The Born Loser by Art and Chip Sansom for July 10, 2024

I’m only in my early 30s and I feel the same way.

I’m in my early 40s. A younger co-worker keeps calling me Ma’am. I try to remember he only means it in a sign of respect, but I keep hearing, “You’re old now!”

Since there’s no escaping it, you might as well enjoy it!

I’ve started to feel old since they get up from their seats to let me sit.

Sometimes I have to remember that I am an old-timer and say thank you.

All the staff at my gym acknowledge when I come in and when I leave. They know my name?

So did my mom. She was a proud senior.

As long as I got that discount I’m fine with it.

Always ask for senior’s discount.

Being an old-timer beats the alternative…

oh….I wouldn’t mind being a young timer

I just want my misspent youth back. The “goody 2-shoes” aspect was a bore …

I’m good with ‘old-timer’!

my daughter called me “boomer” when we disagreed on something one day. I told her I was proud to be one and that ruined it for her.

Old and proud. That’s Uncle Ted.

wear it loud and proud! :D

As an old timer who has had to use a cane for about a year now it warms my heart to see people of all generations go out of their way to show me an act of kindness. So go ahead, call me an old timer.

I got carded at the store the other day when I was buying a bottle of wine to make Coq au Vin. I was flattered until I realized they carded everyone.

I’m with you Uncle Ted. I’ve earned the scars and wrinkles I own!

It doesn’t phase me to be thought of as old because…. well I AM. The only thing that pi$$es me off is when someone says “you shouldn’t do that or go there you might fall”.

Yes ! Uncle Ted !

Enjoy being old since the next phase of life is death. That’s why it’s wise to never screw with us older people because we have nothing to lose. If you want to precede me in death, screw with me. I don’t suffer fools well.

Congrats, Ted! You’re almost old enough to run for office!

Yesterday I thanked the clerk at the store. Despite my gray hair, sags & wrinkles, she asked if I was old enough for the seniors discount.

getting old isn’t for sissies

At 79, despite the bad knees, hips and other physical quirks, I am blessed with exceptionally good vision and hearing; don’t have to worry about “What would people say?” (Mother’s rule of thumb on everything from wearing pink and red together to wearing a skirt\dress with hemline touching my kneecap); have learned how to walk away from people who add nothing positive to conversation or life in general; appreciate people who (in a very dark time) renewed my sense of self-worth, beauty and desirability as a woman; and for some unique and special friendships that have lasted for decades.

Before I retired was working at a therapeutic boarding school. The boys would sometimes kid me about being an old man. I would tell them that getting old wasn’t for sissies. You have to be tough to get this old. You guys probably won’t make it!

I consider every day of my advanced age as a gift after an unplanned collision with a fast moving object in 1967.

Attaboy Uncle Ted…….you get it!!!

Thank you, Uncle Ted and Mr. Sansom. You give me a lift I often need and a gentle attitude adjustment.

I look about 15 younger than my age and have gotten many compliments on my gray hair. People think it’s dyed since that became popular about 5 years ago. I tell them I got them the hard way, one at a time and each one earned. On a side note, I have had coworkers 20+ years younger than me complain about being tired and not feeling well enough to work. I have to wonder what they’re going to do when they’re over 50, have a bad back and knee, and bills that have to be paid to people that don’t care if you don’t feel like working.

The biggest adjustment, aside from physical stuff, has been the shift in attitudes from people who probably aren’t very nice in general. When they tick me off (old-person phrase) by being impatient or condescending, I have a couple of standard responses that keep me from being too mean back at them. “If you live to be old, I hope people are kind to you.” And if I’m really on the verge of biting heads off, I ask them if they’d like to compare degrees and IQs. That one knocks the kids back on their heels (a great old expression). One of these days I’ll probably say that to a Sheldon, and get knocked back on my own heels.

I have no problem being called that, unless it was intended to be an insult. Then I won’t give them the satisfaction and say yes I am.

Absolutely! And my retort is “and if you take care of yourself and are lucky you can be an old-timer one day too!”

I have had my badge of honor for many a year, but no one pays attention to it.

I agree. I earned all of my white thinning hair over the years and continue to earn them each day and am very proud of them. Also l can still keep up with many men more than half my age as l demonstrated on a recent assignment in a desert arena…..

here in japan, you know that you’re a guy who’s officially considered over the hill when you make the transition from “oji-san” to “ojii-san.” oji-san = “uncle,” used for youngish guys up to the point society deems them old. ojii-san = “grandpa,” me and all the other geezers.

women go from “oku-san” (missus) to “obaa-san” (granny). people who are tactful continue to call grannies “okusan”… ☺

I actually love being called, “Mr” & “Sir”.

Am I the only one slightly annoyed by teenagers calling me by my first name when they don’t even know me, such as shopping or at a doctor’s office? I was taught to respect people older than me, and I still do. I never complain about it, but I would prefer they don’t do it. I don’t think they mean any disrespect.

I may be an old timer, but I got to see all the good cartoons on Saturday mornings!

I have to say it again: I just LOVE Uncle Ted!!! ❤️