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Why is it “un-ladylike” to admit one’s true age?
I think it is an american mishegas (ever notice how parents tend not to tell their kids how old they are?)
no
It’s not uinladylike, but it is rude to ask her that question (rude to ask anyone except a child, really). The thing about not telling children’s ages, Yossi Z., is NOT an American mishegas. It is a JEWISH “mishegas” (though I think people have a right to their mishegasin) that people are worried about ayin hara regarding their kids, so there are many people who will never tell you how old their kids are, or how many kids they have. I don’t hold that way, but that’s my prerogative.
My grandmother has been 21 her whole life! and my mother is still 25! I wonder how that worked out… 🙂
lol
My grandmother has been 21 her whole life!
Yes, some of my high school friends were also.
My father is still 19 …
Oomis: I was pointing out how the parent never tells the kid their age I still have yet to see someone bedavka not telling the age of the kid. How many kids my father (and I try also) is particular
Ever notice that when someone does mention how many kids they say bli ayin hara? (Or knayna hara)
For the longest of times, I always told my kids I was 97. It’s still a running joke in our household.
A few years ago, on my birthday, they got me a cake with numeral candles. The candles were of the numbers 9, 7 and ?. 🙂
The Wolf
A friend told me he was petrified when he was 66 years old, as looking from shomayim he’d seem 99!
I always thought it was because people feel like they were being measured in terms of “you’re X old, and that’s all you have to show for it?”
My take? The smallest among us have already accomplished greater milestones (learning, commitment to yiddiskeit, chesed, ect) than the the average nocri can expect to achieve in a lifetime.
We have nothing to be ashamed of, considering our scorecard.
i think it’s more a reaction to the american idolization of youth. everyone wants to look and feel young. the second we say our true age, we dispell any possibility of seeming younger than we are.
Oomis: I was pointing out how the parent never tells the kid their age I still have yet to see someone bedavka not telling the age of the kid. How many kids my father (and I try also) is particular “
Whoops, I misread what you posted. The parent who refrains from telling his children how old he is might possibly believe in the Rashi (Toldos)that explains that Yitzchak Avinu started to worry about his mortality when he reached within five years of the age at which his father died. Maybe that parent does not want his kids to start to worry after 120 years when they reach that point within five years of his age at which he is niftar. I am not saying I believe one should not tell their kids their age for such a reason, but I guess there might be people who do feel that way.
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