Don't Look Now.

Beth Broderick: Wit and Wisdom for the Ages from the Aged Podcast · Sep 11, 2025 · 6m

Wit and Wisdom

by Beth Broderick

“You shouldn’t be pretty. I mean, you are, but you shouldn’t be.”

I was 27 years old at the time, and my friend proceeded to go down a list, feature by feature, of what was wrong with my looks.

“Your hairline is too low. I think your eyes are too close together. Your nose has a hump, and your cheekbones are too square.”

He went on and on, and I allowed it, because I was 27 and did not know that I could say:

“Thanks for your thoughts, but please don’t share any more on this topic.”

I didn’t have that in me then. I have it now. Now I would most likely say:

“I…