Were the Istari already old men...?

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Alfirin

I imagine some younger elves would see them and think "doddering old fool".

This is actually an interesting point. Would Elves even think like that? It imagine they (at least at first) would not know how to deal with the (comparatively) rapid degeneration of Men over time (both physically and mentally). It doesn't really look like Elves age in the same way. To them beards on an immortal would mean wisdom.