Hello everyone, today we, an old couple, are going to talk about the lives of elderly people in the UK. I've observed a bit, which is that from 7 to 10 in the morning, elderly people basically go out to buy groceries, meet friends, take a walk, or walk their dogs. By 5 in the afternoon, most elderly people return home to cook. I think this is quite similar to China, right?
Today, Amanda will be the main speaker, discussing what they do after retirement and what entertainment activities they engage in.
Amanda: I want to say that in a sense, the entertainment activities of the working class and the bourgeoisie in this country are somewhat different, though not all are different. It seems that the working class enjoys sports like ballroom dancing. (It's the same in China; there are all kinds of dances in the square dance, right?) There's also a game called bingo, which I've never played, but it's very popular. Many people play together, gathering in groups. (Bingo is quite similar to Chinese mahjong, especially popular.) Bingo is a particularly complex game. Outdoor bowling is also very popular. But the bourgeoisie tend to participate in book clubs, read novels together, go to the countryside to walk their dogs, and meet friends. There are also some card games, like whist and bridge. Another thing is that the bourgeoisie have many social groups and clubs where people can interact.
The entertainment of the British bourgeoisie and working class is quite different. I also found that local libraries and gyms set aside two hours every day specifically for elderly people over 60. During those two hours, elderly people can do whatever they want, whether it's outdoor bowling or yoga. These activities are provided by the sports centers. And the most interesting thing is the hair salons, which are open from 9 to 11, specifically for these elderly men and women to come in for haircuts, perms, makeup, and eyebrow shaping. The elderly here really love to dress up, no matter how old they are, they all wear bright red lipstick and look quite beautiful.
Amanda: What has happened in our culture is that extended families have become smaller. In the working class, it might be that the whole street is filled with relatives and friends living together. But I find it interesting that the pandemic has really brought the community together. Many people now care for and visit the elderly, maybe just to say hello or help buy groceries. For example, my brother helps deliver food to those in quarantine, so it has truly united the community. This is a positive aspect. We have a garden called the "Listening Corner," which is really for those who are socially withdrawn or lonely for various reasons, perhaps due to health issues or feeling isolated. I organized a gardening group where we plant vegetables together; I think these are very positive activities. Everyone gathers together, and they can make friends, which I think is great. But I think in ordinary daily life, many retirees have their own hobbies. Hiking is very popular, and they also meet family and friends, and many elderly people take care of their grandchildren, which is the same in China; it's pretty much the same all over the world. So there are many wonderful things to do.
In fact, life after retirement here is quite similar to that in China. And as Amanda just mentioned, parents from our generation also take care of their grandchildren, just like here. The only difference is that elderly people here really do dress up. No matter how cold or hot it is, elderly people still wear skirts when they go out. So they pay special attention to their appearance; no matter how old they are, this is very interesting, right?
Amanda asked me if I wanted to dance ballroom with her and what I thought about playing bingo. I said I would definitely accompany her. I used to enjoy ballroom dancing when I was younger, but now I can't. My body doesn't allow it anymore. If I had the chance, I would have danced at Unity Lake Park long ago. Also, when people get older, they particularly enjoy talking. Some elderly people live alone without family. I often encounter these elderly people on the street, and they are very proactive in talking to you. "How are you?" "Oh, I’m okay, I’m fine." Then, just a couple of minutes later, after buying two radishes, I run into them again. They forget that they just met me and ask again, "How are you?" At that moment, I think, oh, I have to answer them differently, otherwise, it would be awkward, and I want to give them face. So these elderly people are very warm and kind. Moreover, when couples go out, most of them hold hands, which is very affectionate. I hope that when I take a walk in Beijing, couples will hold hands and show their love for each other. After retirement, it's great to stay fit and make friends. Unfortunately, we don't have squares to go dancing in the park. Amanda happily agreed that we should start dancing ballroom now.