Board index › General Discussion › General Autism Discussion

"I'm 21 today"

Page 1 of 1 [ 6 posts ] 

Previous topic | Next topic

SteelMaiden
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 19 Aug 2006
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,722
Location: London

30 Sep 2012, 3:03 am

When I was at my Dad's office and one of the older bosses had his birthday: he said "that's good, I'm 21 today!" and I said "you can't possibly be 21". Thankfully he knew I have Asperger's and he explained to me that it is a joke.

My question is - why do older people (this boss was probably around 60 at the time) say that they're 21 on their birthdays, and then refuse to tell you their real age?


_________________
I am a partially verbal classic autistic. I am a pharmacology student with full time support.


Shellfish
Velociraptor
Velociraptor

User avatar

Joined: 6 Nov 2011
Age: 48
Gender: Female
Posts: 485
Location: Melbourne, Australia

30 Sep 2012, 3:33 am

SteelMaiden wrote:
When I was at my Dad's office and one of the older bosses had his birthday: he said "that's good, I'm 21 today!" and I said "you can't possibly be 21". Thankfully he knew I have Asperger's and he explained to me that it is a joke.

My question is - why do older people (this boss was probably around 60 at the time) say that they're 21 on their birthdays, and then refuse to tell you their real age?


Generally, 21 is a great age to be - young, full of life and all sorts of possibilities ahead of of you, it's more 'wishful thinking, in an ideal world, I would be 21', Also, time goes so fast, he probably doesn't feel as though 21 was that long ago.


_________________
Mum to 7 year old DS (AS) and 3 year old DD (NT)


SteelMaiden
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 19 Aug 2006
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,722
Location: London

30 Sep 2012, 3:50 am

Shellfish wrote:
Generally, 21 is a great age to be - young, full of life and all sorts of possibilities ahead of of you, it's more 'wishful thinking, in an ideal world, I would be 21', Also, time goes so fast, he probably doesn't feel as though 21 was that long ago.


Ok thanks.


_________________
I am a partially verbal classic autistic. I am a pharmacology student with full time support.


Teredia
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Posts: 631
Location: Australia

30 Sep 2012, 7:49 am

and adding to shellfish's post. People dont like to "remember" that theyre getting old. saying one is younger makes them feel younger but also makes their image as a person better than, an old person who should be retiring soon n walking around with a cane. its all about image..



Jaden
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 12 May 2012
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,867

30 Sep 2012, 2:28 pm

SteelMaiden wrote:
When I was at my Dad's office and one of the older bosses had his birthday: he said "that's good, I'm 21 today!" and I said "you can't possibly be 21". Thankfully he knew I have Asperger's and he explained to me that it is a joke.

My question is - why do older people (this boss was probably around 60 at the time) say that they're 21 on their birthdays, and then refuse to tell you their real age?


The only logical answer I've ever come up with, is that they can't accept their age because of (whatever reason here). So they make it to where they don't have to tell people how old they are so they don't have to come to the realization themselves.


_________________
Writer. Author.


Jaden
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 12 May 2012
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,867

30 Sep 2012, 2:32 pm

Shellfish wrote:
Generally, 21 is a great age to be - young, full of life and all sorts of possibilities ahead of of you, it's more 'wishful thinking, in an ideal world, I would be 21', Also, time goes so fast, he probably doesn't feel as though 21 was that long ago.


i've never been "full of life" nor had "all sorts of possibilities ahead of me" so i guess that means I'd be more accepting of my age when the time comes and less willing to hold onto a past that had no real meaning.



(to answer the question you're thinking, I'm pessimistic and cynical, but rightfully so after seeing "humanity's" true colors)


_________________
Writer. Author.