Senior Annoying Behaviors

I have been thinking about this for a couple of weeks. About two to three weeks ago I read an article by a 30-something listing the most annoying habits or behaviors conducted by us old folks, And she was right, Where she went wrong was she didn’t explain anything. I feel sorry for her parents and grandparents. Her article was nothing but a list of gripes.

Don’t get me wrong I am sure many of my behaviors or habits piss my 40-something kids off. And they make the same mistake this author of the article I read. BTW: I found a multitude of articles written by young’ins making the same bitches (sorry, I meant to type complaints). A “bitch” is a female dog.

So I decided to try to explain the reasons behind some of the despised behaviors exhibited by us old folks. Here goes.

First up: TECHNOLOGY. Us old folks are NOT afraid of technology. Christ (sorry God) we grew up with technology. The telephone coming into the home (and the end of party lines). The TV. The color TV. Stereo with receivers and turntables,. Transistor radios. Zip codes. Area codes. Man on the moon. Velcro. Nylon. PC’s. Laptops. Seen it. Our seeming reluctance to technology is simply we view technology as a tool. I don’t need a 20 pound sledge hammer to hang a picture. We use technology for US, We learn technology as we need. If we need help attaching a file to an email it is because we seldom do it and therefore don’t need it. So what? We are running out of time and simply are not going to waste it learning your smart phone when all we want to do is text and talk.

Next gripe: Advice. Look, I have learned a couple of things in my many years. I don’t think there is a mistake left on the planet I haven’t made. When us old folks provide advice it is out of love. We don’t want our children and grandchildren making the same mistakes we made. I realize that often young’ins think they are so smart – even smarter than us old folks – they don’t need advice. Wow. Does wisdom count? I’ll google it later.

Third complaint: Reminiscing. Our society today is all spread out. Families don’t get born, get raised, and get jobs in the same town. Our kids live in different geographical areas. We, as a family, are spread out all over the place. There is no interaction with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. The result is kids know little about their own parents. What made me? What forces molded me into the person I became? Where did I grow up?. My kids do not know me. They only know the father. Why did I do and say the things I did and said? They don’t know. We reminisce to try to make up for this lack. We are trying to bridge a gap. Before we pass on. We are trying to inform. Maybe listen before it is too late?

Final complaint: Lack of listening and empathy. Not true. Us old folks may seem to not care for a reason: your problems are tiny. We been there! We got the t-shirts – and the scars. We are tying to tell you this issue or problem is minor in the grand scheme of life. You will overcome. We love you and are trying to tell you to be tough. We show a lot of empathy about important stuff. We don’t have time left for bovine feces. Our time is running out.

OK. Time for young’ins to remember. Who cleaned your diapers, clothes when there were accidents, and bathed you? Who slowed down when your little legs couldn’t keep up? Who carried you when you couldn’t walk any further? Who fed, clothed, and housed you? Who bought the prom dress? Who paid when you had the car accident and ticket? Who picked you up when you fell, or failed, or got hurt? Who provided the hug when it was needed? Who was tough on you when inside them there was pain and worry because you needed it? Us old folks have some annoying habits. Got it. But we will be gone soon anyway.

So if we walk a little slower, have trouble hearing. Maybe our brains aren’t firing like they used to. Or maybe our memory isn’t as good. Maybe it is your turn to slow down. Maybe your turn to help. Maybe your turn to be patient.

But then again I’m an old guy and I don’t get it…..