raebates
Staff member
- 18,357
I've been reading You: The Owner's Manual and You: Staying Young by Michael F Roizen, MD, and Mehmet C Oz, MD. They're really interesting. They have a lot of good advice about taking care of yourself so that you live a healthy, vital life until you die suddenly from being hit by a bus. Okay, so that's my take. Basically, the books are about making sure you know how your body works. They also have suggestions for healthy choices so you can have the energy and stamina to do whatever you want to do.
Anyway, one of the assignments is to ask three strangers how old they think I am. The point is that you should look about your actual, chronological age. If they guess more than five years older, you may want to look at how you're taking care of yourself. (My personal opinion? You also ought to have a look at your wardrobe and a talk with your hair stylist.)
Now, I'm not exactly shy, but it took me several days to (1) work up the nerve, (2) compose my question, and (3) prepare myself for offensive answers. So, yesterday I was at Wal-Mart during my lunch hour. I approached three middle-aged women* with:
The answers were 40, 43, and 46. Since I'm 45, I figure that's not too bad. The one who answered 40 told me that she would never have guessed that, and I looked very good. She then asked if I was going to try to sell her cosmetics.
If they asked, I told them my true age. Also, each of them asked what kind of an assignment it was. I told them it was a sort of life-coaching thing, which is how I've been approaching these books.
If you're feeling brave, I'd suggest you try the exercise. I found it interesting. I also found it fun to step outside my comfort zone a bit.
*I chose middle-aged women for several reasons. First, I thought most men would find the question really awkward and embarrassing. I chose middle-aged because I'm middle-aged. If you ask someone much older, they're likely to guess much younger. (Have you seen the 12-year-olds they're letting drive these days?
) If you ask someone much younger, they're likely to guess much older. After all, to many 20-year-olds there's not much difference between 40 and 60. Either way you're waaaaaaay old.
Anyway, one of the assignments is to ask three strangers how old they think I am. The point is that you should look about your actual, chronological age. If they guess more than five years older, you may want to look at how you're taking care of yourself. (My personal opinion? You also ought to have a look at your wardrobe and a talk with your hair stylist.)
Now, I'm not exactly shy, but it took me several days to (1) work up the nerve, (2) compose my question, and (3) prepare myself for offensive answers. So, yesterday I was at Wal-Mart during my lunch hour. I approached three middle-aged women* with:
Excuse me. I'm sorry to bother you, but I have an assignment I've got to complete. I'm looking for an honest answer. I promise not to be offended. I just need to know how old you would guess me to be.
The answers were 40, 43, and 46. Since I'm 45, I figure that's not too bad. The one who answered 40 told me that she would never have guessed that, and I looked very good. She then asked if I was going to try to sell her cosmetics.
If they asked, I told them my true age. Also, each of them asked what kind of an assignment it was. I told them it was a sort of life-coaching thing, which is how I've been approaching these books.
If you're feeling brave, I'd suggest you try the exercise. I found it interesting. I also found it fun to step outside my comfort zone a bit.
*I chose middle-aged women for several reasons. First, I thought most men would find the question really awkward and embarrassing. I chose middle-aged because I'm middle-aged. If you ask someone much older, they're likely to guess much younger. (Have you seen the 12-year-olds they're letting drive these days?
) If you ask someone much younger, they're likely to guess much older. After all, to many 20-year-olds there's not much difference between 40 and 60. Either way you're waaaaaaay old.
