Won't let ageism spoil my day!

Atrium of former Code's Mill

After a delightful morning with Dr. Brian Goldman, of CBC's White Coat Black Art, we took him to lunch at Fiddleheads outdoor cafe, by the Tay River. One of our favourite places to sit outdoors and eat, the river runs by, usually quiet, but the tourists and citiots have come to town for the summer. You know which they are by their behaviour.

The gentlemen (hubby and Brian) went indoors for a tour of the old building, Code's Mill. I sat outside. The guys behind me were playing a YouTube video on the guy's PCD.

 Speaking of their boat at the cottage, drinking plans for the weekend - boys and their toys- they each ordered another beer.

Now, I loathe people talking loudly on their cell phones. I firmly believe one must teach people how to treat you.

I have pretty good hearing, for a middle-aged woman, and I could hear the video beginning to get crude, talking about whales and balls (testicles). The running commentary was silly, as well - by my two seat mates behind me.

Figures in Code's Mill!

What young people do not know is that people of my generation learned to use computers at work while these guys were in diapers. We are no strangers to hightech. We Skype with grandkids, keep in touch, using Facebook, with friends near and far.

One of my favourite bloggers is *Latane. Latane and I Skyped; me in Muskoka, she in her home in Virginia, with Elbert (1930 - 2011) in the background in their sunroom. It was a delightful moment.

I may not have an iPhone, but I have a Mac, a digital camera and a blog that has attracted more than 103,000 clicks. I've done blogging with students professionally, taught webpage design, I've given IT workshops to peers and Internet Safety lectures to parents, peers, and students.

These crude men bring no added value to this world. Proud of their apparent prowess, they inflict the world with their choice of music and videos.

I asked the gentleman (politely) to turn the sound down, please. The man in the checkered shirt asked what I was drinking, "dry wine?" I ignored him. Next comment, loudly stated (in case I was hard of hearing?) "Prude!" I'm not prude. He was rude.

Perhaps I am prude. I just don't like listened to videos someone else has chosen, with vulgar language, while showing off their tools in public! Is this a male thing?

His buddy said: "I'm sick of old people". The arrogance of the men. Fueled by beer, perhaps they were showing off for each other.

He was pretty satisified with his retort!

I'm not sick of young people; I loathe some of them and their rudeness.
As is my way, I channeled my anger into writing down what they had said. I was shocked. Which is why I wrote my book, to channel my grief, and distance myself from the reality of the situation for awhile.

And he hasn't seen 'old people'. I am not experienced enough to feel I belong to that honourable category of 'old people'. The knowledge, experience and wisdom of our elders is the treasure they give to society.

The seniors I work with through Hospice; WW II vets who left wives at home to farm while they learned to shine shoes, and march, watch their friends get blown up, and fly airplanes to bomb the enemy. Latane's husband served in Hawaii in WW II, as have many of my hospice clients. Many of our volunteers are veterans, while care recipients are also those who have served.

I think that some young people need to be taught manners and respect for their elders. You can't blame a teacher, as that is the responsibility of their parents. I've taught my share of etiquette and netiquette lessons. [Don't criticize the coffee, you'll be old and weak someday!] Perhaps it is a waste of time and energy, but the teacher in me cannot give up hope. We can all learn to live and love.

* Latane  mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, who documented her late husband's decline 'Our Journey Through Alzheimer's', and his eventual death, due to Alzheimer's disease. Now, in bereavement, she is documenting her recovery from bereavement, after her marriage of 60 years.