Blog : Are Older People More Grumpy, Angry, Pessimistic Than Younger People? What Say Ye??

Blogs > Sunshine217 > In Celebration of Uniqueness!!

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3152 posts
5/19/2012 9:22 am

Last Read:
5/24/2012 9:59 pm

Are Older People More Grumpy, Angry, Pessimistic Than Younger People? What Say Ye??

LET's TALK and share rather than attack and be grumpy please.

I've noticed over the years, older persons coming across as angry, combative, pessimistic people. Perhaps I've noticed this more than others might, having worked in an industry where I was paid to assist people in solving their problems, therefore probably saw more people who had problems, however even observing people in everyday situations, at the grocery store , in line at theme parks over the years, there seem to be more frowns and grumpiness than smiles on the elderly. Even in real estate matters, dealing with elderly was always more problematic than dealing with younger and middle age . Going the extra mile usually did not garner a thank you, but suspicion, almost as if it was their entitlement. I sometimes wonder if this may not contribute some to the increasing nursing home dump vs. caring for the elder at home?This has been my observations in my youth as well as in my senior years, which prompted me many years ago to pray that I never become a grumpy disagreeable old person.

I hear offspring in their 40's & 50's complain that they really don't want to visit because elder parents either start arguments because they wish them to spend every minute with them, or end up trying to make them feel guilty for not visiting more often.

I certainly can understand the ravages of age, arthritis, pain and feeling discarded does not give one reason to smile, but are there reasons and ways to still be personable and pleasant? What say ye?

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page: St. Augustine

WillyMakit 70M

2745 posts
5/19/2012 8:06 pm

...maybe the newness of the world wears off faster for some...maybe some get beat up by it worse than others? for myself, I long for the person I was just over13 years ago...me grumpier? most likely...

Any Fool Can Criticize and Complain...and Most Do...

Railroadman3 73M

5/19/2012 8:55 pm

Mostly just the old women.

Teddy-ess and hairee, We need (An update on the situation here.)

ROTFLMFAO

spiritwoman45

5/19/2012 9:16 pm

Years ago I worked as a social services worker in a nursing home. There seemed to be a good mix of happies and grumpies. Interesting - my mother's side of the family all got grumpy and down right hostile. Mom is demented now and completely paranoid. She counts her brownie bites to make sure the home health aide who relieves my sister isn't stealing them.

My father's side of the family were completely different. Always happy and enjoying life and continued to do so until they passed.

Spiritwoman ^i^

GLUMO 90F

9749 posts
5/19/2012 10:06 pm

Nice blog, Sunshine.
My mother passed away when she was 92. She never was a grumpier, but a patient person, always with a smile. The same was with her older sisters, and I always said: I want to be like them. I think I was more grumpier and pesimistic in my youth. Certain trials in life have taught me to be patient and understanding.
Happy weekend.

Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.(Khalil Gibran)

bijou624

5/20/2012 12:28 am

Hi Sunshine: Interesting blog. I live in a seniors only apartment building, plus I volunteered in old age homes over the years. In general I find senior men happy, flirtatious, and full of boyish mischief, but so many of the women seem suspicious, gossipy, set in their ways, always complaining, and angry. Now I understand why the old women seemed so b*tchy, as getting old is the pits. I think aging is worse for women than for men, plus a lot of it is hormonal.

Rentier1

5/20/2012 6:32 am

So you irk easily?

friendly133 76M

5418 posts
5/20/2012 7:23 am

I should think that older people are happy and helpful - they still have soul in their life whereas some have taken life out of their soul.

Have a wonderful day, My friend.

"To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle" - Zarathustra

Rocketship 80F

18602 posts
5/20/2012 7:39 am

Whether young or old, I think that stress and illness bring out the worst in many people.

I lived under a lot of stress until I was in my early 40's. Once I got rid of that stress, it was amazing how happy and calm I became.

From my own experience, and from talking with other ladies, the grumpiest older people are men...especially when they're not well.
In private, their wives/partners take the brunt of their frustrations, but in public they can be genial, and ever so happy & friendly...... lololol or sighhhhhh.

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