In large Power Distance societies, the importance of paternal and maternal authority, which subsists throughout life, implies a respect for the older person, both within work organizations and in social life outside. People may try to look older than they are. the small Power Distance societies, age tends to be negatively evaluated, old people often are not taken seriously and it is normal to try to look younger than one is. People from large Power Distance societies are often shocked at the lack of respect for old people in small Power Distance societies.