They’re over the hill, past it, and to be honest some of them smell funny. And “I don’t believe it!” are there really are so many Victor Meldrews in the world? Ace reporter Grace Cook looks at the generation game and how to play it.

Many young people perceive old people as grumpy or boring. I know we all love our Nan but old people en masse annoy us. I asked my Cube colleagues what they thought about this issue. Generally they thought that the older generation held prejudiced views towards young people. Many were unsure of how to react to the older generation and felt pity for them. As a young person myself I can empathise with these views as I have been in situations where they have come into play. When on a bus I‘m never sure whether or not to give up my seat for an older person. Some old people may think it disrespectful to not give up your seat, whilst others may be offended if you offer it as they don’t want people to feel sympathy for them. My Cube colleagues say that they do give up their seat on the bus for older people, in fact two of them had done so that morning.

Television seems to represent old people as one extreme or another. But old people are rarely like foul mouthed Nan from The Catherine Tate Show or Victor Meldrew from One Foot in the Grave. Old man Meldrew was a very grumpy character who represents many of the stereotypes associated with old people. Another stereotype is the way the media shows old people as weak and feeble. It’s a suggestion to young people that once you’re over a certain age, you’re just waiting for a coffin. I asked several older people what they thought about the way the media represents them. John Critchely, 70, told me “The media only show the crusty ones, everybody’s different” With all the obsession about perfection in our culture I think there is a fear of mortality (death) in general.

Old people may feel quite intimidated by the ‘youths of today’, and it’s not hard to see why. Hoodie culture and gang trends make it hard to walk down the street. Mr Critchely thinks it is a shame that old people are treated so disdainfully by some young people. He told me “I think if you are taught by your parents to treat old people with respect you act differently”. 30 years ago youth culture was very different in Britain and as a result older people were treated with more respect. So what has changed? In a country where all people seem to do with themselves is watch television and play computer games, is it really so surprising that interacting with other people (especially people who remember a time when it was not that way) is difficult?

In my opinion British culture has never been very family-orientated, only immediate family seem to be really important to us - we all know the jokes about mother-in-laws. In other cultures senior members of society are treated differently. In places such as India and Pakistan the eldest member of the family sits at the head of the table and is treated with the most respect. In England, old ladies are tutted at for taking too long getting on the bus! Elderly people simply aren’t treated with enough respect in the UK. I know they might be scarf knitting maniacs, obsessed with the weather (who here isn’t obsessed with the weather?) but they’re our elders and we can learn a lot from them. I think the way forward is communication! Sophie Allen, 15, summed it up “I think old people are misunderstood,” and I agree with her. Young people, not every old person you meet is grumpy, was in the war or wants to give you a lecture! Old people, you need to know that not every young person you meet is going to mug you!

So next time you see a little old lady struggling to get on the bus, don’t tut, be patient and try to help. Because one day you to will be going to bed early, wearing fluffy slippers and knitting scarves.

By Grace Cook

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