Quote Originally Posted by Crankin View Post
I think I'm getting overly sensitive in my old age; I don't like it when I get "compliments" regarding the shape I am in (most of the time said in a tone, like "good job, how do you do it, because I can't") or, more recently, I'm spoken to like I am an idiot, which tends to occur when a medical person sees my actual birthday and they know how old I am. But that's another issue.
It's not that I don't like compliments, but it feels sort of back handed to me.
For years, I had every intention of becoming livid the first time someone referred to me as "spry." I don't think people use that word much anymore, but there will be an equivalent.

More and more comments seem patronizing as I become older. Alas, I probably sounded that way myself when I was younger. One of my dearest friends was my parents' age and I cringe to think what I may have said to her through the years. But you know, she was the only grey-haired person at the rock concert. She was more adventurous and fun than a lot of my same-age friends. And I may have pointed this out in ways that sounded patronizing.

My hope is that she understood, and I hope I can be understanding too.