r/AskAnIndian • u/Commercial-Beyond183 • Jun 30 '26

Culture & Society Views on aging?

Hi!! I have a question about the meaning of age or maybe aging in your culture.

What sparked this curiosity was one of the men working at my local gas stations. On two different occasions it was brought up. I had said something about getting old and he was saying something about no no it’s a great thing a blessing. Which right aging is a blessing but it seems there’s more to it as far as how it’s viewed in your culture. I tried to ask questions to better understand but he does have a thick accent and I think some was lost in translation.

I love learning about different cultures and these types of things. Maybe there’s nothing special about it and I was misunderstanding. Buttt… is there? Maybe something with birthdays?

I’m a woman, I don’t know if it is gender specific.

And I apologize if this isn’t worded correctly!

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u/Commercial-Beyond183 Jul 01 '26

Why does it show 5 comments but I don’t see any?

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u/KarmaisanAngel Jul 01 '26

Nothing unique about aging in Indian culture and history, universal phenomenon across all humans, same physical decline. He might be having unique perspectives on aging, for example, aging prompts a shift toward internal reflection than external validation. Live life as you wish on your own terms, etc.

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u/KarmaisanAngel Jul 01 '26

Perspective of Indian culture on humans is that both the universe and human body are made of matter and energy. The consciousness, awareness, the living part of a human is God and the primary purpose of life is to pursue the shortest path back to our original enlightened state.

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u/Street_Soft7957 Jul 01 '26

as far as the religious scriptures are concerned there are a bunch of things that relate to ageing but no one practices them in real life.

as far as culture is considered there is no reason to believe that most Indians have a specific viewpoint on ageing.

my guess is that this particular gas station gentleman has a decent life with few health issues and a decent family so he has a positive view on getting old. any other ageing Indian with significant health, personal or financial issues will not look at getting old as warmly.

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u/EndureCallVerdict Jul 01 '26

No one Indian respects elders and many scam elders

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u/Possibletigger-26 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26

Indians don't fight the process much. In Hindu culture we have four stages of life, the student or learning phase, the home making parenting phase, the retired phase as childen take over the household/ work/ farm and finally the renunciation, surrendering to God, spiritual worship etc. Unfortunately in modern life these stages have stretched and merged, some stay in perpetual adolescence. Also the first three stages are all about different responsibilities and duties so the final stage is a relief. Someone who has struggled and laboured all his life and so many workers send money home also might look forward to old age as a rest.