Growing old is necessary, but growing up is optional. That, however, doesn't mean you can act like a five-year-old

Have you ever noticed some people don't act their age? It's amazing. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to be young at heart; I mean, I know a number of 50 to 60-year-olds who are more fun to be with than people my age. They're lovely people who are so vibrant.

I do know people my age, however, who act like they're still teenagers. And to me, it's dreadfully annoying. If you're asking me if I'm saying that teenagers are annoying, to say no would be lying. OK, truthfully, I do like a number of teenagers (can't help it, all my students are teenagers). For teenagers to act like teenagers is perfectly fine with me. After all, they have not grown up enough to behave any other way. And everyone has to go through the growing pains stage: the rebellious, authority-challenging, regulation-defying, pink-hair-colouring stage before they realise what idiots they were at seventeen.

What I do have a problem with, is TWENTY-SEVEN-year-olds behaving like they're seventeen. I mean, grow up. You're way past the studying age, you've gone into the working world and dealt with many obstacles that is part and parcel of life. Unless you're still trapped in your coconut shell, please grow up!

By the way, have I inadvertently let slip my age?