Actually, most of the new friends I have met since arriving in Geneva are much younger than me, and it is a lot of fun. Every now and then though, I would like to have a conversation with someone who is at a similar stage in life and has experienced some of the same things. I agree, we should keep an open mind and just enjoy everyone's company, but I also understand the need for some people to join groups specific to their age.

I agree with you, Richar adn Juliane. Life and fun is made out of diversity in every sense... and every time I see these groups restricting activities to certain ages reminds me a couple of paragrpahs of the book The Little Prince:

“Grown-ups love figures. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essentail matters. They never say to you, “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?” Instead, they demand: “How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.

If you were to say to the grown-ups: “I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,” they would not be able to get an idea of that house at all. You have have to say to them: “I saw a house that cost $20,000.” Then they would exclaim: “Oh, what a pretty house that is!”

It depends on the group.

I run sports based activities, and we have early 20s through to late 50s in the same groups,for us that is very positive.

but... it is necessary to understand that the 20's and 30's drinking and pulling groups don't necessarily want the older letch getting in the way of their activities. Best to leave them to it if that's what it says in the description.

We have a thriving international, English speaking club hereabouts in the Haute Savoie and although the majority of the members are retired, we should like to attract new members, which is unfortunately proving quite difficult in that they do not necessarily have the breadth of experience which people of our [advanced]! age group have acquired. Nor do the younger age group wish necessarily to spend evenings with old fogies!

However, I am singularly lucky in that almost all of my students are in their teens mostly studying for their Bac. and as such they come to our house and brighten up our otherwise staid atmosphere! Or otherwise they are young professionals who are anxious to climb the corporate ladder by entending their knowledge of the English language. Marvellous! It's this which keeps us - if not actually young - at least young at heart.

sorry, should read...... extending their knowledge.... slip of the fingers/brain!

yeah, the last thing you want is to discover that chronical age may not be related to mental age. imagine, having a laugh and also a serious discussion with a fossil! but those who want to hang out and feel more at ease only with people in the same age range, it's their choice. for good or for bad

Chronic or chronological ?