Not Logged in.
Book Jacket

Florence Gordon


A wise and entertaining novel about a defiant 75-year-old woman determined to ...
Summary and Reviews
Excerpt
Reading Guide
Author Biography

Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Created: 08/31/15

Replies: 24

Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pauj's Gravatar
pauj

Join Date: 04/26/14

Posts: 56

Has aging changed how you relate to people?

As you age, how have your priorities changed? Can you relate to any of Florence ' s characteristics?


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
asha

Join Date: 05/01/13

Posts: 44

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

YES!

It has become less important to appeal and make 'nice' with everyone.
It has also made me less reactive other people's idiosyncrasies!


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melindah

Join Date: 12/25/12

Posts: 52

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Absolutely! Although I certainly like it when people like me, I am not so concerned about that any longer. Like Florence, there are a few people who are extremely important to me, but I don't always extend that level of concern and interest to the more ancillary acquaintances.


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jillf

Join Date: 07/30/13

Posts: 22

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

yes! I've realized that I can't make everyone happy all the time. I am who I am and I can't tolerate bs or dishonesty. I treat others with respect and honesty and expect the same from others in my life. I don't have time for drama or manipulation.


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
tracyd

Join Date: 05/31/15

Posts: 30

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Yes! Like jillf, I know I can't make everyone happy all the time. I just try to be respectful of others.


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Babsg

Join Date: 09/25/14

Posts: 18

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Most definitely! I find I am much more tolerant.


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JAKL1

Join Date: 12/06/12

Posts: 55

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Aging has changed to how I relate to people. I find myself being more relaxed around people. I find I listen more and react less. Ah the joys of getting old. Life is Good....


Posted Aug. 31, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jww

Join Date: 05/31/11

Posts: 166

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Aging has changed how I relate to people. I accept them for who they are. I don't care if they accept me. However, that being said, I am not rude. I treat people as I wish to be treated. I do not always think of my self first because, with age, I have learned that I am not nearly as important as I once may have thought. And neither is anyone else!! I'm too old to do things I don't want to do but I respect others for still wanting to do those things. I am not Florence. She was so convinced of her superiority that she treated others with disdain and rudeness. She lost out on so much by being 'true to herself'. I don't think she was true to herself. I think she was too self-centered to take the time to know and care about others.


Posted Sep. 01, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianaps

Join Date: 05/29/15

Posts: 460

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Absolutely!! I find myself cutting to the core of issues rather then listing to all the nonsense that comes with it. I have come to realize that we are all damaged in some way and forgiveness is easier.


Posted Sep. 01, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynnw

Join Date: 09/01/11

Posts: 166

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

I no longer have the need to be a people pleaser and if someone doesn't want to be a friend, well that's their choice.


Posted Sep. 02, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Yes. I know that I can't please everyone or make them happy, so take less responsibility in trying to do so. I realize that all I really have control over is myself and how I respond to situations.


Posted Sep. 03, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianem

Join Date: 10/25/12

Posts: 65

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Yes. I think I'm less patient with people but I'm also more sympathetic to elderly people.


Posted Sep. 04, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
heatherf

Join Date: 11/13/14

Posts: 17

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

I agree with all of the above!


Posted Sep. 04, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Totally interesting comments from one and all and I pretty much agree with everyone. I am much pickier about the things I get involved in as they must truly interest me and if any group starts getting too involved in bickering and back stabbing I am gone. I have acquired a total aversion to confrontation and am no longer very easy to talk into doing things I really do not want to. Getting older has some physical limitations but is very freeing in many ways.


Posted Sep. 07, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Mary J

Join Date: 04/26/15

Posts: 37

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Yes, I think I am more tolerant of others. At the same time, I am not afraid to speak up to injustices.


Posted Sep. 07, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LindaB.

Join Date: 06/11/14

Posts: 80

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

I don't feel the need to be liked by everyone and I am more tolerant in some ways; in other ways I'm not. I have less tolerance for bad drivers and people in stores that shuffle along in the middle of an aisle.


Posted Sep. 07, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LindaB.

Join Date: 06/11/14

Posts: 80

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

I am also more apt to speak up for myself, and others, than when I was younger.


Posted Sep. 08, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Like Florence I have less patience/time for nonsense, for things/people who do not interest me, for ignorance and for waiting. I am more inclined to say no, to not be a people pleaser - live is just to short!


Posted Sep. 10, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
donnac's Gravatar
donnac

Join Date: 03/26/14

Posts: 139

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Yes. Getting older has changed the way I relate to people because it has changed how I relate to the world in general. I have always been a big picture person. From childhood I have always striven to understand the reasons for, the causes of everyday occurrences. Aging has only served to exacerbate that. I have zero tolerance for gossip and hashing over individual events, preferring to try to put things and people into a larger - even global - perspective. So if somebody wants to "dish" I will be polite but try as quickly a possible to nudge the conversation toward looking at context. If they won't go there our small talk will come to fast, 'It was great seeing you. My love to your mother.' brushoff. I used to be so much better at small talk and chit chat. No more. Life is too short.


Posted Sep. 15, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
andreab

Join Date: 07/29/14

Posts: 101

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Definitely! I know what is important to me and know that I only want to spend time and energy with the people who matter to me and the things I love. I am less willing to pretend to enjoy things. I have not yet reached the point that I totally don't care what others think but I'm going in that direction...


Posted Sep. 16, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mariannes

Join Date: 12/17/12

Posts: 206

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Absolutely. I'm much more accepting of other people and I don't think I need to try to change them. This in turn has made me relaxed with people. I've had to work at some things in myself, like not saying everything that pops into my head.


Posted Sep. 16, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
HighTekky

Join Date: 04/17/12

Posts: 6

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Definitely! My priorities have changed; I've learned to be less concerned with what other people think or do, and focus on following my own path and being grateful for the many blessings I enjoy. I'm more apt to let petty obstacles or injustices go, and not stress myself or dwell on them. Above all, I try to stay calm and practice kindness whenever possible.


Posted Sep. 17, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
franee

Join Date: 01/22/15

Posts: 6

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Aging has made me more appreciative and accepting of people in my personal and public life. I realize we all have a history that influences our perceptions and interactions. I think maybe Florence had not reached that level of acceptance for whatever reason. The story may have ended differently if written by a woman.


Posted Sep. 17, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
deeh

Join Date: 03/03/12

Posts: 239

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

Oh, yes. Aging has given me much more freedom to express my opinions and not fear the reactions of others. However, getting older has made me realize that everyone has a story to tell and I have learned to be a more careful listener. As far as Florence is concerned, she considered her opinions to be more valuable than those of others and I think that cost her dearly (although she may not have realized her loss).


Posted Oct. 15, 2015 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marianned

Join Date: 07/02/15

Posts: 100

RE: Has aging changed how you relate to people?

For sure. I'm more outspoken than I was years ago, but I'm also more tolerant of others and their viewpoints because I have learned to value different personality types that process information differently. That has made me more patient, not so quick to cut someone off or insist that I am right (although the temptation to do that is still part of my personality).


Reply

Please login to post a response.