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JohnWarren -> RE: Question: How old??? (12/15/2006 12:01:27 PM)
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Almost regardless of your age, someone will see you as an "old pervert." There's nothing you can do about that. Many people consider anyone older than they something left over from the vanished ages of the past.
I don't know if it's new, but there does seem to be a growing prejudice against older people. It may be that I didn't notice it so much when I joined the public scene, but it does seem that these days more and more groups are putting an upper level on their membership.
And they can be so innocent seeming about it. Not long ago, I was invited to speak to a group on the East Coast. Before agreeing, I checked them out and found that they restricted membership to those between 21 and 35 years of age. When I brought this up, they responded, "Oh don't worry. We'll let you speak."
Then they were offended because I pointed out "letting me speak" was the equivalent of the KKK inviting Sammy Davis Junior to entertain at one of their cross burnings. If they are prejudiced, the least they can do is be consistent in their prejudice and not waive their bias because someone has written a few books while slamming the door in the face of other blac.... oh I meant old people.
People chose to be biased and generally it's their loss. Occasionally, I'll read something in a profile and dash off a note of advice or a suggestion. Occasionally, the email goes unread, probably filtered because of age or other criteria. I don't get upset. Someone has chosen to deprive themselves of some information that may have helped them.
In short, don't worry about being an "old pervert." Some will see you that way regardless of your age, both others will welcome a chance to learn from someone older than they are. In the first case, only the bigot loses, and in the second, both of you win.
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