Are you being stereotyped?

Written by Allen Unrau

My grey hair got me into an interesting situation lately at the local supermarket. I brought my basket of purchases up to the teller and exchanged the normal pleasantries.  I had selected various fruit juices, some fresh fruit and a copy of the daily paper.  I paid with a debit card.

When the transaction was over the young man at the end of the counter where the grocery bags ended up looked at me and made the following comment: “Would you like a hand out with your groceries today?”

My immediate reaction was to take offence. What was wrong with this guy? Did he think I was old? I controlled myself and said jokingly, “I’m probably in better physical condition than you are…I’m sure I can get these healthy foods to the car by myself!”

What I had just experienced was “age stereotyping.”

This young man had been well trained to equate white hair (or a lack of it) with someone needing help.  His question was robotic based on some aspects of my appearance.  He was doing the right think just to be courteous…or was he?

This experience, along with being offered discounts on coffee at McDonalds, has started me down the road to “the Seniors experience.”

How are you treated in public?  Are they courteous or condescending?  Are they patronizing and presumptuous? Do some folks use a different language and tone of voice when they speak to you?  Does it sometimes feel like they are sorry you got so old and they are trying to be sympathetic?  Do they fawn over you and call you, “Sweetie” or “Deary?”

The media tend to stereotype a great deal when it comes to Seniors.  Most articles that I see written discuss cures for every type of disease and bladder control issue known to modern science.  They forget that you have a normal life beyond the “aches and pains of aging.”  I’m not sure if they really understand Senior values.

Society sometimes categorizes all older people as pretty much the same.  My research discovered five widespread myths about mature citizens that need to be eliminated.

• Myth #1 – People over 65 are old. They are not old in today’s world and more importantly, they do not feel old.
• Myth #2 – Older minds are not as active as younger minds. Not true by any means!
• Myth #3 – Older people are not productive. Mature folks are more open to flexible and productive involvement in work and volunteer projects.
• Myth #4 – Most older people are in ill health. This is not the case today.  I have clients 85+ that could walk several miles without breaking a sweat.
• Myth #5 – Older people are unattractive and sexless. Romance continues into later years and becomes deeper and more meaningful.

What do Seniors want?  Where do you fit in our society?  Do you want to be different and be treated differently just because of your age?  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if younger people came up to you and carried on a normal conversation as if you weren’t a Senior?

You can be the catalyst. Determine that you will speak to younger folks in a normal way.  They may be surprised to find out that you are just like them except for a few “wisdom wrinkles.”

Seniors Today – no age group is more varied in physical abilities, personal styles, tastes, desires and financial capability

Please Don’t Stereotype!

Article © Allen Unrau, used with permission