Monday, June 4, 2007

Senior Semantics

There are two ways a senior citizen can speak to a housekeeper.

(1)  "Please put things on the lower shelf where I can reach them."

OR (What I hear more of)

(2) "What's the matter with you?  Can't you see I am in a wheel chair?  How am I supposed to reach that high shelf? Do my arms look that long to you?  Maybe if I had Gorilla arms I could reach some of that stuff. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Please, folks, remind me to be the former, there are too many of the latter.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Many of the latter were like that their whole miserable lives.  I don't think it of you at all.  ~ Mary

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you would ever be that way. I volunteered to look in on a legaly blind lady, never had a nice word for onyone, just plain nasty, I could cumiserate with her disablilty but her attitude got to me, Keep on being the sweety that you are. gg

Anonymous said...

I think you would always be the first. You know people just think more of a person if they are kind to them. Helen

Anonymous said...

Try some signs....

WET PAINT!  

DO NOT PLACE THINGS HERE...ELECTRICAL SHOCK!

Or some police/caution tape....NOTHING ABOVE THIS LINE!

More subtle than (2) above, sort of like wiping your face on your shirtails when they forget to put out a napkin?  Said in total jest!
Love, Kate

Anonymous said...

My, what an impossibly high pedestal they have you on!  ;) I hear you, but I have always allowed the seniors to kvetch a bit more than I'll accept from a youngster. Many are in constant pain from rheumatoid arthritis which leads one to a less than sunny disposition over time as you are ground down unmercilessly.

On the plus side, you gave me an idea for a post ... Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I would think of you as the utmost gentleman. Paula

Anonymous said...

"Maybe if I had Gorilla arms I could reach some of that stuff..."

I don't know, Chuck. Your way with words makes me want to say, "go for it!"

If somebody interrupted my boring day of cleaning up after people with a statement like that, it would certainly break the monotony.

Picturing residents with various animal parts: gorilla arms, giraffe necks, anteater noses (you get the idea) might just transform a dull day into an adventure in the wild.

I don't know what others might prefer, but any time you want to get my attention, feel free to employ any jungle or barnyard animals that conjure up funny images.
Life's too short to be nice all of the time.

Gorilla arms, indeed! I wish I'd thought of that line when my son grew past six feet and both he and my former all-American basketball player wife started putting things on the high shelves where I couldn't reach them.

Picturing both of them with gorilla arms doesn't make me feel any taller, but it's definitely good for a laugh. Thanks for the laugh, Chuck!

Anonymous said...

lollol lol......thanks for the laugh Chuck!!! I needed it!
love ya,
carlene