Why does talking to older people feel like talking to my parents?

[Anonymous]

I'm 29. Recently I've been talking to a lot of older folks in their 50s-60s. 95% of them are constantly giving me advice, watching out for me. For example, when I left my hotel room, a 50 yr old man helped me look in my room to make sure I didn't leave anything behind. Then when I traveled to Chicago, an old man helped me plan my trip for the rest of the day... telling me things like getting to the airport 3 hours early to avoid traffic, how to get to chinatown, which places I should visit and how to get there. Then I was talking to an 80 yr old woman who figured out my socialization issues and told me to join the church and how I should make new friends. It all feels like talking to my parents. They're always giving me advice that I never asked for.

[melnc]

I think older people, at a certain point, start feeling lonely.. but at the same time, they've been through enough in life to know how to read people. They can tell who's genuine and who's not. So when they come across someone with a good heart, they naturally want to pull them close and offer some guidance. It's like they see a younger version of themselves in you, and they just don't want you to make the same mistakes they made along the way. Maybe you're a good person with good heart but you don't know that.

[MartinKlingac]

At 29, you're hitting that sweet spot where older folks start seeing you as a kid they need to look out for
They aren't trying to annoy you it's just a mix of life experience and a natural urge to pass down wisdom to the younger generation Sometimes unsolicited advice can be annoying, but it usually comes from a good place!

[HollyK21]

Probably because they could technically be your parents in that age range.

[Anonymous]

At least they mean well. They could just lecture you about stuff.

[jamesgoldman]

Because they're the same age

Personally I love older people but then I am an old man at heart

[Anonymous]

Maybe you just look like a basket case. But a basket case with social skills.😆