ageism

starblue SG

let's share the following things:

1) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?

this is a place for serious discussion. please refrain from crapping. thank you for your coorperation.

The Emperor SG

1) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?

Couldn't remember...

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?

No Feelings...

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?

They feel like they're dying...?

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?

I wanna grow old healthily and prosperously. Never gonna retire at all. Keep making myself useful to the society never stop contributing and making a difference, despite what people sees me as..

alexkusu SG

weird.. i submitted a paper on Ageism n Social Identity around tis time last year Shocked

sherling22 SG

i salute and respect you for saying "...despite what people sees me as..."
being abnormal is not a pain or a form of suffering in itself, rather, being judged as abnormal by the so-called normal society is the real torture.

starblue SG

being old is being abnormal?? Rolling Eyes Shocked

starblue SG

1) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?

i gave up my seat on the bus. think 2 weeks ago.

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?

kinda sad for them, deprived of things they may want to do. see them struggle to walk i see liao also heart pain.

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?

peaceful? but very bored, denied a lot of things. under priviledged. under appreciated.

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?

i want to take up hobbies, like knitting, cooking. i want my children to know i am still helpful and can take care of their children for them when they go work. i will want to engage myself in some form of take-home jobs.

sherling22 SG

being old is not abnormal, of course. but somehow they are perceived as abnormal in my daily life experience. egs are:

1) when they are slow in boarding/alighting the bus, some ppl will show their impatience on their faces. if we view slow motion as a part and parcel of ageing rather than old ppl intentionally walk slowly (which is an abnormal behavior relative to a non-aged person), we will be more understanding.

2) old ppl tend to be more long-winded (i m generalising here). if you ask me why they are like that, i dunno but from some feedbacks from my frens saying that i am long winded sometimes and upon reflection on why i kept repeating myself, i realise that my underlying motive is to emphasize my point is very impt to them, in other words, it is the sincere concern for my frens that i kept reciterating myself w/o realising it. thus, if i am allowed to extrapolate my personal experience to old ppl, whom definitely have more wonderful life experiences (be it good or bad), would try within their means not to let history repeats itself by advising the younger generation. again, long windedness is perceived as abnormal to the young generation becos it is a rare trait among their peers.

NeverSayGoodBye SG

[quote]Originally posted by starblue:
[b]let's share the following things:

1) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?

..... Doing voluteering work in an old folk's home, normally i chit chat with them (most of them got no family members or relative around), read newspapers to them ( they can't read, but wanted to know what's going on around them), teach them either mandarin or english (yes they like to learn new things). Ocassionally, also buy some chocolates for them, they enjoy it.

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?

..... I got lots of admiration for them, at their age, they still can move about independently. This show that they are making of their times fruitfully and know how to live a fulfilling life.

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?

..... Contrary to the medias' reports, the old folks here generally are quite contented lots ( as far as i am concern ). Dued to the bad press, reporting that old people are lonely and look forward to die were over exaggerated. Of couse there are, it's only isolated or in the minority. Because of these, the general public have the impression that old people here are hopeless and miserable. The old people i came in contact with are very hopeful and cheerful. They never say thing like "old liow, no use" " life is meaningless, just wait to die lor" In fact their zest for life is admirable. There are some suffering from various ailments but they always said "it can get better" they are glad to be alive, instead of moping and moaning.

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?

..... i will just grow old naturally, nothing to fear of, everyone will come to this stage of life, sooner or later. When i am old, hope that i stiil can make a different to someone else life. Also wish that the society can be more patient with me, more understanding when i am grumpy or grouchy. Very Happy Laughing

alfagal SG

1. helped him carry a heavy trolley of stuff up e staircase..

2.sigh wonder how it wld b like when its my turn

3. free and easy.

4. wanna lead a fulfilling life still. active in social interaction. hope the youngesters are not self-centred and respect e elderly.

mystiv SG

) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?

urh. give up my seat?

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?

sympathy

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?

tired

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?

as the chinese saying goes, jing4 lao3 zhun1 xian2

NeverSayGoodBye SG

..... don't have to feel pity or sympathise those old people you see on the street. They got their pride and glad that they are able to move about freely. All they need is a little bit of patience. Those that need to be sympathised are bed-riddened or abandoned by their family. Very Happy

BadzMaro SG

i feel sorry for them
I really dont want to grow old n wither n die slowly n painfully or watch the world or the things i create get destroyed. Hopefully.. a swift death during the late 60's would be nice..

Crying or Very sad

LazerLordz SG

let's share the following things:

1) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?

I let this old lady catch up with the bus by telling the driver.

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?

Well, they must have seen a lot.And they must be quite lost with how fast the world has evolved.

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?

Here, many would worry about their finances.Down under, my aunt's neighbour simply worries about how her tulips will wilt in summer because she gets a pension check every month.

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?

I want to remain in my old age as comfortable as possible.Having said that, I would want to keep myself busy, teaching photography and earning a bit from snapping away.

I would not expect the young to give me any special treatment just because I'm old.

The state has to bear some responsibility to take care of those who are unable to support themselves.All the talk about using filial piety is bullcrap, you cannot use the marginal fancy of piety to replace a proper social net.It's just an excuse that feeds on the Asian mindset that one should take care of his/her own parents(which is good but not always possible).

this is a place for serious discussion. please refrain from crapping. thank you for your coorperation.

boy in blues SG

let's share the following things:

1) when was the last time you did something nice for an older person (aged 65 and above) and what did you do?
i helped an old lady up the bus. she's small but carried a huge sack of discarded drink cans collected from trash, intending to sell to recycling agency for her next meal. every seat had at least 1 passenger's ass crack glued to it. i witnessed all their looks of disdain as they took in her shabby dressing, dishevelled greying hair, stench of perspiration. we both had to stand on the aisle and she backed herself into a corner, shielded by me from their piercing glares. actually they're all busy looking straight pretending not to see someone more in need of a seat. but she probably just felt bad. i helped her unload from the bus as she hurried to avoid a bus conductor who'd just boarded.

2) when you see an older person on the streets, what is the general feeling you have towards them?
not all, but those without support...... Crying or Very sad

3) how do you think older persons feel generally about their lives in general?
they wonder, "when will my time come?"
some dread it, while others just can't wait......

4) how do you want to grow old? in other words, if you imagine yourself to be an older person, how do you want people/society/government to behave towards you?
respect someone who's been there, done that. govt/society owes its current success to the passing generation. don't let them feel left behind. some had bummed around and got what they deserve, but many others have been neglected by ungrateful kids or are childless. surely the govt can do more for them. no citizen should complain because who knows if he/she may be a beneficiary in future? glad you've actually spared some thought for the less fortunate and also engaged us in doing likewise. it's very considerate of you especially when compassion's becoming such a precious rare commodity
=) =) =) =) =)

this is a place for serious discussion. please refrain from crapping. thank you for your coorperation.