During my childhood, my parents started getting senior discounts at restaurants and retail stores when they turned 50. That was considered the start of the “Golden Years,” making them eligible for the Honor Menu and special coupons or daily deals (“Seniors, Get 10% off every Tuesday!”) At 10, this made sense, because 50-year-old people were, well, old. (Flashback to 1973, sitting in the high school cafeteria one day with a large group of kids, talking about what we’d all be doing in the millennium year of 2000. I distinctly remember thinking, “Yippee! I’ll be in my 40s and I’ll never have to diet again. It won’t matter what I look like because I’ll be old and no one will care anymore.” Yes, I’m shallow. Don’t judge.)
But now, with the greatest percentage of the national population already over 50, restaurants and stores are raising the age requirements, in an attempt to reduce the number of discounts they give away each day. Many establishments now require their customers to be 55 or even 60 to qualify for any type of senior discount. The only way to know for sure is to ask. The first few times I did this, I admit, I was a little embarrassed. A senior discount? ME?? But when I realized you could get a $12 meal for 8 bucks, what the hell, I was in. Now, to Kenny’s mortification, I ask everywhere. (Of course, I naturally assume that there will be at least a random gasp of disbelief on some unknown clerk’s face that I could be old enough for this, but as they seem to get younger and I get, let’s say, not younger, the gap in our ages becomes less debatable each year. Awesome.)
So I’m at Taco Bell for lunch one day, and I casually mentioned to the 12-year-old cashier that I just might be eligible for their senior discount, but I wasn’t sure what the age requirement was. A tiny piece of my ego (at this point still intact, blissfully unaware of what was coming) thought she might respond with “Oh, no, not you. You’re not a senior!” Yeah, that particular fantasy went the way of ever seeing 112 pounds again except in passing. She giggled (yep, giggled) and chirped brightly, “No worries, ma’am. I believe you! That’ll be $4.75!”
My next thought was whether or not the State had a senior discount on jail terms if I stabbed her through the heart with my tiny plastic fork.
The dream of someone not believing I was older went out the window when a Nordstrom sales clerk called me “Ma’am” – that was the first time I”d heard it. I was shocked and looked at him in disbelief. What happened to “Miss”?
The second time was when I went to the movies with my (ex) sister-in-law a few years ago (I think I was 50) and she asked for the senior discount. As you said, a 12 year old cashier looked at us, said nothing, and gave us the discount.
Go ahead, make my day…:-)
Oh you crack me up! I want a Fake ID made so I can get the senior discount at Goodwill on tuesdays-they actually ask to see ID! And I’m 3 years away…..
Haha! Our neighborhood movie theater’s senior discount starts when you’re 60. My husband and I can’t wait!
Lol, the plastic form won’t do as much damage unfortunately as you might have liked to do in that moment!! But seriously, you truly crack me up and I have seen your pics and wouldn’t think you could even qualify for the senior discount by a long shot!! :)
Too funny! I’m sure the judge would let you off for good behavior!
Those senior discounts are both great but can be ego-damaging at the same time. I’ve been called “ma’am” a few too many times lately and I’m not happy about it. There’s something about that term that makes me feel, well, not young as you would say. :)
Ha! Not quite there yet, but it is getting closer every day!
I think I may have been called Ma’am back in my 30’s; I know it was a long time ago. I will admit that even when I was eligible for a senior discount I didn’t ask for it…too embarrassed. Now what the heck but what is it with no one even checking? I’m trying to remember how I perceived adults in my teens and early 20’s. I guess we just thought they were all old…anyone over 25!
That happened to me at the airport. The girl just gave me the discount, assuming I was old enough (which of course I am) but I would have liked her to ask for me first.
Hahahaha, that’s awesome. My mother asks ALL the time EVERYWHERE if there are seniors discounts. My dad wants to punch her, but I’d do it too if I could.
You know, it strikes me that it would be GREAT PR for these companies if they insisted on asking for ID from each customer who claimed to qualify for the senior discount. Asking for ID seems to imply that you couldn’t possibly pass, and it’d ensure fantastic customer loyalty, right?
When I rule the world, this procedure will be mandatory. Just saying.
p.s. Another great post, Vikki–as always, your blog helps me start the day (or in this case, the afternoon) with a smile.
My parents ask for the senior discount everywhere. They present their AARP cards like an FBI agent would a badge. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they try to use it on auto purchases. :) Saving my inheritance? Good on em!
I was mortified when the lady at the store instantly gave me a senior citizen discount. The next time I went I didn’t get one. WhatEVAH.
And being called ma’am to many, many, many people is an address of respect. It has nothing to do with age. They call you ma’am in the South if they don’t know your name. They call you “Miss” and then your first name if they know you.
Oh, Vikki…can I tell you how much I love that you ask everywhere now about the discount?! You crack me up! (and no jury would convict you if you went after the 12 year old for assuming your age–at least not if there was one woman over 40 on it!)
I dream of the day I meet up with some nearsighted older (not that there’s much older left) lady who forgot her glasses ID’s me at the liquor store. I dream in vain – those days are gone.
hehe….what a twerp!
As always you crack me up!!! And I totally think it should be a free offense!! I hate when people don’t seem shocked that I’m in my forties, after all I feel 21, don’t I look it? Lol!! xo
The thrill to be carded!
Oh my word! I guess ya gotta be careful what you wish for.
Like a coupla years ago I was quite happy to be married to a younger man.
Until one day he got asked for ID at the supermarket, and didn’t have any on him. And got refused service.
Trouble is, he was trying to buy Karate Kid on DVD, and it’s only a ’15’ certificate…
At McDonald’s, I asked, “do you have other kinds of coffees?” Was trying to determine what type of lattes they had. Response: “you mean like a senior discount?”
Hubby almost choked on his French fries.
I still try to get away with using my college ID places that offer a student discount. I think they are embarrassed to question me.
Wait a second …
You got a fork at Taco Bell? Anytime I go there, it’s a spork. And I’m pretty sure I couldn’t break skin with that thing, let alone worry about a heart!
Maybe I’ll start asking for a discount there. I have no shame, even though I’m not there yet. :)
You could have given her a small poke though! :P
During univ, one of my graduate friends was not allowed to enter an A-rated movie because he hadn’t brought his ID and he looked too young to be 18! I guess it works both ways!
Don’t you mean spork? This is awesome! My husband is 59 and I give him such a hard time, at our bank we qualify for the senior account because of him. I’m thrilled, and he’s mad! Free checks? Count me in! I’m ready to move to Sun City!! Del Webb hold a spot for us!