The difference between saying you don't care what other people think when you're 25 and saying you don't care what other people think when you're 40, is that when you're 40, you actually mean it.
At 25 you say it because you want it to be true. At 40 it is true.
When you get older you get more confident in yourself and forming your own opinions and you just don't care as much if they're the same opinions held by everyone else. Sometimes in fact, you'll find what you think is the total opposite of what everyone else in the world seems to think. And you don't care. Sometimes you'll even voice these opinions of yours out loud.
And so it is with no regret at all that I tell you ... I don't like Hitler. I really don't. I think he was a real asshole.
I also don't like jabbing my eye with an infected needle, drought, monsters, really long lines at the grocery store or being stuck in traffic when I have to pee.
At this point you're nodding your head up and down in validation. YOU feel the same way about these things! That's because I tricked you. You thought I was going to voice an opinion on something that was different than yours. I didn't. But I'm going to now.
I don't like Game of Thrones. I not only don't like it, I think it's stupid and cheesy. And stupid.
NOW we're getting somewhere. Game of Thrones has gained cult-like status the likes of which haven't been seen since somebody dropped a piece of chocolate in peanut butter.
And I don't like it. Game of Thrones I mean, I LOVE chocolate and peanut butter.
I also don't like most desserts, porn, Shakespeare, chain restaurants or sunflowers. And I don't really like hockey unless it's being played by 6-9 year olds.
I'm guessing you disagree with at least one of those things and you disagree STRONGLY. But I don't care. I don't like 'em even if they are wildly popular things. And no, I'm not saying I don't like them just because they're wildly popular. That's a favourite position for some people to take as well. Saying they don't like something ONLY because everyone else likes it. Oh really? You love breathing? I don't like it, totally overrated. I prefer an iron lung.
And then there's brussels sprouts. I hate them. Everyone knows I hate them. I've mentioned many times on this site about how I hate them. By this age I know what vegetables I like and which ones I don't. Yet ... no matter what ... any time I mention my hatred of brussels sprouts someone tries to change my mind. I just haven't cooked them right, haven't used the right recipe, haven't tried THEIR brussels sprouts. I haven't tried eating your hair either, but I can tell you right now I won't like it any more than I like eating my hair.
I can't really blame people, it's what we do. If a person doesn't like something that we like, we automatically try to convince them it's worth liking. There's a certain pride we feel after we've changed someone's mind about something because it's such a difficult thing to do.
Just try it this weekend. Try to change someone's mind about something. Not even anything explosive or controversial like abortion or politics. Just try to convince someone who doesn't like John Travolta that they actually should like John Travolta. That they could like John Travolta. Betcha can't do it. If the person happens to be under the age of 20 you might have a shot (providing they know who John Travolta is) but you won't be able to budge anyone over 40.
I have absolutely no idea where I'm going with this post or in fact if I'm going anywhere with it. I guess there isn't really a point to it.
And the beauty of being over 40? I don't care.
Lynda Boonstra
Oh the irony of the sarcastic comment that you would think you'd never find someone that would disagree with it being sarcastic.
"Oh really? You love breathing? I don’t like it, totally overrated. I prefer an iron lung."
And yet, now, there are some who could deadpan, straight up, say it and believe it. And a lot of them are 40+
Katie Rose
You really need to elaborate on this because it's under represented on the 'net.
I'm in my early 40s and I'm like "what is going on? I see my friends 1-2x a year at most and nobody really care about trivial stuff anymore?". Like some weird shift just happens and it's a whole new reality. Do friends even really exist anymore? Coworkers are more friends than friends. It's great. I feel free. I'm just so confused. Nobody talks about this. It just happens and 40 somethings and older don't even care to discuss it, because, who cares? But I do! I'm intrigued. And we learn about boundaries, narcissism, trauma, home ownership, parenting. Reality has done a 180. Again, not complaining.. just annoyed that I didn't "get it" sooner. We all want to but I guess it takes a 40 year old brain to grasp it all. I am thirsty for what's next at 50 or 60? I want more of THIS!
Karen
It'll keep getting better. :) You. Just. Don't. Care. You just aren't as bothered. ~ karen!
Melody Axe (real name, ask my Mom.)
And I don't like butterscotch.
But only on days that end with Y.
Penny Mitchell
I DETEST pork crackling. And yet . . . if ever I roast a piece of pork, it's impossible for me to NOT make the crackling as crispy and perfect as possible. The crackling-lovers I've fed agree that it's spot-on. I then cut myself a tiny piece and try it. Just in case my tastes have magically changed. Crunch, crackle, chomp . . . BLEEAGH, YECH, AGGH, spitspitspit.
What the hell is wrong with me??
Forget I asked. I don't care.
Karen
LOL. I've always wanted to try a good piece of pork cracklin'. Although I HATE pork rinds and can't figure out why anyone would ever consider that a attractive snack. But if pork cracklin' tastes anything like bacon then I'm all for it. ~ karen!