]

I always thought it was between 40-60 so you may be ok....

[dmb]

I'm happy with your definition. Thanks Shonai Ben.

[Antaraaaa]

Sorry Bud...I think 35 is where it begins. I will be 35 myself next year!
Look at all the questionaires that ask "are you 18-34"? This is considered young....
Next? 35-50!

[Cardinal Synn]

(From a random dictionary)
middle age
noun {U}
the period of your life, usually considered to be from about 40 to 60 years old, when you are no longer young, but are not yet old:

I'm not sure how 60 can be regarded as middle aged - unless you live to be 120!

[homersimpson]

It all depends on the country you're from. If your life expectancy is 79, then you are "middle-aged" at about 37. Although you'll be hard-pressed to find those of us around that age admitting to it!

[Cardinal Synn]

Please don't say 37 is middle aged - pppllleeeaaasse? Oh Fock!!!

[donfan]

[nomadder]

I think it should be the new cool zone. After months of travel and meeting young, dum, superficial, unoriginal, annoying and rude people I crave people of a "certain age". I have the best of both worlds-some wisdom and yet a young look. In fact I wished I could look my age so I could garner some respect and less loser leering looks.

[Sinobear]

When your middle is bigger than the rest of your body - and it isn't going to get smaller.
When going to bed at 11 p.m is automatic - not because you're tired.
When you can ignore pretty girls when out with the gf/wife - because you can no longer see clearly.
When it is legal for you to date girls 20 years younger - and no one thinks she's your daughter.
When your maximum alcohol intake used to be your minimum.
When your dream income at age 18 is no longer enough to pay for the medications required from the vices you partook of at age 18.

Cheers!

[Tong Dawei]

What ever that age is defined to be, one does not have to pertain to that traditional image. Middle age used to be the time when people actually did start getting a little over the hill. Then came the 80s and a new concept sprang/sprung (whatever) forth where you don't have to be heading down the hill in your forties as long as you have your priorities in place and treat your body with respect. So, back then you saw many middle aged people LOOKING GOOD and having the times of their lives'. Then something happened and now we're back to where obease is in. That's what the stats say. It is hard to exercise enough everyday and eat the right food, especially if you're trying to work your a$$ of to pay for some lifestyle popularized by some schmuck. So again, 40 is looking kinda "has been".

I am proud to say that my 42 years do not keep me from being out run by the 20 & 30 somethings on the ultimate field. And like Nddr said, I have the benifit of some wisdom while looking and behaving young. The Samba lessons are a total blast and there are many 20 & 30 something girls looking to be my partner on the dance floor. Take time to smell the flowers... I am fortunate indeed!

Now, if Santa can just come through this year I'll be set!

[Shonai Ben]

[Stephen Jones]

Middle-aged is what you consider yourself to be when everybody else considers you to be old.

[Will.]

The time you look at youth and treat it as your parents and other adults treated you when you were yoounger. Basically when you have becomne the people your parents were, you are no longer young but not old either.

[carnac]

A quote on the subject that impressed me (and I apologise for not remembering the author) is:

"Middle age is the acceptance of diminished expectations".

By this standard, I anticipate never reaching "middle age".