One very bright and impressive-looking booth was the SILVER INFOCOMM 123 counter. This is directly under the IDA umbrella.
They attracted many visitors who wanted to find out more about the internet, computer, IT and programmes and resources available.
Just when this hardworking lady D Ho finished explaining to this visitor, she looked up and saw me taking this snapshot.
I spent some time there with a her and other visitors. Since I was there, she pointed me out to other retirees, quoting me as a good example of someone who once was an IT blur king and now an Active Ager IT Champion. I saw the looks on the faces of some of these seniors and retirees registering surprise and respect. But I made them comfortable by confirming what D Ho had said...that the internet and IT is not really difficult for
seniors or retirees like us.
It is a myth that it is only for the young and that older folks have passed their COE date for learning or acquiring some skills or knowledge in this IT area.
After the Indian Dance, we had two ladies conducting an Egyptian-type belly dance workshop.
Many were looking. Some men were staring! But no men took the bait to join in and learn the sinewy moves.
Probably too shy or their wives were present! Haha.
5 comments:
"Some men were looking, some were staring" .. but one wise one was snapping away.
The oldies may have passed their (IT) COE date; but COEs can always be renewed right? Even if it means paying a little more.
Hope you don't mind my saying this. Reading your articles about the 50+ Exhibition gives me the impression the Active Ageing is synonymous with dancing, singing, playing IT games etc, and generally doing things you once considered silly. Aren't there any 'serious' exhibition booths there. I thot there was something about education and training.
I started my 1st post about this Expo by saying I was "lost" when I first arrived there on 10 Jan. It was a HUGE Expo and had hundreds of booths, many of which catered to
your point...education and training and even much more.
There were discussions,workshops,talks and forums that touched on subjects and issues relevant to 50+ seniors.
So...sorry, if I had given the wrong impression. There was truly far too much to cover about the Expo in my blogs and I was fully engaged only in my role which happened to be at the "Living Pavillion" Performing area.
I can only blog accurately about my involvement on a personal level. I did not even have time to do what other visitors did..go around checking out all the booths and exhibitions,collecting goodies and freebies, participating in many lucky draws etc...
Btw...all the things I did, which is entertaining the crowd on my Ukulele and singing, are NEVER things I once ever considered "Silly". NEVER.
Music and entertainment is a very SERIOUS industry..I'm certain you are aware lah!
If you have read my many posts on Ukulele,..I am even TEACHING UKULELE CLASSES!
Moreover, many seniors and retirees
and some younger ones have requested whether I can conduct Ukulele lessons for them privately.
They are willing to pay for such lessons.
A few very lucky ones who have learnt the Uke from me...say there is nothing like "learning from and being coached by Unk Dicko"..close up! That is...they can actually see close-up, in a deliberate slow-down manner, how and what I do on the fingerboards and plucking and strumming on the strings.
In coming posts, I shall be touching on some other aspects of the Expo other than what you unintentionally misconstrued.
No problem...I fully understand.
Sorry. I don't mean to say that what you did was silly. I meant some of the activities targeted at the senior citizens are activities that they may at one time (when they were young) consider silly. Personally I don't think they are silly ..... except maybe getting old ladies to don skimpy outfits and do belly-dancing.
Actually there were many things we did as kids that adults in today's context would consider "silly". But these are mainly uninformed and misguided adults.
Take for example the climbing of trees. Which one of us true-blooded kampong kids could not climb a cherry, jambu, guava, rambutan or other fruit tree? My parents never labelled my climbing of trees as "silly"...as that was surely a sign that I was healthy, unafraid of heights, or ants or spiders crawling on branches of the tree. Moreover, I brought home really nice juicy fruits on my many "fruit-picking" forays with my kampong mates. I could even climb to the top of a coconut tree in those days. It just showed the flexibility and dexterity kids like Unk Dicko had.
But many adults/parents would definitely consider such a thing as "silly" today. They are on a different wavelength and mindset.
" You want to eat guava..just buy from market, shop, etc..why endanger yourself climbing trees!"
They can't see the picture at all.
It is not about the guava or jambu fruit itself.
It is about the act of climbing a tree. Knowledge is required. Dexterity is needed. And for the timid ones...COURAGE too!
There are many activities that we did when we were young that today many may consider "silly". As you said, we are already living in a new world, in a soft age.
Are you aware that today, there are orgs that conduct "tree climbing courses" for kids. They CHARGE for these courses! Silly?
It's all a matter of perspective!
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