Are You a Dour Or a Do-er?
A good old Scottish word to measure your aging lifestyle.
In order to understand this article, I have to teach you a bit of Scots language. There are some commonly used words in Scotland, that don’t have one, single English comparison. One such word is ‘dour’. (Pronounce ‘door’) The Scot’s word comes from the Gaelic word dúr. Sullen, dull, and grim are among many English synonyms for dour, and a quick glance outside the window on most mornings would confirm the weather often fits the term rather too well.
When using ‘dour’ to refer to a person, you are describing them as being miserable, dull, sulking, lacking humor, and presenting a bleak outlook on life. For example, someone might have “a right dour face on them.”
So now you know what ‘dour’ means, let me ask you — “Are you a dour or a do-er?” Now that you are retired and living through your later years, do you find yourself as someone who’s simply getting by in life? Are your best years well behind you now, and there is little to look forward to? Or, are you somebody who wakes up every morning and checks the calendar or diary, to see what you have on today?
Here is my reason for asking. Now that I am in my mid-60s, I have become increasingly aware of two types of older adults — the ‘dours’ and the ‘do-ers’. Before I offend anybody…
