May 2, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Do not offend those who are over 60

Some phrases make young people smile, but can offend people aged 60+. In order not to get into trouble, it is worth remembering expressions that you definitely should not use in a conversation with people of mature age.

“You’re not that old anymore”. As a rule, you want to suggest that the clothes or activities do not quite suit your interlocutor. However, in this case, a person has the right to decide for himself whether he should give preference to a certain hobby or style of clothing – after all, age is not measured by the year of birth in the passport, but by how old a person feels. Show respect for the choice of your interlocutor, even if it seems to you not entirely successful.

“It will be hard for you to figure it out”. Is that how it seems to you? Perhaps you are right, as perception and understanding slows down over the years. But believe me, everyone is well aware of this without your tactless remark. And it happens the other way around – despite age, a person is active, aware of the latest trends, and life experience and ingenuity help him quickly solve any problem. So your remark will only cause irritation, and the interlocutor will suspect you of arrogance.

“Your views are outdated”. But “views” do not depend on the person, but rather on the development of society, wealth, technology, civil liberties. Therefore, such an expression cannot refer to a specific person.

“Well, why are you…”. Finding elderly parents working in the garden or cleaning the house, do not rush to object and be horrified. The feeling of helplessness that overtakes in old age “beats backhand” – a person really wants to prove to himself that he can still do a lot. Help if you can. And if not, at least don’t interfere. Don’t offer to shop for the vegetables they painstakingly grow in their garden, and don’t offer a housekeeper unless they ask for it. It is better to praise the results of their work and performance – it will be nice.

“For your age…”. The praise said to the young specialist will flatter him. But for an elderly person, a similar phrase will sound ambiguous, even despite your desire to please the person.

“You can not understand”. Did you mean to say that your views do not coincide? And a person will hear something else: that he “did not come out of his mind”, does not reach your level of intelligence. Undoubtedly, today’s youth understands many things better than the elderly. But in this way you rudely discard the experience of the older generation, which has seen much more in its lifetime. It’s just that some people try to “keep up” with the modern rhythm of life, tirelessly study and develop. Others, alas, try, but do not always have time. Do not offend them, try to be more careful in your statements, advises uznayvse.ru.

Previously, we talked about what signs indicate that you are getting old.



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