Have you ever taken the time to listen to an elderly person talk about their life? Did you learn anything?

Question

Listening to an elderly person talk about their lives is an excellent way of finding out that not too much has changed...teenagers from decades ago rebeled, too.

I posted this question in philosophy because if you listen to the philosophy of your elders you may find similarities.

Whoops.....I made a boo boo...I have put this question in Psychology not Philosophy.

Great, ms. hockey~

That's right, zaku! ;)

Answer 1

Hi Ellie,
Yes, I did...and, I still do... ;)
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I learn a lot from my granddad, especially, the old tricks, we use in our daily lives.... and to respect others...
The things to watch out for, and the story's about the war..etc...
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In my job, with my patients...you can not imagine, what you get in return, from this people.... affection, a smile, a cookie ;p...and not to mention their concern... ;))
I think, you know what I mean...
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The love and caring about them, to me is unconditional...
When I have the time, I listen, and talk to them....They love, it ;))
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I have learn, that even at an age of 90, you will never fool, them;))
Generally speaking....
I could go on and on, but I think you know, what I mean....
When I go home, I am happy....that I made them smile, and make them feel better, just with my being there, for them... ;) ..
and the other way around...
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Thanks, for the question!;)

My regards!

Take care!

Answer 2

"1.Never stop thinking. This is important. If someone ever says to you ‘You need to stop thinking so much,’ call them ignorant in your head and keep thinking deeper. It is this mentality that breeds stupidity and sheeple. Your mind is the most important tool you have, if you stop using it, it will atrophy. Question everything. - Thinking creates less action and use of intuition. I don't like this one. 2. Stare into space blankly and don’t mentally punish yourself for doing it, even if it is for that split second. If you have a problem with staring blankly, think of it as daydreaming. - wha? 3. Root Beer sucks after having spicy food. - agreed. 4. Everything is going to be just fine. If you worry about acne, you’re going to get a ******* pimple. - stay calm, but everything isn't going to be okay unless you do something about it, 5. Don’t be afraid to talk about anything. You should’t be afraid of reality. - agree 6. Everyone is a hypocrite. - disagree 7. You are all original. Every life experience is case sensitive and unique. Every time you wake up or go to the bathroom or quote someone else, you are becoming more you than anyone has ever been. - i guess 8. Do pointless things. Don’t actively restrain or hide yourself from the redundant. - how about expressing yourself instead of pointless things 9. Stop rushing. Shut up and embrace the sound of silence. - silence isn't a sound 10. Religion should’t be taught, it should be found. No one should tell you what to believe except you. And while were on the subject… - if a mother hangs a picture a Jesus on her wall, and said she was histian to her son, her son is 90% more likely to become Christian. If you were raised in nazi germany, you'd be a nazi. We're never forced, we're conditioned to believe in things. 11. Don’t be restrained by one religion. People change every moment of everyday. Minds grow and evolve. Religion has no law so feel free to mix and match. Make your own. - I'm sure tne Christian god said something about sending you to hell for worshiping others 12. Going to the bathroom is not a right nor a privilege. it’s an act of nature. - yeah... 13. Talking to yourself is healthy. Is there anyone that you have more in common with? - if you were taught talking to yourself, would you feel embarrassed? Only talk to yourself if you don't care what others think 14. There is no such thing as time. The sun never sets or rises. Days and years don’t exist. There is only your life. Earlier today you were born and death is predicted later in the evening. - maybe 15. We will always be in a transitional phase. Look outside and know that everything will be replaced at some point. This existence is temporary. Okay 16. Its not half empty or half full. Its half a glass. - People feel pessimistic or optimistic about their lives, they don't feel nothing about tneir lives. 17. Every now and then take something that you see everyday and try to see it in a different light. Renew its existence. - nah 18. Be happy, but don’t force it. - why not force it? 19. You will always succeed in trying. - that's my favorite guideline 20. We are all crazy. Every person you read about in the history books had some kind of ‘disorder’, they just knew how to use it. - nah 21. We are all about as similar as we are different. - yeah 22. Ideas are just as valuable as people. Why do you think we keep making people? - because we're selfish, cruel, negligent, and irresponsible, 87. Numbers don’t have to go in order. - they must if you want to communicate clearly 24. Words will always be just words. Love is just another four letter word, only the feeling is real. - Agreed 25. Ask a child for advice. They may not know much, but they know what is important. - silly. They don't know what's important 26. Prove you’re alive. Do anything from dancing in the supermarket to screaming ‘****’ during a moment of silence. Remind the world you are still here. - that's rather rude and annoying to others. 27. Don’t take anything, even this, too seriously - Okay.

Answer 3

My great granndma is almost 98, She has lived through so much and seen the world change in so many ways. Its always a pleasure to hear stories about her life and the many things she has been through. I have learned so much through her stories. She is so brilliant even at 97. She has seen so many historical things and epic changes that when she gives me advice i know its good. Also your right Things haven't changed when it comes to people. Its just that now people are more knowlegeable as to whats going on so it seems like were so different. But WERE NOT they were doind some of the same things that are going on now, ie sex, drugs, rock and roll you name it. It just wasn't as public! SO to all you people who say kids now a daze really have no ground to stand on becuase they were probably doing the same stuff!

Answer 4

Thats not true. So much has changed. I talk to one everyday that still tried to live life on the farm, back in the swamps and just plain doesnt want to break free. Life has changed, and people are becoming smarter and more "legalistic" I do agree that if we pull from those conversations things that are applicable to our own lives, we can grow a bit. But actually we would be helping them now, because like the one that I live with, just cant see that life just aint what it seems to be,

Answer 5

I love talking to the elderly. I realize that everyone has a story and many are anxious to share with another. When listening to those with experience you have the opportunity to experience history by those who were actually there. If you listen to women you can see how their roles have evolved over the years and with men you can see how they have struggled to deal with the trauma that affected them over the wars that they fought in. You can listen to what the world was like and how it was actually see very few automobiles. The describe the world when there was less pollution and less inflation. They describe how it was to survive, the Depression.

Answer 6

Yes, and I learn something new every time. You have to remember, these people have been around a lot longer and seen and heard and even experienced a lot more things than those younger than them have.

A lot of times their answers to questions will surprise you, and make you realise that they are not so different from you after all.

Answer 7

I listen alot. I do wood destroying pest inspections. Alot of times, it's older people who I inspect for. I guess part of my job is not only to look for rot or termites, but to be a listener to people of all types. But it seems seniors like to talk to most, so I don't insult them and listen. And yes, I do learn a few things here and there.

Answer 8

i've listened and sat down next to my grandpa for hours and learned sooo much just from a sentence he says. if you ever read Tuesdays With Maurie by Mitch Albom that is a great book about this type of subject

Answer 9

yes and I learned to value things we take for granted in or everyday life. I learned to respect myself and the elders that I come across in my life.

Answer 10

No harm in listening and learning our elder's advices. In fact, whenever I'm stuck, they are my best advisors.