Vintage Fashion, Oldies Culture 2020: Eunice n Megan Say, Don't Stereo-Type Seniors

Eunice Chua (r) and Megan Lye (l) are studying journalism at a university in Singapore.

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Eunice wrote me a note:

"The topic we chose is redefining what it means to be old in Singapore. We hope to speak to hip and inspiring older people, such as popular bloggers (we really love, 'Pop Music, Not Pills') and through telling your stories, challenge those nagging stereo types of being elderly.

We hope to have a fun chat with you about your experience being a blogger and musician, and how that has changed over the years." 

I agreed and we met her friend Megan. It was a fun afternoon and found myself learning more from them than they did me, so I requested if she could write a short report on the subject for a blog posting. Her article starts with a question:

What happens when two young people who feel like old souls had a chat with a senior with a young soul? 

Vintage and oldies culture are the in-thing these days — especially in the fashion world, with oldies style clothing like hippie tie-dye clothes and bell bottoms making a comeback. Even musicians are paying homage to those of the past. One of my favourite bands, The Neighbourhood, released their latest album with music videos where they are all painted in silver, in a very Bowie-esque fashion.

The interest in older people or their culture and their lives naturally has increased. When someone from my generation wants to know about cool old people, we’d think of oldies musicians. Where are they now and how are they doing? Our answer to that, with a simple Google search, leads many of us to Andy’s blog. 

And what a fabulous discovery it was for me. Andy’s writing style was fluent, easy to read and lively. It’s a refreshing change in a generation where we’re used to people trying to sound smart and using bombastic words. Some others write a word or two and call it poetry.

Andy’s posts are interesting, fun, from the get-go, his profile and email address told me one thing: We youngsters tend to think old people are outdated, blur, etc. As a writer myself I knew Andy had something to say; case in point, the simple yet catchy caption on his profile of “pop music not pills”. 

I figured this popular blogger might not have time for me and I was genuinely prepared to not hear back. But not only did Andy get back to me, he even posted a banner on the side of his blog to let me know that he had replied (oh, the chivalry!). I was bursting with joy to have the opportunity to speak to him.

On a Friday afternoon in a slightly noisy cafe me, Andy and my friend Megan had an almost two-hour-long conversation. It didn’t feel like two hours. It was a fun chat and it felt like meeting someone from your tribe. You know that feeling when you chat to someone for the first time and instantly feel like you can vibe? That was me and Megan with Andy. 

Andy said he enjoys talking to young people more than people in his own age group. Megan and I say that we enjoy talking to older people more than people in our own age group. I guess that’s why we get along. 

Thank you so much for your time and work Andy, we look forward to speaking to you again. To anyone who is reading this, Andy is a wonderful conversationalist and there is heaps all of us can learn from him. Like his name “Andy Young” suggests, he has a youthful, almost mischievous spark.

Written by Eunice Chua.

YOUNG AT HEART by Frank Sinatra - Video by MrsMcDreamy88. Johnny Richards, Carolyn Leigh, composing the music and lyrics in 1953. A  million sold hit, recorded by Sunbeam Music. The above is an original version from YouTube. 

NB:

I can only say thanks again to Eunice for such a captivating letter. And Megan too. It's always my pleasure to meet younger folks, eager and informative to help seniors improve in their capacity to learn about our brave new world. Exchanging notes, that's important.

So do write in if you're a Senior and wish to be interviewed.

Comments too, if you have any?

Andy.

'Old Hippie' By BELLAMY BROTHERS as suggested by long time buddy JIMMY CHNG from guitar group The Decibels. Thanks Jimmy. From YouTube video by DaCrazyGirl5.

The lyrics are meaningful to many listeners but this hippie in the song needs to adjust quickly or he'll be very unhappy.

From THE EDUCATOR ON LINE - educatoronline.com THANK YOU.