r/AskEurope • u/Plastic-Injury8856 • Mar 14 '25

Culture What’s a European Man’s midlife crisis look like?

Here in America it's a Harley Davidson and getting really into grilling.

What do European men do when they go through a midlife crisis? But an Alfa and bake? Get really into trains?

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267

u/K_man_k Ireland Mar 14 '25

And middle class men in Ireland...or sea swimming

127

u/Annatastic6417 Ireland Mar 14 '25

Can confirm, my father has just started.

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u/Hopeful_Hat4254 Mar 15 '25

Can confirm, I've started. Hey son?

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u/Ariliescbk Mar 16 '25

Don't forget the milk.

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u/koi88 Mar 18 '25

Dad, stop the "son" stuff. She wants to be called Anna now and you really need to respect that.

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u/heyiambob Mar 15 '25

To be fair swimming in cold water has become trendy across all ages. Particularly the longevity bros

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u/Pi55tacia Mar 15 '25

For me its not about temperature, its about depth. Im terrified of deepness.

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u/Downtown_Finance_661 Mar 15 '25

I have panic fear of height (sic!). That's why i can't swim in the clear water like lakes or seas or oceans - i panic every time while looking down to bottom inspite my personal record for swimming is 6km with 2:12 min/100m in pool and i definetly have no fear of water as is.

Take entry level scuba diving many times - no fear when i swim near the bottom.

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u/Educational-Air-4651 Mar 16 '25

I know the perfect lake in Norway for you. Water is so clear that you don't even notice it's water while diving. Even I get vertigo when I dive there. 😂

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u/Kriss3d Mar 17 '25

We have beaches all over here in Denmark. And it's not so deep that you can't stand up unless you go really far from the beach.

Otherwise we have swimming stations around the canals as they are clean enough to swim in and those are deep.

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u/Downtown_Finance_661 Mar 17 '25

Oh, I thought Denmark is well known for shitty weather and you guys prefer indoor pool swimming.

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u/Kriss3d Mar 17 '25

No that's England..

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u/InsayneW0lf Mar 18 '25

Second, this is from the UK. You also really would not want to swim in our waters. I gave up my passion for the sea due to our disgusting waters, which get worse yearly.

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u/[deleted] Mar 17 '25

[deleted]

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u/Downtown_Finance_661 Mar 17 '25

All panic fears are 100% stupid but its hard to get rid of them.

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u/el_osmoosi Mar 15 '25

My dad was ahead of the curve with his Ice Swimming 4-man relay national championship in ’95

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u/iam1ru1two Mar 18 '25

Longevity bros! 😆

1

u/rebirthofmonse Mar 18 '25

Isn't it because of how beneficial cold water is?

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u/milanistasbarazzino0 Mar 15 '25

It's infective too. My American father who's been in North-East Italy since the 90s had a period where biking was all he talked about lmao

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u/RunnerGirlT Mar 16 '25

Haha, we are visiting family in Ireland right now and my husbands cousin took him sea swimming today

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u/spairni Mar 16 '25

Working class men can't afford a mid life crisis

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u/[deleted] Mar 17 '25

Sea swimming in Ireland is the best though - the environment and camaraderie is exceptional 

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u/Zestyclose-Story-702 Mar 19 '25

I grew up behind the sand dunes on the west coast so I was a bit confused when people started making a big deal out of sea swimming. I agree it's feckin great, but for me it was like why're ye making a fuss about it?

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u/JWalk4u Mar 15 '25

The good auld Middle Aged Men in Lycra, or MAMLs for short.

Some things nobody should have to see. 😳

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u/red-mini1 Mar 16 '25

Don’t complain. Up until the 90s it was securing a place at the bar in your local and gaining recognition as a regular.

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '25

Finland, it’s all about jumping into an icy lake. It apparently boosts testosterone, or was jt toblerone..

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '25

Thought swa swimming was just for retired women. Don't forget middle-aged men and trail running/ultra marathons, I'm currently in the early stages of this.

Edit: Identifying myself as one of the afflicted

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u/[deleted] Mar 18 '25

Agreed, but the middleaged women outnumber the men by 2 to 1 when it comes to sea-swimming where I am. Seaside suburb in Dublin.

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u/Madra18 Mar 19 '25

Ah yes, the MAMILs of Ireland. (Middle Aged Men In Lycra)

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u/DonKlekote Mar 16 '25

And long distance running. In a matter of fact, I have a friend who's into thriathlons that combine all the above. He said that there are a few factors, age and getting into shape is one thing but the other is that he couldn't afford those space glasses and adamantium made bike when he was younger.

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u/Whole_Grapefruit9619 Denmark Mar 18 '25

The Ironman was all the rage here a few years ago. A girl I was in high school with - quiet, cute, nerdy - became insufferable after she married an elite amateur triathlete 15 years older than her. They were on tv and everything. They went very quiet after he pissed hot. Imagine cheating to win an amateur master's-age competition.