Aging in Asians

[KenB]

With all do respect to the group. I am curious about how Asians look as they get older. Generally they look much younger when in their 20s and 30s. What happens in their 40s to 50s? Do they age more rapidly. I've known Russian and Ukrainian women who look fantastic when young but become Babushkas prematurely in their 50s. Thanks in advance for your input,
KenB

[Willy]

... in response to Aging in Asians, posted by KenB on Mar 18, 2004

Heck, my mother in law and wife look like sisters and they are 23 years apart.  Father in law looks like 30 and he is really 46.

[senior citizen]

... in response to Aging in Asians, posted by KenB on Mar 18, 2004

I speak from 25 years of experience. When we married she looked 22 and her parents said she was) but she was only 16. She was attractive, mature and responsible.

Now she is 25 years older and she still looks like she is 30 at the very most. I believe the reason many Asian women seem to age badly has to do with diet, living conditions, poor water quality, inadequate sanitation and number of children. If she lives poor, has a poor diet, inadequate medical attention, bears 8 children, and does a ton of housework plus laundry by hand in addition to working part time she will burn out early. My Honey came to live in America early, has never wanted for money, good health care, two children, and eats a well-balanced diet. She weighs about 10 to 15 pounds more than when we married, but is in better shape from regular exercise. She was a little TOO thin to suit when we married, really. People often think she is my daughter, which amuses her. They even sometimes think her and our daughter are sisters, which flatters Honey and annoys our daughter no end. People who ask and are told we are married sometimes make jokes about robbing the cradle (some of them get angry as well, feminist busybodies), as I look my age. When they then hear we are having our silver anniversary they are amazed.

Honey loves housework, but housework here and in the Islands are two entirely different things. Vacuum cleaners, washing machines, central heat and air with filtration in the ducts, dishwasher. All make for an easier job of cleaning. For the things like the huge comforters on the beds, she goes to a local laundromat and uses the industrial machines.

All this combines to make life much easier on the Filipina living in America. Keeps them younger and more enthusiastic under the sheets, too, if you get my meaning.

Look at her mom. If mom aged well considering the situation they live in, odds are your wife will age even better from living with modern advantages, balanced diet and regular health care.

[HaroldC]

... in response to Aging in Asians, posted by KenB on Mar 18, 2004

she'll look younger than you at 50.

[Ray]

... in response to If she looks younger than you at 20 ..., posted by HaroldC on Mar 19, 2004

:-)

[Bob S]

... in response to Aging in Asians, posted by KenB on Mar 18, 2004

True story.
My wife and I were invited to a coworker's karaoke party (excuse me, "Carry-Okie").  The not-too-bright hostess was introducing her family, "And this is my daughter.  She's a teenager, like your wife."  Eh?  My wife is, er, late thirty-somethin'- mumble mumble.  An extreme example maybe.  But I've met a number of Asian women who could pass for someone 5 to 15 years younger than their true age, including some in their 40s and 50s who could pass for 30-something.  Many older TV actresses play younger (youngish?) characters as well.  You would be surprised how their difficult lives do not affect them as harshly physically or psychologically as in the FSU.  No babushka gene southeast of Siberia.

[Jeff S]

... in response to Aging in Asians, posted by KenB on Mar 18, 2004

It seems to me they age the least of all races. I know plenty of 50ish Asian ladies who look thirtysomething and can show you lots of 40something ladies who you'd swear are in their mid 20s. My wife and sister are the same age but my wife looks decades younger.

- Jeff