Senior discount?! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Senior discount?!

catgirl

Veteran

My friend and I were given a senior discount at the movies by a teenage boy last night! No questions asked, he just rang us up that way, and I didn't realize why the tickets were so much cheaper until I looked at them after we went in. AARGH! She is only a couple of years older than me - so to think this kid just saw "little old ladies" when he looked at us and saw 62 or older made me crazy.

I love my grow-out but now I'm wondering if I need to dye it back because I can't take looking 15 years older than I am. I know when you're young everyone over a certain age is "old" - but still... And no offense to those who are seniors because I'm looking forward to embracing those benefits when my time comes.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Off Topic

29 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Joyce B

Veteran

That's OK because young kids will see us as old no matter what. The main thing is, you got a nice discount.

kellygirl

Veteran

Oh dear, I'm sorry. Honestly though, I'd consider the source. Teenagers think that anyone over 30 is ancient (no exaggeration.) FWIW, I don't think anyone else would think you are even close to 62. Your hair looks fantastic but if you aren't feeling it, definitely add color.

Debbie

Veteran

You do not look 62. Chalk it up to kids.

catgirl

Veteran

We did laugh our heads off! And Spy is a great movie to see with girlfriends! I was just kind of stunned...

Astrid

Veteran

Teenage boy? Enough said.

Liz

Veteran

Don't you dare change your hair because of a random teenage boy in a movie theater. If you want to color it at some point, do so. But not because of a kid who wasn't remotely paying attention.

deb

Veteran

Your hair looks so good and think it will suit your rate style once it is all grown out.

Sal

Veteran

What Liz said!!

Lyn D.

Veteran

I can understand this making you feel that it is your hair to blame, but this might have happened regardless of your hair colour.
Just buy yourself a coffee with the change

claracluck

I haven't got over how patronising and stereotypical the poster is cue incredulous laughing ,and you couldn't be any further removed from that image if you tried!

Peri

Veteran

One time I was relayed this conversation by one of my students...I have no idea why he wanted to tell me this. He and his friend were talking and he had asked his friend why they had to write the assignments in their notebooks themselves instead of me writing it for them. His friend's answer: "Because she's old and her hands are weak."

I was 35 at the time.

Ignore it...kids are clueless!

JAileen

Veteran

When I went grey I was called Grandma by a teenage boy. If I actually were a grandma that would have been fine, but I'm not. If this sort of thing really bothers you, then you better start dyeing your hair again. I'd rather get a discount!

Adelfa

Veteran

Once a young man speaking to me referred to someone as "the older lady" when she was maybe 37! Once I figured out who he was talking about, I gave him a very hard time, and he was gracious enough to accept it!

People tell me all the time that they are surprised to learn how old I am. I have to admit I'd hate to give that up. And that after spending decades planning on going gray naturally, I'm fiercely covering those white temples!

Gaylene

Veteran

It's a shock, isn't it? We can laugh, but the knowledge we get stung is much harder to process. What does it say about our supposed self-acceptance when we preen at having years subtracted, but start reaching for a bottle of hair dye when they get added? That shock of cold water made me figure it was time to start training myself to roll my eyes at both sides--or I was in danger of becoming an easy target for manipulation through false flattery.

I think Liz has nailed it. Ageism is so ingrained in our psyche and society, it's all too easy to let it overrule our sense of self.

Anonymous

What Liz said. The kid had probably been chastised for not giving someone the senior discount and didn't want to ask. What I dislike are waiters who address you as "sweetie" or "dearie" or even "girl".

Carla

Veteran

Funny! Did you know some non seniors scam the discount? With up to 20% off at some places (pharmacy, hotels) it can be lucrative!

In your situation it really is the kid. Forget about it!

catgirl

Veteran

Gaylene, it's more that I have gone from being mistaken for 10 years younger to 15 years older. 25 years is a lot of aging for 6 months of growth. :D. I never preened about being taken for younger, especially in my line of work where it could be seen as a liability, but I don't want to look that much older either. Everything in its time!

Not all that disturbed since it was a teenage boy, but I am a bit sobered by the reality of how grey hair is perceived in society.

Deborah

Veteran

I am not sure what to say. As someone who is also often mistaken for being younger than I am, I think I would have been a little shocked lol. But then money saved and more to spend on coffee and cake after the movie:) I would let it go right over your head. You look awesome and in no way do you look 62 - what ever that may look like !

crutcher

Veteran

Your hair is beautiful...You are fortunate to be able to go gray and have such a great color...That said, there is a reason that a lot of women do indeed highlight and lowlight and postpone gray for awhile...
It has to be a personal decision and one once made makes your heart sing...
I applaud either course that you take...
(And who are teenage boys anyway but a younger version of the real thing...an older teenage boy..smile...)

Nebraskim

Veteran

I'm 60 (just turned in June) and letting my hair grow into gray. I've not been offered senior discount yet. I guess part of this is processing our own negative stereotypes about old age, elderly, etc. I admit that I am very negatively tilted about old age but as I join the ranks of the "pre-elderly" I need to adjust my thinking on this. Coincidentally I saw the documentary Iris yesterday about Iris Apfel (I live in Nebraska so it's probs been out a longer time in normal places). Iris is in her 90s, active and vibrant, with entirely snow white hair. Her musings on age, style, fashion etc. are a must-see for anyone interested in style.

Anonymous

It happened to me in Shoppers Drug Mart last year. The ear-stretcher wearing knob of a way-too-old-for-that cashier gave me the discount without asking, acknowledging or anything. I was so stunned I was literally speechless . Then when I examined the bill afterward and saw what I saved on the shampoo and whatever other stuff I bought.....I reconsidered my indignation

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Una despite the old warning, books are often judged by their cover. More than once someone has assumed I am significantly older than I am because they aren't really looking at me, a glance takes in the grey hair and age assignment is made. Sometimes months later they will actually look at me in surprise and I can almost see the re-assessment taking place before my eyes. The teenage boy did not actually look at you. And frankly when I see a bunch of teenage boys (my own excluded) I don't really look at them either!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh no no. Now is the time for you to start stealing sugar packets from Denny's! Ahaha!

But no seriously. Dying your hair won't help. When I was 25, I thought my 33 year old boss was 55. Made him squawk like a chicken with that one. Haha! It's really to do with the authority you carry yourself with.

Mochi

Veteran

There has to be some kind of cognitive dissonance going on in certain (young) people's heads where they see gray hair and automatically think you're a certain age. I have a cousin-in-law who's had a full head of gray hair at least since I met her, in her thirties. Her face is very youthful but I'm sure people assume she's upward in age because of the silver mane of hair. I happen to think your mix of gray and black is smashing (I don't like how mine looks that much). But yeah, dyeing it might buy you time for not appearing "old" to young whippersnappers (hee hee). If you care.

I have also been thought to be the mother of a friend when out shopping with her. Twice. And she's five years younger than me (and we have no physical resemblance whatsoever). That burned me up. What can I say? Shop clerks can be really dumb.

MsMary

Veteran

That exact same thing happened to me when I let my hair go gray in my 40s. I won't lie -- it was one of the reasons I went back to coloring.

Gaylene

Veteran

Rachylou is right--to most teenagers and many early 20-year olds, ANYONE who looks like a mature adult is automatically "old"--much like those surveys which lump everyone from 60-100 into a single 60+ box.

I actually like to think of my graying hair as a secret weapon. It puts the young 'uns off guard and shocks the he** out of them when I do, or say, something that doesn't fit their stereotype. The little dears look so discomforted as they try to process what just hit them.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Old but true story about young people and ages.

On my 40th birtday, I was checking in at the YMCA and the desk guy, maybe 20, said, "Oh, today is your birthday. Happy birthday."
Me: Thanks. I'm 40 today.
Him: Wow, you don't look 40.
Me: Really? How old do I look?
Him: Um, 38?
Wrong answer, kid.

catgirl

Veteran

Another friend (who IS 62) and I had this text exchange after I told her the story... I'm in blue. We laughed so hard.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Veteran

I want to add that my boss, in his turn, thought I was the intern...