One of the things we hate about school is the awkward social situations.

No one likes walking into a lunchroom hoping somewhere in the masses is a friend. Then graduation day and freedom. Off to the adult world where people don't act juvenile and bullies figure out just how rotten they've been behaving.Or do they?"Bullying doesn't stop at any age," said Janene Holter, a senior supervisory specialist in the Public Engagement Office of state Attorney General's Office. "We may be growing older, but it doesn't mean we grow up."Last week, Holter gave a presentation about adult bullying to a group of retired citizens at the Blue Mountain Health Systems Medical Plaza in Bowmanstown.First, she defined bullying as a repeated "aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance."Bullying can be physical, emotional or social. If the bullying is physical, Holter said call the police immediately. Don't wait."The minute they lay hands on you, it won't be the last time," she said.Emotional bullying strips away a person's self-esteem and feelings of being safe, Holter said. For example, emotional bullying could be threatening to put a person in a nursing home if he or she doesn't do what the bully wants.Social bullying is purposefully excluding a person, like the old "You can't sit at my table" routine from grade school. Holter said she often has seen this type of behavior at senior centers, adult care centers, assisted living homes and social events. The exclusion is done by seniors against other seniors."Invite everyone into the group. Everybody has the right to come," she said. "Don't be part of the problem. Be a part of the solution. If you think something is going wrong, please step up and do something."Sometimes bullying can be hard to recognize though, and then there are times it's unquestionable.Holter listed some specific examples for the group, which include: name calling, teasing or gossiping; purposefully loud arguments; being bossed around; social cliques that exclude others; ridicule and criticism; spreading rumors; mocking a person's behavior or mannerisms; intimidation by taunting, tripping, threatening, biting; taking and/or destroying someone's property; harassment; taking a person's money; abruptly changing a person's will or financial documents; causing conflicts between people; seeking to control a person; and physical abuse such as punching, hitting, kicking and pushing."Bullying is not the fault of the victim," she said. "Respect yourself enough to walk away."Although bullies can be mean people and do it to instill fear or to exploit another person's vulnerabilities, sometimes there are other reasons. Holter said the person might be in physical pain, or upset about a disease diagnosis and prognosis. In those cases, try to be kind and respectful."We can find a friend in one another," she said. And "find people who embrace positive things that are happening in their community."It is also important to recognize the warning signs of bullying, because "maybe if you get involved, it would stop it a lot quicker," she said.Holter gave the group a list warning signs to help them recognize if someone is being bullied and what to do about it. These include:• Self-isolation: Call the person on the phone or stop in to check on him or her.• Avoidance of activities a person frequented: Talk to the person to find out if he or she is being criticized by someone in the group or excluded.• Vague complaints: Comments such as "They won't let me" or "They don't like me." Maybe the person is being manipulated or controlled.• Depression in someone who usually isn't depressed: Medications can cause mild depression and the person might not realize it, but it could also be due to bullying.If the bullying is taking place at a facility, then tell the administration, she said. The Carbon County Area Agency on Aging will have resources, or talk to the person's family, or an attorney about legal matters. If it is physical bullying, then call the police.Elder abuse can be reported to the Attorney General's Office by calling 866-623-2137.