> # Re: Ageism & gettin wet

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> Posted by wetjumper on October 31, 2008 at 02:35:26
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> In Reply to: Ageism & gettin wet posted by muddyadidas on October 24, 2008 at 13:31:12:

> Thanks for your thought-provoking comments inspired by my post 75 (Re: "In all your clothes?"). It's great that this thread has been so lively. Sorry I didn't respond sooner.

> Yes, I'm well over 30. I look younger than my actual age, but even in 2002 it was unusual for anyone to think I was under 30, people often guessed around 35. Although the other clothed swimmers etc. at Ventnor were in their teens or twenties, I'm not sure that ageism was a major factor, but it may have contributed. I happened to be nearer and in shallower water. I think those girls were inclined to pick on someone "different", but they probably wouldn't have gone as far as to target someone visibly "old".

> I look a bit unusual, rather "nerdy", with glasses, a beard and quite long hair. I tend to enjoy myself in a quite private and introverted way, "wrapped up in myself", just doing my own thing. Often I'm not looking for lively excitement, there can be a sort of spiritual intensity to experiencing water through clothes even slowly, although getting soaked suddenly can be more physically intense. I still have some lingering inhibitions about getting wet in clothes in public - obviously less so when others are doing it too. I probably have a mild form of Asperger's - I don't entirely connect with other people in social situations (especially if they're being nuisances and trying to wind me up!), and some young people seem to recognise that I'm easy to pick on, which on rare occasions can lead to a sort of "feeding frenzy", spoiling my enjoyment with an overload of anxiety and confusion - oh, hang on, this reads as though I have far worse problems than I actually have, I'm just being a bit more introspective than usual. Usually I don't take too much notice if others react negatively, and usually they leave me alone well enough. Sometimes things go a lot better and I'll end up sharing a space and sharing smiles with other people (of whatever age) who enjoy getting soaked along with me - I wish that would happen more often. That gang of girls could have upset me, but the fact that one of them started swimming in her school clothes while I was being teased saved the day. I was happy for her. I hope she made a habit of it and opened her friends' minds!

> People of all ages do seem more accepting of young people getting wet in clothes - children, teens and twenties - than of older people doing it, and individuals' attitudes can seem to change as they get older. The same goes for some other forms of play and recreation. I've no idea why age makes such a difference, why there's this "institutionalised ageism" in society regarding having fun. It annoys me to hear comments like "you should know better at your age". Well, at my age I know this is a lifelong preference - from time to time I choose to "act my age" by doing what I've long known I enjoy, and I'll do it for as long as I'm able! I hope I know better than to have a closed mind. I may not be the best advertisement in person for this way of life, but I want to say "This is harmless and it's great fun, come and join me! And, hey, it keeps you young!" :-)

> Peter (wetjumper)

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