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I make old people sad

beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
First Comment
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
I was just at the post office to ship out some big boxes, and this kind elderly man tried to give me his place in the line. I politely declined, but he insisted because of my boxes, so I set them down on a side counter so he wouldn't worry. I wasn't going to take an old man's place in line.

Next thing I know, he is picking up my heavy boxes and shuffling them over to the counter nearest the front, so I "wouldn't have to go as far," then took his place behind me in line! I was like, "no, no, no, it's really okay. Please go back to your place sir." Then he got all sad and apologized! I tried to thank him again as he was leaving, but he just said, sadly, "I'm really sorry. It was none of my business." I felt like a douche, and I was seriously trying to help him! Argh.



image
Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

"cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
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Re: I make old people sad

  • JK10910JK10910 member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    Shame you, you mean, mean girl.
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  • beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
    First Comment
    I know. I'm the bane of the younger generation. :(



    image
    Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

    "cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
    Report Reply
  • ricksangricksang member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    You hateful woman you! Wink
    image
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  • beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
    First Comment
    Ugh, I just feel bad in situations like that. I didn't want the elderly man to move my boxes and give me his place in line, and yet I felt disrespectful for saying no to him because he's my elder! It's a no-win.



    image
    Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

    "cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
    Report Reply
  • ricksangricksang member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    I understand. I always hate that feeling, especially when it comes to older people.
    image
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  • kate51485kate51485 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    aw, it's okay BG!

    Sounds like you were both trying to do the "right" thing...him being a gentleman and you respecting your elders.  
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  • JK10910JK10910 member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    Waiting at a restaurant one night, I tried to give my seat to an older woman (she was probably late 60s, early 70s), and she totally scolded me for implying she was old and decrepit! 
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  • ricksangricksang member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_old-people-sad?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:d6ae0e73-781a-450b-8d3d-38e45bac2d54Post:72c9264c-3925-4870-8eed-8cfb62185fdb">Re: I make old people sad</a>:
    [QUOTE]Waiting at a restaurant one night, I tried to give my seat to an older woman (she was probably late 60s, early 70s), and she totally scolded me for implying she was old and decrepit! 
    Posted by JK10910[/QUOTE]

    Sorry JK but I'm LMAO!
    image
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  • JK10910JK10910 member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    It's ok, I laughed too!
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  • beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
    First Comment
    Thanks Kate. That's exactly how it felt. And I still felt like a douche for giving someone's grandpa sadface.

    JK, that's too funny. At least you tried. I'll probably give someone the side-eye too when I'm older, because I'll be suspicious of what's really going on.



    image
    Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

    "cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
    Report Reply
  • 3plus3plus member
    First Comment
    I had a situation a couple of weekends ago where a few fairly heavy boxes needed to be carried up from my grandparents' basement.  My Grandad and I had a bit of arguing back and forth as to who was going to do it.  He's 83 and really should not be carrying heavy things anymore but I guess he's still a man and the machoness hasn't faded away entirely.  Eventually my Grandma had to step in and tell me to let him do it lest he get upset and make her miserable for the rest of the day.
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  • beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
    First Comment
    edited December 2009
    Yeah, that's a tough dynamic to tackle 3plus. It's probably hard to for them to distinguish the line between you wanting to be helpful and coming off as patronizing or condescending. Especially in American culture where the elderly are often seen as incompetent compared to younger generations. There's a lot of pride in the older generations, they went through a lot. I hope your grandpa was okay after carrying the boxes!

    EDIT: I wasn't implying you were patronizing or condescending to your grandpa, or to the elderly in general. :)



    image
    Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

    "cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
    Report Reply
  • 3plus3plus member
    First Comment
    He was fine as it turned out, just a little winded.

    I tried to play it off as he had been busy puttering around the house all day whilst I'd been sitting on my butt having tea and cookies with my Grandma.  I don't think he was buying it though.
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  • salt78salt78 member
    First Comment
    It's true. You make me sad each and every day. <3
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  • beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
    First Comment
    Aw, you're a good granddaughter, 3plus.

    Haha! Nice try salt, you look younger than I do. Actually, now you just made me sad. *sobs*



    image
    Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

    "cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
    Report Reply
  • salt78salt78 member
    First Comment
    Lies!
    Seriously though, that is so not true.
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  • beatlesgirl25beatlesgirl25
    First Comment
    Uh huh. The kid in my pic is face palming your silliness. Are you going to argue with a child? Didn't think so. ;)



    image
    Taco cat: Always a palindrome. ALWAYS, okay J&K?

    "cool......insult my size 2 body or my natural brown hair...or the fact that my parents own a country club, I have no budget for a wedding, and I have horses. I really dont care. Its better then having roots." ~ futurepivko
    Report Reply
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