Turning 30 was difficult in itself, but having to endure the pain of being the butt of 30-plus jokes was even harder. Ever since I crossed over to the wrong side of 30, the flood of jokes and remarks that make me aware of this “milestone” has not stopped. The ironic part of this problem is that these jabs are being targeted at me by my friends who have either themselves crossed over to the danger zone, or are just inches away from the finishing line. Not one of them wants to miss the opportunity to enlighten me about the fact that I am no longer young. They constantly rub it in, reminding me that Bryan Adams’s song “18 Till I Die” touts a philosophy that can only be successfully followed by rock stars. Some of these friends are even predicting doomsday, saying that I may soon turn bald and gain more weight. Becoming conscious of these signs of aging, I have recently bought a couple of T-shirts and half-sleeved shirts in an attempt to look younger. However, my friends’ warnings do not seem to be that far off course: recently, I was mistaken for the father of a cousin of mine who is a mere 10 years younger than I am. However, jokes from friends apart, the most irritating part of this turning 30 business are the references to “Jumping Jack” Jeetendra. Though the Hindi film star may have successfully modelled and made money from the product that has come to be associated with hitting 30, such comparisons are totally uncalled for. That advertisement may have made him an idol of 30-somethings till a few years ago, but I am not amused by the continuing allusions to it. The 30-plus jokes started pouring in since August last year, when I entered the danger zone; they have not stopped even after six months. And I never knew that my school friends, some of whom will touch the dreaded age just a few months after me, could be so heartless. Please stop the 30-plus jokes now: haven’t you heard that life begins at 40?
