Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Monday, March 7, 2011

What Boomers Want

Recently a national news station did a segment on baby boomers that interested me. Apparently many companies are gearing their products toward the formidable buying power of a generation that is re-fashioning the idea of what it's like to be a "senior" citizen. Exactly what do baby boomers want? Since I fit in that category, I feel qualified to answer.

We want to be active. We want to feel good. We want to look attractive. Thus a large segment of current product marketing is now geared toward those who have reached the fearless fifties and above.

It's about time.

Seems like everything has been geared toward the young. Clothes, makeup, movies, you name it. Isn't it fair that we more mature, experienced, and seasoned people get our due? We may have shrinking incomes and dubious future social "security" benefits, but we still manage to spend some pretty significant money.

It costs me more now to buy special face cream, maintenance body care products, and for that trip to the hair salon. I  visit the dermatologist regularly to have my skin burned or a growth excised due to years of sitting in the sun. I take prescriptions that help keep everything in decent working order. It all costs money. But that's okay.

We can't slow down time. And while I try not to obsess about aging, I don't plan to roll over and let Father Time whack me upside the head, either. I don't think I'm different from most people my age. Who doesn't want to be at their best?

And regardless of age, I think most anyone would agree that a little primping and pampering not only makes us look better, it just plain makes us feel good, too.

Even my old Indy boy struts and prances after a visit to the groomer. As you can see, he seemed quite happy after his appointment on Saturday.

Before:


After:



 Spiffed and polished, Indy ran zoomies around the house once he got home. That indicates a happy dog.

And for the record, at my last doctor appointment, the (young) nurse practitoner looked at my chart and said, "Not that you're old or anything, but you look a lot younger than you are."

That day, I ran a few zoomies myself.

21 comments:

Kristine said...

Hahaha! I spent most of the first twenty years of my life trying to look older. Now that I am almost 30 I get offended when I don't get IDed at the liquor store. Life is so weird.

Yay for the zoomies! One is never too old or too human for them. :-)

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Kudos to you for acknowledging all of us who happen to be over 50! We sure aren't dead yet (thank goodness!) and we have made 50+ look a helluva lot better than our parents did!

Loved this!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Ever see an Oyster Shell? Ugly things they are... but INSIDE is some darned fine stuff! That is how I look at MY 63 year old bod.
You ARE how you THINK!!
Boomers ROCK!!! I'm just sayin'.

Two French Bulldogs said...

You are lookin good and keep strutin
Benny & Lily

Anonymous said...

Nice post, Pat. I prefer to think that I am not even 9 (in dog years, at least)

madx2

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I love it when someone says to me that I look younger than I am too!!!
It has been a while since we have talked. Bambi & I are celebrating our 13 years together. Please do come over and help us celebrate.
xx, Bambi & Fern

Donna Volkenannt said...

Great, uplifting post from a fellow Boomer.

Linda O'Connell said...

High five to you Pat for this post. Not that we're old or anything, but we think young. I can see you zooming.

Cattis said...

I agree. I want to look good without having to show my tummy and/or a lot of skin or wear "old peoples cloth". I want to look good and at the same time show the surroundings who I am.

Love your post

Peggy Frezon said...

You deserve to feel good after that compliment! I look younger than I am (turning the big 5-0 next week!) because I have a baby face and freckles. But I don't always feel younger than I am. Maybe a day at the spa is in order!

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Nice post! I hit the big 5-0 last year and aside from poking fun about it I haven't paid much attention to it. I'll keep up with my beauty regimen because, even the results are dubious, it makes me feel good. So, as you said...why not?

Tammy said...

Amen, sister!! I don't want to feel like I've handed the world over to a younger generation long before I'm done with it. We need to share. I'm with Indie and the zoomies.

Pup Fan said...

I agree - primping and pampering is always nice!

BECKY said...

Great post, Pat! And I agree with the young woman at your doctor's office, you definitely do NOT look your age!!

Julia Williams said...

Great post! No, we can't slow down or stop time, but we can cherish the opportunities it brings us to run zoomies.

Lynn said...

Slowing down only creates being old. My dad said he wished he'd never retired. You don't hear that often.

Deborah said...

You look great!
I'm going to be 54 and I try not to worry about the number. I feel very young!
Nice post!!!
xxoo
Deborah

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

What a great compliment - I sure would be happy!

Rudy's Raiser

An English Shepherd said...

Very sprussed up pup :-)

AngelStar said...

time is worth more than money, and beauty is worth more than time

you are beautiful

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Thanks Pat for your visit!!
Lets not lose touch OK??
Hugs, Fern