I do agree that there is a lot of negativity on the boards.

However, I am not sure that the older gentlemen seem to have a more carefree attitude for life, but I personally do agree that I might handle it a little better now than in the past.

I do not feel like in my daily life that I just let things roll off my back now that I might have felt offense in the past.  I do believe that I now have a count to ten mentality that means I do not snap as quickly.  But I am not interested in any one taking advantage of me.  My competitive spirit is definitely intact.

I certainly do appreciate life more now than I did when I was younger.  It is with the understanding that tomorrow is not a guarantee.

against those who would mean me harm.

It's like a mental Tai Chi.

I took a little break from the boards because it seemed there was so much negativity. In my humble opinion the older gentlemen seem to have a more carefree attitude for life.

Do you feel like now in your daily life that you just let things roll off your back now that you would have felt offense in the past?

I can't wait to see my older clients as its such a refreshing joy at their attitudes and appreciation for me. Do you appreciate life more now than you did when you were younger ?

was younger.  I detest incompetence or rudeness when dealing with businesses, and am much more demanding now.

Difference is that I have lots more experience and choose my battles wisely.  If I don't feel like the odds are in my favor then I move on both emotionally and physically.  I can always shop elsewhere if not happy.  Kinda like targets of opportunity.  I only go for the easy shot.

Now, if you're talking personal relationships then yes I have grown a thick skin and a built in raincoat. Friends and family are everything and deserve all the love and understanding we have.

Thanks for bringing this back. I am including the link to my reply from the first time you posted it. Some may have read it then. If so, I hope you won't mind it being here.

I have always been an easygoing guy. But I find since I am getting older I do appreciate all the good things that have happened in my life and the ones that are happening now. I do not let little things upset me. People can usually push me pretty far before I push back. i am basicaly a lover not a fighter only if its absolutely neccasary. As with everybody that gets older I am just happy to be alive and well. Have been through a lot of bad times over the years and have gotten through them. And I very much appreciate a beautiful woman . I find that I can see beauty in things I never have before.

time to enjoy the pleasures of life; not just the sex.  It sure is nice to have leisure mornings, catching up on the news, sipping coffee, etc. without having to rush rush rush to work.  Without the time crunch of the business world, it seems everything is way more laid back.

Every few weeks I get an opportunity to spend some quality time with a woman younger than me who helps me enjoy the pleasures of life.

at my age I have gained enough insight to no give a damn what the younger A---oles think....

on the contrary, I find I have a much lower tolerance level for stupid than I ever did... I particularyly hate incompetence in the business world and will get combative over it where in the past I just rolled over and played dead..  I had a car salesman screw up a deal we had made and I ended up waiting three hours at the dealership for some kind of corrective action which did not materialize... i finally looked at the young man and said "you know, I'm old... I have a finite number of hours left on this planet and you just wasted three of them!!"... the look on his face was priceless...

I am more in tune with the old saying of "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference" than I was as a youngster, but I am less likely to play doormat for some idiot that can't get his shit together...

The remaining hours I have left should be productive and pleasurable.. don't waste them...

I have always appreciated the gift of life and have tried to be guided by the golden rule of treating others as I would expect them to treat me. That has not changed and I hope never wil. I think  that with maturity I have also begun to appreciate in a much more profound way a woman's inner beauty and see physical bonding and intimacy in the context of a relationship and not just fulfilling an anatomical drive. I think that many of the women in this business understand that too. Afterall, what does  GFE mean if not the ability to establish a warm connection and concomitant desire  as a prelude to sex?

But you're a bigger kid than I am! lol!

You're one of a few seasoned hobbyists(God I hate that word) that took the time to take a younger buck and say what's what. Thank you!

You understand, though, I'm gonna get you, right? Think 'The Hangover', bwahahaha!

to get me upset.

I was raised poor and my mother resented it. However I was told you could be or do anything you wanted. My whole life to date has been in pursuit of the time I would be financially secure. i have found I have paid a high price for that security. I gave up parties and girls in college if favor of work and school. I gave up vacations for work and home ownership. I gave up a social life and friends for work and a wife. I gave up my health for work that ruined it. My life has been about work. I have no regrets because I love my work too, It has allowed me to see the world and meet people of different cultures and walks of life. I has also given me great satisfaction in my accomplishments but I have yet to live the life I have worked so hard for.

After 30 years I realized all those "significant" projects, inventions, and ideas are obsolete and are now scrap. The only things that last are the friends we keep, the lives we touch and the memories we make. I plan on retiring this year at the age of 53. All retirement means to me is I have reached financial security. I plan on going on the adventures I have worked for, meeting those new friends for life, touching the lives of many, and creating memories that last a life time.

Life is short there are just too many nice people to meet before I die.

than you think.  You speak your mind and that is good.  I do as well except that sometime I just say it in a more refined way.

time for me.  No more business meetings, colleagues coming into my office for help, late nights (for work that is), etc.  I do what I want when I want to, enjoying travel and other experiences at my pace.

The answers are great. It has been my experience that older gentlemen do not have the patience for idiots...but they do have more of an appreciation for life than the younger men.

It is wonderful to hear your perspectives.