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I was on reddit and saw yet another post today about someone congratulating themselves on calling an older person "young lady" and giggling and thinking that it's a complement.

I HATE that. I recently turned 60. I'm ok with that. It beats the alternative. Yesterday I did my normal routine. I went to the gym mid-morning and lifted weights and did cardio with all the other Q-tips (my affectionate term for my fellow distinguished white-haired ladies and gentlemen). Then I went to the grocery store that has a senior discount. I live in a college town. The cashiers often make those cute remarks when you buy wine or beer. Are you old enough to buy that? Ha ha. Last time I stared them directly in the eye and asked if they need to see my id. I was in a bad mood. This time I said I sure hope so. Really. I can't imagine going back to be 20 and having to do it all over again. I'm retired and financially secure. I love my family and friends and life. My ass is a little saggy though, and the skin on my forearms feels oddly crepey. Anyway, I know their comments are meant well. It still sucks.

I saw an interview with a female celebrity several years ago talking about this. Maybe it was Jane Pauley. She said it's mainly women that get these comments. She knows she's not young. That's ok with her. She doesn't understand why a person pointing out that the first thing they notice about her is that she is old should be a complement. I agree. I've read younger men now are often insecure about their height. I don't go around addressing short men as Mr. Tall Man. Why would you do that?

I'm under no illusion that I look younger than my age. Just stop it already. This is just a rant and me screaming into the void.

Interesting viewpoint. But it’s something that never bothered me.

When you have kids, anything over 18 is old 😂. I’ve been " old" a long time.

Half the time the cashiers at the supermarket don’t even say anything to the customer. No hi or good morning - NOTHING! So if they called me young lady - I’d laugh at it and take it for what it is.

But that’s just me.

Yes. I understand that.

Several years ago, 10 or a little more, I took my son and his friend to a movie. They were 13 or 14. I was in my late 40s. I jokingly asked for 2 children's ticket and 1 senior. The guy started to ring it up, and I told him I was joking and it was 3 adults. I asked if he noticed anything, and he said that they looked a little young to get a children's discount (12 and under). He said nothing about me. My son told me, "To be fair, he's probably a high school kid who doesn't care about his job or how he rings up the tickets." Fair enough.

A few years ago, my son and his friend asked about our gym membership. We've been paying a family membership for 2 children including him for many years. I told him his card was current, and they could try using the other one for his friend. We've been paying it for years, and I thought that was fair. Then I said that I thought the cut off age for the family was 21. They were both a few years older. They were offended and surprised that I would think they could pass for under 21. I told them that if they could tell me if the person checking them in was closer to 45 or 65, I would understand their viewpoint. It's hard for me to tell young ages now. I know they can't tell.

Last week I had my dog at the vet's office. When I was checking out, I saw a sign that I'd probably previously seen, but hadn't registered with me, that said seniors (65+) get a 10% discount on services and products. So I asked about it and the woman sort of looked at me like she doubted I was 65. I joked that, "Wow, I've just caught that sign in time," though I'm almost 66. I was ready to pull out my ID to prove it to her, but she finally seemed to realize I wasn't trying to pull anything on her.

I was telling my husband about it today, in case he finds himself at the vet's office and also misses the sign (although they said they've put it in our dog's patient portal now), and H said that we should get the discount because of our dog's age (14). But I told him our dog isn't paying the bill 🤣.

I got pulled over the other day in a smaller town about 20 minutes from where I live. The signage was confusing and I made a U-turn where I was not supposed to. The sign was there, but I didn’t see it.

The police officer was very kind and did not refer to my age in any way. But he sure did excuse my mistake and not even give me a citation or a warning.

I’m guessing that my age had something to do with it… Maybe everything to do with it– I’m 72, and look it, frankly. The officer was kind enough, I guess.

But I have begun to sense certain things regarding treatment given to me as a result of my age.

I do understand why it is irritating to you.

In my Sunday school class at my church… I am in a class where I am the oldest in that particular class by about 15 years… The teacher, who is a friend of mine will occasionally tease me by asking if some of the same issues we’re dealing with today were around back in the "good old days". But I consider it coming from him to be an exercise of endearment.

But if some stranger – "young whippersnapper" – at the grocery store called me, young lady… Yeah, it would probably piss me off.

[This message edited by WhatsRight at 4:31 AM, Sunday, March 29th]