Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In her latest humorous essay, MiMi Bomba reflects on the nickname “Q-Tip,” a term she has heard used in Puerto Vallarta to describe older adults with white or gray hair. While she finds the label disrespectful and ageist, she responds with her trademark wit, reminding younger generations that aging is inevitable and that growing older with grace, humor, and self-respect is something to embrace rather than mock.
I have heard that some people here in Vallarta refer to those of us of a certain age as “Q-Tips.” I suppose because as one’s hair turns blonde (white, gray, silver … I prefer blonde), we remind those folks of sticks with cotton on top. Disrespectful? Yes! Ageist? Yes! Stupid? Yes!
I would remind those younger people that one day their hair will also age along with their faces and bodies. They can dye their hair. They can have surgery. They can get Botox. Or they can simply take good care of themselves so that they age with grace and dignity.
What they cannot do is live forever. They can fake-tan their faces, do comb-overs and bleach their teeth. They can diet and exercise. They can spend days at the gym. They can post photoshopped selfies on social media. But they cannot live forever. If they’re lucky, they might live long enough to become Q-tips!
Hasta luego,
MiMi Bomba
Writing with warmth, wit, and a deep affection for Puerto Vallarta, MiMi Bomba draws inspiration from classic humorists while creating a style all her own. Her stories celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make life in Puerto Vallarta both unpredictable and rewarding. Click HERE to read more essays by MiMi Bomba.