We're not old, just senior!

Feb 20 2002 By Rosey Hamilton, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Foggy: Senior Citizen

PENSIONERS, wrinklies, fogeys . . . what does the more mature person in Huddersfield prefer to be called?

"I accept the fact that I am getting old, it is the only way."

Sisters Kathleen Ingleby and Mary Lofthouse, of Bradford, were enjoying a regular shopping jaunt into Huddersfield.

Both are retired from Field's Printers in Bradford.

They claim to get called `twerlies' because they often queue up for a bus before 9.30am, from when they can get the pensioners' discount.

Drivers then say to them: "You are too early" - hence the term.

Miss Ingleby, who is 73, said: "I do not find any terms offensive."

Her sister Mrs Lofthouse, 70, said: "I would prefer to be called a senior citizen than a pensioner. That sounds a bit more respectful."

Former Holset's engineer Stanley Litkiewicz, of Fartown, turned 75 last November.

He said: "I do not really mind what we are called. When you get to this age, you just don't bother."

According to those questioned by Norwich Union, the country's favourite pensioners Victor Meldrew and Dot Cotton do more harm than good in depicting retired folk.

They also revealed two in five pensioners did not claim benefits that were available to them, with a quarter admitting that they did not know they were entitled to discounts. A quarter saw the term OAP as carrying some sort of stigma which made them feel excluded by society.

Only 14% actually felt their age.