Friday, May 1, 2009

You Look Great! (For Your Age)

I have never lied about my age. I've discussed that here, I think. I don't color my hair. I'm not thrilled about the gravitational effects of aging, but aside from a good support garment, I don't do anything to stop or reverse them. While I'm considerably less than thrilled with my weight, I am also not willing to kill myself trying to become what society thinks I should be.

I've talked about all of this before.

But lately, I've been getting a lot of compliments AFTER I tell someone how old I am.

Wow, you look great.

Now these are not people who think I look great in a general sense. You know when someone thinks you look great, and I feel pretty confident telling you that, before the revelation of my age, none of these people were looking at me that way. But once they heard that number, they gave me a quick and relatively inoffensive once-over then proclaimed, "Wow, you look great."

So I'm thinking of starting to lie. Maybe I'll start saying I'm OLDER than I actually am. What do you think? If I look great for 46, I probably look AMAZING for 55. 74? Forget about it.

The other night a young man carded me - and looked very carefully at my license. It was one of those events where everyone was carded and, when you're old, it's just sort of a formality. But this kid was checking. I mean, I'm not stupid. He wasn't checking to see if I was under 21. Sheesh. But he WAS studying my license. When he finally gave my card back he told me that he couldn't believe I was born when I was. He didn't have a damn thing in the world to gain by flattering me.

Wow, you look great.

A few days back? I was feeling old. My neck was sore, my knees were sore, there were bags under my eyes, I was tired, and I felt old. Do you want to know what I did? I took myself out for a late breakfast at a place I know is frequented by people older than I. I felt so darn young after breakfast that I practically bounced out of the restaurant.

Wow, I felt great.

It's all relative, my friends.

8 comments:

Housewife Savant said...

I KNEW this article would be perfectly appointed truth when I read the title.
Right on Tammy!
This is why I shop at Lane Bryant.

Debbie said...

You and I are the same age. But this morning, I messed my shoulder up getting dressed! So today, I feel very, very old:(

Unknown said...

This is great! I'm going to start going to dinner at 4:30.........those early bird folks will certainly be older than my 49, and I'll look good.
People do tell me I look much younger, so I just yes, I'm holding up great aren't I....LOL.
Maybe the guy checking your ID was looking for a Cougar!

Gibby said...

You always make me laugh! I am the oldest among our friends, a fact that they never cease to let me forget. But then they always say...oh, but you look good for your age. (Like I'm 60.) I want to say...oh, you look good for your face. (Have I mentioned that I am really not a people person???)

Pam said...

Tammy this is so funny. For years I've said that if I'm ever tempted to lie about age, I will say I'm OLDER than I actually am. As you said, I look terrific for 55. 29... not so much! (I'm really 45).

Alex the Girl said...

Yeah, I've tried that. People just don't believe me when I tell them I'm only 18.

FranticMommy said...

I try very on a daily basis to NOT act my age!
Usally when someone says to me "you look great"..there's a big "BUT" after it
"you look great, BUT your zipper's down...."

dkWells said...

I'm 52 and people tell me I look better now than I ever did. I have to agree, humbly of course.

I think it's more than looks, it's also self-confidence and attitude. Looks, confidence and attitude make for an attractive package.

Remember, you're only as old as you think and as young as you feel!

Sir Hook I'm 18 and I Like It (sorry, Alice Cooper) of Warrick