When you realize that you are suddenly OLD
Of course I feel very much one of the guys. At the office and at the gym, but sometimes it suddenly becomes painfully clear. That I am almost twice as old.
1. Linda, Roos and Jessica
They have never heard of her. I then try to tell something about Guusje Nederhorst, but they don't know her. So I switch to the Dinand angle. From Kane. They don't know that either. And then I feel old.
2. The guilder
Someone buys a first house and I tell about my first apartment. How expensive it was back then is the question. And then you have to admit that the purchase amount was still in guilders.
3. RTL Boulevard and Viola Holt
My beloved and I met at RTL Boulevard. To indicate that we have been together for a long time, I say that it was in the early phase. When Beau wasn't even on board yet and there was still talk of Viola Holt presenting it. Nobody knows her anymore. I then try to explain who she was. And that she was still the best-selling Playmate ever. And then you have to explain what Playboy was.
4. Flats
Young people say ballerinas. My generation says flats. Then you immediately know how old the person sitting across from you is. Just like we say ‘cool’.
5. Internet
When I started working, there was no internet. I repeat; No Internet. And also no mobile phone. You were already a big deal if you had a pager. And if you could make a little money by being smart with the numbers.
6. Spelling the alphabet
People don't do that anymore these days. That you spell Mobach with the M for Marinus, the O for Otto, and so on. I find that very outdated so I prefer the international alphabet Mike Oscar Bravo etc., but nobody understands that anymore either. Then they think that all those separate words together form your whole name.
7. The Golden Pages
You had that. And you kept it. Sometimes several editions because, well, you never know.
8. And then this
Say ‘Aaa', Full House, Who's the Boss, Lisa Bonet, Wham (THEY DON'T KNOW), Sarah Ferguson, Bas with his big newspaper bag, sleeve holders, pickup skirt, Roberto Jacketti and the scooters, VOF De Kunst.
Oh boys. Can all forty-somethings gather? Around me? So that we feel normal...
