Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

As far as I can tell, age is rarely an important factor in a conversation. There are topics, like birthdays or 'where were you when X happened' when age is a natural point of reference, but usually it just doesn't have anything to do with anything. However, there are posters to whom it does matter and they bring it up in a disparaging manner. These same people often show their bigotry toward other groups as well, so I discount their opinion, but it does register.

Anyway, I've been thinking about it. Probably there are two reasons for it. One is that I wasn't old (by my standards anyway) when I arrived here. I'd always been the youngest one in my family to do things. But I suddenly got old in the time I've been in Korea. Overnight I was 20 or 30 years older than anyone else around me. More of a problem, I have had increasing trouble finding jobs because of it. When I was looking for jobs in '05 and '06 people were up-front about turning down my applications because of my age. Thankfully, the current new job didn't make an issue of age at all.

So I thought I'd ask...

When you crack wise about someone much older, what is your favorite term of affection or derision?

NOTE: Pretend that there is an 'e' in 'Fogey' above.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I rather like 'geezer'. It has a nice ring to it.

My experiences with old people have been overwhelmingly positive in my life, so I've never had any problem with being around them. It came as a nasty surprise when I woke up one day and realized 'them' were now 'us'. Shocked

When I was 25 and was starting my first teaching job, I met and became very good friends with Tom, the math teacher. He was in his mid 50's and was sharp as a tack. We used to have cross-word puzzle races and I seldom beat him. He taught me a lot of teaching chops and I will always be grateful to him. He was famous for 'losing' his glasses, which were perched on top of his head, but he'd been doing that since he started teaching. He died very soon after he retired and didn't get to enjoy his retirement.

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

I prefer old...boy, because even though I'm getting older I'm still a kid in a lot of ways.

The thing about younger people poking fun at older folks is this: Age is not exclusive to us...they'll get older too. And then they'll know what it's like.

"You know you're getting old when all the names in your black book have M. D. after them. "
Harrison Ford

Woland · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: Seoul

I prefer the adjectival form, geezeriffic. Especially when said by a hot little 38-year-old after certain activities.

Big_Bird · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject:

I like codger. But that requires a little more seniority than geezer. But non of these terms will ever apply to me! Cool

By the way Fogey is spelt with an e. Razz

swetepete · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Location: a limp little burg

I like geezer, but to me the aged are always "old bats" and "old farts." But for the extremely old ones, rather than using the rather prosaic "very old bat/fart" I prefer to upgrade the adjective to "crusty," "antiquated," "dilapidated," or "gristly."

Hmmm..."crusty old batfart..." yeah, that's my new favourite.

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

I am probably the oldest active teacher in Korea. I came to Korea in 2000 at age 60 and I am still teaching Uni at age 67. I'm not sure how I managed it.

"Old fart" is the best.

rednblack · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Location: In a quiet place

I've always tended to use the terms 'old fogey' or 'old geezer' (for a man), but more than often just the 'oldies'. My folks have always been the 'old man' and the 'old lady', or the 'olds'. Most of my friends back home also use the same terminology for their parents, as do my children and their friends.
Contrarian, good stuff. There's hope for me yet. Always a worry growing older over here (or anywhere).

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I agree with Contrarian, but only because he's the oldest here, so I'm not allowed to disagree. Old fart is best.

Also, 23 is the highest number. What about 24? YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I've joined the ranks of the geriatrically challenged... Crying or Very sad

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

daskalos · Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: The Road to Ithaca

I go for simplicity -- Old Man/Woman -- and I am not a disinterested party. That is, in order to legitimately refer to myself as middle aged, I must now live to be 90.

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

codger being left off the choices poisons the poll.

rockstarsmooth · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Location: anyang, baybee!

i like the term "oldster" myself. it's non-gender specific which is nice.
i'm 32, definitely not an oldster, but i have many good friends who definitely are oldsters, 60+. i've always had a good age spread in my friendships, i don't actually do well with people my own age, my friends tend to be much younger than me, or much older. one of my high school teachers became a really good friend, he's well over 60 now, and we're still in touch.
rss Cool

right now i'm listening to: beck - movie theme

rednblack · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Location: In a quiet place

Yeah, 'codger'. I forgot about that one in my old age.