CycleChat investigates ageism.

[Cycleops]

Continuing with one of Drago's investigation series.
As quite a lot us on here are pushing on I was wondering if they have experienced it directly or indirectly. I'm talking about the 60+ group, although you might have even seen or experienced it at a younger age.
Have had trouble finding a job or been refused one on account of age. When you complain about something in a shop or elsewhere do staff tend to treat you differently? How do you think you get people view you?
Are there any advantages to being older, like cheaper insurance. Do people seek you out for advice due to your (hopefully) greater knowledge.
Be interested to hear your views.

 

[Rocky]

I generally find that I get the respect I deserve








Which is very little

 

[oldwheels]

In my case car insurance got dearer and some companies will not even quote for anybody over 70. I have a completely clean record apart from a cracked windscreen 4 years ago.
NFU would not accept me as an added driver to my son's "airport car" though I can drive it legally with my own insurance which covers vehicles not owned by me. [ The car in question spent about 2 or 3 weeks in airport car parks when he was working overseas].

 

[ColinJ]

As quite a lot us on here are pushing on I was wondering if they have experienced it directly or indirectly. I'm talking about the 60+ group, although you might have even seen or experienced it at a younger age.

I experienced it 30 years before that age!

I was a mature student, graduating at the age of 30. I applied for a job but was rejected on the grounds that I was 2 years too old. The job had support from a government scheme which aimed to help engineering graduates into industry. It had an upper age limit of 28.

I wrote a letter of complaint which I sent to the 2 government departments involved - the then SERC (Science and Engineering Research Council) and the DTI. I said that it was ludicrous that public money was being spent on a scheme to improve the quality of engineering in UK industry but 30 year olds were being told to give up because they were too old.

I wasn't expecting much to come of it, but to my surprise I got a letter back informing me that the powers-that-be were persuaded by my letter and the age limit had therefore been increased! (I can't remember what to - 35 maybe?) I still thought it was daft to have even that higher age limit but at least it was an improvement.

I wonder if any age limit would be illegal now?

As for 60+... I don't do much so nobody ever needs to judge me based on my age. I suppose if I ever needed a transplant then they might consider giving an organ to a needy 20 year old instead of me, in which case - fair enough.

 

[Sharky]

I didn't know whether to be pleased or offended when a younger lady offered me her seat on the underground. Didn't think I looked that old!

 

[MontyVeda]

I experience ageism at work pretty much on a daily basis. It usually goes something like this...

Colleague: Monty, can you do [random task] for me please?​

​

Monty: At my bloody age?! Not on your nelly!​

 

[PeteXXX]

I experienced ageism before the word was even invented!
I left school at the earliest possible legal opportunity, applied for an apprenticeship in the print, just off Fleet Street. I was told I was too old (only by a few weeks I think.) I ended up as a trainee, not apprenticed..
This was is about 1967/8

At 69, I don't particularly notice any ageism directed against me.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I’m too young for this thread. Ageism at work.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

My wife needs adapted housing because of her disabilities. She was refused access to suitable accommodation by Housing Associations and the Council because she was under 50. She claimed this was age discrimination and an MP and MSP picked up on it and the subject was raised in Holyrood and Westminster. Shortly afterwards she was offered the purpose-built bungalow we're in now.

The other week I was looking at accommodation for my ageing parents and noticed every association now has the rider - "These houses are reserved for the over-50s and those with a medical need". Her small victory is helping others.

 

[winjim]

I'm a 44yo trainee so, you know. I've reached the age where my boss is younger than me.

As it happens we could do with more older people at work. What happens is we recruit people to lower grades in order to cover stuff like sample reception, washing up, admin etc. Trouble is they're all young ambitious wannabe scientists so they all want to get their portfolios done, get registered and get on the on call rota so we lose them out of the job they were hired to do. We need older, maybe semi-retired or part timers who just want a sedate job with no desire to climb up the career ladder, just happy to pootle about the lab.

There's a bit of a glut of extremely qualified ambitious hardworking motivated youngsters.

 

[All uphill]

I find that everywhere I go mid week is full of older people; cafes, out cycling, dog walkers. They are all very pleasant but I feel out of place as they are so much older than me.

Then I remember I am 67!

 

[gbb]

Its a funny thing when you're in a conversation with a colleague (or friend) and they talk about someone and describe him as 'quite old'...and you realise, you are older than that 'old bloke' theyre talking about.
At 63, im beginning to contemplate retirement at 66, my boss has asked (as a friendly colleague) will i retire at that age ? He explained at the same time, in no way could he ask me that officially, it would be strictly against company rules (but he asked me all the same )
Our employer (Spanish) is strictly all inclusive, no racism, ageism any ism would be tolerated.

Ive never detected any ageism in peoples attitudes at work, im the oldest on the team, one of the oldest at work with maybe 500 people, im fit (despite never ending aches from arthritis) , can work plenty into submission and still have all the vigour, interest and enthusiasm i always had...well maybe a bit less vigour nowadays but i drive things on, drive the pace at work otherwise many of the younger ones would just sit back. No gumption, thats the trouble with lots of people.

 

[stephec]

I find that everywhere I go mid week is full of older people; cafes, out cycling, dog walkers. They are all very pleasant but I feel out of place as they are so much older than me.

Then I remember I am 67!

That reminds me of my great auntie Nora, and a story that was told at her funeral.

She was always well dressed, with hair and makeup perfect, even into her eighties, she was a proper old fashioned lady.

When she was seventy her son said he'd take her anywhere on holiday and she decided on going to see the pyramids, but never having had a passport she had to apply for one. When it turned up she took one look at the photo and declared, 'that's no good, you'll have to send it back, it looks like an old lady.' 😂😂😂

 

[Over the Ord]

My experience of ageism started about 10 years ago when I said I’m going to retire at 60, the response was no your not you’ve to much experience.
Stayed on (for financial reasons) until I was 62 and then went down to a 3 day week and covid ended that, was redeployed in another roll and left in 2020.

Have been asked back 3 times since I left for short periods lasting about 2 weeks, have know stopped that and I wish I had left at 60.

 

[Hover Fly]

I got my new job at an age when a good number of people are retiring (60+). I wonder if I got it because it was an internet interview and the webcam was *accidentally* out of action?