Quote Originally Posted by francois View Post
The term "geriatric" is basically an offensive term when applied to older persons. As well as many other terms such as elderly, geezer, old timer, etc. There seems to be few words with a positive slant in English that I am aware to refer to older persons although "venerable" has a positive connotation. Fortunately the Thais/Asians don't seem to have negative feelings toward older people and treat them with the respect they deserve.
Have you become unduly sensitive in your old age? There is nothing offensive about the terms geriatric, elderly, geezer or old-timer. Indeed geezer can have positive connotations such “grand old geezer or decent geezer” and old timers are often thought to have experience and be able to reminisce about the past etc. Geriatric medicine is a huge branch of medicine looking after the needs of the elderly - what is offensive about that?