What is it about women and age? Why is it that we feel the need to hide our age and if someone comes close to guessing our age, we become offended? Let alone we become even more disgusted if someone guesses higher than our actual age?
I have been trying to come to terms with the fact that my 20 year high school reunion is just a few weeks away. How did 20 years slip by so quickly? I went from 18, thin and energetic to 38, not so thin and wishing for more energy, in no time flat, or so it seems. I have been fortunate enough to have oily skin (my nemesis in my teens but my friend in my 30’s). Because of this I tend to be less inclined to have wrinkles and I must say that for being less than 2 years from my 40’s I really don’t have any facial wrinkles. Though I will be the first to admit that age has moved some things south. But luckily the few extra pounds that I have added to my tummy over the last 20 years have given my boobs something to rest on. Thank goodness for great bras!
Most of my life people have usually been surprised when I have told them my real age. Now maybe they are just being kind but most say that they thought I was 5 to 10 years younger than they thought. So perhaps that is why I was so upset the other night.
Here’s the story. I have done Tae Kwon Do for many years off and on. I recently went back after taking 2 years off to take care of family. Well while I was gone, they made a few changes at the dojang. One of the changes being that not only do we line up by belt but we also line up according to age. The oldest red/black belt lines up to the right and the younger ones to his/her left. So the other night, a man that has the same belt as me informs me of this change and by his statement, it was obvious that he was trying to discern my age. Not only that but he was trying to imply that I was older therefore I should be lining up to his right. Well, I was absolutely sure that I was younger so I lined up to his left.
The next class time we were getting ready to line up again and again he awkwardly made a statement about how we should be lining up according to age, so I wasn’t going to beat around the bush anymore and I asked him how old he was. He told me “45”. 45!!!!!!!!!!! AND HE THOUGHT I WAS OLDER??????? So I took my rightful spot – to his LEFT. Then he had the gall to say “I guess I’ll take your word for it.” In my mind I pictured myself doing a spinning hook kick to his jaw followed by a front kick to his groin. But instead I just said “I’m 38!” “Really” he says. Livid I was! How dare he imply that not only am I older than him but then to imply that I would lie about it? True women don’t like to reveal their true age but I am not a liar and I didn’t need to lie in this situation. I told the truth and it felt good!



So men, don’t ever try to guess a woman’s age. The best way to get an idea is to purposely guess at least 10 years younger than you really think and she may be so flattered that she actually reveals the truth and in the case that she doesn’t – drop it! Especially when she is 1 belt away from her black belt!

SENSORED!

Swearing in public, when is it OK and when should you be mindful of the people around you. Here is the situation. My husband, 2 boys, age 12 and 16, and I went to a movie the other night, Nacho Libre rated PG for rough action, and crude humor including dialogue. We went to the late showing (9:40pm) because we had a late dinner and it was a 4day weekend. We got to the theater 40 minutes early and found great seats. It was perfect because the theater was practically empty. As it got closer to show time, the theater began to fill up but still was nowhere near full, there were plenty of seats. During the previews 2 couples came in and decided to sit behind me and my husband. They were very noisy and obnoxious but since it was just the previews, I was going to keep quiet and hope they would shut up for the movie. Well the guy sitting over my husbands left shoulder let the “F” bomb drop, I turned to give him the evil eye and my husband asked him nicely if he could refrain from using that language in front of our kids. The guy was somewhat rude about it, claiming that he thought that the youngest was at least 10 and it shouldn’t matter. Again, my husband nicely informed him that even though they may hear that language elsewhere, we don’t use it. And he reminded the guy that he had just asked nicely if they would refrain from using while at the theater. I heard him make another snide comment but that was pretty much the end of it and they were fine during the movie.
After the movie, we waited to see if perhaps there were any outtakes but when we realized that there weren’t going to be we left. We were the last ones out and a few minutes had gone by since everyone else had left. Of course since we ordered the big drinks, we made a trip to the restroom before going to our car. So by the time we were leaving to walk to our car (about 10 minutes after the movie ended), the 2 couples conveniently drove by, windows down, yelling the “F” word as many times as they could before exiting the parking lot. I was maddened by this but of course showing anger would have only delighted them so we ignored them and went to our car.
If we had been taking our boys to see a PG-13 or R rated movie that was rated for profanity and so on, we would have hypocrites. But this was a PG movie that didn’t involve swearing. I do not believe that we were out of line, in fact I think my husband handled it with more tact and kindness than I think I would have. Unfortunately this isn’t the only time this week. I was trying on clothes and two girls a room or two over were dropping the “F” bomb regularly as well. I didn’t have kids with me, so I didn’t’ say anything but I was offended.
So is it OK to talk anyway you want in public regardless of the people around you, free country blah, blah, blah……or should we be courteous and respectful of others, especially if you are asked nicely? My opinion – you use your church manners everywhere you go unless you are in some ungodly place like a strip joint, bar or porno club – then use the potty mouth. If you don’t believe in God or have never been to church – than imagine you’re a radio DJ who will be fined a large sum of money for using profane language. Simple. I know they are just words but for some people they are offensive – be respectful of the people around you, the world would be a much nicer place to be if people would respect that some people don’t want to hear foul language.