Comments on: Lying About Your Age

By: susan m

susan m — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 06:02:42 +0000

Speaking of nostalgia, I’d like to know what other midlifers think of the TV show “Mad Men.” My 30-something friends are all into it. It makes me cringe. I’m 47 but can still remember the days of “Honey, go get us some coffee.” Let’s not glamorize that era!

By: ruth pennebaker

ruth pennebaker — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:34:34 +0000

The truth is, we all compromise on this, one way or the other. But I do think that the more of us who speak up about our age (after we get jobs we need), the more things can change. It’s slooooooow, but who else will do it if we don’t?

By: Gena

Gena — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:41:01 +0000

I do believe in stating your actual age. Hell, I didn’t think I’d get this far and why am I going to lie about it.

I did have an period of extended unemployment. I didn’t dye my gray hair. It got down to the wire and I did color my hair. I didn’t lie about my age or anything else. I got past the gatekeeper and got the job.

I now have more gray hair that sometimes I color and sometimes let roam free. I can’t fight a certain level of cultural stupidity. But I can turn it on its head at every opportunity.

I will not lose weight, botox myself or try to pretend that I’m younger but I think you have to make decisions that you are comfortable and can accept.

When asked, I am 50 and counting.

By: ruth pennebaker

ruth pennebaker — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:49:56 +0000

I go around announcing my age whenever possible. God knows why. Maybe so I’ll never be tempted to fudge about it. But also, because I’m a cancer survivor, I’m very conscious of how fortunate I am to be aging; so many friends haven’t been as lucky as I am.

By: ruth pennebaker

ruth pennebaker — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:47:04 +0000

I think it’s really healthy to have friends of all ages. It’s kind of fun to be the “young” one in the group sometimes — even though that seems to be happening less and less frequently. Can’t think why.

By: Laura at Rebellious Thoughts of a Woman

Laura at Rebellious Thoughts of a Woman — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:36:52 +0000

I don’t get why women seem to feel that they need to lie about their age. As you say, those years gave you your experiences, why not be proud to give an indication of the rolodex of experiences. Maybe I can say that I never lie about my age since I “don’t look my age” but I find that a lot of us “don’t look our age.” Is it that we are expected to really need all of those anti-aging products and people are shocked that we can get by without them?

Laura, 47 and proud of it.

By: Ann at One Bag Nation

Ann at One Bag Nation — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:28:05 +0000

I’ve never lied about my age, but as the 50-yr-old mother of a 6-yr-old, I don’t shout it from the rooftop, either. I’m not sure why; it’s something about being surrounded by younger women all the time that makes it weird. In fact, I’m hardly around any women my age – I need some new friends!!