10 Dead Giveaways That You’re Not As Hip As You Think

1. Using a landline

2. Ignoring the fact that your
hair is thinning

3. Refusing to give up your AOL email

4. Wearing unstylish reading glasses

5. Driving 20 mph under the
speed limit

6. Having ill-fitting bras

7. Not wiping the lipstick off
your teeth

8. Keeping a set of “good” dinnerware

9. Having a travel agent

10. Wearing “old lady shoes”

[Read: 15 Habits of Women Over 50]

0 Responses to “10 Dead Giveaways That You’re Not As Hip As You Think”

  1. Pam says:

    I’m over 60 and I’m laughing.

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  2. Christine Leggetter says:

    Make me laugh!!

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  3. ALC says:

    From the rude remarks here, I’d say this was right on the money. Need to add:
    1. No sense of humor
    2. Low self esteem
    3. Need to get a life

    This was meant in jest. A fun introspection, not a put down.
    Guess what? I’m in this 50 group too!

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    • Pam says:

      I agree. No sense of humor!

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  4. trisha says:

    Wow! I can’t believe that some are offended by this. Perhaps we should add #11 – lack of a sense of humor.

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  5. Geri Brin says:

    Hi Carole,
    I especially appreciated your comment because you got the humor of the list and didn’t take offense at #9. Of course, millions of people over 50 use travel agents and do everything else on the list. We just wanted to have fun by saying that we give away our age if we do these things.

    How do you feel about putting together a list of favorite vacation spots of couples over 50 and a list of single women over 50? We’d run the lists under your name and link to your agency’s website.

    Let me know your thoughts. My email is geri@faboverfifty.com.

    Best,
    Geri

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  6. Carole Lehr Johnson says:

    Very funny … although I’m not too crazy about number nine. I’ve been in the travel industry for 30+ years and am still getting new clients! Some people do trust us ‘dinosaurs’ to handle their travel plans because they are so darn busy.

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  7. Lori says:

    People, you need to develop a sense of humor! This list is obviously meant to be funny, not a serious commentary about being over 50. I am completely amazed at all of these venomous comments. Geri, looks like number 11 on this list should include the inability to laugh at oneself and enjoy a freaking joke!

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hi Lori,

      You win the prize. I’ve wanted to write a blog about the venomous comments but was (wisely) advised to ignore all of them. But it pleases me greatly that women like you, Susan (the comment below yours) and a number of others 1.) got the point and 2.) enjoyed the list. Hell, I looked at my teeth after applying lipstick this morning and saw some lipstick on my teeth and gave myself a BIG SMILE.

      Fondly,
      Geri

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  8. Susan says:

    Lord have MERCY, Geri, some of your readers need to remove the stick from their middle-aged as*ses and laugh. I still have a land-line (because of mom, who is still alive and kicking in her late 80s), would definitely still use a travel agent because I’ve used them before and a good one is worth his/her weight in gold and still have “good” dishes (which is actually mid-century modern culled from flea markets and tag sales over the years because I could’t afford GOOD china) BTW, I look a LOT younger than my near-60 age and usually I think most of the women I see are a older than I am because they are overweight and do NOT wear the right bras, have sun damage and just don’t care. O, on the next list about this you might want to mention “loss of waistline” because that seems to be a universal, lol. I never wore really high heels even when I was younger because I didn’t like feeling hobbled and at the mercy of a rapist in 3-inch heels, but I had great legs (still do) and found shoes that worked for me. Not insulted at all–thanks for a good read!

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hi Susan,

      You gave me a good laugh! Appreciate it.

      Geri

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  9. Theresa says:

    Well, when your feet hurt, you do what you can! Thank goodness, the shoe designers are recognizing this issue. Woman need to be un-brainwashed and quit with the high heels that ruin their feet! Come on, let’s get smart. (It’s more those legs than the shoes, anyhow! Hit the gym, ladies.
    Good for a laugh, but not especially true! (I do still have my sense of humor!

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  10. IAE Hulthage says:

    Who wrote such nonsense? And why did I waste my time reading it? As for “sensible” shoes….well we can laugh about that after I get back from hiking Mt Whitney.

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Dear Iae,

      I wrote “such nonsense.” I’m closer to 70 than to 50 and I hope I NEVER do some of these things, namely show lipstick on my teeth, wear “old lady” shoes and glasses, ignore my thinning hair, and put my droopier breasts in ill-fitting bras. As for using AOL, travel agents, land lines, and good dishes, fewer and fewer people under fifty are using them, and that was our only point. We didn’t intend to invite anyone’s wrath, offend them, or waste their time.

      Have a great time hiking Mt. Whitney. Sensible shoes sure do make sense for that.

      Geri Brin, FOF PS and if I ever start to drive 20 miles under the speed limit, I’ll know it’s time to throw in the ole license.

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  11. cristina says:

    I respectfully disagree with travel agent comment…
    if you busy its really worse having someone professional doing this for you…plus there a lot of things one doesn’t know when booking….

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    • Geri Brin says:

      We’re not against travel agents. We’re simply saying: Most people under 50 don’t use them anymore, just as most people under 50 don’t have AOL accounts or land lines. Of course, travel agents provide a great service. So do hair colorists, but many woman, of all ages, choose to color their hair themselves at home. And teachers provide a great service, but many women home school their kids. And accountants provide a great service, but many people do their own taxes. I have resisted answering many of the commenters who are “offended” because we said you’re giving away your age if you use a travel agent, have a land line, or AOL. In fact you–and I– are! And I think that’s funny. Truly sorry to those who don’t.

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  12. Geri Brin says:

    Hi Ria,

    SO GLAD WE MADE YOU LAUGH. YOU GOT THE POINT OF THIS, RIGHT ON THE HEAD!!!!!!

    Fondly,
    Geri

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  13. Sue-Rae Rosenfeld says:

    I have to agree with the others, not funny, and even offensive. I have a landline that supports my DSL, and it is very handy, thank you – especially when there are issues with the satellites that support mobile phones (I have a DROID). I never had an AOL account thank you very much. And what’s wrong with wearing comfortable shoes. I do not suffer for vanity. And for your information most women, regardless of age wear the wrong sized bra.

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hello Sue-Rae,

      We certainly didn’t mean to be “offensive” when we said women who have land lines, AOL accounts or use travel agents are showing their age. Most people under 50 don’t have land lines, AOL accounts of use land lines, so, in fact, we are giving away our age. I have a land line and I laugh when my kids rib me about it. It’s funny. As for wearing “old lady” shoes, that’s different than comfortable shoes that also look good, or great-looking reading glasses, not glasses like the ones Sofia wore in Golden Girls. I am glad so many women read, liked and shared this list, but I still don’t want anyone to walk away mad or offended. That wasn’t even remotely our intention when we created it. Best, Geri Brin

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  14. Melinda says:

    Where I live you definitely want to have a corded landline in the event of an emergency, cell service is spotty, the power goes out and you’re completely cut off with a cordless phone.

    Frankly I find this article to be rude and disparaging.

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hello Melinda,

      We certainly didn’t mean to be “rude and disparaging” when we said women who have land lines, AOL accounts or use travel agents are showing their age. Most people under 50 don’t have land lines, AOL accounts of use land lines, so, in fact, we are giving away our age. I have a land line and I laugh when my kids rib me about it. It’s funny.

      My sister has a land line, too, because she doesn’t get good service in her community. Of course, not every single thing on the list applies to every single woman who read the list.

      And let’s say you do forget to wipe the lipstick off your teeth and not a single friend or relative tells you about it. Wouldn’t you prefer knowing?
      If you wouldn’t, I guess that’s ok, too.

      Best, Geri Brin

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  15. DEB says:

    Can’t believe I wasted the time to read this

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Dear Deb,

      Sorry we wasted your time.

      Geri Brin
      Founder
      FabOverFifty

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  16. NaturallyCurlie says:

    First of all SO WHAT IF YOU ARE OVER 50!
    Second of all SO WHAT IF YOU LOOK IT!
    Continuing the sterotype that there is something wrong or comical or out of touch with doing what makes you comfortable and works for you is ignorant. There is nothing wrong with being over 50. Looking like it and or acting like it. Be proud of who you are and flaunt it. Shame on you. You should know better.

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hello Naturally Curlie,

      We don’t think it’s “ignorant” to say that women who have land lines, AOL accounts, good dishes or use travel agents are showing their age. Most people under 50 don’t have land lines, AOL accounts of use travel agents, so, in fact, those of us who we are giving away our age. I have a land line and I laugh when my kids rib me about it. It’s funny. Ribbing me about having a land line makes me laugh.

      As for wearing “old lady” shoes, that’s different than wearing comfortable shoes that also look good, or great-looking reading glasses, not glasses like the ones Sofia wore in Golden Girls. We absolutely want women to be proud of themselves AT EVERY AGE. We just don’t think lipstick on your teeth, thinning hair, unattractive reading glasses and droopy breasts are attractive. I’ve known some incredible women over 50 who fail to wipe their lipstick off their teeth and I tell them about it.

      I am glad so many women read, liked and shared this list–and that it made many women smile and laugh– but I still don’t want anyone to walk away mad or offended. That wasn’t even remotely our intention when we created it.

      Best, Geri Brin

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  17. Diane Krause says:

    Who writes this stuff?!

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Dear Diane,

      I wrote “this stuff.” Sorry you didn’t enjoy it.

      Geri Brin
      Founder
      FabOverFifty

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  18. mxkh says:

    I have found in emergencies when cell phones were not working, the land lines were. Also, the connections, in general, are much clearer. I have a friend that I would talk with more often if she had a land line. Her cell phone reception drives me crazy.
    The “old” looking shoes may be necessary for some of us with arthritis & other health problems.

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  19. Christine Norman says:

    We have cordless (landline) phones in 5 rooms of our home which is very resourceful and quite handy. The only one on the list I am happy to say I still have and use.

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  20. Wende' says:

    I am really offended by this supposed satirical piece on being over 50. I have a business landline, still have aol as well as gmail etc. How insulting to think that any woman over 50 has packed it in. Are you trying to tell me that we can’t be stylish or sexy at 50? Please! I get hit on by men in there 30’s all the time. You owe us all an apology for posting this, or perhaps you should evaluate whose idea this was to begin with. Really in bad taste.

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hi Wende,

      We certainly aren’t trying to tell you that women over 50 can’t be stylish and sexy or shouldn’t have land lines, AOL accounts and travel agents. Or that any woman over 50 has packed it in. Far from it. I launched a website precisely because women over 50 are stylish, sexy, smart, dynamic, the greatest women in the history of women. So no apologies, there.

      And just look at you! Being “hit on” by men in their 30s.

      But, in fact, most people under 50 don’t have land lines, AOL accounts of use travel agents, so those of us who do are giving away our age. I have a land line and I laugh when my kids rib me about it. It’s funny. Ribbing me about having a land line makes me laugh.

      As for wearing “old lady” shoes, that’s different than wearing comfortable shoes that also look good, or great-looking reading glasses, not glasses like the ones Sofia wore in Golden Girls. We absolutely think women can be sexy and stylish at any age. We just don’t think lipstick on your teeth, thinning hair, unattractive reading glasses and droopy breasts are sexy and stylish.

      I’m 67, consider myself stylish (not so sure about sexy) and surely haven’t packed it in.

      I am glad so many women read, liked and shared this list–and that it made many women smile and laugh– but I still don’t want anyone to walk away mad or offended or think we’re rude. That wasn’t even remotely our intention when we created it.

      Best, Geri Brin

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      • Geri Brin says:

        One of the paragraphs above, in the response to Naturally Curlie, was garbled. This is the correct wording:

        We don’t think it’s “ignorant” to say that women who have land lines, AOL accounts, good dishes or use travel agents are showing their age. Most people under 50 don’t have land lines, AOL accounts of use travel agents, so, in fact, those of us who do are giving away our age. I have a land line and I laugh when my kids rib me about it. It’s funny.

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  21. Wanda says:

    And the problem with being over 50 is???

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hi Wanda,

      Not a single problem with being over 50!

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  22. Lee says:

    I find cellphones are filthy things(always in hand in bathrooms etc) and don’t want it as a new appendage….only use it when mobile….otherwise I am very happy to keep a phone in every room that sounds clear and crisp…thank you!!

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  23. Nicole says:

    Some of these are just mean. And suffice it to say that whomever makes any of these choices, how un-supportive of women it is to point these out disparagingly. When I saw my grandmother in her comfy shoes I certainly didn’t judge her harshly for them. I was happy she could walk comfortably! A friend would point out lipstick on a friend’s teeth. Thinning hair happens. I could go on..

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    • Geri Brin says:

      Hello Nicole,

      We certainly didn’t intend to be “mean,” “un-supportive” and “disparaging.” When I saw my grandmother in her “comfy shoes,” I hated the shoes but didn’t “judge her harshly.” What I thought about her shoes had nothing whatever to do with how I felt about her. I really dislike some of my sister’s STYLISH shoes, but I think my sister is a great woman. And she thinks some of my flat, sensible shoes are awful. Luckily today, we all have choices to be comfortable and find the shoes that suit us. Our grandmothers didn’t have those choices.

      I launched faboverfifty.com four years ago precisely because women over 50 are stylish, sexy, smart, dynamic, the greatest women in the history of women. FOF celebrates our generation!

      But, in fact, most people under 50 don’t have land lines, AOL accounts of use travel agents, so those of us who do are giving away our age. I have a land line and I laugh when my kids rib me about it. It’s funny. Ribbing me about having a land line makes me laugh.

      We just don’t think lipstick on your teeth, thinning hair, unattractive reading glasses and droopy breasts are especially sexy and stylish and recommend that women wipe check their teeth after applying lipstick, be properly fitted for bras and maybe consider getting some sort of hairpiece (I wear one and love it.) If that’s your definition of “mean” and “unsupportive,” we must be using different Thesaurus.

      I am glad so many women read, liked and shared this list–and that it made many women smile and laugh– but I still don’t want anyone to walk away mad or offended or think we’re mean, disparaging and unsupportive. That wasn’t even remotely our intention when we created the list.

      Best, Geri Brin

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  24. Patti Kollar says:

    This entire article is so very disappointing. I find no humor in it at all, in fact I find it very disparaging to your members. I am very disappointed in your editors for this one.

    I for one, am very proud to be over 50, as are many of your members. This is “slamming” your very own members, in my opinion. Shame on you – you are just fostering the “millenial” and the “entitled” generations, rather than embracing the over 50 (or baby boomers) generations. A disgusted member.

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  25. Patti Kollar says:

    Oh, I SO DISAGREE with you on #9 !!!!!
    Travel agents are alive & well, and thriving I might add. If you do not know enough about the particular subject, you should NOT be commenting on it.
    People choose to use a travel agent because they realize they are going to get a much better deal, and SERVICE from a professional, rather than just be a number. They also do not usually have to pay in full at the time of booking – because the travel agent WANTS to work for you & with you to give you a fantastic vacation experience. Unlike the online sites, that just show you pretty PHOTOSHOPPED pictures, and try to force feed you the resort or destination they are promoting at that time. You pay in full – and they are done with you – NO SERVICE at all. Try calling them and asking questions – good luck with that.
    I truly DISLIKE this article, and it sounds to me like it was written by a late 20’s or 30 something, rather than an informed person.

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  26. deborah says:

    You are Definetly over 50 if you do these things!!!!

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  27. Reggie Teer says:

    Some of these things are true. However, I will keep my landline for as long as I can because while I was without electricity for only two days after Ike I was without cable for almost two weeks. My landline never stopped working. As far as thinning hair, other than wearing a very expensive wig (so it won’t look like a wig) I can’t seem to find another solution. I’m not sure that they are healthy in Houston’s 8-10 month heat. Ill fitting bras seem to be the norm regardless of one’s age. I am really tired of seeing bras so tight that there are rolls of fat above and below them. I honestly don’t know how those women breathe. The amount of time needed to plan a trip on the internet is sometimes worth the expertise of using a travel agent. I do most of my travel plans myself, but I often just want to let a travel agent do it. It is nice to have a dinner party with the “good” dinnerware occasionally because it brings a level of refinement to an evening. I would do it more often, but I am too lazy to hand wash dishes more than 2-3 times a year.

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  28. Antionette Blake says:

    Thankfully, I can admit to none of these. I need to start my own list!

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  29. Mick says:

    I love ‘good dinnerware’ and use it frequently. Who eats off of Corelle for holidays? Champagne doesn’t taste right out of anything but crystal glasses. Glass goes “clunk” instead of “riiiing” during a toast – what a buzz kill.

    No one uses a travel agent for domestic travel anymore. Not even to Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas. BUT travel agents are essential for booking international travel to certain countries. Who else can finagle a visa out of the Chinese government – the paperwork is a nightmare, nuances [don’t tell them if you are going to Nepal or that you are a teacher] can quash your application entirely. Africa absolutely needs skilled tour planning to ensure your health, safety, & plane connections.

    I suspect a couple of these things on the list aren’t particularly accurate.

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  30. faye beuby says:

    Those are good but not giveaways for over 50, rather perhaps over 80!? And, Diane, not ‘Mom’ jeans but maybe ‘Grannie’ jeans–those are the ones one can wear backwards or forwards!

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  31. Sharon Siqueiros says:

    ~smiles~

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    • Geri Brin says:

      back at you, Sharon

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