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Seniors

LiberalElite

(14,691 posts)

30. Senior doesn't bother me - elder seems a bit forced - we don't value elders in this society

Reply to ellenrr (Original post)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 06:58 PM

Apr 2015

I noticed as I aged that gradually the term strangers (e.g., cashiers) used to address me evolved from "Miss" 100% of the time to
- Miss/Ma'am 75/25% then
- half and half Miss/Ma'am, to
- 75/25 Ma'am/Miss, then
-100% Ma'am and
now finally I've gone beyond Miss/Ma'am to: Sweetie, Hon or Dear. Sometimes it annoys me and I respond with "I must look old today." Hispanics tend to call me "Mami" but I like that.

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30 replies

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Highlight:

How do you feel about the term "senior"? [View all] ellenrr Oct 2014 OP

I'm the opposite. I'm fine with 'senior', but don't like 'elder'. sinkingfeeling Oct 2014 #1

I'm with you. classof56 Oct 2014 #5

I agree with sinkingfeeling. No Vested Interest Dec 2014 #18

"elder" is what I said, not "elderly" ellenrr Jan 2015 #25

I prefer Turbineguy Oct 2014 #2

Geezer works for me. marble falls Oct 2014 #3

I am what I am left-of-center2012 Oct 2014 #4

I prefe the term "senior" rather than "old lady" or "old woman." n/t RebelOne Oct 2014 #6

I prefer 'senior' to elder. elleng Oct 2014 #7

"Senior" doesn't bother me. "Elderly" would be worse, though true. No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #8

I prefer years young Crewleader Oct 2014 #9

I'm fine with it. SheilaT Oct 2014 #10

I say years young in good humor Crewleader Oct 2014 #11

Sometimes I get more annoyed than I should. SheilaT Oct 2014 #12

I had to laugh yesterday when I stopped at the mini-nurse station in Kroger No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #13

I prefer "senior" to "senior citizen".... which drips with euphemism and patronization. Smarmie Doofus Oct 2014 #14

I look much younger that I am. ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #17

Some years back (twenty, now that I think of it) SheilaT Oct 2014 #15

I agree. I had a neighbor, young man around 20 yrs old, ellenrr Jan 2015 #24

*My Pet Peeve* ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #16

Sorry, I would likely offend you, as I have developed the habit No Vested Interest Dec 2014 #21

to me, it depends. Sometimes for sure as you say, it comes with condencension, ellenrr Jan 2015 #23

It's called "Elderspeak." I don't like it! ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #19

The term is ELDERSPEAK ImaPolitico Dec 2014 #20

I hate elderly and young woman blackcrow Jan 2015 #22

Senior discount, please! It's just kind of a generic term, and I don't mind. Don't call me ... Hekate Jan 2015 #26

just dont call me young lady or any of that crap. mopinko Jan 2015 #27

I still can't get used to being called sir or mister olddots Jan 2015 #28

If the term "elder" was being used in the sense you described, Silver Gaia Apr 2015 #29

Senior doesn't bother me - elder seems a bit forced - we don't value elders in this society LiberalElite Apr 2015 #30