Introduction

If you’re reading this in the office, take a look at someone you don’t know well and guess their age. Are they in their early, mid, or late 20s, 30s, or 40s? Do they look like they’re pushing 50? This is how we guess someone’s age.

We rarely say someone is “22” unless we know for sure. Instead, we say they are in their early 20s. If we want to give a specific guess, we might say: “He’s about/around 22.”

Age Vocabulary Article

There’s a saying: “Age is just a number.” But is it? If you’re in your 50s but feel like you're in your late 20s, what’s the problem? Should people be limited by their birth certificate? And when it comes to relationships, what is an acceptable age-gap?

Some people age well, while others don’t. Some look after themselves and keep in shape, while others are out of shape. This week I’m going to turn 36, which means I’m closer to 40 than 30. I’m no spring chicken, but I’m not middle-aged yet and I’m not having a mid-life-crisis.

I notice my age when teaching teens, especially when they don’t know things everyone in my age-group knows. But it also helps me be down with the kids.

We all grow up somewhere and are brought up by someone—parents, grandparents, or in some cases an orphanage. Our upbringing shapes our opinions.

Different generations have different views. Millennials are sometimes called snowflakes—soft, sensitive, and easily offended. Older people who refuse to change are sometimes called dinosaurs.

One day we’ll all retire. With a decent pension, we can enjoy retirement—if we’re still mobile and don’t end up in a care home. And remember to write/make a will… and feel free to leave me your money!