這幾年出門旅行時發現，不少退休的叔叔阿姨都會結伴出行，四處游歷，歡樂無比。連旅游市場都開始關注到這一點，并將這一新的消費群體成為silver consumers（銀發消費族）。在國外，銀發族們都開始像大學生一樣過gap year了。

The newly coined term ‘Grey Gapper' describes people who are 55 and over, and who have decided to take a gap year. Gap years are normally associated with young people and students, who are taking a break from education to backpack around the world, staying in hostels and partying a lot. However, according to a survey by the Post Office, ‘grey gappers' are now on the increase, with 25% of people aged 55 and over taking a long break to travel the world.
Grey Gapper這個新創的詞指55歲以上、決定進行一次間隔年旅行的人，我們可以稱為“銀發gap族”或者“銀發空檔族”。通常來說，間隔年都跟年輕人和學生族有關，他們會在上學期間暫停學業，背包周游世界、住青年旅館，四處狂歡。不過，一項調查顯示，“銀發gap族”的人數在持續增加，55歲以上的人群中有25%會暫別常規生活，周游世界。

This age group is typically in an extremely comfortable position to partake in an extended adventure. They are mature people with savings, grown up children and empty nests, years of hard work, stress and pressure behind them; so why not shed some responsibility and indulge?
這個年齡段的人正處于生活最舒適的階段，可以參加時間較長的出游。他們成熟有積蓄，孩子已成年離家，努力工作多年，壓力不再，所以為什么不卸下責任，放肆歡樂呢？

Some empty nesters set off, iPads in hand, to faithfully tick sights and destinations off a long-held travel bucket-list. Others look for work or voluntary placements overseas; one third of globalvounteers.org participants are now over 55. The baby boomer generation have a love of travel, backed up with money and ambition, and many refuse to take retirement sitting down.
有些空巢族手里拿著iPad出發，按照計劃許久的旅游清單一一造訪那些景點。有些則會尋找海外的工作或志愿服務機會，globalvounteers.org網站三分之一的志愿者都是55歲以上的。嬰兒潮一代喜愛旅行，有足夠的資金和雄心，很多人并不愿意把退休作為安享晚年的終點。

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen）