Old people : The difference between the west and the east.

Greetings from the West and North lol (Canada) My grandma is 84 years old. She is old. She has health issues. She barely moves, she has her supper brought to her, she uses a cane, she has one of us grandkids, sponge bath her. She goes to the bathroom and we must help her pull down her pants and then pull them back up. She has everything brough to her. She shuffles around and it takes her a good 10 minutes to walk probably 20 steps (no exaggeration). The family was really worried. My gran used to walk miles everyday. She used to help out in the barn and grow this HUGE garden... She was always very active. So we went to the doctors. Do you know what is wrong with her? Nothing. She once told me and my mom... "I looked after you (to my mom) when you were a baby. I wiped your bum, I fed you your meals, I changed you, now it's your turn to return the favour". My jaw hit the floor. My gran doesn't do a danged thing because she thinks she deserves to have us wait on her hand and foot, which my mom is doing. I've seen my gran (when she thinks no one is looking) get up and go to the kitchen and make herself a sandwich and she was walking around like she was my age. When there are people there she acts so feeble and groans and complains all the time. I want to shout at her and tell her I saw her!! But she is my gran and I can't ever bring myself to disrespect her like that. yet I know an old lady who is 93 (so she is almost 10 years older than my gran) and although she is slowing down she still has a little garden, flower beds, she has a few chickens she uses for eggs, she goes on bus tours and is part of a lady's group. She volunteers at church and in all honesty, she's probably healthier than I at 26 years old am lol. So like a lot of people have mentioned it is up to the person themselves how they end up when they get old. When I am older I want to be alive. I want to travel, I want to play with my grandkids (hoping I have a whole bunch). I want to be a cool old person.

Yes, it's very different from west to east. I'm Asian too, I also see that difference as you said. However, i don't agree with you that's not good thing. Diffrent countries are different cultures. how do you know that these Eastern elders are not happy when they did not do things like the western people do. The important is they are happy, not what they are doing.

Wow this is a hard one!well here in the uk the older generation seem to be very young at heart,i think in the modern west we are more extrovert in are thinking,in the east i think you tend to be more traditional in your belifes and customs(which is no bad thing)and don`t lets forget each family is influenced by there own families and how we are exspected to behave to family and other people,also i believe poverty has a sad but long lasting affect on peoples aspirations!

I am from the West. As far as older people, I think it depends exactly on the person. I don't want to steroetype people based on age or gender or country. I am closer to becoming one of them myself than not. lol. While I might be interested in some activities and "old person interests", I am not going to go into a senior home and have my days planned for me. I have my own plans, desires and dreams. I am looking for that special someone and I will dress any way I like to be comfortable. I don't want to be lumped in with "average" senior as far as my life goes. I have little control over when I leave the planet, but that will not stop me from persuing my dreams.

I don't know any older people from the east so I really can't speak for them, but I can tell you about some of the ones I know from the US. My grandmother is in her 90s, and she isn't looking for anyone new since she lost her husband a few years ago, but at her age, I guess I can't blame her. She doesn't go out of her way to fix herself up because she doesn't go out much, but she still enjoys going out with us to dinner or whatever sometimes. She isn't a particularly religious person, but hasn't given up on life either. I have a good friend who goes out to karaoke with me quite often. He is 88 years old and happily married. He has a great outlook on life. He sings, he dances, he has a few drinks, and has a good time. His wife is a couple of years younger, and although she isn't doing nearly as well medically, she still comes out when she can. She is a very nice lady but can really get after him when he doesn't do what she thinks he should. They both strive to look their best, making sure that every hair is in place. I have several other older friends too who fit into the category above. They love life and make the most of it. Most of them try to look their best at all times. A couple of single ladies that I know are actively searching for a partner. Most of the ones I am referring to are not overly religious. They are all good people.

hi there vega u know why i respond to al ur discussions even that doesn't concern me? very simple because u always respond to each and every response u get that is exactly mylot is about,good girl. hey u must be knowing we indians wear sarees when we 'grow up' specially married woman ,though trend is changing today and women are wearing jeans and minnies.i wear salwars -kurtas as they are mkost comfortable and easy to wear,i have seen old women wearing jeans and skirts in their 60s and 70s and i really don't appreciate them i think saree is the best dress for women and any age any nationality they look graceful and beautiful, makeover is all about ur attitude even u wear a saree u can be a crowd puller,dresses really don't matter. being religious is not make u old fashioned it gives u way of .life but any should not be blind follower of something,have ur own mind ur thoughts then u have ur own personality and for that lots of readings ,observations are required not a dress.

in my country, the Filipina old ladies are not expected to put make up and care so much about how they look anymore. instead a lot of old ladies are either trying to earn for a living or are often seen in the church. they're pretty conservative and i think romance is just out of the question. my grandma wears her favorite pearls and all that but i think it's more of because it's become routinary for her, rather than for aesthetic purposes.

I think it depends on how you look at aging. I am in the West,U.S.A to be exact. Here you can find people that think if they are 60 or older , their life is over and you can find 80 year olds that are graduating college or starting new careers.And in some places if you are in your 60's or older, you are suppose to be religious.I remember when I would go out with my mom and a lot of people would see her gray hair and assume that she was a church attending lady when she was an agnostic.

I can't speak for other old people, but I haven't given up entirely. Ok, I'm not that old. But 'you're as old you feel' has some truth to it. Old folks in the West have probably had easier lives and better medical care, and so are in better shape, physically and mentally. Western countries, particularly the US worship youth, and encourage old people to not give up them dreams, and to keep a youthful approach. The downside is a lack of respect for age and growing old gracefully. While it's cute to see old people looking sporty, some look ridiculous. But hey I guess if they're happy, go for it, right?

I live in the southeast US. There are two types of old people here, in my opinion. The ones who are physically able to have a good life and those that are not. The ones that are not physically able to have a good life are thought of as a burden by most people. They are put away in homes where most are poorly cared for. A few are lucky enough to have people who love them to take care of them. The ones who are physically able to have a good life are usually out there having fun because they realize all too well that life is short and should be enjoyed while you have the chance.

Well I cant say anything for the old people from the East or West Coast but I can comment on the North and South. I personally have a grandmothers that one live in the North and the other live in the South. The one in the North is more laid back she Dresses up only on the weekend the rest of the week she is in pants and a tshirt. The one in the South she has to match everything. She dresses up 24-7. Now they both love flowers and love to spend time with the grands but the biggest difference is in the way they dress and their mentality on fashion. go figure.