The usual old lady - where did she go?
80Has anybody seen her lately?
When I was a kid and even in my youth, the usual old lady were everywhere! Any women over 35 years old was an Aunt! And that wasn't just because they were over 35 but because they looked like old ladies. And it was also perfectly all right to call them Aunt this and that. They took no offense at all, on the contrary, it was rather polite to call them Aunt. That isn't the case today.
Today, no women wants to be called Aunt or be regarded as an old lady!
So, what characterizes an old lady and how do we define an old lady?
The word "old lady" refers to mature women in her middle life, or older. In these days it is often perceived as slightly pejorative or ironic.
For me, a typical old lady is a women dressed in elastic skirt, knitted sweater, a coat with length just below the knee, flat shoes, glasses and a hat on top of curly permed hair. Some of these old ladies also moves in a special way, and they look at the surrounding in a suspicious way and some of them are judgmental and sees others faults first.
But there was also another kind of old lady or Aunt when I was a kid. It was those women who were satisfied with life, they radiated security and simplicity, they baked buns and took care of the household with great esteem and confidence. That type of old lady is hard to find these days. Nowadays you can only get a glimpse of her in women over 80 or 90 years or older!
No, the old lady has gone, or is seen very rarely. Instead there are women who definitely not are old ladies, and they don't want to be called Aunt! They are women! And the women have become younger in some way, although they grow older in age! Now, even the word old lady is used as a warning sign that you aren't updated on the latest fashion trend: no, that type of handbag doesn't look good, it is "Auntie warning" on it, don't buy that! As if it would be the worst thing that could happen, to look like an old lady or an Aunt!
Nowadays it is only the body that is aging. Women who have reached adulthood today are active and are individuals and they certainly don't look alike. They will not sit at home with baked cookies and wait for grandchildren. The modern women will not become a old lady and its a life style issue. They are a generation that sets there one terms. Women around 60 years are the first generation of working women and many of them live single life's and are used to take care of themselves. They are also brought up in an era that worships youth and endeavor to look younger. And they probably feel younger too.
Now mature women are curious, they want to influence and participate. They are not old ladies who anxiously hold the purse close to their body and sits innocent on endless tea parties and at most, maybe discuss the worlds injustice.
The old lady of today?
If the usual old lady is gone, how is the mature women of today? Here are a few characters!
Fitness lady
This is the women who exercise regularly and tries to keep her body in shape. And she is far from simple gymnastic! She uses a lot of tools and make training to a science. She use pulse watch and have weights on her arms when running. She runs in races and goes to gym and is familiar with all gym equipment. She has a well trimmed body an dresses in tight clothes.
Stylish lady
She is well dressed, unconventional and isn't afraid to dress in black. She loves fashion and she dares to challenge the fashion business by work for changes of the ideal model which she thinks is to skinny. She likes to take care of her complexion and goes on facial treatments regularly.
Powerful lady
A lady with actual power, often CEO of a company or member on several boards. This is a lady that is interested and knowledgeable in her field. She enjoys debates and discussions and she can make her way in the man“s world. Well dressed of course, and she can afford expensive clothes. She wears dresses or jackets over a nice pair of trousers.
Culture lady
The culture lady does not dress, she drapes herself, preferably in black or purple in black dresses, tunics and trousers and large ceramic jewelry. She is seen on every premiere where she know all the important people. She cooks and eat food from Toscana and spend much time of water colour painting while she is drinking a glass of red wine for inspiration.We can all learn from culture lady, not least those who are stuck in the living room in front of TV.
Hot lady
This is a lady who likes the good things in life. She takes good care of her self and looks great too. She likes younger men, sex, chocolate and fine wine. She prefers to dress in tight fitting clothes that highlights her figure and wheres exclusive underwear.
Gossip lady
This is a relic of the old lady who had full control of her surroundings. And she is still on top of things, but now she is on the Internet instead of spy and peek behind the curtain. She is very active on Face book and other community sites. And she is powerful because she can influence many people and have opinions about a variety of topics. She keeps up with fashion and chooses the clothes she likes from current fashion.
Heroic lady
She fights for the poor and sick people and the children. She is absolutely tireless, collects money, clothes and other necessities. She likes plain and comfortable clothes and wear no make up, have an easy hairstyle that don't interfere with her hectic life that includes travelling. She can also be the inventor of useful techniques which she gives to people who needs it and thereby saving life's.
All of this characters are needed and makes difference i our time. The old lady of today have Power!
But sometimes I can miss that natural, old-fashioned, self-confident old lady and I can feel a little bit jealous of her elastic skirt!
And which of the characters am I? Non of course! Because I am still to young.
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I really enjoyed reading this hub thougtforce. It is quite unique and funny. I have only just found you on here and I'll be back in a bit to read more of your work. Take care.
I look in the mirror now and see my mother, my daughter, myself and celebrate all the stages of life. Long live the "usual old lady."
Thank you, for the perfect article for my mood today. This is one of my "Old Days", tomorrow I will be my normal 71. One of the things that bother me is how media relates to the older women, they use the same terms as dealing with children. How often we are called, sweet, childlike, cute,how about competent? Is this what we call the complete life cycle? My biggest gripe is trying to buy smart looking clothes. I wear a size 4 and it is the teen department for me or (heaven forbid, make it myself) Do you know how embarrassing it is to share a dressing room with a bunch giggling teens? I loved your thoughts.
I'm trying to figure out where I fit in... hmmm, not sure yet. I'm sort of the gossip lady, quiet adept on the internet and love my facebook friends but the gossip part, well I don't do much of that.... Cookies? Nah, I'd just eat 'em... Yep, I figured it out... I'm the Hot granny!! LOL just kidding!!
Nice Hub, Get's you thinking!! Where did all the old lady's go?
Alright you found me! (I'm the Hot Lady) thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
Hi again Tina, I am the old lady, I hang out with Ginn. Not too bad for 70+ but I'm still hot, right Ginn? I just put my 2nd hub in,it only took me a week.but my next one is a gonna be DIET.
So Wife, you got a stop thinking of Oakmeal cookies. We can let Size be the judge. Ha ha. I was born a size 4. if I can. Make this old brain work, I'll have the amazon three day diet in force soon. But go ahead and check me out first. ok.
Kay
Kay
This was an interesting read, thank you for this view of the issue:)
I adore old ladies, when they aren't grouchy! Luckily most of the ones that I meet are sweet and a pleasure to chat with:)
This is such a great hub! I was thinking about this the other day, too. When I am "old" I will be in the nursing home surrounded by women named Heather and Ashley, and we will rock out to Prince and Madonna. It is going to be so strange. Fun hub and voted up and shared!
"Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday Tina!!" I send you wishes of love and peace and success always!!!
GREAT hub! Up++.......have a wonderful day!
Tina, what a delightful hub! You gave me the chuckles, because I felt the same way as you did. When we were younger, every lady over 35 looked like an old lady. Furthermore, looking at old pictures of my mum and her friends, at that age, they really do look very old. Today I'm 50, and my friends that are 50-65+ are the hottest most outgoing and active friends I have ever had. Lol! They definitely do not look like "old" ladies.
My mother will be 51 in few days, I'm trying to figure out what kind of lady is my mother.
It makes me wonder what kind of old lady I am! Although I hate to think of myself as an "old lady", I guess I am. :) Your hub is great because it points out the differences in not only the way we perceive age, but the way we perceive ourselves as we age. Today's old lady will take much longer to reach that typical "aunty" stage than women in our grandmother's day and age! Great hub, funny and interesting as always. Voted up!
Hey great article! That little old lady has been replaced by a conglomeration of your wonderful depictions, I think. I'm like smallperson and sometimes go to the teen department for clothes, but that's ok. The kids don't seem to mind :-) I really enjoyed reading this great take on today's "old lady."
I truly enjoyed reading this, especially the line "those women who were satisfied with life, they radiated security and simplicity", as that is something I hope I'll achieve at some point! Just as much as I hope I'll be a bit of all those women you described. Wonderful hub!
I enjoyed your thoughts and musings on the old lady of times past compared to the 'old ladies' of today's era. Very nice hub.
As for being called 'Aunt' I think it depends on one's region and culture. On the islands of Hawaii, the children and teenagers call a woman "Auntie" and add the person's name to it. For instance, I am "Auntie Pamela". This is the culture and it a very special feeling to be "Auntie" to someone you've only met a few times yet they decide to let you into their circle. It opens the door to friendship and good times. The term "Auntie" is used with respect and out of deference.
Voting up and beautiful.
wonderful hub and so thought provoking. I think that Auntie disappeared because no one wanted to wear those skirts. voted up awesome etc.
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Wife Who Saves 20 months ago
Reading about old ladies has me thinking about oatmeal cookies warm from the oven and my grandmother's delicious rice pudding. I enjoyed your hub.