Note to self: Never shop on Wednesdays - It's kava time! - oohchild's Blog - Tehachapi News

Jun 12, 2008 at 11:06 AM : If it's...

If it's Wednesday, it's "senior day" at Save-Mart and if you are blessed to be 55, you get 5% off of the bill; fine w/me, I made it this far; glad to admit it and to receive the small discount. You must not be 55 because it seems as though it bothers you to actually be that age; as Gloria Steinham (spelling) says: this is what 50 (or 60, fill in the blank) looks like.

Granted, you have to be in the mood to go shopping and mingle w/all the old people; that's what I say, then I realize I am one of them, LOL.

As far as asking for help out to the car; the first time I said okay to it was while I was recuperating from major hip surgery; at first, it felt strange to ask for "help" ~ almost apologizing to the bagger(s), but then I got over it, being mature and all that (being at least 55, LOL) and now I welcome it, when it's offered.

Also, I think it is "store policy" not to ask if someone gets the discount, not wanting to offend the customer and all that. However, I always make sure they give me the 5% discount; it really doesn't take that long in the check-out line ~ what's more annoying is to receive a paper receipt longer than your arm.

Jun 12, 2008 at 06:06 PM : Good story Oohchild....

Good story Oohchild. I’ll share mine too.

A little less than two years ago, not long after my wife passed away, I stopped at Denny’s in San Luis Obispo. My adult son and daughter were with me. I was only 47 at the time.

I’m not a very big eater and I was always sharing a meal with my wife. As I looked at the menu I saw what I wanted, I don’t remember what it was. I noticed that they listed the same item in the senior citizen section.

When the table waiter came over I asked her; “what is the difference in their regular meal than the senior citizen meal?” She explained that the senior citizen meal portion was smaller. I then explained that the regular meal was way too much for me to eat and I wanted pay for only the smaller senior citizen meal. I wish you could have seen the look on her face. She was speechless. She finally spoke and said that was only for people age 55 and older. I said, “I understand that, but I feel I should pay only for the amount I know I will eat and I don’t want to waste any food and my money.”

Guess what? I got my senior citizen meal. Now does that make me the biggest tightwad? My son and daughter were astonished. They still talk about it.

Jun 12, 2008 at 08:06 PM : Job.. I...

Job.. I wouldn't call you a tightwad for wanting the smaller portions of a 'senior' meal, that shows common sense. I don't know why the food industry can't take a step back and take a look at their customers and cater their menus to various appetites without imposing an age limit on smaller portions. Some places offer a child's menu or a senior menu... if you don't fit either age bracket, you have to pay more money for huge portions and then waste what you can't eat (or drag it home with you in a box).

Jun 13, 2008 at 08:06 AM : DonMar, there's...

DonMar, there's times when I ask for help out to the car (like when I buy a 40 lb. bag of dog food) & times when I don't. IAC, I'm just not used to being a member of the 45+ crowd I guess. And I can see where not asking if someone should get the discount is a good thing.

lol Job! Hey, if you can get a discount then go for it. At least the waitress didn't bring you a glass of prune juice, "just in case."

Jun 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM : lol...I'm not age...

lol...I'm not age or weight conscious. Never have been. Because my hair is gun metal gray and white, people sometimes make assumptions. I've always wondered when someone says "gee, you don't look 30-40-50" - just what does any particular age look like? I was excited to hit 55 to get those discounts, only to discover that because so many of us boomers have hit that mark, most places have upped it to 62. That's when the gray hair comes in handy - lol - a lot of times I get the discount no questions asked. Sometimes I get a giggle from the squirming the person (usually pretty young) is doing while struggling with asking me "the question".

Oh, I'm 57.

Jun 13, 2008 at 06:06 PM : I was so sad when...

I was so sad when servers stopped carding me. But I'm going to be thrilled when I can use senior discounts! I agree with Ragmop and Job... I don't want so much food! Some places offer light meals or downsized lunches, which I'm always happy to see.

Jun 16, 2008 at 01:06 AM : My mama, Grandma, and...

My mama, Grandma, and Dad raised me right... I've no issues with "growing old" or "grey". My mom always told me (and still does) that there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who knows and likes who she is, who ages with grace, and who doesn't dye her hair :).

I don't eat much fast food -- is Denny's fast food? Whatever, I don't eat much food like that, but I have A THING for the Grilled Cheese Deluxe on the Senior Menu at Denny's. I am 36 and have been ordering it, eating it, and being billed for it for years now. I can't recall ever having been refused my Senior Meal, or being charged extra because I'm still a few years shy of being a Senior.

I'm with Job. The regular meals are way too much for me, and Denny's isn't usually the type of food that's super yummy to take home and heat up later for a snack. In other places sometimes I'll order two or three sides... like smashed potatoes, green beans, and apple sauce... or, something like that.

If you think I've spent too much time thinking about this issue, sadly, you're probably right. Moving from Tehachapi to the South was a major problem for my eating preferences. I am now pretty well-versed in how to get around the ginormous platter of deep-fried everything with gravy and biscuits being set in front of me.