Were the Istari already old men...?

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Alfirin

I think it is entirely possible that, for the average elf, Cirdan would be the first and only bearded member of their race they ever saw, barring scenes from the seventh stone (since the elves can and do use the seventh Palantir to sneak glances at the west, they may occasionally get to see those elves who stray into the line of sight.

That's why I'm suggesting it might have brought them additional respect among the Elves, or at least not diminished it.