If someone grumbles constantly, you might guess they’re becoming intolerant.

If they’re quick to criticize, you might suspect they’re growing old and bitter.

Sounds simple enough, right?

But the truth is, understanding the human psyche is a winding road full of complexities.

To really get a grasp on why people grow more intolerant with age and the behaviors they display, we need to dig a bit deeper.

Some folks seem to get it more than others. Often, these are the people who exhibit these 8 key behaviors.

1) Constant complaining

Life is a rollercoaster of emotions.

They flood in, often without invitation, and once they’ve set up camp, it’s not easy to evict them.

It’s a case of riding the wave, accepting the emotion for what it is, and patiently waiting for the tide to recede.

But when people grow more intolerant with age, these emotions often show up as chronic complaining.

It’s as if their world has shifted from half-full to half-empty, with criticisms lurking in every corner.

It’s not simply a case of seeing the glass as half-empty either.

For these individuals, the glass seems to be perpetually draining, leaving them in a constant state of dissatisfaction and discontent.

Every minor inconvenience becomes a major debacle, every imperfect detail a catastrophe.

The world never seems to meet their ever-increasing standards and the result? A never-ending cycle of complaints.

It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

And yet, this incessant grumbling is one of the most common behaviors displayed by people who grow increasingly intolerant as they age.

They’re not just reacting to their emotions; they’re amplifying them through their constant complaints.

2) Lack of patience

Patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a lifeline. It helps us navigate our day-to-day lives with a sense of calm and understanding.

But as some people age, they seem to misplace this crucial attribute.

I’ve seen it first-hand with my Uncle Bob. A once jovial man, always ready with a joke or a comforting word, started to change as he got older.

His laughter became less frequent, replaced by sharp criticisms and an ever-shrinking fuse.

Waiting in line at the supermarket? You’d better believe he’d be huffing and puffing about the slow service.

Traffic on the drive home? A symphony of honks and muttered curses.

Even family gatherings weren’t immune; his once loving patience for his grandkids’ antics started to wane.

His transformation was a clear example of how growing intolerance can manifest as a diminishing well of patience.

And sadly, Uncle Bob isn’t alone in this experience.

It’s a behavior that’s all too common among those who become increasingly intolerant of the world as they age.

3) Increased isolation

Ever heard of the phrase ‘no man is an island’? Well, it turns out that as some people age and their tolerance wanes, they can often choose to become just that.

They begin to withdraw from social activities, preferring the solitude of their own company over the hustle and bustle of social gatherings.

Now, this doesn’t mean that every person who enjoys their own company is intolerant.

Quite the contrary. But a marked increase in isolation, specifically coupled with signs of growing intolerance, can be a telling sign.

This retreat into solitude can often be a misguided attempt to shield themselves from a world they believe is ever-increasingly disappointing.

4) Resistance to change

Change is a part of life. It’s inevitable and constant.

Yet, as some people grow older, they seem to develop an aversion to change.

It’s like they’re clinging to the familiarity of the past, resisting the ebb and flow of life.

They become set in their ways, refusing to adapt or update their outlooks or behaviors.

New technology? They’d rather stick with what they know. A different way of doing things?

They’ll insist the old way was better. This resistance to change can be more than just stubbornness.

It’s often a sign of growing intolerance.

Their world is changing, and instead of adapting, they’re digging in their heels, fighting against the tide.

It’s a losing battle, but it’s one they seem determined to fight anyway.

This resistance can be frustrating for those around them, but remember, it’s often a sign of a deeper struggle within themselves.

5) Negative outlook

There’s a saying I often remind myself of, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

It’s a simple reminder that our perspective can greatly impact our experience of life.

You see, as some people age and their tolerance decreases, they seem to lose sight of this.

Their outlook becomes increasingly negative, with every event or interaction tinted with a shade of pessimism.

I’ve experienced this with a neighbor of mine. She was once the life of the party, always seeing the positive side of things.

But as she aged, her sunny disposition started to cloud over.

Now, it seems like she finds something negative in every situation.

An invitation to a party becomes an annoyance rather than an opportunity for fun.

A sunny day is too hot; a cloudy day too gloomy.

Her negativity isn’t just a downer, it’s a clear sign of her growing intolerance.

In my experience, when someone’s lens of the world starts to darken, it’s often more about their internal struggle than the external circumstances.

6) Increased criticism of younger generations

It’s not uncommon to hear older individuals lament about the “good old days” and critique the ways of the younger generation.

When this criticism becomes relentless and harsh, it could be a sign of increasing intolerance.

Interestingly, this isn’t always about the younger generation falling short in their eyes.

Instead, it can often be a reflection of their own discomfort with the world changing around them.

They might perceive newer trends, ideas, or technologies as threats to the familiar world they’re comfortable with.

Instead of embracing or even just accepting these changes, they criticize and belittle them.

By targeting the younger generation for bringing these changes, they’re indirectly expressing their own resistance to the evolving world.

It’s an unexpected way for their growing intolerance to manifest, but it’s a common one nonetheless.

7) Loss of empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s a key component of human connection and understanding.

But for those growing increasingly intolerant, this ability seems to diminish.

Their focus becomes more self-centered, with less room to consider the perspectives or feelings of others.

It’s as if their own discontent with the world leaves little space for anyone else’s emotions.

This loss of empathy can manifest in various ways.

They might appear indifferent to others’ problems or show little understanding towards different viewpoints.

This lack of empathy is not only isolating for them, but also for those around them who feel unseen and misunderstood.

This shift from empathy to apathy can be a clear sign of someone’s growing intolerance as they age.

8) Reduced flexibility

Flexibility isn’t just about the physical ability to bend and stretch.

It’s also about mental adaptability, the capacity to adjust to new situations or changes in our environment.

However, as some people age and their tolerance dwindles, their mental flexibility seems to reduce.

They become rigid in their thoughts and beliefs, unwilling to consider alternative perspectives or adapt to new situations.

This reduced flexibility can make them appear stubborn or set in their ways. But it’s more than that.

It’s a sign of a mind that’s becoming increasingly intolerant of the world changing around them.

This lack of mental flexibility is perhaps the most telling behavior of all.

Because at its core, intolerance is nothing more than an inability to flex and adapt to a world that’s constantly evolving.

Final thoughts

If you’ve followed along this far, hopefully you’ve gained some insights into the behaviors displayed by those who become increasingly intolerant as they age.

Remember, intolerance isn’t about being grumpy or bitter. It’s a reflection of a person’s struggle to adapt to the world around them.

It’s a sign of discomfort with change and a longing for familiarity.

This isn’t just about understanding others. It’s about understanding ourselves too.

As we age, we all encounter changes that we find hard to accept. We all have the potential to become more intolerant.

So, the next time you notice these behaviors in someone, consider what it says about their internal struggles.

And if you notice these behaviors in yourself, take it as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth.

After all, as Greek philosopher Heraclitus wisely said, “The only constant in life is change”.

Embracing this truth might just be the key to maintaining tolerance and understanding as we navigate through the ever-evolving journey of life.