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Of course many will say they have always been with us, what’s more their sociological partners in crime, Grumpy Old Women, are particularly well known and feared.
But what characterises a GOM?
Well most obviously it’s their age, usually 60 plus. Although, having said that, quite a few fifty-year-old ‘youngsters’ I know are already showing clear signs of early onset.
Commonly they are retired or at least semi-retired. It’s as if all their new found spare time is focused solely on thinking about how things used to be and what’s wrong with all the new fangled contraptions everyone insists we must buy in the 21st century.
And talking about 2010. Whether the year should be known as Two Thousand and Ten or Twenty Ten, is just the sort of thing to get them going for at least ten minutes. FYI, the new decade is correctly described as Twenty Ten.
I have found the easiest way to identify a sufferer is to place them in front of a PC and ask them to Google something.
If they immediately throw up their hands and offer any, and I repeat any, explanation whatever as to why it is totally unreasonable to expect them to comply, you have uncovered a typical example.
Smartphones, or in fact any device incorporating the term ‘smart’ in its name, are totally foreign to GOMs and upon presentation immediately elicits a diatribe on how much better the world would be if the product in question were promptly undiscovered.
One interesting symptom is a near picture perfect recall of events from the Menzies era but a troubling loss of memory of what happened over the past 24 hours.
It seems some GOM are aware that this ailment (they are vaguely aware they have) is commonly viewed by younger people - read most of the adult population - as a sometimes humorous mild affliction to be observed and endured.
In most cases, reacting in any way is likely to exacerbate the situation and the term ‘suffering in silence’ takes on a whole new meaning.
Changing the subject can be a successful strategy, however it should be noted that inadvertently straying on to topics such as politics or religion can elevate the situation to an even higher and more emotional level.
Should GOM be avoided at all costs or is there anything that can be done?
Given that our PM tells us this group (along with GOW) will likely represent about 25 per cent of the total population in 2030 it would seem sensible for the rest of the population to at least develop some guidelines to keeping the communication lines open.
Firstly, don’t avoid them.
They’re harmless really and in fact they love to chat, to just about anyone, and they often have great experiences to share.
Secondly, don’t take anything they say too personally because not only will they have usually forgotten exactly what they said by tomorrow they would be mortified if they thought you took it seriously since they were only addressing out loud the ills of the whole universe.
Thirdly, the golden rule.
When in doubt always agree. GOM love a good argument, anytime, so don’t get them started.
And lastly.
Always humour GOM since they are usually someone’s much loved grand poppy, often going unrecognised in the wider community for a lifetime of good works and probably deserving of a good hug. | 
Top Tip - Don't mention Tracey Grimshaw!
by Andrew
04 Feb 10 07:55