It's fun the first time you're asked for ID to get into a bar. Being "proofed" or "carded" is a sign of maturity. You feel like an adult. On the other end of the spectrum, however, nasty monsters lurk...
I went to my favorite thrift-store today to buy some strappy sandals to go with my next outfit. As I approach the store, I see a big sign "Senior Discount Tuesday!" Apparently they now give 20% off to seniors on Tuesdays. Okay, that's nice. Then I see that they define a "Senior" as anyone over 55 years old. Holy crap -- I'm 56!
Calm down, I tell myself. I'm not a senior. I'm not old. I'm middle-aged at worst -- and truly young at heart. I instruct myself not to take advantage of the discount, even though I'm technically entitled to it, so I can maintain my self-image. That's important.
I find some cute shoes and go to the register. The cashier takes one look at me and chirps, "Senior discount today?!" I grimace and say, "No thank you." She studies my face again and rings up my order. As I pull out my money, I vaguely realize the bill is slightly less than it should be. As soon as I get outside, I check my receipt and see the cashier applied the senior discount to my order, saving me two bucks. It even says so on my receipt. Right next to "Senior Discount" it says "Old Person In Denial."
While I knew this day was in my future, I didn't expect it to arrive now. So soon. While I'm still young. And healthy. And full of vigor.
Please, somebody, say something comforting. I'm dying here...
Your only as old as you feel and you feel young so that's good and can I also say you don't look your age. You look a lot younger.
ReplyDeleteBless you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Deleteahh, see you are looking at this the negative way...Spin it around make it positive....You graduated to senior hood, its an honor simply by out living a threshold of years! For that with your dedication, longevity, and luck to have lived for over 55 years- savers is saying a THANK YOU! and in return you reap the benefits...
ReplyDeletePlus usually it has to do with counts and sales tactics that they have to make a certain amount of transactions...so considering it a victory, you not only got a great pair of shoes..you saved as well!!! VICTORY..
As for age..It keeps creeping up in your writings...I think it is time for Crazy girl time doing something totally unexpected :-) the joy will be trying to find that thing...
Yep, I can understand the horror!!!!! Just think, in your female attire, you look 20 years younger!!!! You don't look your age in either clothing!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am conceding to sausage dog even though I thought it was something else!?!?!?! I have a really silly post which I'd love your opinion on please, dear Ally! x
I guessed doggy but I can see how you thought it was an otter.
DeleteOh I think that was sweet of the cashier to save you some money, and she attempted to save your dignity too. I am young at heart too, so I get the irritation of qualifying for a senior's discount but I also love a good discount! Turning 47 recently has hit me harder than any age ever has but I am reminding myself that how I feel is more important and I am definitely more like 25 in spirit. And don't forget, you got CUTE SHOES!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Yes, the cashier was sympathetic -- and much older than me. That's probably why she took pity on me.
DeleteI say use it to your advantage.. discounts at restaurants too I bet. whats in a label anyway? I dont know about you but I wouldnt trade my current age for going back to be younger at all. I am so much more aware of who I am and confident thats all that matters- I am sure its the same for you. I love your comment about 'old man in denial' you have the BEST humour!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodi. You and others are touting the practical benefits of this but what floored me was the emotional punch it has. Being called OLD is no small matter!
DeleteI'm in the same boat! I get asked if I want a senior's discount >sad face< Let's not go into the night quietly!
ReplyDeleteA similar thing happened to my mum recently with a discount at the fruit market they have during the week. When she told me about it, I couldn't believe it. She is the same age as you and I certainly don't regard that as old, it is undoubtedly middle age. I am so surprised they still gave you the discount when you said no. I would have done the same as you- said no thank you to the discount under those circumstances. I can see why you felt the way you did about this.
ReplyDelete... At least you saved two bucks!
ReplyDeleteWhat difference does it make dear? It's just a number! We all stroll through life seeing ourselves as kids, striving to act like adults, while deep inside we all crave for the same things: love and comfort. I really doubt we are synchronized with how old we really are. Sometimes we feel older and sometimes younger. Here's a trick I do: I always say I'm more than my age and then enjoy the compliments of how much younger I look and the looks of horror in people's faces when they realize I really don't give a damn about numbers, as long as I'm trying everyday to be a better me than yesterday. That's the point of getting old isn't it? You're getting better and wiser. And like Sean said: Some age, others mature. I'd be damn proud of myself If I got a senior discount!!! Kisses :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, dimi.
DeleteRepeated senior discount = free stuff! With the money you save in the long run, it'll be like they're paying you to shop ;) Maybe think of it more like a frequent buyers discount, you know like when you get your card stamped at a coffee shop? Perception is everything.
ReplyDeleteWe *could* just go ahead and call it the Super Sexy Discount. That has a much nicer ring to it.
You always know how to put a rosy spin on things. Thanks, pal!
DeleteWell unlike the majority that have commented so far I wouldn't be happy about the discount. If the discount was for $1,000 okay...yeah...call me senior. Otherwise...I'll happily remain "on the other side of senior" thankyouverymuch.
ReplyDeleteAlso...you need to know that you do not look like a senior, especially when dressed in your biker gear. At all.
I know we all have to succumb to our age eventually, but I'm going kicking and screaming all the way.
bisous
Suzanne
Me, too.
DeleteOh no! That's awful. No sales clerk should offer a senior discount unless the person is clearly in his/her 80s, at least. What a blow to your ego.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, you certainly don't look like a senior!! 56 absolutely is middle-aged, not "senior" status. And your youthful vitality shaves several years off for you--I think you could easily pass for late 40s/early 50s. Especially in your female attire and wig--you could easily be 45.
I know the feeling, albeit in a different way. I get it every time I order a drink at a bar or restaurant and don't get carded. It's even worse at the grocery store, because I know they're supposed to card anyone who looks younger than 30 or 35. I kind of feel like shoving my ID in their face and asking them to check, haha.
That's funny. I remember being your age and feeling the same way about not being carded.
DeleteWell she shouldn't have just assumed!! I hate that society considers someone a senior if they are over 55. I know plenty of folks between about 55-70 that have more energy and youthfulness than I do!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't look like a senior at all!!
Thank you, pal. That makes me feel better. :-)
DeleteNo way you're NOT a senior! However, I say take the discount!
ReplyDeletexo
styleontheside.com
I would never say no to a discount!
ReplyDeleteBTW I don't consider 56 a senior!
Also, even though I think you are serious, this post made me giggle.
I'm TRYING to find some words of comfort to offer, but sorry, I'm too busy laughing! With you tho', not at you my Friend. But I learned something a long time ago from my Amazing Mom... who told me she didn't know why most Females lied about their Age in the wrong direction. She always added ten years onto her age anytime anyone was rude enuf to ask her how old she was. She said that ALWAYS elicited a Flattering response that was a boost to the Ego as well as an internal Giggle at the shock on the faces of whoever it was and their amazement that she looked SO WELL PRESERVED! *Winks* So... I followed in her footsteps because I just Love the Response too, who doesn't want anyone telling them they look AMAZING!??? *Winks* And now that I'm Officially considered a Senior by Discount Standards, Hell yeah I'm taking the benefits of earning such a privilege as well as being called Gramma and Great-Gramma... because my Dear Ole Dad always had the addage too, that Old Age is a Privilege not afforded to many. So True! I can't wait til I turn 100 and get to tell someone I'm 110 when they ask... *Smiles* Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian
ReplyDeleteIsn't that CRAZY? It's hard to imagine that 55 qualifies as a "senior citizen". But I'm shameless...I would have made SURE I got that discount. haha
ReplyDeleteI know you must have discussed your age on here before, but I have a horrible memory. I could have sworn you were younger than me (53). I was thinking maybe remembering that you were 49. You certainly look younger. I'm wondering how old the cashier was. I remember when I was younger thinking everyone was much older than what I would think of them now. My grandma is 98 and talks about those "other old people"....like she's not one of them. ha
Frankly, they keep lowering the bar of what constitutes a senior - it's just a grab for more business, not at all slight on you. And isn't that ageist? Why not give a 20-something the discount? Someone who makes minimum wage and could really use it? 55 is a silly-young age to be calling senior, and we're at our peak earnings then. Save it for the young and the 65+ (the REAL seniors) who can actually use the discount.
ReplyDeleteSmart ideas, Sheila, that I agree with. Discounts should help those who need it, not fat cats like me.
DeleteI would've never guessed your age. But as someone who has gone through extensive psychology and biology classes - including one called Lifespan psychology - 56 IS middle age.
ReplyDeleteSo from a college studied bud, you're not old!
Whew! Thank you, bud. And since I plan to live to 126, technically I am middle-aged. :-)
DeleteWell, I may not be able to comment since I'm only 31, but I truly feel that age is just a number and if you FEEL old you ARE old. If you FEEL young, you ARE young. Period.
ReplyDelete(and for the record, saying good-bye to my 20's was tough...I can't be alone in that one either. Thankfully I found out that being in my 30's is turning out to be far better than being in my 20's! So I can relate in some small measure...aging is difficult...just gotta keep feelin' young.)
Lisa.
Look at it this way ... although at 55 most people do not look or feel like seniors ... enjoy the discount ~ you can use the savings towards something else you love!!! I got a seniors discount at our local supermarket last year ... when I was only 50 ~ wish I had spent more!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf we did not get to be old, we'd die young - so I like the first option best.
ReplyDeleteI think that now, since our life expectancy is higher we are younger for longer time. Proof is that if you look at pictures of family when they were your age, they probably look so much older!