Seniors

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

15. Some years back (twenty, now that I think of it)

Fri Oct 31, 2014, 02:06 PM

Oct 2014

I was getting a cup of coffee at a McDonald's, and the 16 year old behind the counter said, "That will be twenty-seven cents." I said, "I thought it was fifty-three cents." She responded, "Oh, senior discount," and then actually looked at me and suddenly looked horrified as she realized I wasn't really quite as old as she'd thought. I was 46 at the time.

When I'd tell the story back then, friends would ask, "Weren't you offended?" No, I wasn't, because I remember being not very much older than that girl, and in a job where we could offer a senior discount, and invariably offending people because I was too young to see much difference between 46 and 66. I actually thought it hilarious when it happened, and put the extra quarter I'd thought I'd be spending on the coffee into the Ronald McDonald box.

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30 replies

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How do you feel about the term "senior"? [View all] ellenrr Oct 2014 OP

I'm the opposite. I'm fine with 'senior', but don't like 'elder'. sinkingfeeling Oct 2014 #1

I'm with you. classof56 Oct 2014 #5

I agree with sinkingfeeling. No Vested Interest Dec 2014 #18

"elder" is what I said, not "elderly" ellenrr Jan 2015 #25

I prefer Turbineguy Oct 2014 #2

Geezer works for me. marble falls Oct 2014 #3

I am what I am left-of-center2012 Oct 2014 #4

I prefe the term "senior" rather than "old lady" or "old woman." n/t RebelOne Oct 2014 #6

I prefer 'senior' to elder. elleng Oct 2014 #7

"Senior" doesn't bother me. "Elderly" would be worse, though true. No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #8

I prefer years young Crewleader Oct 2014 #9

I'm fine with it. SheilaT Oct 2014 #10

I say years young in good humor Crewleader Oct 2014 #11

Sometimes I get more annoyed than I should. SheilaT Oct 2014 #12

I had to laugh yesterday when I stopped at the mini-nurse station in Kroger No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #13

I prefer "senior" to "senior citizen".... which drips with euphemism and patronization. Smarmie Doofus Oct 2014 #14

I look much younger that I am. ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #17

Some years back (twenty, now that I think of it) SheilaT Oct 2014 #15

I agree. I had a neighbor, young man around 20 yrs old, ellenrr Jan 2015 #24

*My Pet Peeve* ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #16

Sorry, I would likely offend you, as I have developed the habit No Vested Interest Dec 2014 #21

to me, it depends. Sometimes for sure as you say, it comes with condencension, ellenrr Jan 2015 #23

It's called "Elderspeak." I don't like it! ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #19

The term is ELDERSPEAK ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #20

I hate elderly and young woman blackcrow Jan 2015 #22

Senior discount, please! It's just kind of a generic term, and I don't mind. Don't call me ... Hekate Jan 2015 #26

just dont call me young lady or any of that crap. mopinko Jan 2015 #27

I still can't get used to being called sir or mister olddots Jan 2015 #28

If the term "elder" was being used in the sense you described, Silver Gaia Apr 2015 #29

Senior doesn't bother me - elder seems a bit forced - we don't value elders in this society LiberalElite Apr 2015 #30