Senior Moments

[dougiezerts]

Do we forgive bad behavior in seniors simply because they're. . . seniors?
I got a call from an old man today. He wanted a local post office. Well, for whatever reason, they have chosen to only list their main toll from # in our listings. Don't ask me why.
I tried to explain this to him, but in his senility he just didn't get it. Finally, I gave up and gave him the toll free line.

[Becks]

In answer to your question, I think they expect us to forgive them for any perceived bad behavior, because, you know, they have autographed copies of the Bible and all.

No stories to share, at least at this time. Just wanted to offer my opinion.

[ArenaBoy]

Had some nasty arguments with seniors at basketball games, a country music concert, and two religious conferences. If you're nice to me and everything then you can get great service but yelling at me and claiming that you're a senior and deserve discounts isn't gonna cut it.

[Canarr]

Way back when I was a kid of 15, 16 and needed public transport to get around, I was riding a regional train with a few friends. It was packed, all seats full, we were sitting and chatting, not really paying attention to people around us (maybe a bit self-centered, but hey, teenagers!). After a stop, an older, larger woman came up to me and asked if she could have my seat, she has a bad leg.

I, being well-raised, got up, said, "Of course," and stood aside so she could sit down. Woman plopped into the seat and, without ever saying "Thank you", or anything, turned to another woman in the neigboring seat. She then started complaining loudly about "young people nowadays, and back in my day they'd have gotten up on their own without being asked, and...".

I just stood there, speechless.

[Mixed Bag]

I wish I was there and had thought to ask what else they unthinkingly did in their day that's gone out of fashion

[Canarr]

Yeah, looking back, there's quite a few things I wish I'd thought of saying...

[blas]

Don't even get me started on old people............I will go on and on and on...

There needs to be an international nursing home where all of them go when they start acting juvenile and greedy, or when they start demanding discounts on everything because of their age. Better yet, just make it a law that old people cannot go out in public without a guardian with them.

And get them off the roads ASAP.

[squall]

To make a long story short, I was handing back change at a register to this old couple. Man drops coins on floor after carefully placing them in his hand. He and his wife scream at me for dropping their money and frown and scowl. So he SLOWLY picks up the coins. In the process....he drops them again. His wife then bends down and they SLOWLY do it together. And then they BOTH drop the coins again. Wash, rinse, repeat. I stood by calmly amused. So finally after all was said and done, one of the other cashiers asks me why I didn't help them.

I replied "Well you obviosly didn't hear the verbal abuse I got for supposedly dropping them in the first place, but as you can see, I wasn't the problem."

[Becks]

Squall, good for you!!!!!!

[NightWolf]

uggg....I can't stand helping some of our golden years folks when it comes to computer support. You know they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, I think with computers this really applies. (No offense to any of our older folks on the board) Some of the seniors we have are awsome! Nice, and understanding, but most are grumpy and difficult.

I just try and think about South Park's Grey Dawn episode and that makes me feel a little better.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Canarr, when we do something nice for someone, we like to think we've done something nice for someone nice. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sometimes, they are not only not nice, but downright undeserving of our courtesy.

That doen't mean you shouldn't continue to be nice, though. You don't do it because of the type of person they are. You do it because of the type of person YOU are.

I can be a thick-skinned, callous and un-insultable bitch and I have worked with the public for many, many years. Only on two occasions have I gotten my feelings hurt, and both times trying to go the extra mile for someone who turned out to be a useless turd. Maybe I'll start a thread about that when I get a chance.

They might not deserve your kindness. But you deserve to continue to be a kind person.

[Canarr]

Damn, RK, you know how to lay on the honey, eh? Thank you for the compliments.

Don't worry, though, the old hag didn't warn me off showing consideration for people; that was around 12 years ago, and today I'll still give up my seat for someone who needs it more than I do, help people with heavy baggage, hold doors... just minor courtesies which unfortunately aren't as common as they should be.

[wagegoth]

And get them off the roads ASAP.

The last two car accidents I was in were the result of senior drivers. They need to start testing them more often, which would help, but the biggest problem seems to be that they freeze up when confronted with an unusual driving situation, i.e., closed lanes, missing their exit, etc.

My grandmother could still see well enough, but knew when to stop driving. First, she quit driving on freeways. Then, she quit driving outside of town. Finally, she quit driving altogether, even in the small town she lives in. I hope I'm sensible enough to do that when I'm her age.

[Dips]

Hubby will go out of his way to help people. For instance, if he sees someone carrying packages, pushing a stroller or using a cane he'll go out of his way to hold the door for them. Most people truly appreciate it and say so. But not everyone.

Hubby held the door open for an older woman at the post office near his job. Not only did she not thank him, but she gave him a dirty look. He said his usual loud and cheerful "You're welcome!" anyway.

Most of the time when he does that, the person just slinks away. Sometimes the person will thank him and apologize for forgetting. But this lady actually stopped in her tracks and sternly said, "I didn't thank you!"

To which Hubby replied, in the same cheerful voice he used earlier, "Yes. I know! Have a nice day!"

Everyone within hearing found that exchange very funny except for the entitled woman. She wasn't amused at all.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I've heard of a man getting berated by a woman who said "You don't have to hold the door just because I'm a lady!"

To which he answered, cheerfully, "That's right, I don't. I have to because I'm a gentleman."