How young is 'young'?

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Pete says Anna is misusing the word 'young' in applying it to someone aged 29. What does 'young' mean to you? Obviously, it depends on the context (novelists, for example, are young if they're under 50) and even more it depends on the age of person using the word. If I was was 80 I would be laughing at 40 somethings worrying about getting old. But it's maybe particularly affected by the average age of people in the media too - swathes of 30 and 40 something editors and journalists set the agenda and talk about 'young' and 'old' people accordingly.

I am sick of all the contingency and continuum. Can we all just agree on an age where one stops being young, please? It would be much easier.

― N., Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Young = anyone who is younger then me.

― jel --, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

But if we have to have an agreed upon definition, then I'd say 35.

― jel --, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It's a 'lifestage' thing not an age thing Nick, or that's the current thinking. I'm not sure that makes sense either though.

35 seems reasonable.

― Tom, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I have always used twenty five. Then you are and adult until you hit forty which is middle age. Fifty-fivish is manopausal, and then you are old at sixty. None of these arbritary definitions should have any suggestion on how one should live their lives.

― Pete, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

But surely 35 is the NEW 25? At least that's what my lifestyle magazine tells me.

― Ally C, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

27 is still very young and not old enough to have wrinkles & grey hair or be on the husband finding / baby having shelf sniff sniff.

― Emma, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

So Pete, one can't be a young adult?

― N., Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Young adult is 18-25.

― Pete, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Pete is deliberately trying to make me cry.

― Emma, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

My average household age is about 23.

― Tom, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Right now 31 feels young enough, but that's because I still feel like the crab I was when I was 17. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Being young is over-rated anyway. No-one listens to young'uns.

NickI think you have discovered the problem when you try and arbritarily create divisions.

― Pete, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

**Then you are and adult until you hit forty which is middle age**

Not quite, Pete. When you hit 37 you are a grey panther.

― Dr. C, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I reserve my right to refer to Nick as young.

Oo's the cutiewootiest ickle fing?

― Anna, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I am!

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

He has a (very) young man's beard that's for sure.

― ALPHA BEARD, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Isn't Maria younger than Graham?

― RickyT, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Not quite, Pete. When you hit 37 you are a grey panther.

Gee. Thanks a bundle, Dr.C ... (did you get my e-mail btw?)

― Jeff W (suddenly feeling old), Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

What's the Graham/ Ronan age gap? You're both 19 aren't you?

― Anna, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I am 18, haha.

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Not yet Jeff - I couldn't be arsed to check e-mail last night. Will have a look tonight.

― Dr. C, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

25 was young until the journos who write lifestyle mags started hitting their thirties. Now, presto! 35 is young

― Matt, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Isn't Chupa-Cabras 14 or 15, though?

― Dan Perry, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I am old enough to use shit stock answers like this and young enough to know better.

― Ronan, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

That doesn't stop be being young and cutiewootier and ickler and fingier than Fearful Dastoor.

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The original post was actually directed at Nick who is older than me. I find the idea of patronising Graham, who is younger than me, makes me uncomfortable, even if I was joking.

― Anna, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Can I still be Cutiewootie, Auntie Anna?

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh God, this has come from the time I had an attack of motherlyness in the pub and said "Have you not got a coat Graham, it's ever so cold outside?"

I'm only 23, I'm too young (even by Pete's definition) for this.

― Anna, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

And now I feel well guilty about that last post. Yes Graham, you can still be a cutiewootie.

― Anna, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

And you can be cutiewootie too.

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I thought you wanted to be a creepyweepy, Graham?

― Tom, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

No I don't wunt to be creepyweepy, I want to keep my creepyweepyness under control through knowledge of what is and isn't creepyweepy, hency posting image of cutiewootie hippy skatepunk chick under premise of "This is creepyweepy, right?".

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

This entire thread has mutated into absolute creepiness.

― Emma, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Emma speaks wisdom! We together mock your twee.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, when you posted to it.

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

(that was to creepy emma)

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't know, I like the straightforward explanation your sentence provides.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Creepy. Waah :(

― Sarah, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

What's up, Sarah?

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

DO YOU SEE!!!

― Tom, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

HEIN?

(seriously, hein?)

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I was reading your posts in creepy-voice Graham, obv. it was not meant in creepy-manner though.

― Tom, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Gravy!

― jel --, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

28 and feel old.

― Chris, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm 42. We are only legally entitled to three score and ten (for non- mathematicians = 70) = 35 is middle-aged. I'm 60%-aged now.

― Martin Skidmore, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm 34, which is pretty old, except for myself since I look and feel great.

― Sean, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

(If Emma's wondering, the above is me for no reason resorting to childish name calling)

(to get the thread back on topic, obv.)

― Graham, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Can we talk about Pete inventing the excellent new concept of "manopause?"

― nabisco%%, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

You're young if I'm being nice to you and old if I'm being mean, unless you want to be a venerated elder, in which case the opposite is true. And this thread is REALLY CREEPY.

― Maria, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

There is one guide to use a Young Persons Rail Card one must be 25 or under to qualify (with exceptions for mature students with proper documentation). Therefore a tip for those in the UK that this applies to - remember to buy a railcard the day before you turn 26 and you will have a full extra yoof year.

I sometimes refer to the yoof of the day (on my weblog), as teenagers i.e 13 to 19 - which takes the yoof up the first year of uni. It is the second of year of uni when they turn 20 and become "Young Adults" and no longer teenage yoof.

When do young adults turn into middle age? - is open to debate - depends on the individual - some 22 year old can be more mature in mind set, than say some mid 30somethings - it depends on many factors - attitudes, behaviour, beliefs, perceptions, lifestyle choices etc.

However I agree with Martin Skidmore that mid 30s for most would signify the start of middle age.

Having recently turned 32 - I have less than 3 years left before this landmark reaches me. In football terms being a few months older than Alan Shearer - I am already in comparative terms retired from international football.

Generally footie fans of clubs in the Nationwide Leagues will groan if their club sign a player the wrong side of 30 - as being an oldie, past it, on a downward spiral etc. So maybe this could be marker, therefore Dastoor is still Young for another year.

― DJ Martian, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

However I agree with Martin Skidmore that mid 30s for most would signify the start of middle age.

Whoa whoa whoa, hold up! Mid 30's is the start of adulthood. Middle age? Jeez!

― Sean, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Ignore the insane Martins. No one calls people in there 30s middle aged.

― N., Wednesday, 15 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

But surely 35 is the NEW 25? At least that's what my lifestyle magazine tells me.

If 35 is the new 25, then 45 is the new 35. And since 35 is the new 25, therefore 45 is the new 25 too. And if we can assume that 55 is the new 45, then 55 is also 25. And so on. Yay! I haf discovered the mathematics of perpetual youth! I will be rich, and, even better, young forever!

― Momus, Wednesday, 15 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hooray!

err.. them there 30s = their 30s, grammar fans.

― N., Wednesday, 15 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

What is it with softie indie types and this acute early-coming fear of aging......usually on some roricon shit too......"ahhhh, I'm 24.....a fossil.....lemme listen to some Alizee".......that's the spirit, douchebag....shit, I wish I could track these dudes down and sic a younger slut friend of mine on them, run them for all their cash and ice, leave the boy sad with a shake and a Big Mac......you deserve it

― Ramosi, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Contrast with hiphop dudes......maybe it's because hiphop is such an avatar of youth these days but you hardly ever see aging hiphoppers getting misty about that shit, black or white (bit easier for black ones cuz they look younger longer (sun damage can't touch them, lucky))........and if a hiphop head wanna split some bopper they usu. just do it and treat it like any slut or any age and move on, there is no fester-factor....you don't see a black man collecting 40000 pics of an actress from the time she's 12 and getting choked when she grows tits.....bravura lifestyle matters......italians age robust and rowdily too......I will be Paul Sorvino in Money Talks

― Ramosi, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The nurse who has been tending my wounds asked me how old I was today, when I told her I was 29, she gasped, shouted to her friend in the attached chemists and asked again, when I asked her how old she thought I was she replied, 18!!!!! Bloody hell, I knew I had a baby face but this is ridiculous, someone else the other day thought I was about 22 for sobbing out loud.

― chris, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I should add that I don't insist on other people hitting 35 being called middle-aged. I restarted university around this time, and decided to put forward this legal-entitlement-to-three-score-and-ten theory as a way of NOT pretending to be one of The Kids, and looking like your dad trying to be cool: "I really like that White Strokes! It's got a good beat! It's really with it!"

― Martin Skidmore, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Nicky D will never stop being young

― the pinefox, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It's the dyed hair, Chris. No doubt about it.

The Pinefox will never start being young.

― Ally C, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

We met when he was almost young.

― N., Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I got asked by a bus driver if I'd like half fare the other day. That would make me 14. There's looking young and then there's just silly. I think the bus driver was clearly mad.

― Anna, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Did you allow pride to cost you precious money?

― Ronan, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

From now on I am going to be 19, OK? I think it will save a lot of heartache all round.

― Emma, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

You're still older than me then Emma.

― chris, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

That's right son.

― Ronan, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Anna, was this before or after you decided to spend £38 on a haircut?

(Is Emma hitting on me?)

― Graham, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

!!!!!!!!

― Emma, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Graham - please stop.

― the pinefox, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Pre-haircut, which really hasn't altered my hair that much.

Shock, Ronan, caused me to go "No, 70p" in a really high pitched voice and run off vowing to never wear baggy cords and pigtails ever again.

― Anna, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I pay schools fare still, I mean I figure if I'm going to get hassle for looking under 18 at pub doors etc then it's my right to compensate myself for this on buses.

― Ronan, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Is there some kind of bus/nightclub conglomerate in Dublin?

― N., Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

No it's just most of the buses are nicer than most of the clubs.

― Ronan, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm still mad at Lixi for saying I look 20, although I've only once been asked for ID in a pub, though it's only 18 months since I was asked for ID going into 15-rated movies.

― Graham, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I was once carded at 25 in Hampstead on a Thursday night, ie. when teens run wild there. My fellow drinker was not challenged and she was 15. Yesterday I was asked if I needed a student fare for something.

The previous record-holder for student fare query is Nick, who was 31 and trying to buy a ticket to Paris.

― suzy, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hi Suzy!

― Tracer Hand, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm frequently asked for ID, at cinemas, pubs, clubs, etc. People at work are shocked when they find I'm old enough to drive. I'm 24! I don't wear makeup so true I look loads younger than the standard female fare round here, but I don't look sixteen... Although thinking about it, most sixteen years olds caked in makeup look older than me.

As for the question, I would say under 27 is young, but over 35 is middle aged, which leaves a few vague years I'm not too sure about.

I freely admit that when I get nearer 27 I'll start thinking of under 40 as young. :)

― Celeste, Friday, 17 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i am 241

― mark s, Sunday, 19 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Being asked if you want a student fare doesn't count cause mature students get the discount as well. You just have to look a bit 'studenty'.

A couple of years ago (aged 27 or so) I got asked if I was 16 when buying cigarettes in the newsagents. That's my record.

― N., Monday, 20 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Did you do the surly response thing which one would do if 15.

― Ronan, Monday, 20 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

No, I did the 'my 15 year old response' thing and went bright red.

Actually I didn't. I just said, "Yes," [should have been "No"], "I'm 27." and gave a baffled look.

― N>, Monday, 20 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I told a man in the club on Friday night that it was my birthday & I was 19. He laughed scornfully (well maybe I am a bit paranoid but he laughed disbelievingly at the very least). Bugger, so much for that great scheme.

― Emma, Monday, 20 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

eight years pass...

Anyone changed their views or still being carded...eight years on?

― Bob Six, Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:33 (fifteen years ago)

I've been young so long.

― Alba, Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:44 (fifteen years ago)

feel so much older than when this thread first came into existence. god...8 years. so much has happened.

this week i tried a new wine, for instance.

― I see what this is (Local Garda), Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:45 (fifteen years ago)

people who still get ID'd should be fucking grateful about it

― Rage Against the Man-Cream (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:48 (fifteen years ago)

(I don't really call myself young any more, it's just that I came up with that line and like it)

My mum had to buy some alcohol for me in a Scottish shop last year, when I was 36. I did have some ID on me somewhere, but I thought it was more poignant to just get her to step in.

This was a good thread.

― Alba, Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:48 (fifteen years ago)

i never get id'ed anymore, last night someone was iding my friend and i said "i have none" and the guy was like "no YOU'RE okay". wasn't really insulted, actually was pleased, despite being 27.

― I see what this is (Local Garda), Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:52 (fifteen years ago)

i put the apostrophe in cos i didn't want it to sound like ided. like ides of march.

― I see what this is (Local Garda), Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:52 (fifteen years ago)

last time I was ID'd was 12 years ago. was buzzing for a week.

― Rage Against the Man-Cream (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:53 (fifteen years ago)

As for this bit:

swathes of 30 and 40 something editors and journalists set the agenda and talk about 'young' and 'old' people accordingly.

I now am a journalist and am older than most of the editors I work with. It's interesting being on that side of things.

― Alba, Saturday, 18 December 2010 11:53 (fifteen years ago)

i still get id'd quite a lot.

― Bernard V. O'Hare (dog latin), Saturday, 18 December 2010 13:43 (fifteen years ago)

I am not young - it happened quite suddenly!

― Gravel Puzzleworth, Saturday, 18 December 2010 13:46 (fifteen years ago)

I have started to say
"A quarter of a century"
Or "thirty years back"
About my own life.

It makes me breathless
It's like falling and recovering
In huge gesturing loops
Through an empty sky.

All that's left to happen
Is some deaths (my own included).
Their order, and their manner,
Remain to be learnt.

― baubles to the wall (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 18 December 2010 13:54 (fifteen years ago)

16 - very young

18 - so young

21 - young

25 - still young

27 - young-ish

29 - not as young as i used to be

― carles II of spain (max arrrrrgh), Saturday, 18 December 2010 16:50 (fifteen years ago)

it is relative i 'spose. my 84 year old nan described her 40-something neighbours as "these young ones with their holidays and cars".

― carles II of spain (max arrrrrgh), Saturday, 18 December 2010 16:52 (fifteen years ago)

Of course it is all relative. Even people of the exact same age differ in how young they are. All I know is that I'm not young any more and I'm not getting any younger.

― Aimless, Saturday, 18 December 2010 18:12 (fifteen years ago)

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