How to Define “Old”

I asked for a printed boarding pass for our flight home. “I’m old-school—I like paper,” I told the young gal behind the desk. “Actually,” I amended, grinning, “I’m just plain old.” When she shook her head in polite denial, I countered: “I remember people smoking on airplanes. I think that makes me old.” The “Ohmygod!”…

I asked for a printed boarding pass for our flight home.

“I’m old-school—I like paper,” I told the young gal behind the desk.

“Actually,” I amended, grinning, “I’m just plain old.

When she shook her head in polite denial, I countered: “I remember people smoking on airplanes. I think that makes me old.”

The “Ohmygod!” that exploded out of her told me she no longer argued with that assessment.

The Cascade mountains from SeaTac airport

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Responses to “How to Define “Old””

  1. Kitty Cunningham

    LOL! I have shocked coworkers by telling them we used to have a drink on the bench next to our microscopes as we did lab work with no gloves. One of them asked me what I fed my pet dinosaur.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Kana Smith

      Sounds like the same kind of reaction I got from this little gal behind the counter! ;)

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Anonymous

    I think it is such a good topic and I don’t think you’re old😉 but I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. My father is 76 and sometimes worries about his age. It affects me too and I catch myself thinking, oh dear, he’s getting old.

    But then I visit a 96-year-old woman and see how well she’s still living her life. Suddenly I think: wait a minute — my father isn’t old at all. He still has plenty of time and so much left to experience. Just look at that 96-year-old lady!

    As for me, I still get asked for ID when I buy alcohol — and I’m 35! On the other hand, when I was thirty, a good friend of my daughter used to call me an “older lady,” which really made me reflect … My children used to think I grew up in a “black-and-white world”!

    As for me, I still get asked for ID when I buy alcohol — and I’m 35! On the other hand, when I was thirty, a good friend of my daughter used to call me an “older lady,” which really made me reflect … 😉 **“My children always thought I grew up in a black-and-white world

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Kana Smith

      It’s all relative, isn’t it? I hope to be like my mother, who’s 77 and going STRONG!

      Like

  3. annedwelle

    When I was carded in my twenties, I was miffed…for surely I looked like a grownup, right?
    Then when I was carded in my thirties, I was quite pleased.
    I was quite pleased again to be carded in my sixties, when I asked for a Senior Discount.
    Now I’m simply quite pleased to be walking upright.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Kana Smith

      Don’t forget being carded regarding the 75-year-old limit for people not having to remove shoes in airports. ;) We noticed, though, on these last two trips, that they’ve stopped doing that. Finally figured out it’s a waste of time, I guess…

      Like

      1. Anonymous

        Oh yes! Can’t believe I forgot that one! (Although I shouldn’t be surprised that I forgot. I really AM old.)

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Just Bob F

    When I was born, every car had a manual transmission, all the airplanes were propeller driven, all long distance calls had to be placed through an operator, and we had a coal bin in the basement from which coal had to be shoveled into the furnace. When I saw a TV for the first time, I didn’t know what it was. My desk at school had an inkwell, and it was a special privilege to be selected as the kid who refilled each one from a big bottle of India ink. When I got sick, the doctor came to the house. The iceman delivered big blocks of ice, carried on his shoulder to the homes of folks who did not have a newfangled electric refrigerator yet. And no, I did not live in some rural backwater, our home was in New York City.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Kana Smith

      You have seen an abundance of change in your life! :)

      Like

  5. joannerambling

    This gave me a laugh

    Liked by 1 person

  6. alimardory

    Hahaha! I like paper too! When I go food shopping, I bring a paper list. When I see other older folks with paper lists, I stop and tell them how happy it is to see old school shopping LOL. I also remember smoking on the plane. I was a smoker back then, so I didn’t mind at all.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Jeff

    I remember the morning that JFK was assassinated. I remember when there were only three network channels on TV and one or two local channels. I remember when my dad and I used to change the oil in our cars and dump the used oil in the gutter on the street. *gasp* I remember before computers. I remember saving my allowance to buy a $5 record album on vinyl.

    But old? Nah. “Old” is 20 years older than me.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Kana Smith

      Always! :D

      Liked by 1 person

  8. MMC 2.0

    A perfectly timed mix of self-deprecating humor and generational truth. That final “Oh my god!” is priceless. It says everything without saying anything at all. Proof that being “old-school” comes with the best stories (and the best punchlines). 😊🙏🏻💛

    Liked by 1 person

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