Monday, December 29, 2014

Reality, Books, and Wine





     

The other day I went to pick up some books at the library, and when I was ready to check out I mentioned to the librarian that I was pretty sure I owed her 60 cents.



When I made my confession, she leaned toward me, looked left and right, and in a whispered voice usually used to tell a person she has toilet paper trailing from her heel, said, “We don’t charge seniors for overdue books. . . .” There was a pregnant pause and she tried again, “If you’re a senior. . . “

“Oh!” I said, finally getting it, “Great!”

“We don’t always like to ask. . .  I mean, we don’t want to insult anyone or anything. . .”

As I left the library, my 60 cents still in my pocket, I realized a threshold had been crossed. I couldn’t even pass for someone in their 50s anymore. This really rankled since that morning I had just dyed my hair, which was behaving for once, and I had on fresh lipstick. I was unlikely to look much better than this.

On a happier note, my grocery store has just added a wine and beer aisle. Last week I put my paper towels, tomatoes, and two bottles of wine on the conveyer belt and the 16 year-old at the register asked,
 
“Do you have your license with you?”

My alcohol consumption may increase. 

14 comments:

  1. Perfect! I sometimes am "carded" at places that give discounts for seniors, to make sure I qualify for the discount. But wait, that was years ago. It doesn't happen any more. I enjoyed this, Marty. Thanks for the morning smiles. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That made me laugh. They card everyone in this town. A good idea, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There are benefits to being a senior...but first you have to admit it lol.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't mind at all getting a 'senior' discount. why would anyone object to paying less? I earned these years so it's nice to get a reward however small.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love senior discounts- not enough yet for most of them, but I like the ones available to the 55-60 crowd!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So there are some advantages of being a senior even if you are looking good!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Now that is funny and made me laugh. They don't even ask me so be glad you were at least tentatively quizzed. As for being carded, marvelous. That stopped for me the day I turned 21. How could they have known I was one day older?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Actually, I think she's your friend and gave you a break:-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. There's a lot of kerfuffle going on out here about whether or not supermarkets should be allowed to sell alcoholic products. I'm firmly on the "no" side, as far as I'm concerned, that's what the Dan Murphy's, The Thirsty Camels, The Booze Brothers etc are for. bottle shops. I don't like the thought of some (any) drunk staggering through the supermarket to get yet another six-pack and maybe being obnoxious and/or scaring mums shopping with little kids.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love it when I get the senior discount. Wine has to be limited in my tummy. I gain weight too fast and cancer cell might get happy and return.
    Hair colour and lip stick left my purse years ago. I live all natural. wrinkles and spots must remain chemical free.
    Happy NewYEar

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's so funny! Seniors get in to the state fair free. I remember the hurt I felt the first time the guy at the gate motioned me on in.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ha! Dave and I got carded the other day at the grocery store, too. We felt pretty good about it until the cashier confessed that she has to ask for EVERYONE's ID and enter their birthdate in the computer in order for the sale to be completed.

    Oh well.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear what you think.