Too Old To Party

How old is too old to brag about how hard you partied?

Over the course of the year, I've been to a number of gatherings that included adults in their 50s or 60s.  These include things like game tailgates, wedding receptions, recreational outings, and your run-of-the-mill gatherings at a bar or house party.

It occurred to me recently that when reminiscing with others about these events, someone invariably talks about how they or someone else had too much alcohol to drink, and maybe did something silly or embarrassing.  While there's nothing wrong with that (as long as no one did anything illegal), this seems like a conversation that shouldn't happen that often for people over age 50.

Sure, in your 20s or 30s or even 40s, it's practically a right of youth to celebrate life to -- or even a bit beyond -- the edge.  But c'mon, bragging about partying when you're nearing retirement is something your kids should be doing, not you.  It makes the bragger seem like they've been stuck in a rut their whole life, still trying to relive the good old days when their crazy behavior was celebrated.

If a person has so little in life to be happy about they still need to try to prove their ability to drink and party too hard in their AARP years, it's time for them to let it go.  No one else really cares, and it isn't good optics those around them, both during and well after the occurrence.