DISQUS

Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates: How Old Are You Now? The Relationship Between Age & Wisdom

  • Kelsey · 2 months ago
    The CEO at my company laughed at me when I said I had never used a typewriter. I'm not sure if that would be considered ageism, but it definitely made me a bit angry. I do think it's a lost cause. Certainly when employees are being discriminated against as a result of their age it can and should be addressed, but in day-to-day interactions I think it will always be an unavoidable problem.
  • Kelsey · 2 months ago
    The CEO at my company laughed at me when I said I had never used a typewriter. I'm not sure if that would be considered ageism, but it definitely made me a bit angry. I do think it's a lost cause. Certainly when employees are being discriminated against as a result of their age it can and should be addressed, but in day-to-day interactions I think it will always be an unavoidable problem.
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Kelsey: Often comments or reactions like that are made without thinking. It's not meant to offend, but it still does. I think we all need to look at things more positively. You may have never used a typewriter, but being a member of Gen Y probably makes you much more computer savvy than your older co-workers. So, instead of laughing at you, your CEO should be excited about what you can bring to the company. Maybe you're right and some ageism is unavoidable, but I hope we can get to a point where there's less of it in this world. Thanks so much for commenting!
  • ryanstephens · 2 months ago
    Clearly the problem here is that your co-worker doesn't realize that it's not because she was 24, but because she was a woman that she was so flaky about his little lie :)

    Kidding, aside I don't know if other circumstances have inspired your last few posts or what, but I've really enjoyed the depth of your recent posts (and the fact that they're simultaneously quick and easy to digest.) Keep rocking Sam!
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Kelsey: Often comments or reactions like that are made without thinking. It's not meant to offend, but it still does. I think we all need to look at things more positively. You may have never used a typewriter, but being a member of Gen Y probably makes you much more computer savvy than your older co-workers. So, instead of laughing at you, your CEO should be excited about what you can bring to the company. Maybe you're right and some ageism is unavoidable, but I hope we can get to a point where there's less of it in this world. Thanks so much for commenting!
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Ryan, Ryan, Ryan! Watch it with your sexist comments! Haha, fortunately, I know you're only kidding :) It is true though that women react differently than men, although, like age, I don't think it's as relevant in this situation as her personality and past experience.

    Thanks for your compliments on my recent posts. The roller coaster of life has been my inspiration recently, and I decided I would try for shorter posts if it meant I could still find time for writing. I'm glad you're enjoying them!
  • ryanstephens · 2 months ago
    Clearly the problem here is that your co-worker doesn't realize that it's not because she was 24, but because she was a woman that she was so flaky about his little lie :)

    Kidding, aside I don't know if other circumstances have inspired your last few posts or what, but I've really enjoyed the depth of your recent posts (and the fact that they're simultaneously quick and easy to digest.) Keep rocking Sam!
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Ryan, Ryan, Ryan! Watch it with your sexist comments! Haha, fortunately, I know you're only kidding :) It is true though that women react differently than men, although, like age, I don't think it's as relevant in this situation as her personality and past experience.

    Thanks for your compliments on my recent posts. The roller coaster of life has been my inspiration recently, and I decided I would try for shorter posts if it meant I could still find time for writing. I'm glad you're enjoying them!
  • Elisa Doucette · 2 months ago
    I find that I'm discriminated against more because of my age than the fact that I'm a girl. Wanna know what sucks too? Some of the worst offenders are older women who seem to be more than free to "share" (ie tell) me how things are. I think people really do want to help, to impart their brilliant wisdom since they have "been through it" before.

    Course it's hard to impart wisdom onto someone else cause they live a life of TOTALLY different consequences, circumstances and realities. Easy to forget that though...
  • Akhila · 2 months ago
    You know, I'm very young for my age. I'm a senior in college and I'm 20, and I'll only be turning 21 in March. I've always been young for my grade and so if anything, I've always been given the benefit of doubt. People always assume I'm smart because I'm young, but honestly this somewhat bothers me too. I'd like to just be considered equally to other members of the 2010 class, not treated specially because I'm younger.

    I also don't really recognize discrimination. Strange but even though I probably have encountered discrimination, I never really notice it, nor do I care much. Strange, I know.
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Elisa: Thanks for sharing your experience. I know what you mean. Older women do feel that they should impart wisdom on us because they've "been through it." I think it's usually well-intentioned, and you're right that they forget that other people likely have different circumstances than they did. Maybe if the delivery of this wisdom was better, and they didn't just share their own experience, but a general lesson that we could apply to our own lives. I guess when we become "older women" we'll just have to break the cycle :)
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Akhila: I'm actually the opposite of you, I turned 21 at the beginning of my junior year in college. So, I've always been one of the oldest ones in my grade. It's interesting that most of the ageism you've faced is assuming something positive about you, and yet it still bothers you. This is exactly what I mean about generalizations. Even if we're generalizing about something seemingly positive, that doesn't make it okay. Thanks for your comments!
  • Elisa Doucette · 2 months ago
    I find that I'm discriminated against more because of my age than the fact that I'm a girl. Wanna know what sucks too? Some of the worst offenders are older women who seem to be more than free to "share" (ie tell) me how things are. I think people really do want to help, to impart their brilliant wisdom since they have "been through it" before.

    Course it's hard to impart wisdom onto someone else cause they live a life of TOTALLY different consequences, circumstances and realities. Easy to forget that though...
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Elisa: Thanks for sharing your experience. I know what you mean. Older women do feel that they should impart wisdom on us because they've "been through it." I think it's usually well-intentioned, and you're right that they forget that other people likely have different circumstances than they did. Maybe if the delivery of this wisdom was better, and they didn't just share their own experience, but a general lesson that we could apply to our own lives. I guess when we become "older women" we'll just have to break the cycle :)
  • Akhila · 2 months ago
    You know, I'm very young for my age. I'm a senior in college and I'm 20, and I'll only be turning 21 in March. I've always been young for my grade and so if anything, I've always been given the benefit of doubt. People always assume I'm smart because I'm young, but honestly this somewhat bothers me too. I'd like to just be considered equally to other members of the 2010 class, not treated specially because I'm younger.

    I also don't really recognize discrimination. Strange but even though I probably have encountered discrimination, I never really notice it, nor do I care much. Strange, I know.
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Akhila: I'm actually the opposite of you, I turned 21 at the beginning of my junior year in college. So, I've always been one of the oldest ones in my grade. It's interesting that most of the ageism you've faced is assuming something positive about you, and yet it still bothers you. This is exactly what I mean about generalizations. Even if we're generalizing about something seemingly positive, that doesn't make it okay. Thanks for your comments!
  • Susan Pogorzelski · 2 months ago
    Sam: I've loved reading your past few posts though admit I've been remiss in responding. But I am now! So, progress :)

    I think as people get older, they somewhat naturally feel a need to dismiss due to age. There's that flippant, "oh, she's young, she'll learn" attitude. We are young, we are learning. But that doesn't mean we haven't learned, experienced, etc before.

    On another side -- I look a lot younger than I am. So I do tend to get that often before people realize my age; I find myself attempting to prove myself and my maturity. I wonder where that falls into play.

    Anyway, great post and discussion!
  • Susan Pogorzelski · 2 months ago
    Sam: I've loved reading your past few posts though admit I've been remiss in responding. But I am now! So, progress :)

    I think as people get older, they somewhat naturally feel a need to dismiss due to age. There's that flippant, "oh, she's young, she'll learn" attitude. We are young, we are learning. But that doesn't mean we haven't learned, experienced, etc before.

    On another side -- I look a lot younger than I am. So I do tend to get that often before people realize my age; I find myself attempting to prove myself and my maturity. I wonder where that falls into play.

    Anyway, great post and discussion!
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Susan: I'm glad you've enjoyed these posts. You bring up some very interesting points. There is definitely a stigma about "young people" that we have a lot to learn, but you're right that people also need to realize that we have learned and experienced a lot. Although you may not look your age, on the other side of things, I think that you're very mature and wise for your age. This is exactly why I say we can't be limited by one number! Thanks for sharing your perspective!
  • sameve · 2 months ago
    Susan: I'm glad you've enjoyed these posts. You bring up some very interesting points. There is definitely a stigma about "young people" that we have a lot to learn, but you're right that people also need to realize that we have learned and experienced a lot. Although you may not look your age, on the other side of things, I think that you're very mature and wise for your age. This is exactly why I say we can't be limited by one number! Thanks for sharing your perspective!