Old Lady

I received this quote in an e-mail yesterday, about an old lady and correspondence with her bank:

>> AND REMEMBER: DON'T MAKE OLD LADIES MAD. THEY DON'T LIKE BEING OLD IN
>> THE FIRST PLACE, SO IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO SET THEM OFF.

Now, being an old lady, I have certain views about this particular statement. I agree that it is not good form to make an old lady mad – but go a bit further. It’s not a good idea to make any lady mad. Ladies operate by a different set of rules.

Ladies are not girls. These females choose to be ladies, not just one of the girls. They earn the polite name of “Lady” over that of girl. They speak the part, they dress the part, they act as though they deserve to be called Lady, with that capital L.

Miss Manners once offered the statement: “ Miss Manners cannot think of a more succinct definition of a lady than 'someone who wants to punch another person in the nose, but doesn't.’”

However, though she may not be into nose punching, a Lady will never leave a doubt of her displeasure, when that does occur. A Lady also passes compliments when she is pleased by the actions, words or works of another.

As for the old part, that alone requires respect. We old ones operate from a wealth of acquired experiences whereby to discern the intent of actions and attitudes. We have less time to spend on non-essentials, specifically idiotic non-essentials. We do not wish to waste the precious time remaining to us.

We expect our experience to rate being listened to. The Bible agrees with this premise:

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)

Yes, we aged women have responsibilities based on our experience. Our listeners have the responsibility to learn from those experiences, too. Do not ignore the teachings. Do not repeat the errors gained by experience.

As an aside – except for a few creaks and a bit of pain, I don’t mind being old. It is a phase in life. A phase not accorded to everyone, so I appreciate being here through God’s grace. Much of what I have learned came from those much older than I – and I continue to learn. May you do so with great joy. May you Ladies become teachers of good things.