“Age is just a number,” says the well-worn adage. But is it a number you care about, or one you tend (or try) to ignore?

---

“Age is just a number”. We’d all like to believe that. But in the real world, it’s not quite that simple.

Men and women are looked at and judged by their appearances, and appearances are, in most cases, determined by age.

Yes, there are laws that outlaw age-discrimination or ageism in the workplace. But outside of these comfy confines, it’s a free-for-all.

India may pride themselves on their age-old tradition of respect  for elders. But the public transport system has not real space for older people nor does the next generation have any time for these senior citizens. When getting into a bus or train, when push comes to shove, it’s shove whoever gets in the way.

As for other aspects, in certain things biological such as giving birth, age is more than just a number. It’s a cut-off for most aspiring mothers.

What about the Generation Gap? Isn’t age a factor in there? Don’t we all find it easier to move about in circles of our own age group? Or easier to understand and chat with people of our own generation?

Ideally age ought to be just a number. But the bitter truth is, it seldom is.