Columnists
Just saying
So, COVID is still hanging around. Did I mention that last week? I believe I did. According to the statistics I’ve read, the number of cases reported is going up. Add Respiratory Syncytial Virus to the COVID numbers and we’re looking at a long, miserable winter. But the good news is I noticed a lot of people wearing masks again. I know I mentioned that last week. The thing with wearing a mask is you should be wearing it over your mouth and your nose. For some reason a whole bunch of people still don’t understand the basics of the respiratory system. If you’re going to bother to wear a mask, for goodness sake wear it properly, or just put the darned thing in your pocket where it will be as effective. Also, it looks as if it’s time to haul out the “hanitizer” and get back to keeping our distance when we have to be in public spaces. If you haven’t kept your vaccinations up-to-date, get onto it. COVID vaccinations are free and they work. And, even if you’ve been vaccinated you could still be infected by the COVID virus, but it likely won’t be as serious as it could be if you’re unvaccinated. Just saying.
Since I’m “just saying” and speaking of public spaces, I want to say I’m not exactly thrilled with how my journey of “growing older” is working out. Having scrimped and saved to have a decent retirement it seems we sort of forgot about the part where aging has a few drawbacks. For starters, I don’t like being spoken to as if I were incapable of understanding the world around me. My generation, the Boomers, were the people who brought the world desktop computers, cellphones and all of that not-so-new-fangled digital technology. While we may not be as handy with our devices (thank you arthritic thumbs) as the next generation and the next generation after that, we aren’t completely in the dark about how things work. So, if we didn’t ask for help (or act like we needed help) with our devices, it probably means we don’t need help with our devices, or we don’t want help! And, while I’m ranting and raving about help, how about those service workers who insist on calling us older folks “Hon” or “Dear”? Could all of you people who are in charge of staff training please include a five-minute blurb about being respectful. I am not “your Hon or your Dear”. If you don’t know my name what makes you think something as personal as a term of endearment is the right way to go? And, you don’t have to find a word to replace “Hon” or “Dear”. If you know our name, use it. If not, just ask if we need help, or thank us, or smile and ask if there’s anything else we need. Save the sweets for your sweetie. Generally speaking, if I’m paying for veggies or an oil change or kitchen appliances or digital devices and I’m not buying them for you then I’m not your Ginger Peachy.
While I’m on the topic of being old, and cranky, when a woman walks into a shop with a man it’s perfectly okay to greet both of us because both of us are there. It’s also fine to address both of us to see if we need assistance because both of us are there. I can’t tell you how many times LOML and I have walked into a shop and the customer service person has addressed LOML while I stand beside him with a twitching eye. I’m not even implying I may have missed something and perhaps the customer service person was addressing both of us. Nope I’m talking about two of us entering a shop together and then hearing, “Good afternoon sir. Is there something I can help you with?” Yep. I notice that phenomenon. Quite often I’m the one doing the shopping, researching and comparing, but LOML is almost always the person getting the attention. What the H E double standards is that all about? Just when you think the public is past those kinds of assumptions and those unctuous/ oily platitudes, the “little woman” tone rears its ugly head. You can bet your “sweet bippy” if I’m in the hardware store, the lumber yard, the paint store or the grocery store I’m most likely the person who’s doing the shopping. Don’t get me wrong, LOML also knows his way around those places. Find a way to be inclusive, salespeople and shop owners! It’s all about communication, isn’t it? Be mindful with the addresses you choose to use. As much as I don’t like being referred to as “Hon” or “Dear” I think it’s important (in a commercial or retail setting) to avoid using gender specific terms like “guys”, “ladies”, “gentlemen” or “dudes”. In this day and age you can’t make assumptions.
People who know me, and most of you don’t, know I ain’t no lady and I’m certainly not your Hon or Dear.
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