To those in their late 50s/early 60s.... ......I met someone the other day I hadn't seen for a...

ineedadrink · 56-60, M

I don't see anything rude about your question, especially if she had been talking about wanting more family time..

Those of us over 60 are still having to work.
Despite promises from endless governments all our working lives that if you worked hard enough for long enough you'd be able to retire, or at least slow down and start to take a little time for yourself by reducing your work hours by the time you hit our age.

But most of us are working harder and longer with the 'threat' of being made redundant a constant niggle.
So it's a touchy subject for many.

Justmeraeagain · 56-60, F

Be okay with you asking the question

Sojournersoul · M

Not a rude question at all. Nothing wrong with asking.

Gumbodidlo · 61-69, C

It's better than mistakingly asking if someone is pregnant

Sam17 · 18-21, M

Is she still working

Lugwho · 61-69, M

I'm 62 and it wouldn't offend me. I'd be delighted to retire.

MayorOfCrushtown · M

its a valid question. she might be sensitive about still having to work. you might have hit a nerve.

carpediem · M

Some people can get upset if you tell them the sun is shining. I would just ignore it. I'm over 60 and people are surprised to hear I am still working. But I enjoy my businesses and have no plans for retirement in the near future. I already do what most people wish they could when retired.

Adogslife · 61-69, M

Everyone is different. I’ll be 66 next week and wouldn’t be the least offended by the question.

I’m still working and love my job.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

Not an unreasonable question at all. Sometimes people are very touchy about their age.

PoohSmasher

She has probably been dreaming of retiring but can't afford it, and then it goes back to why she can't afford it.
Probably because she made poor decisions with her money, didn't save, kept going with that dead-end job, should have gone back to school or tried harder.. invested her money..
It turns into a public reminder that she failed and still needs to work.
Life can suck like that.

Livingwell · 61-69, M

Nothing rude about the question at all. There may be more to her story at work.

4meAndyou · F

People in the United States can retire when they are either 65 or 68, depending on their age, and collect their full social security benefits...so your friend is ridiculous for being offended.

dale74 · M

Maybe you should have asked the same question a different way like have you found a way to spend more time with your grandkids balance work life and family.

dirge · M

im sure it can be a touchy topic for many. it hits many of the big red personal areas. i imagine that she hasn't ever even stopped to consider that shes approaching retirement age. double so if shes been at the same job for a long time

nowic2 · 61-69, M

It’s a valid question. It suits some people to be offended over imagined slights

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

People might be mad because they still have to work even if they feel like it's too much for them at that age. They might express their frustration over this when being asked that question.

uncalled4 · 56-60, M

People get touchy about that subject, especially now when people are out of work. Or retirement being associated with being "old".

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

Everyone has conservative politics. You're also not supposed to go into politics. You're to support the austerity and war without mentioning the politics.