do we become less tolerant as we grow older?

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whatamess
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03 Sep 2008, 1:56 pm

It seems that I become less tolerant of people who attempt to tell others what they must believe or do as I become older.

For example, two nighs ago a friend's father passed away. I spent the night with her and took her to the airport at 4AM yesterday. When she left she asked me to email our friends from an association about her father's passing, as she didn't have much time.

I called my father and advised him and asked him if he had everyone's email. Since he did not, he said I should contact the president of the association (it's a small neighborhood type association) and let her know and she could send it. So I emailed her. I asked her to please call me to ensure she received the message. NO CALL.

So I go to my dad's house and tell him if he can call his friend X, since she is the secretary's mom and maybe she could tell her daughter (since I don't have any of their telephones). So my dad's friend, who is visiting my dad says to me "you don't have to do that, everyone already knows...they called me this morning" . I said to him, "I didn't know they called you, but since they asked me to do this, I think I need to do it because there might be others who don't know" Needless to say, he again repeats to me that everyone already knows and that I don't need to do it...blah, blah...I about lost it...I just told him, "I'm sorry, but my friend asked me to say this to people, I was the one that took her to the airport this morning and spent the night with her, I am going to do what my friend asked..." To which he obviously became a bit ticked off and left the house about 5 minutes later.

I am SOOOOO sick of others attempting to control what we do. Why is it that people feel a need to tell others how to live their lives, what to think, what to do? I have never done this. Sorry, I might tell others "this is what I think", but I would never tell someone they are wrong for wanting to do X, Y or Z...or attempt in any way to discourage them from doing something unless it means causing bodily/mental harm to themselves or others.

Is it me? Am I just going crazy? Is this what happens?



ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
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03 Sep 2008, 1:59 pm

I encouraged someone not to go on disability in my last post but I thought it was just giving good advice.



BPalmer
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03 Sep 2008, 2:06 pm

I'm definitely becoming less tolerant. I have had a gutsful of all the moronic BS that is tolerated, and being persecuted for questioning it.



whatamess
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03 Sep 2008, 2:08 pm

To me advice is, "I don't believe in X because of Y and Z..." For me I would NOT do X...I don't believe in it.

Not, "you don't need to do X or don't do X because I say so...or because of Y or Z"


Unfortunately, it seems to me that when we do not put up with others telling us how to live our lives, we are seen as unreasonable, crazy and every other thing they can think of...they are never seen as controlling...



ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
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03 Sep 2008, 2:16 pm

I was just trying to explain that he would be better off with a job, in the long run. People who absolutely cannot work do not have a choice but he has a job already obviously he can work. And he hasn't been injured or suffered a nervous breakdown of somekind so what are his chances of qualifying for SSDI? Maybe if he gets a good enough lawyer, he can get it but he would be better off working in the long run.



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03 Sep 2008, 2:25 pm

A few middle-aged people said so a few weeks ago. That, though they don't actually want that, with age tolerance seems to slip them slowly.


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rifler39
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03 Sep 2008, 4:36 pm

Actually, I think it is a sliding spectrum (hmmm, where have I heard that, before? :lol: )

I think middle age is probably the most intolerant age for ignorance and poor manners. My tolerance level has increased since then. I've witnessed a lessening of intolerance towards ignorance in my peers, also.

Intolerance for poor manners, however is even stronger.

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claire-333
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03 Sep 2008, 4:53 pm

whatamess wrote:
It seems that I become less tolerant of people who attempt to tell others what they must believe or do as I become older.
This sums it up pretty well. I have no idea why your own father would encourage you to go against your word...seems like a strange thing for a parent to do. :?

Edit:
Oops...I just noticed it was your dad's friend. Sorry. He should just mind his own business. :wink:



lionesss
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03 Sep 2008, 5:08 pm

whatamess wrote:
I am SOOOOO sick of others attempting to control what we do. Why is it that people feel a need to tell others how to live their lives, what to think, what to do? I have never done this. Sorry, I might tell others "this is what I think", but I would never tell someone they are wrong for wanting to do X, Y or Z...or attempt in any way to discourage them from doing something unless it means causing bodily/mental harm to themselves or others.

Is it me? Am I just going crazy? Is this what happens?


Nah you are not crazy, the harsh fact of the matter is people have a hard time minding their own business. Let it go through one ear and out the other and live your life the way you intend.


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whatamess
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03 Sep 2008, 9:56 pm

I know there is a reason why I always come here. I am sick of being told that I am unreasonable by people...a pain in the behind, yet I never butt into anyone's life. It's one thing to give advice, when requested, and another to tell people what to do and be so condesending (sorry, english is NOT my first language...not sure if that's spelled correctly)...

Anyway, thanks for the advice of just ignoring them...I do as much as I can, at least in front of them...then I leave and I have to just let it out because I honestly feel like whacking them over the head and I have to fight my tongue...