I find that to be true while walking in my area on the greenway. The funny part is, it's the women my age that won't return a smile or hello. The younger people do, most but not all men do. There are four women I see almost daily who do not acknowledge other women. I always make it a point to smile and say hello to them anyway...
I do the same I say hello and smile to people even if they think I am invisible sometimes!
posted by LisaRod
about 1 month ago
If I am out walking, I am meditating while I walk and no I don't return smiles because I am focused elsewhere. I am a very focused person which is good and bad. I get everything done that needs to get done but I don't interact with others when doing it. A dear friend used to get treated like she was invisible all of the time. I finally told her to start wearing clothes that had some color other then beige or other neutral tones. She did start wearing a few other colors and hostesses and waiters and cashiers and other service people noticed her, finally.
In the play "Chicago" there is a song called, "Mr. Cellophane" that pretty much says it all. "You can look right through me...walk right by me...and never know I'm there." Yes, I do believe, for all intents and purposes, most women over 50, anyway, are invisible. Maybe men, too; I can't speak for them. I don't think it's over 40.....I had my share of attention in my 40s. But since the big 5-0.....Nada.
Now, I know I'm not a jaw-dropper, and I don't expect to get catcalls and wolf whistles anymore, but it would be nice if someone actually met my eyes now and again. Anyone....male or female. Just acknowledge me. That would be nice.
posted by usmcma
about 1 month ago
No....I haven't gotten to that point yet......I always smile and say hello and so far I have that returned......maybe it will happen someday but not now.
I've felt for a long time that I'm invisible. I've gotten to a point in my life where I'm ok with that most of the time. I live my life - I do the things I want to do. I have friends and family I spend time with.
Would i like that someone looked at me again and thought WOW - my kinda lady!! sure i would - but if it never happens - I'm ok in my own skin.
posted by Dani326
about 1 month ago
Yes, I do feel "invisible" and frankly I like it that way. I'm really not that into small talk anymore and when I am out and about I just like to concentrate on what I need to get done. Sometimes a guy in his 20's or 30's will open a door for me but that's about all the attention I get out there. I kind of see the season of being noticed as over. At 62 I probably wouldn't want that kind of attention anyway. I have kind of gotten to the point where I enjoy the company of my own thoughts.
posted by anakris
about 1 month ago
I'm wishing I could say I am invisible more transparent most likely now as a widower and on the other side of 50 a bit now as well I think I'm noticed more now than before
Feeling a little invisible right now - any ideas on how to counteract that?
posted by Lynn W.
about 1 month ago
I was comfortably invisible when I was married and living in the US. When I came to Mexico, suddenly I lost my Invisibility Cape, and it was really eerie and startling. Everyone stared at me, from kids to adults. I mean STARED! Gringo lady with white hair. Kids follow me in the smaller towns. They want to hear me speak English or my bad Spanish.
People come up to me and speak to me in the streets, in the supermarket. One guy even danced with me in the produce section while his wife was perusing the peppers. One guy commented on my hair. It is just the most bizarre thing!
I get a lot of attention here, from everyone. It is truly unsettling after being invisible all those years in the US.
