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Is A Double-Take Worse Than No Take At All?

On the one hand, it's nice to get attention from younger men, or really, any men at all, at this age. And I know, you're probably thinking, "Who the hell cares what men think?", or "Why should we need male attention to validate our attractiveness or sexuality?" We shouldn't.
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The other day, Lisa, my best friend during my senior year in high school (whom had already graduated and a year older than me, sort of like Matthew McConaughey in "Dazed and Confused," which made this friendship even cooler) sent me this link from the Wall Street Journal about miniskirts making a comeback. She pondered on Facebook, "What say ye Paula? How about old gals who still have great legs?"

Anyway, I responded, "I say this begs for great legs, appropriate at any age" (sorry, I can't resist the urge to bust a rhyme) which prompted this reply from Lisa, "Yeah, but just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should. So crushing to get the "oh, old" double-take by young guys."

Ouch. Is a double-take worse than no take at all?

This is Lisa, at left, with her dog Ollie, after a run in Santa Cruz. "Oh, old" my ass!

That night at poker, I posed this very question to see what my friends "of a certain age" thought.

Laura, smoking-hot in every way, had a very similar story to Lisa's.

She said this: I walked up to a taco truck wearing big sunglasses and ordered my lunch. The friendly younger-than-me guy working the window (I'm 50, he was 30-something) was making chit-chat: "Hello, nice to see you, how's your day going? Blah blah blah" and abruptly asked, "How old are you?" I replied, "I don't think that matters." He says, "Take off your glasses." I lower my sunglasses and he says, "Oh", ended the conversation, hands me my burrito, and that was that.

On the one hand, it's nice to get attention from younger men, or really, any men at all, at this age. And I know, you're probably thinking, "Who the hell cares what men think?", or "Why should we need male attention to validate our attractiveness or sexuality?"

We shouldn't. But it sure feels good to have someone notice. Even if it precedes the "oh, old" reveal.

My advice to Lisa and anyone else pondering the miniskirt is this: The legs are the last to go. We've spent decades building them up, building families, building homes, running businesses, running after cats and kids, standing in line, standing for what we believe in, standing tall.

So ladies, grab the smallest mini and largest pair of sunglasses you can find (our homage to Laura) and work it. Next time a young man gives you the look, slide those super-sized shades down your nose and smile:

Ha! Made you look, sucker!

If any of you out there have similar tales to Lisa's and Laura's, we'd love to hear about them.

For more of our style musings were we give father time the finger, please visit us at Blank Stare, Blink.

Earlier on Huff/Post50:

6 Warm-Weather Getaways
Destination: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands(01 of06)
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St. John’s sister island St. Thomas might have the shopping and cruise ships, but if you’re looking for pristine white-sand beaches, natural beauty and quiet charm, St. John is the place. Over half the island is national park, which means lush greenery and hiking trails, as well as historic ruins from the island’s colonial past. Where To Stay and Dine: For an eco-friendly family adventure, try the Maho Bay campground, where pretty tent-cottages sit right near water’s edge and the resort has a load of daily activities including yoga, snorkeling and even glassblowing. The more luxurious will want to stay at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas with its beautiful rooms, spa and tennis courts. For Sunday brunch Ms. Lucy’s is an island must--be sure to try the conch fritters and callaloo soup. Where To Play: Trunk Bay, considered one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean, is the place to head to for snorkeling. For shopping, go to the artisan shops and boutiques in Mongoose Junction. Hikers will want to head to the Reef Bay Trail to see the petroglyphs left over from the island's Amerindians, as well as ruins of sugar plantations. (credit:Alamy)
Destination: Delray Beach, Florida(02 of06)
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The under-the-radar "Gold Coast" town of Delray Beach is bursting with arts and culture, a blossoming restaurant scene, and wide, sandy beaches. Where To Stay and Dine: The sprawling, Mediterranean-style Delray Beach Marriott has two heated pools and spacious rooms with sofa beds perfect for traveling with a large family. Dine at one of its acclaimed restaurants such as O'Grady's Lounge or the Seacrest Grill. Where To Play: The area of Delray Beach is within walking distance of museums and ballet-and-jazz-performing spaces. In Old School Square, ride the carousel in-season, or take in exhibitions at the Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture. A few minutes drive from downtown is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens where kids can enjoy the exhibition, Japan Through the Eyes of a Child. (credit:Alamy)
Destination: Los Cabos, Mexico(03 of06)
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A desert oasis with a mixed personality, Cabo is at the tip of Baja California Sur. Cabo San Lucas is party central, where every day feels like a holiday. Its mellower sister city, San José del Cabo, is popular with the Hollywood elite for serious R&R. Where To Stay and Dine: You'll have to drag the kids away from the kids' club and the lagoon-style pools at the all-inclusive Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe, which specializes in making families feel at home. The Mexican menus feature guacamole made at your table and served in a molcajete (stone mortar and pestle).Where To Play: There are plenty of beaches for sunbathing, but the ocean here is notoriously choppy and unfit for casual swimmers; therefore, the pool culture is alive and well. The area also boasts day-trips to nearby beaches, golf courses, and snorkel sites. (credit:Shutterstock)
Destination: San Diego, California(04 of06)
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Though still sunny, winter brings light jacket weather to San Diego, famous for its zoo and large U.S. Navy and Marine military community. Where To Stay and Dine: A wallet-friendly home base is the 115-room, 80-year old La Valencia Hotel, in the middle of downtown La Jolla, with easy access to the two-mile boardwalk fronting the Pacific. Before heading to Point Loma, see the online camera trained on the line at Phil's BBQ, where diners say it's worth the wait for the price-is-right mesquite-grilled ribs and crispy onion rings. Where To Play: There are tons of family-friendly activities, including whale-watching and seal-watching at SeaWorld and the Birch Aquarium, imagination-stretching at LEGOLAND, and, of course, a visit to the San Diego Zoo, home to 3,700 animals and 700,000 plants. For more activities in San Diego, visit our City Guide. (credit:Shutterstock)
Destination: St. George's, Grenada(05 of06)
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St. George's is called the "Spice Island" because of the nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves that grow abundantly in the island setting. This Caribbean beauty is thriving again after being struck by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Where To Stay and Dine: The all-suite Calabash Hotel & Villas sits on eight acres of gardens facing L'Anse Aux Épines beach. English chef Gary Rhodes's restaurant at the hotel uses touches of spice in dishes like dorado with ginger-butter sauce and vanilla and nutmeg custard brioche. Where To Play: Busy St. George's Market in the center of town is a must for buying freshly dried herbs and pungent spices. At the Gouyave Nutmeg Cooperative, women process nutmeg and mace for export; watch their nimble hands work at unbelievable speed. (credit:Alamy)
Destination: Oahu, Hawaii(06 of06)
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The fiftieth state is all-exotic, but Oahu is comfortingly all-American. It's a fantastic and fun location for families, and the weather couldn't be more enjoyable. Where To Stay and Dine: Hotels here can be quite expensive, but the Aqua chain, with some lanai (patios) and kitchen-equipped rooms and suites in its 14 locations around Honolulu, are made for families. With the savings -- rooms can be had for less than $100 a night -- you can splurge on shave ice, a sorbet-like ice cream that's an island favorite. Where To Play: The legendary beaches of Waikiki beckon surfers to take lessons at the Hans Hedemann Surf school. Head to Oahu's north shore for educational hula shows at the Polynesian Cultural Center. (credit:Shutterstock)

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