The mask of ageing

 

I was sent to see the branch manager. I wore a face mask.

Deputy Manager: We have to ascertain your age. Are you over 18?

I: ...I am middle-aged.

Deputy Manager: You know, we cannot employ you if you are under 16. This would be against the law....

I: ...I am middle-aged (actually I wanted to say, 'Well, "late-middle-aged" may be considered more correct.'). I have two children.

He looked puzzled, but quickly we talked about the weekly work schedule. I can only work part-time.

If I were still teaching the course Ageing and Gerontology, perhaps I would use this example to discuss the mask of ageing (Featherstone & Hepworth, 1991) in daily life .

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