I just finished reading Ageism Unmasked—Exploring Age Bias and How to End It, a recent book by Tracy Gendron, chair of the Department of Gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University. It was insightful and instructive. 

And it made me wonder if I am an ageist. 

Have I bought birthday cards that reinforce negative stereotypes of ageing? (Are there any that don’t?)  Have I contributed to the anti-ageing market (whatever that is)?  Yes, I have bought skin creams and toners, yet years ago, my young grandson said, “Grammy, why is your neck wrinkled like a skeleton?”  Still, I use them.

The other day I was chatting with a contemporary while waiting for an elevator.  A workman in the building walked by. “How are you doing girls?” he said.  I didn’t respond but maybe next time I’ll try “Just fine sonny”.

Gendron reminds us that from the moment of our birth, we are old-people-in-training.   

We have a lot to learn.