Mean Old People?

Question

What is up with mean old people? They are supposed to be in their Golden Years. No more work, kids are grown, do whatever they want whenever they want. So why then are they so grouchy?

A lot of you are waying I am judgemental. It may sound that way but this I am not. I actually feel sorry for them but am frustrated when I cross paths with one who is mean to me for no good reason. It hurts my feelings knowing that I would not be mean to them - ever!

Answer 1

The American Dream has become the American Nightmare for them. Think about this...the "old person" has worked for at least 20+ years...working to make thing better for the family they are trying to raise, only to find out that when they retire, the pension they have to fall back on isn't enough to pay the mortgage every month and get the groceries and pay the doctor bills and pay the utilities. Social Security was designed to help the "old people" when they couldn't work anymore and were forced to retire. Those that actually "qualify" for Social Security can't get it or it's reduced so much that it's not worth their time or effort to seek it. So, they are forced to take jobs at whatever place will hire them in order to make ends meet...again...they can't "do whatever they want" because they can't afford it and they have to work...again...kids may be grown...but are they gone?...chances are...probably not...they still lean on the parents for financial support, or a place to stay when things get bad for them. Very few retired "old people" are able to afford to do whatever they want...whenever they want...and those that are able to...aren't very grouchy! Take it from someone that has dealt with parents that thought they'd be able to retire and live off of their retirement savings, pensions and Social Security. So much invested and so much lost tends to make the "old people" grouchy.

Answer 2

The Golden Years aren't always so golden, with a lot of older people having had their retirement benefits cut, their health may not be too good, and some of their friends or family members may be gone by now. So the kids may be grown, when they could really use a hand with some things. No more work might mean a lot less income and no insurance. It's hard to do whatever you want when you can't afford to. Having said that, I believe that whatever your nature is, be it friendly or grouchy, it's not going to change that much due to getting older.

Answer 3

Hey there! Old age is a golden age which is sometimes gifted with additional Grouchiness. These are the days when everything the younger generation does looks like its real bad. But just try to get along with them. They are running out of time and the least you can do is to make their last days a little more happy. Just go by their words.I dont mean completely, just try to persuade them to listen to you in a friendly manner and you know what? the results do tip in ur favour. I know it, as I m going through the same stage as u are!

Answer 4

Old people are no more grouchy than young people. There is a mixture in all age groups of happy as well as unhappy people. I've seen lots of grouchy 13 year olds and some very happy 70 year olds and vice versa. Are you the grouchy one??

Answer 5

some of you are just plain mean ...i hope the smart *** answering people get lots of pain and illnesses when YOU get old...what if you had worked hard all your life and things were always difficult and you had to retire and try to live on social security because you had health problems and no body wanted to let you work some to try to make a little extra money...then the government messes with your medicaid insurance and you are left to wonder how you will pay for the medications you need...then your kids ignore you and then you end up in a nursing home all by yourself till you take your last breath..this is what is in the future for most of you so i would consider that when you talk about ''mean old people''..that is all i have to say about that!!!

Answer 6

Some people are just mean. I live in Florida and we have the highest per capita ratio of older people. Some are really nice but others just aren't. I love it when I take the 2 two year old grandchildren I am raising in to a restaurant and get seated next to an older couple and they give me dirty looks because they don't want to sit by children. My response is, "eat faster so you can leave sooner and you won't have to sit by them as long".

Answer 7

It's sort of like mean young people, I suppose. Being old is a tough road but it's better than the alternatives. With any luck you'll be old some day, an perhaps a bit less mean and discriminatory than you appear to be in your question.

By the way, I've met many nice people, young and old. Try exposing yourself to more old people. You might be surprised and obtain great benefits as well.

Answer 8

Imagine how you would feel if you were so old you couldn't do anything because it all hurt, and even if you could do stuff, there really isn't anything to do. People don't care about you, society thinks you are a burden, and even doctors think you are "disposable." I think you might be sort of grouchy too.

Answer 9

What's with smart-alec young people? They have so much to look forward to. There are losers and winners in all age groups, but sometimes older people don't start off grouchy but are tired of calls for driver tests because they are old, no dating because they are old, being called slow, etc.

Answer 10

Here's a thought they maybe frustrated.... simply because life has placed so many limitations on their daily activities.
And perhaps they have nobody to help them meet their needs.
We as young people may not be taking the time to communicate with them by asking them if they need help or just wanna talk... without them having to ask someone just to meet their daily goals...or just to be able to do something they enjoy doing. With age comes wisdom and responsibility ..... does age give us respect from others??