Everytime I need something to say to a person over 60, I strike up a weather topic. They get really excited and talk about the temperature/precipitation/cloud cover for approximately 10minutes.
Can any of you explain this? It's like they have nothing else to talk about.
haha, my Dad is the same way. I don't mind too much because it's one of the few things we can talk about. I just mention the weather and he goes off for a few minutes talking about the past few days, today's weather, and the 10 day forecast. He also checks the weather multiple times a day, and it obviously occupies his thoughts quite a bit. I think it's funny. I've noticed the same thing with other older people. Maybe it was just the thing to talk about back in the day.
Hey, old guys, why are you so boring?
First of all, 40-45 years ago, which I remember clearly, old people talked about the weather much more than young people did. As old people now are simply yesterday's young people, the question is what happens to increase that interest?
I can think of a few things:
1) Old people are retired, so they don't have work to talk about. Don't you talk more about the weather on the weekends?
2) Old people often have physical pain or discomfort related to the weather, so it is like being a runner with an injury coming on, or feeling better, he talks about it.
3) Old people forget more things and get more facts wrong that when they were young on many topics. Weather is simple and right in front of them, so much easier to be correct in the comment. It's also something that was around when they were young and is consistent with long term memories.
4) Old people value the basics more, such as being alive for another day. The story of the day is sunrise, sunset and the weather. It's on their mind, so they talk about it.
5) Light, warmth, a cool breeze, rain, thunder are like youth and energy. They get it externally, when the internal supplies are dwindling. Younger people can alter their environment much more easily by physical activity, such as warming up with a run and feeling the breeze along the way. For the older people, the changes are from the weather.
Oh, left this off the list somehow, the very obvious one:
6) Older people often are at a loss to come up with conversation topics that they have in common with younger people. The weather is an easy one, as it is an obviously shared experience. The interchanges also harken back to how old people used to relate to them.
it's not just old folks, whenever i find myself having to go through a polite conversation with someone i barely know i bring up the weather.
no matter your religion, politics, or favorite sports team, everyone pretty much feels the same about the weather.
you must have nothing else to talk about.
Jim: hey, it's pretty cold outside
Creepy Steve: yeah, it is
Jim: Maybe it will snow
Creepy Steve: yeah, maybe so
Jim: alright, see you later
Creepy Steve: cool
well that was awesome
Growing Older wrote:
Oh, left this off the list somehow, the very obvious one:
6) Older people often are at a loss to come up with conversation topics that they have in common with younger people. The weather is an easy one, as it is an obviously shared experience. The interchanges also harken back to how old people used to relate to them.
This is true. When old people are with each other they talk about what medications they are on.
I am 59 and can't say that the weather interests me anymore than it ever did but I worked outside for 34 years before I retired and I did think about the weather. Before the internet you just had to listen to the radio or tv to hear about it. It is a conversation starter and affects everyone. I think maybe the threat of storms do scare me more but then again our house has been hit twice by lightening. How about the big storm that just hit the Midwest?? Ha!
It's because of global warming. They like to reminisce about "The Big Freeze" back in '79, the big blizzard in '63, etc. Because of global warming, we don't get as many severe winter weather events nowadays.
yeah dude, that's how it goes. as i said, when i have to go through a polite conversation with someone i barely know i bring up the weather.
it's because i'm not really interested in talking to the person. i'm sure the old folks you've encountered feel the same way.
Well, of course cold people will talk a lot about the weather. Ehh, what's that you say, sonny?
My father in law is obsessed with the slightest possibility of snow. He will mention it when there is a chance of flurries 5 days in advance. I am always like "yeah so?" but he seems worried about it.
deez nuts wrote:
you must have nothing else to talk about.
Jim: hey, it's pretty cold outside
Creepy Steve: yeah, it is
Jim: Maybe it will snow
Creepy Steve: yeah, maybe so
Jim: alright, see you later
Creepy Steve: cool
well that was awesome
I don't know, everyone seems to think the weather is such a stupid thing to talk about, but I've actually had it incorporated into some decent conversations. I'm a young person, too.
I dunno, OP, didn't you START the conversation with the 60-year-old by talking about the weather.
My brother has been fascinated about talking about the weather since he was about 7.
Anyway, in answer to your question, there's this thing called arthritis....
I'm 30 and I love talking about the weather. I am completely fascinated by it. I'll be really annoying when I'm 60!
Bad weather affects older people more than younger people. Therefore it is a topic of conversation.
Maybe these old people are not spending all day sitting in climate controlled comfort and wasting time on the computer?
Look, they're just waiting for the shuffleboard forecasts
Fishing Instructor wrote:
Maybe these old people are not spending all day sitting in climate controlled comfort and wasting time on the computer?
my day is split 50/50 in and out. so, go f*ck yourself.
When it's 105° outside: "Hot enough for you?" Or sometimes: "Why did you let it get so hot?"