I dont know why, but somehow for some people, older people are invisible.For New Years, Ive decided to learn to be much more assertive to be that lady because if I dont:-The delivery people dont bring my packages up to my floor like they are supposed to if at all.-The next door neighbor continues to leave her trash in the hallway which is right by my front door, even after Ive asked nicely several times.-Im given the crappy table in the restaurant, near the wait staff stand and the bathrooms.-Im the last to be waited on in stores.-A seat on the subway or bus? Its 50/50 (but more often its young women who give up the seat!)Somehow the social conventions that keep society running smoothly arent evenly applied to older people, and I have to step in the breach.And I hate it.Delivery? What delivery?I hate having to nag and pester people to deliver the big breakfast food package from the city on the date when the administrators tell me its scheduled to arrive.I must stay at home to accept delivery; I cant go out at all and must stay close to the door to hear them buzz (Im deaf).And I live on the top floor of a walk-up.
(If I had the dough, Id be in an elevator building and wouldnt need the box!)So more often than not, lately, the delivery guys will skip my delivery and pawn it off to be done by someone else on another day I havent planned for, or say I didnt accept delivery because I was on vacation.Trash TroubleAnd as for the next door neighbor, I stopped being nice and took pictures of the trash and sent them to my super.It still didnt work.When it happened again, I sent pictures and a complaint listing all the dates the trash was left to my property manager.
I noted that it defeats the purpose of paying an exterminator when someone keeps leaving garbage in the hallway.I hated being a snitchbut the problem has been solved.Whos That Lady?Although the monthly package delivery is still an issue, Ive decided to put it on hiatus until they get their act together.I decided to put on the brakes because I was starting to not care that Im that lady and losing patience is not the way to get cooperation from anybody.Your TurnThose are only a few examples, but Im sure there are more.
So have at it.When did you have to be that lady or that guy? How did you solve it? Let us know in the comments!Virge Randall is Senior Planets Managing Editor.She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; she writes frequently on Old School New York City and performs at open mic readings throughout New York City.
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Publisher: Senior Planet ( Read More )
