Senior Citizen? Me?
By webeishere
@webeishere (36313)
United States
April 26, 2007 2:52pm CST
I am only 52 years old. I look maybe 40 I've been told by many people. I have been carded (asked for ID) when I buy cigarettes. That is annoying at times but liveable. Now when I was at the hospital today to pick up dad I wnet for a cup of coffee at the cafeteria there. As I started to pay the cashier she was looking me up and down then stared at my streaked gray & black hair. She then asked questioningly, "Are you a senior?" Now this kind of hurt just for the fact I get asked for ID for smokes. It isn't demeaning but theirs a 10% discount. I of course said no I'm not. Now I hear from the hospital that for some senior discounts at various places a senior is considered 50 and older. So am I now unofficially a senior citizen? I won't mind the discounts. But the tag "Senior" hits a nerve slightly. Are you a senior of 50? Or are you a government classified senior over 62? Help I'm not that old am I? Haha!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
14 people like this
21 responses
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
26 Apr 07
I guess age should only be in the head
It is only a number, and if you can get a discount with it then that should be a good thing ... now I undertsand it can be frustrating because people tend to think that "seniors" should be older
Just thing that "senior" in Spanish just means "sir" and then it is no longer that a bad thing ;-)
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
26 Apr 07
LOL! I would probably have slapped the cashier! In the UK no one is called a "senior" until the age of at least 60, and as my next birthday will in fact me 50 (next week!), I am very pleased that I still have some way to go!
@mnflower (1299)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I did some checking Grandpa Bob and this is what I found so ya you can get discounts in hotels and alot of resturants too if you know every place has different age limit for the discounts
50 for AARP,(or the spouse of a member)
55 in general
62 for Medicare benefits
62 for reduced retirement benefits
65 for full retirement benefits
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
26 Apr 07
Well I must say, you're younger than me Grandpa Bob! I 'used to' look a lot younger than my age, but can't say for sure lately, as nobody's mentioned it recently, so ...
Up here we're not 'officially' considered seniors until age 65, so I still have a ways to go. I do sometimes feel that people are starting to view me as a senior, and it can be frustrating, especially since I have a teenage daughter. Although, I have had some 'senior moments' of late (haha).
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Apr 07
Weall have senior moments.
What was I writing about?
Oh yeah. Hahahahaha!!
Just kidding. Thanks for the response.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Apr 07
Your only a senior citizen when it comes to discounts (hint hint). :-) Otherwise, your a handsome 52, which to me, is NOT a senior citizen, Grandpa Bob. From reading your discussions, your still young at heart and mind. Don't let it bother ya cause those gray streaks is what makes ya handsome. :-) (My dad had them as well and e1 kept telling me he is handsome, which he was.)
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I am a child and I refuse to grow up.
Hahahaha! Thanks for ythe compliment also.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I am a legal, bonafide, government-stamped, legitimate senior citizen at the ripe old age of 65. I know what you mean, tho, about being confused at the defined age of senior citizens. I've been to many restaurants that give discounts either at 50 or 55. You can join AARP at age 50. I started drawing Social Security at 62. Our senior citizens' center allows people in at 55. I'll take the discounts and the center activities, but I didn't consider myself a full senior citizen until I got medicare. Of course, that, also, is changing now. Future seniors will have to wait later than 65!
Interesting discussion and glad to have you back, Grandpa Bob!
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Apr 07
Well I am going to start using the discounts that I happen to see. Thanks for the response also.
@dixielol (1579)
• United States
5 May 07
Im sure I am not a senior citizen by no ones definition. (20 years old). My mom is 42 but looks like she is in her late 20's to early 30's. Everyone thinks she is my sister & just can not believe she is my mom. They think that there cant be more then 5-10 years differance in our ages. Haha. She went out to eat one day & the lady at the register gave her a seniors discount. We couldnt believe it. She must of messed up & done it or just did it to be nice.
Embrass your age. In a couple years, you wont be able to remember how old you are anyways. Hahaha, just playing. You do like to be in your early 40's. No were near 50. I would've said "yeap, Im a senior. Gimme my discount."
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
27 Apr 07
Yes dad you are that old hehehe. You knew Id say it. I mean im your little girl and im almost 30 that should tell you something. Id take advantage of the discount if I was you. Too bad JcPennys doesnt give a senior discount.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Apr 07
30?
better think again kid.
1978 makes you almost 29 does it not?
This makes you a senior in the mind area.
Hahahahaha!
Love ya. You'll always be my lil' girl.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM DADDY!!~
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
26 Apr 07
Awww some people can be so mean ... the upside you can get AARP now .. sorry, I kid my boyfriend about it all the time he just turned 52 and no, I don't think you are senior citizen, as we get older the age to be a senior citizen get older, I believe you are senior citizen when you can draw social security.
2 people like this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
You are definitely not a senior to me Grandpa Bob! You are one of those very few people that I get to know who is young at heart and has a very young, happy and positive disposition. It one would really get your Biological Age, you might turn out to be younger than 52 years old. Though it isn't so bad being a serior since my father is already a senior and who seems to be far more healthier that I am.
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
27 Apr 07
Age should be a number and nothing more. I find it rather sad that some people feel the need to ask if you're a senior - just to make sure their customers are given the appropriate discounts and all LOL.
I think in all honesty bob, I would have slapped the cashier, because I would have found the remark rude and a little insensitive. I'm well aware that I have a few years to go yet till I reach that point but still.
My mother in the UK has just reached the age of 60 (last year) and so she's now officially classed as a senior. To look at her though, you'd never guess. She's taken very good care of herself over the years.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 07
Over here in my country 50 and above are considered senior citizen. Once you reach that tag of senior citizen you enjoy many benefits like flying at 50% discount and getting first in a que. Even hospitals have a special counter for senior citizen. So it is not so bad being a senior citizen.
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
6 May 07
No way! I don't believe those classifications by the government or by corporations. I think that is silly honestly, but hte discounts are pretty decent. At 52 your a senior? At 34 am I a junior? I never understood that. You are definitely not that old to be classified as a senior citizen!
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I think you ran across someone who is blind to age and probably asked every adult that. LOL. At some places 52 or 55 is senior. No you do not look like a senior. It sounds like dad is doing better. Good.
2 people like this
@kareng (55130)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I've noticed that the age is dropping around our town for Senior Citizen discounts. This is good and needed, especially for those living on social security.
I had remarked to my husband over this when we were eating at a local place with a sign for Senior Discounts at age 50 and told him that I guess we can start looking forward to a discount soon.
Just remember, you are only as old as you FEEL!
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
27 Apr 07
Aww, Bob! i don't consider you a senior. You are only as old as my own father! In California, it is very hard to find a place that gives Senior Deiscounts to anyone under the age of 65. i can imagine that being called a senior would hit a nerve, but i woul dlvoe to take advantage of those discounts!
@Denmarkguy (1845)
• United States
27 Apr 07
"Senior" seems to have been moved around, a lot, in recent years. Seems that if you WANT money (from retirement programs, and such) they are INCREASING the qualifying age. But if you are SPENDING money, then they have lowered it.
Blame the AARP-- they're the ones who declared that 50 is the magic number for membership... and a LOT of businesses and oganizations follow their lead: If you're old enough to have an AARP membership card, you're "old" enough to qualify for assorted "senior" programs. Seems silly to me, but there ya go.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
27 Apr 07
It's alright. I am 6 and still wearing diapers and aunties 10 times my age called me UNCLE. UNCLE, do you want a drink? I was like.. HORROR.
But strangely, when I go to another auntie maybe 7 times my age, she will call me SMALL BOY. How insulting! At least I know how to wash my own diaper! :P
@kavinpurams (184)
• India
27 Apr 07
i think age is not a problem weather that person is senior or junior i think experince and keeping the value in the life is the main thing. in my opinion we should have to respect the person having some knowldge about some thing. did you respect the person who is wandering along the road if they got more age. i think you wont do that
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
27 Apr 07
Never mind if your're called a senior citizen as long as you look 40! Realling. . .I understand that it is a bit painful to admit one's age and how people demeans you for having been mistaken as a "senior". What is important is that you don't think and act like one. . .Aw, if you think you're not that old, then you are not. . .
