From Michael Kellock
Wendy Zukerman reports that old folks might be grumpier than younger people because their brains have a reduced ability to cope with stress (10 April, p 10). Being in my mid-70s, I have considered the question at length. My theory is that, as we become increasingly aware of our mortality, we redefine the things that are important to us. The result is most obviously observed in our level of acquiescence to other people’s wishes.
I have mastered the art of responding truthfully to invitations to participate in what I would consider boring or annoying activities: I say that I don’t want to, rather than make up some excuse. Such reactions are deemed to be antisocial and I am labelled as being grumpy. Such is the price of honesty.
Foster, Victoria, Australia
