In the midst of life's inevitable changes, a new battleground has emerged among friends in their 50s: the etiquette of reading glasses. This seemingly trivial topic has sparked fierce debates, mirroring past conflicts over baldness and revealing deeper anxieties about ageing and denial.
The Evolution of Ageing Debates
Reflecting on her 20s, Zoe Williams recalls a similar fervour among men debating baldness. The central question was whether going bald made everyone look old, and if so, did it create a moral obligation to use treatments like Regaine? Practical concerns, such as the efficacy of such products, were often sidelined, much like how Brexit discussions were overshadowed by abstract concepts like sovereignty. Over time, baldness became a universal reality for most, except for a fortunate few, but the underlying theme of denial persisted.
Reading Glasses: A New Arena of Conflict
Now, in their 50s, friends are clashing over reading glasses, each with a subtly different take on proper usage. One friend despises when glasses are left perched on the head, viewing it as a sign of physical laziness and the onset of entropy, akin to eating with hands or using a sink inappropriately. In contrast, Williams finds comfort in this habit, as it ensures she always knows where her glasses are, or at least wears a spare pair on her face, creating a win-win situation.
However, she draws the line at glasses worn on a chain around the neck, interpreting it as a surrender to utility over adornment, symbolising a shift away from fashion towards practicality, like carrying tools instead of jewellery.
Diverse Perspectives on Eyewear
Other friends offer varied viewpoints. A school friend rejects all visible eyewear, advocating for varifocal contact lenses as a discreet alternative. Another friend dislikes any attachment to glasses, as it prevents his habit of constantly borrowing them, often leading to comical searches based on his shouts about lens strengths. Yet another friend, driven by vanity, refuses to wear glasses altogether, opting for enlarged phone fonts that inadvertently expose his private texts to prying eyes.
The Underlying Fear of Ageing
Ultimately, no glasses solution seems to make anyone look younger, except in the rare moment when all are lost simultaneously, briefly restoring a youthful appearance. This debate highlights a broader societal reluctance to acknowledge ageing, with reading glasses serving as a tangible symbol of this denial. As Williams notes, the real battle isn't about vision correction but about admitting we can no longer see as we once did, forcing us to confront our mortality and changing identities.
Through these personal anecdotes, the article underscores how small, everyday items like reading glasses can become focal points for larger existential fears, weaving together humour and insight into the human experience of growing older.
