Seventy-five is Five Fifteens

“Seventy-five is Five Fifteens” by Linda Martin Andersen

I have a good friend who turns seventy-five-years-old today.  Happy birthday, to my unnamed friend.  She remains unnamed because a lady never shares a friend’s age.  I hope the birthday girl enjoys my silly take on turning seventy-five and that she and other readers will play along with me.  Here goes…

Clip art sample 2015

 

Seventy-five is five fifteens.  75=15+15+15+15+15

Brain Teaser for Today:  Which is harder–turning seventy-five or living the life of five fifteen year olds? Don’t answer too hastily.

What are fifteen-year-olds like, you may ask.  Sorry, but thinking back on your life at fifteen doesn’t cut it.  Today’s fifteen-year-old is different.  And remember we’re talking about living the life of FIVE fifteen-year olds.

Questions to consider before answering this brain teaser:

Which name would you prefer to be called:  a teenager or a senior citizen?  Both get a bad rap at times, especially from comedians.  Furthermore, most of us have made cracks about their driving skills.  One group gets discounts more than the other.  Which one?

Which carries more weight? (meaning influence, not pounds)  One seventy-five-year-old or five fifteen-year olds?  Depends on the market.  For example, AARP has little interest in teens, while fashion designers probably have little interest in catering to seniors.

What about being compared to a century? (100 years)  When a reporter is sent out to find the secret of longevity, who would he prefer to interview?  Someone who has lived 3/4 of a century or five teens who have each lived 1/15 of a century?

Which would you rather bake?  Five birthday cakes or one?  (assuming all five teens share the same birthday and are celebrating together).  Either way, you need a total of seventy-five candles, unless you use numbered ones.  In that case, ironically, there is more need for the Fire Department to be on standby for the teens’ cakes. 

Who would you rather feed?  Five fifteen-year-olds or one seventy-five-year-old?  In my mind, there’s no contest on that one. 😉

Do you have other questions to add?

Want to know more about fifteen-year-olds?  Check these topics:

Diet, exercise, stress:

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/agesandstages/a/Behavior-And-Daily-Routines-Your-15-Year-Old-Teen.htm

Social and Emotional Development:

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/agesandstages/a/Emotional-Development-Your-15-Year-Old-Teen.htm

Once again, the Brain Teaser for Today is:  Which is harder–turning seventy-five or living the life of five fifteen year olds?

Want a different challenge? 

• Writers need to know their audience.  Please share tips for creating strong teen characters in stories.
• If you’re a teen, please share character traits you like to read about in books.
• Share an experience from when you were 15.

Thanks to readers of all ages for joining the fun and helping me celebrate my friend’s birthday.  A celebration like no other! 

I look forward to your comments.  Come again soon and bring a friend.

I’d like to add an extra special birthday wish for my good friend!  I hope she enjoys her birthday tribute. 

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