General Chat

One of the things you notice when you retire is that you loose the status you had at work. would that be important to you, or was it important to you? Is that why retired people take up posts like Parish councillors, school governors etc.

I have to admit that when i retired, for a while I felt I was a non person. These days I am happy to have reverted to 'housewife' but if anyone asks me my occupation (i.e. for surveys etc) I still say 'retired Civil servant'. Is that strange?

Ann
Glos

Hello Ann,

No it isn't strange at all, you are still a valued member of the community and why shouldn't you be proud of what you achieved in your working career.

I used to work as a manager in a Leisure Centre and an Aerobic Instuctor... not particularly wonderful, but I knew many, many people from it and it actually made me feel special when people said hello in the street or the shops.
I left that industry six years ago, now have a brain dead job and don't know anyone anymore... so I do voluntary work with the ambulance service... at least I get the chance to help someone and it gives me a sense of purpose.

Does that make sense? Gawd, I could waffle for England... I have been on my own all day and bored stiff LOL

See what you mean !! Conversationally I always say I was an Accountant before I retired and retrained from a Pharmaceutical Buyer so people dont think i was a complete DIV.
Shouldnt really matter tho.
I only put retired on any survey type thing i fill in.

Shirley

Yes, i think it is because I instinctively feel that people think now I am retired I left my brain where I worked!!!

When I think of the effort that goes into working out who was born where to whom and who married who and when I know I still have a brain!!

I am a school governor and am most certainly not retired - I find the comment a bit rude because most school governors actually have something to bring to the table and are not just doing something because they have nothing better to do!
Most school governors do a tremendous job!

Ooooohhh Errol, I'm sure Ann didn't mean to sound derogatory..

I have been on many committees and I have a few years yet... But time is a factor and I only have achieved being on the committees because I worked shifts at the time.

ANN
Absolutely!!! and we have to have an active brain still working out where each fitted in ,especially when we see obvious errors,

Errol I,m sure Ann didn't mean it how you thought.

I retired in 1998 and have been a committee member for five years on my old Girls School Association.
Brought back many memories of being at Grammer School, Haberdashers Askes Hatcham Girls School New Cross London,in the 1940s-1950,s

I,m sure many Governors bring a great deal to the table

My grandfather's death cert has "retired club warden" on it, so I guess he held a lot of stock by his status. God knows what I'll say when I retire LOL.

Incidentally, can I retire from my FM too? LOL

More seriously, I think that it's similar with 'some' unemployed/disabled people. I know that I have gained a lot from my voluntary work over the last couple of years, even though it also caused me stress. I know at least one other who is similar to me who does voluntary work as a way to get out there and have friends and keep the brain active as well as to contribute something to society so we don't feel completely useless.

Oh Errol, don't be so quick to take offence, it was just an example. of course I am not putting school governors down, most of them do a great job. I myself joined a committee when i retired, not consciously because I was looking for status and I hope I do a good job. Gosh you can't say anything on here without somebody taking it personally. Nothing against parish councillors either in case somebody else is waiting in the wings to jump on me. why couldn't you hahve just joined in the debate and disagreed Errol

Liz, i think you are probably right. On our committee it is mainly disabled people and they love to have a 'place' in society where they can use their brains.

Ann
Glos

going to bed now so wont be here to delete if it gets out of hand.

Ann, I agree, i think status matters to many people, for whatever reason,

Caz xxxxxxxx

the thing I can't stand is retired service people who continue to use the title Major, or Colonel - absolutely ridiculous - there is nothing wrong with just plain Mr!!!

I'll tell you better next week Ann - lol

Jac

XXX

Yes I have my bus pass but as an artist I dont get to retire just go on weilding my paintbrush to my grave !

Ann GG, I suppose people who have worked hard to earn Major or Colonel feel a need to hold on to that achievement the same way a Doctor remains a DR. so and so, even when retired. I think I'd want to hang on to it too.

Ann (glos), it stops me feeling like just another unemployed person. And hopefully one day the FM will improve enough to allow me back into the work force so I'll be able to show that I've not lost touch so to speak.

Couldn't give a damm personally. Anyone asks meI just say "Retired" and SKI but working as a voluntary Case Worker for SSAFA Forces Help.

I served in the Army 16 years from age 15. Then 23 years at local College several different senior admin posts was NALGO rep' for a few years, Health & Safety rep for local NALGO, Thrift Sec' etc. My last 8 years working incl being a a College Gov'. Served on a Royal Society of Arts committee for few years. But thats all in the past, usually only time it gets mentioned is when I get contacted by old army mates who like to know wot I did with my life after quitting the army.

Sooooooo really the only 'status' that matters to me is that I'm still alive, still active (I'm 67) and doing a bit of charity work

And They Ask---Why I Like Retirement???? Question: How many days in a week? Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
Question: When is a retiree's bedtime? Answer: Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch . Question: How many retirees to change a light bulb? Answer: Only one, but it might take all day. Question: What's the biggest gripe of retirees? Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done .
Question: Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors? Answer: The term comes with a 10% percent discount.
Question: Among retirees what is considered formal attire? Answer: Tied shoes.
Question: Why do retirees count pennies? Answer: They are the only ones who have the time.
Question: What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire? Answer: NUTS!
Question: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage? Answer: They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids will want to store stuff there .
Question: What do retirees call a long lunch? Answer: Normal
Question: What is the best way to describe retirement? Answer: The never ending Coffee Break.
Question: What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree? Answer: If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.
Question: Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the people he used to work with? Answer: He is too polite to tell the whole truth
Question: What do you do all week?Answer: Monday to Friday; Nothing. Saturday & Sunday I rest.
Share this one with all the retirees that you know. I'm sure they can relate to some of them! AND, If you have not yet retired, look what you have to look forward to.
Happiness is a voyage, not a destination, there is no better time to be happy than... NOW !