Vibrant Nation

Do not wear a watch.  Young people keep up with time using their cell phones.

Listen to the younger person---just be a good listener and take your cues from the results.

Well, I have 5 grandchildren and that helps keep me young. I also keep up my hair an wear makeup..accodingly!  I am just a happier person in general I recently went through an illness that I am dealing with an made me realise NOT TO SWEAT the small stuff!  So I take everyday and make the most an not worry about do I look old,act old, I am just happy to be here an up an runnin!! Enjoy life,family an friends an ya can't go wrong!!

Exercise, stay slim, go to alternative doctors, try not to take too many prescription drugs, go to a chiropractor before you have back surgery, go for short hikes in the forest nearest you, renew your love life with your current partner and if you can't it may be time to invest heavily in yourself and new interests, keep up to date on current events, keep up to date on networking websites, don't wear too much makeup, wear jeans and running shoes, don't wear polyester, don't wear floral print tops, relax and smell the flowers.

and don't wear strong perfumes.

Don't wander through the office lamenting the days of the IBM Selectric.

I noticed #7 specifically. I work on a college newspaper, and I would have to say that the environment is much more confrontational and twitterish than I was used to, so I toned it down, for the very reasons that the author mentioned. Also because I wanted to focus on my work. When I do choose to open up, honestly, it kind of is a hit or miss type of thing. I'm learning that free speech minded news geeks (I guess that means me too) can be just as sensitive as anyone else to difference.

It's good when I can relate with someone about something that we have in common. It's best to listen and hear what they have to say, for the most part. But I've also found that they tend to look on their teachers who don't say anything as afraid of losing their jobs

On the personal side, I got a deferred comment (they blamed it on someone else in the room) about some jasmine hand lotion that I had that one person said smelled like a baby. Later on, I heard that one of their friends was wearing "something that smelled real good." So, I find that if I'm not too sensitive, that I can find out current info.

But I'm still learning how to share my own thoughts outside of the written page. They tend to like the quick, witty response kind of banter. I'm just not in that kind of mind set at this point. Overall, conversation and blending in takes a bit more savvy. For the good and bad, I do feel that I am presently learning to be more savvy overall.

There's also something to be said for what our presence brings. And in a lot of ways, I see myself as being a bit corny, an encouragement, and kind of a mediator. But, I wouldn't go overboard with any self praise or dissapproval, because these relationships can be so moment to moment. For the most part, I look to keep a peaceful mindset and give that off, no matter what is going on.

Stay physicall fit and maintain a healthy weight.  Nothing ages a person more than carrying around surplus pounds.

Carole Carson, coach for the AARP Fat 2 Fit online community and author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction

In addition to the drop dated vocabulary, it is also equally bad to use some of the slang words/phrases that the younger set uses, even though some of it is really amusing. Stick to age appropriate language without "dating" yourself too much! 

Hangout with some active and inquisitive preteens.  They like schooling the generation that is made up of their grandparents.  They feel needed and they like learning about being an adult.

When did the use of proper grammar and the inclusion of thoughtful, colorful adjectives become inappropriate for ageless communication? What my elders thought were the "cat's pajamas" became objects I referred to as "far out" and "groovy"; today, my daughter, grandchild, peers and co-workers opine that a good thing is "way cool." Genetically incapable of writing or speaking monosyllabic remarks, I delight in painting word pictures which enable my reader/listener to fully experience my communication. Yes, respect the constraints of time, but don't "dumb down" what you have to say. If anything, make your words so clear that you'll have no need for those stupid little emoticons; Speak as you wish to be spoken to.

I've stopped adding to a convesation with something I did and refeig to the year I did it. Some of the people I work with weren't even born or just a little kid when I was in high school and college.

Be curious, be fearless, learn new things. No matter what your age, you do not already know everything you need to know. Thirteen year olds get that. A lot of fifty-somethings don't.

I went back to school at age 49, earned a 4.0 GPA and received a diploma in computer programming.  Age is just a number. 

Look good!  Don't be afraid to wear those cool dark denim jeans, heels and that leather jacket.  Laugh, enjoy life . . . the young chicks will always flock to you to share their stuff and hear your stories.  Lastly,  go out with 'em to happy hour . . . you don't have to stay but a few hours.  Lighten up 50!!!!!

Am I the only person who dislikes the cover of this book? Is the message "wear really uncomfortable underwear and you'll remain a dynamic member of your work team"???

And some of the advice seems a little silly. I am going to have a better working relationship with my younger co-workers by dialing my cell phone with my index finger or actually using punctuation in my e-mails?

I agree with others who posted here: Be yourself. Keep up on technology and new things going on in your field of choice because it will make you better at your job, NOT because your younger co-workers are going to invite you out for a drink with the gang after work. They won't, even if you text. And I bet you didn't hang with your older co-workers when you were young, either.

And yes, keep fit and maintain a healthy weight... because it's good for you.

I am 54 and work with some younger women,  my 23 yr old coworker and I were talking about this the other day, I told her that whenever I start talking about my hot flashes or aches and pains to  say the word "stop" , to me, I don't want to  sound old and I realized that I was talking more and more about my ailments, so we came up with this plan to curb that, hopefully!:)

Pamela, I need your book, I am not kidding. the 8 tips presented here will not do it for me. I work in a professional school of psychology (and yes, it is as fun as it sounds) with several women around my age ('grandma age" as my 7 year old granddaughter likes to say). I can't stand it when some staff members continually remind everyone of their age-that only serves to remind everyone of my age as well! These are the same ones that constantly send around those emails with quizzes and whatever for the older set: "remember when bread was 27 cents a loaf?" Jeez, give me a break! Lets just wear a tee shirt that says, "yep, I'm old, retire me and replace me with a kid that will work for less". So, long story short (too late! lol) my tip is: Stop reminding everyone that you are older than they are, believe me, they know it already.

Thanks for the great info, Pamela-I want more!! Nancy Rocha, Program Assistant, California School of Forensic Studies-Alliant International University-Fresno, CA 559-253-2275, nrocha@alliant.edu

Stop using your age as an excuse for anything, i.e., ‘I’m having a senior moment’, when you forget and/or don’t remember how to do something.

Dress for the job not necessarily for your age.  Take a good look at your co-workers from the boss on down and dress accordingly.  In many of today’s casual workplaces, slacks, khakis, and jeans are the norm.  Note to women: If you wore the fad the first time around, it just won’t work the second time around. However good your legs are, a mini just looks foolish on a woman of a certain age.

Don’t look like a clown.  No amount of make-up will make you look twenty-something again, and hair sprayed within an inch of its life is just as aging.

Clothes, accessories, shoes and hairstyles need to be kept current with styles - although they also need to be appropriate to our 50+ year old bodies!

I was gonna say "don't mother people" and then I remembered a coworker I once had that did exactly that. EVERYBODY loved her, beehive and all. I think we just need to be ourselves while being good coworkers and good people: be flexible, helpful, no heavy handed agendas at work, carry your weight, see everybody's idiosincracies-yours as well- with a light and kind heart, give others their due and show your interest in their lives.

Don't try and dress young, this makes the younger generation laugh and roll there eyes, they also make us look like we are trying to hard. Classic "business casual" never goes out of style and is ageless!

Let your actions do the talking and just do the job to the best of your ability. It speaks volumes and some of those younger people will respect your knowledge and may want to learn from you.

We were all young once upon a time and had the help of our elders to get to where we are now. Now it's our turn to pay it forward and give the young people the benefit of any assistance they may request of us. Just wait for the questions and when they come, be as brief and clear as possible. By all means, don't Mom them. That's someone elses job.

Don't indulge in "organ recitals" with people in your office.  NO one, any age, wants to hear about your health problems.

Don't use being old as an excuse not to do things - be honest instead.    It's okay to be tired or not into something; it's okay to forget things now an then,  but using age as an excuse only gives others a reason to push you into a catagory of Depends and Ensure.

BTW - great insight with what I have read so far.  I worked in an environment where most of the young adults could have been my grandchildren and the generational differences AMAZED me.

Inky

There are a few points. The younger generation does not wear a lot of makeup. It may seem trivial but they don't walk around with black eyes from too much eye makeup.  Don't walk around like your in pain. A person should dress simply. Don't complain about sweating because your premenopausal.

I think how you carry yourself says a lot about your attitude, and thus, your age.  Refusing to huff or puff when you rise/sit/squat/climb, standing tall and confident, smiling a lot, exercising willingly and naturally, and encouraging your colleagues, no matter what their age, help to make anyone a lively person, a spirit without age-associated constraints.

I have friends who are in their twenties and seem old, frail, set in their ways, boring to be around.  And, I have friends in their 80s who spring with life, curiousity, and creativity.  Keeping an open mind, asking questions and allowing others to teach you, and living your best life both mentally and physically, make anyone absolutely ageless, wrinkles be damned!

What I've noticed most in the workplace is that the younger generation has better memories, can multi-task better, have LOTS more energy, can work longer hours, get things done more quickly, do their work more cheerfully because they treat it as "just a job."  But they don't seem to have the compassion & patience we older workers have. It's hard keeping up with them, but we creat a balance to the workplace.

Learn how to text.  It's not hard.  Short texts back and forth while in the elevator or when you're eating a quick sandwich in the lunchroom are a far better way to stay in touch than a public conversation -  I found out how "cool" my texting is when my daughter, who is at school 1300 miles away, was visiting home and mentioned how her sorority sisters were so impressed that Hanna's mom texts instead of calls.  Apparently their mothers are intimidated by new technology. Poor things.

8 ouches later I appreciate this.  Makes me sad though- I had no idea that I would have to learn a whole new way of being again- it's a lot like being a teenager, which I loathed.  I'd say moe, but then I would be in excess of 3 lines!

WWXDA

You cannot "retain cultural relevance without being an embarrassing trend slave" by adopting trendy behaviors and downplaying your experience. It is this article's kind of advice that produces old bags who are bumbling and confusing.  Now that is embarrassing. Consider if Katherine Hepburn were a work colleague. No one would give two hoots about how she dialed her phone!

Be true to yourself! Share your experience with other generations because keeping it at bay is a means of devaluing yourself, and makes you a conduit of history repeating mistakes. If you are present with others, the younger generation will value you no matter how long your voicemails are, and will be interested in any mix tapes you are compelled to share.

What! I refuse to give up punctuation and good grammar. I am NOT ashamed of my education or the fact that I can write more than 3 consecutive sentences. Yet, I do not like texting. I came from the typewriter age. I figure let the kids do their thing and it's ok as long as I can do my thing. Remember when our generation use to say that> "Do your own thing?" 

We use to laugh at the little old ladies with the "blue" hair and who carried cloth handkerchiefs, and had some manners. Guess what? They were pretty smart and they had a rather orderly world. The only thing I thought was strange was that they preferred a radio to a television and a broom over a vacuum cleaner. However, they got the job done!

The young ones will realize that our ways are what they are. I do recall with a laugh my little old lady aunts who loved our rock and roll when my parents thought it was horrible.  It wasn't that my aunts were trying to be modern at the time, it was a matter of preference.

I think some new devices are good, like what I'm typing on now! I remarked to my expectant daughter that the items they have for babies are quite nice and wished we had had some of those conveniences. My mother was enthralled with disposables & I'm enthralled that a young woman can go out to work & yet give her baby the breast milk she can pump out & store while she's out. My daughter will use cloth diapers sometimes & sometimes not. She may play Baby Einstein, or she may not.... the young people will make their choices. If these young people can raise up good kids & go to work make their ends meet like we did, we don't worry about watches vs. cell phones or even if they make more money than we did.

Try to have a smile on your face as much as possible.  A smile always makes you appear more alive and vibrant. Your voice is even more uplifting when you have a smile on your face.   Walking around with a sour face makes you appear unapproachable and crabby.

No, 1989 you are way off. signed, 1974