Welcome to Festivus, the perfect time to air your grievances! In a previous column, I discussed how society and technology have not adequately addressed the challenges of aging, and now it’s your turn to share your issues.
One reader, Sally, is frustrated with cashiers who say “no problem” after she thanks them for a receipt, as if it’s an extraordinary gesture.
Barb demands usable pockets in all clothes and readable labels on items like food and meds. She also dislikes kneeling down at the grocery store.
And then there’s Katherine, who has nothing but praise for the column!
I just love your column, Virge. Hits the nail on the head every time and written beautifully.
-Katherine
Now it’s your turn to add your grievances! Share what you think technology or society has overlooked in relation to aging. Let’s continue the conversation!
PREVIOUS COLUMN
One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes takes place at this time of year…the Festivus episode. While I”m not erecting any stainless steel poles (I like tinsel!) – I think everyone can use Frank Constanza’s catharsis: The Airing of Grievances, especially related to how society responds (or doesn’t) to the needs of older people.
Serial Numbers
Put the (%&#*%#()*%#&%!!! serial numbers on equipment someplace an older person can find without turning the damn thing over. Printers are heavy and clumsy, routers and modems are often in difficult places to move, and don’t get me started about anything cable related. And once you find them – why aren’t they readable? Such tiny little numbers and letters (is that a 3 or an 8? Is that a 6 or an 8? is that a 9 or an 8? is that a zero or letter o?) Where are my reading glasses? Grrr!
Fashion Faux Pas
I’ve tried to keep up, but I’m not as flexible as I used to be. You shouldn’t need to be a yoga master to put on a dress, but back zippers foil me. Why not a zipper on the side of a dress? I’m not a contortionist and nine times out of ten I can’t reach the damn thing. And buttons? Who on earth would put buttons on the back of a dress or blouse?
Silence Please
Now that Covid is not as prevalent as before, it’s nice to enjoy being with my friends over a nice dinner. Or it would be…if restaurants didn’t blast the sound system to eardrum shattering sound levels. I was out with friends a few weeks ago. The music was deafening and everyone at every table was shouting to be heard over the music. My normal-hearing friends could not hear what was being said at the other end of the table – and it was a two top! One in three people over 65 have hearing loss, restaurant owners, so turn it down if you want our business. After all, if there was a correlation between loud noise and a good time, parents of screaming babies would be ecstatic.
And that’s why the inventor of an app to search out quiet restaurants is Man of the Year. Learn about Soundprint here.
YOUR TURN
I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but hey, it’s Festivus. What are the petty grievances you’d like to air? Share ’em in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.
Photo: Freestocks for Unsplash
