Asklemmy

Hello fellow codger. I, 55m, work amongst much younger people. Here's my take: It's not about age.

People "who only care about gossip" - well, there's as many of those in the older age group. Age sometimes teaches people cunning, so they're less overt, but they're sure as hell gossiping about you and everyone else when they find a friendly ear. IME, the only difference age brings to work relationships is a different set of cultural references. They'll talk about stuff you've never heard of - and you'll be doing the same to their ear.

It sounds like you're new to this workplace, and possibly working with people of differing ages and experiences. That's fine, I've been there too. (Full career change in my late 40s). It's scary, uncertain and confusing - but just dive in.

In any group, there'll be a few people you get on with, some you don't, and the majority somewhere in the grey middle. Some will go out of their way to help you some of the time. Some won't. Some are annoying, some aren't. If someone offers to help and does the opposite - that's a useful thing to learn about them.

If you're annoyed by them, then much of the resolution lies within you. Mentally close them out, or find ways to deal with those feelings. This can't be the first time you've been in this situation?