How Not to Look Old

Great topic and interesting article. One thing I would point out: ageism in the workplace is not limited to women.

When I was around 44 I found myself out of work as a result of start-up not quite starting-up and the VCs coming in and bolting the door. As a career advertising/marketing guy, I soon found myself interviewing with folks in their late twenties, early thirties. I can tell you for a fact that they took one look at me and in their mind said "this guy is too old".

Illegal? Yes? Does it happen? All the time. I pounded the pavement for over a year. Finally I decided to wash out the gray around my temples and, bingo, first interview I went to I got the job.

Ageism isn't only a factor in landing a gig, it's a factor in getting promoted as well. Here in Big Corporation, there's an unwritten rule that men over 40 are no longer considered candidates for executive positions, unless they are already on the "executive" track. That's not to say that men over 40 don't get executive positions, but they are identified early in the careers as executive material and groomed as such. It's also not to say that men over 40 aren't hired into Big Corporation as executives all the time. In fact, a typical strategy for those that are over 40, and are not on the executive track, is to leave the company for awhile, then come back and negotiate a new package.

Big Corporation was recently sued by older employees for what was viewed as a discriminatory change in pension plans. Big Corporation prevailed, but now, in the official "diversity" training we all are required to attend, age is receiving more focus. However, I been around Big Corporation long enough to know that it's just lip service. Hell, Big Corporation claims to be on the leading edge with regard to diversity, and MLK day isn't even a company holiday.

So - is looking young important to career success - for both men and women? Well, if you're not a professor emeritus, or a symphony conductor, or a professional bag lady, us TBDers would be fooling ourselves to pretend that it isn't.

Washing out the gray helped me get the gig with Big Corporation, but...I haven't washed it out since. Hmmm. Maybe I'll skate on over to the "sexless marriages" group now. Maybe all I need to do is wash away that gray!

Would I like to look younger? Sure, why not.

It would enhance the fantasies I'd have about women I would never actually hit on even if I had the chance.

That said, I have learned that it really doesn't matter how I look. At the end of the day, life more responds to who I am.

For me, a woman can walk through the door who, at first glance, strikes me has a hot babe. Five minutes later, if I find out she's a jerk, a dolt or whatever, she's ugly no matter what her externalities. The reverse also applies (plain gets hot when the who she is attracts me).

So, from my perspective, paying someone for some bodywork probably rarely makes good sense.

What I have found to be the most effective stance against ageism in the workplace boils down to these actions;

1. quit talking about the past and start talking about the future

2. a consistent display of youthful energy. That may require a major commitment to exercise, yoga, whatever, but it works.

3. your ability to deliver continued value to the firm. Entitlement is no longer valid

I did read about it and it reminded me of the latest insult to my age group. Since when did paper-white teeth become such a desirable marker of youth? And why? I suppose because there's stuff they can sell you to fix it. Not to get too Marxist about it, but capitalism depends partly on making you feel bad about yourself in order to create a market for remedies. Every era has its own distinctive "problem" that a product can solve. In the 50's it was body odor.

Now it's yellow teeth. What next?

Ha Ha Ha ....If somebody has to read a book on how not to look old, they are in big trouble already..!

Here are the three secrets to not looking old..

#1 ..Don't act old ..think young

#2 ..Keep your body in shape and excersize, all the time

#3 ..You are what you eat !!

This works for male and female !!

As for me .. my wife "loves my tight bunns" because I can squeeze into a great pair of jeans ! My Dr. just finished my "bumper to bumper" 60 year physical. He said I am as healthy as can be and my "tests" are more of man in his 40's.

I can not stress enough that a balanced diet, no salt and significantly reduced animal fat (butter) will go a long way to keep you looking young and healthy.

I'll check back in with you on my 100th birthday !

Froggy

A little unfair too, some people cannot use these whitening products, due to sensitivity or other reasons. It often seems that some people are trying to be replicas of each other, me I go for personal style.

Gordon it's a good theory, one I have not seen in practice, I have seen women with 25 years on the job, who always dressed current, seemed youthful, went with all the changes, taught others the changes to computers, or anything, were always positive, but first to go when bank wants to save money.

Top people seem to always cut lower levels, instead of cutting their salaries, or bonuses. At the bank where I work an upper mgt. person screwed up big time, with payroll computers, some of our cheques were not right for months. Plus they messed up our benefits when switching to a new carrier, we did not have full coverage for a year, and had to get every dentist appt. approved by the bank, not an ins. co. for a year. Did they get their million + bonus - yes. Did lower levels get a raise - no.

I agree with most of what you wrote. I also work for Big Corporation. My Corporation also looks for the bright young ones to groom for the high road. I have personally seen young men go from punching a clock to driving a lexus. I am not exaggerating on that staement. My corporation though has one heck of an educational program that I have taken advantage of. Being in my late 40's with multiple degrees I am fortunate that I can apply for jobs that I want and at times I get them. Also I keep myself in shape. I still have a 33" waist no gray hair yet getting thin on top. I feel you need to show you are both scholastically and physically motivated in the corporate world to get recognized. Of course I could be wrong with everything that I just wrote.

Take Care