fab
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HOW OLD ARE YOU ?I hope this would not be too private, but I'd be curious to see what you be the average age of the people here. I'm 28.
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Pauline
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I'm 14. I will be 15 in february.
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Benjamin [inactive]
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I'm 17. I will be 18 next April.
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Fredrik
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24
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Deborah
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I am the grande dame: 56
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Loic
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22. I remember Kirk is just a couple of days younger than I am.
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Porthos
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I just barely turned 17.
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Uriel
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34
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Harrenys Targaryen
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I am 19. I turn 20 on the next solstice.
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KSa
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32.
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André in Zuid-Afrika
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43
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KSa
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For now, the average age is 28 
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David
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15
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Benjamin [inactive]
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What?!?!?  I don't know what I'd expected, but the idea that you might be younger than me had never crossed my mind.
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patriccke
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32
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KSa
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Like me
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Benjamin [inactive]
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Actually, KSa, you're rather younger than I'd expected as well. For some reason, I'd thought that you were about 60.
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KSa
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| Benjamin wrote: | | Actually, KSa, you're rather younger than I'd expected as well. For some reason, I'd thought that you were about 60. |
Until recently they'd been thinking I were an old lady, and it turns out I'am a you... middle-aged man!
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Benjamin [inactive]
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Ah no, I always knew you were a man. I'm not sure why — I just did, somehow (I can't remember you mentioning it either).
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André in Zuid-Afrika
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| Benjamin wrote: | | Actually, KSa, you're rather younger than I'd expected as well. For some reason, I'd thought that you were about 60. |
Ben, you really should pay more attention!  I've always assumed KSa to be a man in his thirties, possibly early forties.
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Benjamin [inactive]
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Actually, I think the reason why I thought he was about 60 was because his social and religious attitudes would be quite typical for someone in their 60s here (maybe not in Poland, I don't know), but rather unusual for someone in their 30s. That's not meant as an insult, by the way.
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Deborah
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Fab, are you going to calculate the mean, median and mode? The mean will be quite misleading as an average because of my age.
Although I had KSa's gender wrong, I did have the right age.
David, you're a surprise.
patriccke, I love your avatar!
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Loic
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I second Deborah. Lovely new avatar, Patriccke. It has been awhile since we last saw your face.
I always thought Ksa was in his late 20s. I have underestimated his age then.
Now, that explains why he learnt Russian at school.
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Uriel
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| KSa wrote: | | Benjamin wrote: | | Actually, KSa, you're rather younger than I'd expected as well. For some reason, I'd thought that you were about 60. |
Until recently they'd been thinking I were an old lady, and it turns out I'am a you... middle-aged man! |
WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP, YOUNG MAN, YOU'RE YOUNGER THAN ME! DON'T YOU DARE CALL US MIDDLE-AGED!!!!!   
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KSa
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| Uriel wrote: | | KSa wrote: | | Benjamin wrote: | | Actually, KSa, you're rather younger than I'd expected as well. For some reason, I'd thought that you were about 60. |
Until recently they'd been thinking I were an old lady, and it turns out I'am a you... middle-aged man! |
WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP, YOUNG MAN, YOU'RE YOUNGER THAN ME! DON'T YOU DARE CALL US MIDDLE-AGED!!!!! |
Ureil: I really wanted to do so, but if we call ourselves young how should we describe Porthos, Pauline, Benjamin et consortes?
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patriccke
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Kids, newborns, foetuses, ovocytes, whatever... but Uriel is right WE are young!!!
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KSa
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| patriccke wrote: | | Kids, newborns, foetuses, ovocytes, whatever... but Uriel is right WE are young!!! |
OK. 2 voices against 1. Thus, we democratically decided WE ARE YOUNG!
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KSa
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| Benjamin wrote: | | Actually, I think the reason why I thought he was about 60 was because his social and religious attitudes would be quite typical for someone in their 60s here (maybe not in Poland, I don't know), but rather unusual for someone in their 30s. That's not meant as an insult, by the way. |
Yes, that's true that it's unusual for someone in their 30s or younger. From my experience - I spent quite significant amount of time in Western Europe to carefully analyze it - I conclude that it's mostly because young people have only one option: liberal outlook. Conservative, traditional outlook is either mocked or banned. The minority of the young people who are conservative in terms of social or religious attitudes are reserved and reluctant to come out so as not to be subject to ostracism. They simply don't want to be punched in the head with a stick which is called "political correctness".
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Benjamin [inactive]
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| KSa wrote: | | From my experience - I spent quite significant amount of time in Western Europe to carefully analyze it - I conclude that it's mostly because young people have only one option: liberal outlook. Conservative, traditional outlook is either mocked or banned. |
Yes, I find that that is generally the case here. Essentially almost all younger people I know here have a 'liberal outlook'. Of course, I know some younger people here who support the Conservative Party, but that's mainly for economic reasons such a support for a more laissez-faire economic policy, belief in lower government spending and lower taxes etc. The Conservative Party don't really emphasise socially conservative policies any more — they can't afford to because it will lose them votes. Indeed, their leader, David Cameron, recently mentioned his support for gay unions at their party conference the other month.
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Julian
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Answering the original question: 30
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André in Zuid-Afrika
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| Julian wrote: | | Answering the original question: 30 |
Ha! So I was right about your age!
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Julian
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| André in Zuid-Afrika wrote: | | Julian wrote: | | Answering the original question: 30 |
Ha! So I was right about your age! |
 Did you have a bet going?
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André in Zuid-Afrika
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| Julian wrote: | | André in Zuid-Afrika wrote: | | Julian wrote: | | Answering the original question: 30 |
Ha! So I was right about your age! |
Did you have a bet going? |
No, I just thought you must be about 29-30 years old.
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David
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| Benjamin wrote: |
What?!?!? I don't know what I'd expected, but the idea that you might be younger than me had never crossed my mind. |
Yeah, I knew it would be a little shocking to some of you. I think I am the youngest here.
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Uriel
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| KSa wrote: | | Uriel wrote: | | KSa wrote: | | Benjamin wrote: | | Actually, KSa, you're rather younger than I'd expected as well. For some reason, I'd thought that you were about 60. |
Until recently they'd been thinking I were an old lady, and it turns out I'am a you... middle-aged man! |
WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP, YOUNG MAN, YOU'RE YOUNGER THAN ME! DON'T YOU DARE CALL US MIDDLE-AGED!!!!! |
Ureil: I really wanted to do so, but if we call ourselves young how should we describe Porthos, Pauline, Benjamin et consortes?
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Call them what they are: teenagers. Children. Older children, but not adults yet, until they reach their majority.
You and I are adults in our prime!
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David
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| loic wrote: | | 22. I remember Kirk is just a couple of days younger than I am. |
Has Kirk rejoined LangCafe?
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Uriel
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Haven't seen him. See how people are when they get a new job? First Frances abandoned us, now Kirk....
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David
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| Uriel wrote: | | Haven't seen him. See how people are when they get a new job? First Frances abandoned us, now Kirk.... |
What job did Kirk get? From what I remember he was still in college studying linguistics.
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Deborah
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| David wrote: | | What job did Kirk get? From what I remember he was still in college studying linguistics. |
He got a linguistics-related job in San Francisco, and though I don't know what it is, one of my co-workers used to have a linguistics-related job at his work address and says he must work for the same company she did. Unfortunately, I don't recall what the work is that she said the company does!
However, we are going to meet for coffee on Wednesday, so I will be sure to commit this information to memory and let you all know. Or maybe Kirk will find time to let you know himself.
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Elaine
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26.
| David wrote: | | loic wrote: | | 22. I remember Kirk is just a couple of days younger than I am. |
Has Kirk rejoined LangCafe? |
I've seen him around here for brief milliseconds. I don't know what that's all about.
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fab
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| Quote: | Call them what they are: teenagers. Children. Older children, but not adults yet, until they reach their majority.
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Yes, but which majority ? Here in France the majority is at 18, so Benjamin is almost Adult for me.
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Joanne
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27.
| Deborah wrote: | | However, we are going to meet for coffee on Wednesday, so I will be sure to commit this information to memory and let you all know. Or maybe Kirk will find time to let you know himself. |
How did that coffee date go, Deborah? Or maybe you two are still having coffee, seeing how it's still afternoon over there?
| Elaine wrote: | 26.
| David wrote: | | loic wrote: | | 22. I remember Kirk is just a couple of days younger than I am. |
Has Kirk rejoined LangCafe? |
I've seen him around here for brief milliseconds. I don't know what that's all about. |
I think we ought to get prizes for spotting the Kirk, Elaine! Once, I even managed to PM him before he vanished. The man pops in and out like a ... well, at the moment I can only think of a prairie dog, but that has a gross connotation, so I don't think that simile is very appropriate when it comes to Kirk. 
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Elaine
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| Joanne wrote: | | I think we ought to get prizes for spotting the Kirk, Elaine! Once, I even managed to PM him before he vanished. The man pops in and out like a ... well, at the moment I can only think of a prairie dog, but that has a gross connotation, so I don't think that simile is very appropriate when it comes to Kirk. |
Prairie dog! Haha. What is that kiddie arcade game where you try to bash the little critters over the head with a mallet before they quickly go back under? Are those critters prairie dogs? Well, that's exactly what it's like trying to spot Kirk in this forum.
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Joanne
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Hmm, I've never been on the prairie, so I don't actually know what a prairie dog looks like! (Let's ask Uriel ) I always thought those arcade whosiewhatsits were subway rats or something. Bop the subway rats on the head...makes sense, right?
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Elaine
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I remember it now-- it's called "Whac-a-mole".
Also available as a boardgame.
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Lazar
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Like Benjamin, I'll be 18 next April.
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Uriel
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| Joanne wrote: | | Hmm, I've never been on the prairie, so I don't actually know what a prairie dog looks like! (Let's ask Uriel ) I always thought those arcade whosiewhatsits were subway rats or something. Bop the subway rats on the head...makes sense, right? |
They are just unutterably cute -- fat little creatures about the size of a rabbit, little fat cheeks and fat bellies -- you just want to pick them up and squeeze them! (At which point they will bite you with their sharp little not-so-cute teeth and shake off a few fleas carrying bubonic plague onto you -- also not that cute). I've seen them in real life a few times -- at the zoo, and in the "wild" -- or at least, in empty dirt lots up in Albuquerque, in the middle of town.
They're actually a type of ground squirrel (no bushy tail, which is really an arboreal balancing adaptation), but they were nicknamed "prairie dogs" because they make a barking noise to warn the others in their "town" of danger:
| Quote: | Call them what they are: teenagers. Children. Older children, but not adults yet, until they reach their majority.
Yes, but which majority ? Here in France the majority is at 18, so Benjamin is almost Adult for me. |
It's 18 in the US, too, and also in the UK, I believe. Can't speak for Belgium.
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Elaine
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| Lazar wrote: | | Like Benjamin, I'll be 18 next April. |
For some reason I thought you were older.
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Walker
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I'm just here to say 25 and that's about all I have time to say. No internet connection, except here at work. 
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Deborah
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| Elaine wrote: | | Lazar wrote: | | Like Benjamin, I'll be 18 next April. |
For some reason I thought you were older. |
So did I -- quite a bit older.
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Kirk
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| Joanne wrote: | 27.
| Deborah wrote: | | However, we are going to meet for coffee on Wednesday, so I will be sure to commit this information to memory and let you all know. Or maybe Kirk will find time to let you know himself. |
How did that coffee date go, Deborah? Or maybe you two are still having coffee, seeing how it's still afternoon over there?
| Elaine wrote: | 26.
| David wrote: | | loic wrote: | | 22. I remember Kirk is just a couple of days younger than I am. |
Has Kirk rejoined LangCafe? |
I've seen him around here for brief milliseconds. I don't know what that's all about. |
I think we ought to get prizes for spotting the Kirk, Elaine! Once, I even managed to PM him before he vanished. The man pops in and out like a ... well, at the moment I can only think of a prairie dog, but that has a gross connotation, so I don't think that simile is very appropriate when it comes to Kirk. |
Haha--I just saw these comments--and Elaine, glad to know I'm a mole worthy of...whacking. Anyway, I'm trying to sign on more often :)
And, yes, Loic, you remember correctly. I'm currently at the only age in the twenties where both the numbers are the same :) Context is funny--several months ago in college I was seen as "old" because of my age (some of the incoming freshmen are still 17 for a few months, even) but at work I'm the youngest person in a company of about 200 (tho there are plenty of people in their 20s, I just happen to be the youngest). Complete reversal!
I'm not sure if I mentioned it on the old langcafé but last year in my German class we were asked a typical beginning-language-class question: "wie alt bist du?" and "wann ist dein Geburtstag?" At that point I was still 21 but was soon to turn 22 and all the (mostly younger) people in the class gasped when I said I was almost zweiundzwanzig Jahre alt. I remember remarking on the last day I was 21 that it was my last day of being that age and the people around me were like, "this is your last day of being 21? I still have to wait years to turn 21!" In diesem Moment fühlte ich ein bisschen alt...
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Akoni
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| loic wrote: | | 22. I remember Kirk is just a couple of days younger than I am. |
I'm 22 as well. Born july, 23.
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Loic
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We're going to be 23 awfully soon, all three of us.
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Akoni
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23 sounds ancient *hides*
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Deborah
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You know how so many people consider 20, 30, 40, 50, etc., to be milestones in their lives? For some reason, 23, 33 and 43 seemed to be years that felt significant to me. I don't recall anything significant happening during those years, but until I turned 33, I pretty much still felt as if I were still 23, and until I turned 43, I felt as if I were still 33. However, even though I've passed 53, I still sort of feel 43.
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Uriel
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It's all downhill after 25, guys.
Although honestly, I don't feel any differnt (or really look any different) than I did 10 years ago, so I know what you mean, Deborah. And it's not just me -- I told my age to a guy recently and he was shocked -- he'd thought I was younger than him! (He's 29.) Nope, sorry .... 
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Patrix
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Will be 25 the day after tommorrow. (Beijing time)
Am I supposed to call myself a 24 year old?
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Deborah
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Happy Birthday, Patrix, whatever age you are!
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Deborah
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Oops! I thought your post said your birthday was tomorrow, but now I see that's it's the day after tomorrow. So I got my birthday greeting in even earlier than I thought.
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Patrix
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Thank you Deborah. May you be happy every single day!
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André in Zuid-Afrika
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| Patrix wrote: |
Thank you Deborah. May you be happy every single day! |
I've put you on the birthday thread.
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Patrix
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Thank you too, André! It's very nice of you!
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Fredrik
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Age is funny. For many things, age isn't a good indicator, except for age. Although I'm 24, I'm in a way physically still in puberty (God knows I've tried, but I didn't achieve to consciously ejaculate untill one and a half years ago), so I don't feel that the stereotypical connotations of "24-year-old" apply to me.
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Fredrik
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Hehe, you didn't have to delete your funny respons, Patrix. I'm not over-sensitive, quite the contrary!
Well, I felt like celebrating it, but it seemed a somewhat odd party theme... (Though I don't think my friends would have been surprised. I have a quite undeserved reputation as a choleric voluptuary!) So I directed many heartfelt thanks to God, my faith actually got a massive confirmation, because I was not among the damned, there was a God after all! I'm probably the only guy who has experienced masturbation as a proof of divine grace!
Anyway, I celebrated with spending a year in Germany. Germany is always a treat, you know!
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Uriel
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| Fredrik wrote: | | Age is funny. For many things, age isn't a good indicator, except for age. Although I'm 24, I'm in a way physically still in puberty (God knows I've tried, but I didn't achieve to consciously ejaculate untill one and a half years ago), so I don't feel that the stereotypical connotations of "24-year-old" apply to me. |
You poor guy! 
On the bright side, it's probably kept your kleenex budget lower!
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Palomino
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Hi, I'm 35
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Andlit
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I am 28.
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ddog800
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Hey, 25 here
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Loic
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Andlit & ddog:
Looks like the majority of us here are in their 20s.
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ddog800
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| loic wrote: | Andlit & ddog:
Looks like the majority of us here are in their 20s. |
hmm, dit sou so lyk
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Daniel
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I'm 23.
I'll be 24 this December.
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Uriel
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I'll be 35 in half an hour!
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André in Zuid-Afrika
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| Uriel wrote: | | I'll be 35 in half an hour! |
And this guy says... so what!!!
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Sandman
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Kolmekymmentäyhdeksän, 39.
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