Youth or Middle-aged?
I have never pondered over this question before, until, one fine Sunday, when I went shopping at Plaza Singapura.
The hunt for a birthday gift brought me to an accessories shop at Plaza Sing. (What’s new?! I’m here every Sunday! Haha! So now you know, all my gifts were bought from here.) There was an array of glass necklaces, earrings etc. A very friendly teenybopper salesgirl bounded up to me and cheerfully asked me if I needed her service. Why not??
Ahwei: I’m looking for a birthday present for my friend. Maybe a bracelet.
Salesgirl: Let me show you some nice ones. (She brought out a few.)
Ahwei: I’m thinking of getting her something which she can wear to work and all these look too casual.
Salesgirl: Maybe you could give me a description of what your friend looks like so that I can make some recommendations.
Ahwei: Well, she is description.
Salesgirl: How old is she?
Ahwei: Around 30.
Salesgirl: Oh, she’s middle aged. I have some suirable ones for her. (She said it absolutely candidly and with conviction!!!)
Hmm….. Darn! Have I just left my youth behind and moved into middle age without knowing it?! *sob sob*
Sheesh.. I have always thought that middle age refered to at least age 40, since the expectancy of humans has stretched to age 80….
Feeling very perturbed over this, I checked an online dictionary (not only that, it’s a MEDICAL dictionary!!). Here’s what it said :
mid·dle age
n. The time of human life between youth and old age, usually reckoned as the years between 40 and 60. Also called midlife.
Source: The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
So there! I’m right!! I’m still about 10 years (if you count the lower limit and another 30 years from the upper limit) away! So I’m still a youth!!
Tsk tsk! I should buy the salesgirl a dictionary… The English standard of the young youths in Singapore is deplorable….