The Subtle Signs of Aging: A Personal Reflection on Perceived Age

The realization of aging often sneaks up on us, not through a dramatic diagnosis, but through subtle, everyday interactions. For Gustavo Menéndez, a journalist who has spent years observing the world through the lens of words, this realization struck in a pharmacy.

A Moment of Clarity

The incident occurred when a pharmacy employee, while attending to him, casually asked, “¿Tiene PAMI usted? ¿no?” (Do you have PAMI? Don’t you?). PAMI is Argentina’s state-run healthcare provider for retirees and pensioners. The question, delivered with an almost dismissive air, implied that at 62, Menéndez had crossed an invisible threshold into “old age.” This seemingly innocuous question, aimed at him while he was purchasing medication for high blood pressure, landed with the impact of a blunt diagnosis. It was a stark reminder that age is not just a number on a birth certificate but a social construct perceived and communicated through external cues.

The Weight of Words

As someone whose profession revolves around language, Menéndez understands the power of words. He notes that certain terms, while not outright insults, carry a negative weight and contribute to the aging process in perception. He consciously avoids using words like “anciano” (elderly) or “sexagenario” (sexagenarian) in his digital publication, opting for the less offensive, though perhaps overused, “adultos mayores” (older adults). He recognizes that these linguistic choices shape how individuals are viewed and how they view themselves.

Societal Perceptions and Stereotypes

Menéndez elaborates on the subtle ways society categorizes older individuals. He observes people in queues outside banks, discussing prostate issues in hushed tones, their conversations punctuated by repeated “What?” due to auditory changes. These are the subtle signals that, even before hitting retirement age, suggest a transition into a different phase of life, one that comes with certain assumptions and unsolicited advice. Discounts, special recommendations, and even the way people adjust their volume when speaking to them, all contribute to this perceived fragility.

The “Carrot” of Work

Despite these societal cues, Menéndez finds his own counter-narrative in work. He believes that the key to combating the passage of time lies in continued engagement and activity. When asked by his younger physiotherapist how he maintains his fitness, he shared his simple recipe: “la zanahoria delante” (the carrot in front), a metaphor for having a goal or motivation to keep moving forward. He contrasts this with the common phrases used to justify a slower pace, such as “Ya estamos grandes” (We’re already old) or “Hay que saber retirarse” (One must know when to retire).

A Generational Divide

The generational gap in perception is further highlighted by an anecdote where Menéndez was mistaken for the father of a much younger woman he was having coffee with. The waitress’s assumption, delivered with the same natural certainty as the pharmacist’s, underscored the pervasive societal tendency to categorize based on age appearance. The discomfort wasn’t in the confusion itself, but in the effortless way the assumption was made.

The Digital Mirror

Even the digital world reflects these age-related shifts. Advertisements that once targeted travel, sneakers, or books have now shifted to retirement plans, joint supplements, and hearing aid promotions. The algorithms, like the people around us, are signaling a transition, often leaving Menéndez feeling a step behind in the rapid pace of technological interaction.

A Constant Pace

Menéndez contrasts the current digital speed with his early days in journalism, working with manual typewriters and the distinct smell of lead in print shops. He associates speed with a different era, a different rhythm. He even observes that in contemporary society, even the grieving process seems accelerated, with brief viewings and hurried goodbyes, suggesting a collective rush that leaves little room for reflection.

Datos clave

This personal reflection serves as a potent reminder that age is not just a biological fact but a complex interplay of societal perceptions, personal attitudes, and the language we use. For Menéndez, the journey of aging is an ongoing narrative, one he chooses to write with continued activity and a conscious effort to define his own pace.

Fuente: Clarin Deportes – Mundos íntimos. “Tiene Pami, usted, no?”, me dijeron en la farmacia. En ese momento supe que había empezado a envejecer. https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/mundos-intimos-pami-usted-dijeron-farmacia-momento-supe-empezado-envejecer_0_w6FHWUOS3L.html