So this was a simple observation. After having the insurance adjuster look at my car, I had some time before I really had to be to work. I hadn't had breakfast yet so stopped at Mcky D's. I sat down and proceeded to read the news on line. An older gentleman sits down next to me. After a few minutes he said "I like the deals at BK better" and he pulled out a BK bag with food in it. He went on to say that although he like the food better, Mky D's was cleaner so he buys his food at BK and brings it to Mky D's to eat. Ok I get that and being probably in his late 70's, who cares about the obvious patronage faux pas. After a few minutes, obviously annoyed that I was still on my smart phone, he said, the downfall of humans are these smart phones. To which I replied, "well if I not the smart phone, we would all be killing trees and sitting here reading the newspaper still ignoring each other"
I think that is a fair assessment of older people being annoyed at what ever new invention they don't get and so being PO'd really at their own ignorance. 'Nuff said.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
My dad gets annoyed when I'm on my iPad or phone. But he's totally engrossed in his TV show. This is no different than when I was a kid, we weren't having lively conversations then either. Just now I'm not forced to stare blankly at the wall, I can read TG
So this was a simple observation. After having the insurance adjuster look at my car, I had some time before I really had to be to work. I hadn't had breakfast yet so stopped at Mcky D's. I sat down and proceeded to read the news on line. An older gentleman sits down next to me. After a few minutes he said "I like the deals at BK better" and he pulled out a BK bag with food in it. He went on to say that although he like the food better, Mky D's was cleaner so he buys his food at BK and brings it to Mky D's to eat. Ok I get that and being probably in his late 70's, who cares about the obvious patronage faux pas. After a few minutes, obviously annoyed that I was still on my smart phone, he said, the downfall of humans are these smart phones. To which I replied, "well if I not the smart phone, we would all be killing trees and sitting here reading the newspaper still ignoring each other"
I think that is a fair assessment of older people being annoyed at what ever new invention they don't get and so being PO'd really at their own ignorance. 'Nuff said.
Umm...my Mom has Facebook. All 92 years old of her.
I don't. All 56 years old of me.
LOL!
Nope, some of us young folks, don't want to be bothered.
It makes my Mom mad, that I don't have a Facebook account........but, whatever.
I don't know. Like all things they can be abused. I hate that I see a lot more young parents paying more attention to their iPhones then their children. At the park, store and even out to dinner. The child is sitting there eating and mom and dad never look up from their phone much less paying attention to their kids.
He went out, bought food at one place, and instead of going home, he goes to another public place.
Ever notice how many older people have breakfast out?
Every restaurant has its breakfast bunch.
They talk, socialize, connect with real people.
I understand wanting to be alone. I do.
Poor guy.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
He went out, bought food at one place, and instead of going home, he goes to another public place.
Ever notice how many older people have breakfast out?
Every restaurant has its breakfast bunch.
They talk, socialize, connect with real people.
I understand wanting to be alone. I do.
Poor guy.
Actually, I didn't miss it. He was like the guy on the plane next to you. Trying to engage you in convo when you don't want to talk. But then he tries to turn it into my fault due to my "toy".
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Well, since I am in my late 70's I promise not to be annoyed with new toys others are using. I might be annoyed, but I will keep my mouth shut and just think my annoyance. LOL
Well, since I am in my late 70's I promise not to be annoyed with new toys others are using. I might be annoyed, but I will keep my mouth shut and just think my annoyance. LOL
To me, one of the perks of old age is the fact that I can speak my mind...
So this was a simple observation. After having the insurance adjuster look at my car, I had some time before I really had to be to work. I hadn't had breakfast yet so stopped at Mcky D's. I sat down and proceeded to read the news on line. An older gentleman sits down next to me. After a few minutes he said "I like the deals at BK better" and he pulled out a BK bag with food in it. He went on to say that although he like the food better, Mky D's was cleaner so he buys his food at BK and brings it to Mky D's to eat. Ok I get that and being probably in his late 70's, who cares about the obvious patronage faux pas. After a few minutes, obviously annoyed that I was still on my smart phone, he said, the downfall of humans are these smart phones. To which I replied, "well if I not the smart phone, we would all be killing trees and sitting here reading the newspaper still ignoring each other"
I think that is a fair assessment of older people being annoyed at what ever new invention they don't get and so being PO'd really at their own ignorance. 'Nuff said.
From the thread title, I assumed this was about YOU criticizing DD's toys.
What would it have hurt to engage in a brief conversation with this man? Someday YOU will be "old."
I have worked with the public for 36 years. It takes patience & compassion...
He went out, bought food at one place, and instead of going home, he goes to another public place.
Ever notice how many older people have breakfast out?
Every restaurant has its breakfast bunch.
They talk, socialize, connect with real people.
I understand wanting to be alone. I do.
Poor guy.
Actually, I didn't miss it. He was like the guy on the plane next to you. Trying to engage you in convo when you don't want to talk. But then he tries to turn it into my fault due to my "toy".
Actually, you did.
On a plane, it's difficult to change seats. What was keeping you at Mickey D's if it was so heinous to be seated near this "old" man?
Wow. First, her using her phone is none of his business. He has no right to reproach her because she has no obligation to him at all.
On the other hand he was probably just trying to strike up a conversation. But you don't make friends if u criticize the person u are talking too either.
Wow. First, her using her phone is none of his business. He has no right to reproach her because she has no obligation to him at all. On the other hand he was probably just trying to strike up a conversation. But you don't make friends if u criticize the person u are talking too either.
Yep, and this is what happened. He spoke a few words, and I responded. But then he started in on the electronic thing. Had he not started with the insults, I may have had more of a conversation with him.
But this thread is more about not understanding the new "toys" and so putting them down. It's not the toys per so, but rather how they are used and when. Another good example is the whole Pokemon thing. I think it sounds like fun but no one should be driving or walking while focused on their phone.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Actually, it IS possible to "understand" new technology and STILL point out its disadvantages.
flan
Well, under what theory do you think it is your business to tell someone using their personal device about their 'disadvantages"? I would tell you to mind your own damn business!
Wow. First, her using her phone is none of his business. He has no right to reproach her because she has no obligation to him at all. On the other hand he was probably just trying to strike up a conversation. But you don't make friends if u criticize the person u are talking too either.
Yep, and this is what happened. He spoke a few words, and I responded. But then he started in on the electronic thing. Had he not started with the insults, I may have had more of a conversation with him.
But this thread is more about not understanding the new "toys" and so putting them down. It's not the toys per so, but rather how they are used and when. Another good example is the whole Pokemon thing. I think it sounds like fun but no one should be driving or walking while focused on their phone.
The whining about new technology is annoying. There is good and bad to everything. No doubt when the umbrella was invented, people said 'oh man has been walking in the rain for thousands of years, so who needs that"? Same with indoor plumbing, electricity and on and on. Technology is great. It makes our lives better. But, there is good and bad to everything. You can use it for good or you can let it get out of balance.
Actually, it IS possible to "understand" new technology and STILL point out its disadvantages.
flan
Well, under what theory do you think it is your business to tell someone using their personal device about their 'disadvantages"? I would tell you to mind your own damn business!
Whatever floats your boat.
My point is, Dearie, that someday we ALL be be the lonely older man.
Where did I disagree? I said that he was making an attempt at conversation. But, you catch more flies with honey Dearie. And, you aren't going to engage someone into a conversation if the second sentence out of your mouth is to put down the person you are attempting to talk too. Duh.
I am a widower. My wife and I were never blessed with children, and although my health is good, I no longer can hold down a job. I do volunteer as a tutor at a local library and enjoy fishing.
Mornings are hard for me, since I have such precious memories of sharing that first cup of coffee with my wife.
I have gotten into the habit of going out several times a week for breakfast. I go to a nearby fast-food place, where I often strike up a conversation with other solitary diners.
The other day, I attempted to converse with a lady who, unfortunately, seemed more attuned to her electronic device than her fellow diner.
I am a widower. My wife and I were never blessed with children, and although my health is good, I no longer can hold down a job. I do volunteer as a tutor at a local library and enjoy fishing.
Mornings are hard for me, since I have such precious memories of sharing that first cup of coffee with my wife.
I have gotten into the habit of going out several times a week for breakfast. I go to a nearby fast-food place, where I often strike up a conversation with other solitary diners.
The other day, I attempted to converse with a lady who, unfortunately, seemed more attuned to her electronic device than her fellow diner.
Did I commit an unintentional faux pas?
Signed, A husker fan
Dear A, There is nothing wrong it attempting to strike up a conversation. Some people will respond in kind but others may not be interested to talk. So, you have to learn social cues. If they respond briefly and keep reading despite a few pleasantries, then probably best to move on. However, whether they choose to engage you or not is purely their choice to do so. If not, then move on as there a lots of other people in the world to chat with. However, you do not get to insult or belittle or make a disparaging comment to a stranger who is simply minding their own business. And, in doing so, you have closed the door to any possible conversation that might have developed while sitting there.
He went out, bought food at one place, and instead of going home, he goes to another public place.
Ever notice how many older people have breakfast out?
Every restaurant has its breakfast bunch.
They talk, socialize, connect with real people.
I understand wanting to be alone. I do.
Poor guy.
Who wants to engage with some idiot that brings his food from another restaurant in and that's his conversation starter? In the old days, I'd have a book if I was alone somewhere.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
I am a widower. My wife and I were never blessed with children, and although my health is good, I no longer can hold down a job. I do volunteer as a tutor at a local library and enjoy fishing.
Mornings are hard for me, since I have such precious memories of sharing that first cup of coffee with my wife.
I have gotten into the habit of going out several times a week for breakfast. I go to a nearby fast-food place, where I often strike up a conversation with other solitary diners.
The other day, I attempted to converse with a lady who, unfortunately, seemed more attuned to her electronic device than her fellow diner.
Did I commit an unintentional faux pas?
Signed, A husker fan
yes.
if you want to strike up a conversation, look for someone else that is sitting alone and NOT doing something else. Those who go to eat in hopes of interaction will be alert and looking around, choose someone like that. Not the poor woman trying to catch up on the news in her few spare minutes.
I love chatting with elderly people. Unfortunately, I can't always hear them because I'm partially deaf. However, if someone wants a conversation with me, they need to tell me. I'm not going to assume a remark such as the man made to IKWTDS means he wants a conversation. In fact, I would find it odd that he felt the need to tell me he liked the deals at BK better. If I even noticed that he had BK, the most I would think is that maybe McD's makes him sick (like it does me) and he'd rather have BK but still have his McD's coffee. DS likes the play area at McD's so I'll grab food from elsewhere then get a drink and a Happy Meal at McD's. DS will eat in between playing. I like McD's ice cream so I get that too at the end of the meal.
Why do I have to be amenable to having a full on conversation with a stranger just because I am in a public space? If I don't know you, I don't want to chat about your breakfast or anything else. Chances are I am trying to eke out a few moments to myself and sorry, but I am not sorry that doesn't mean chatting up someone who saunters over to my table.
I don't enjoy chit chat and I don't think that dining alone means you have some obligation to entertain all the senior citizens in the restaurant.
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
In check out lines, on elevators, in restaurants, store aisles.
It just happens.
Heck, I've had short conversations with strangers at stop lights.
Once, I pulled up to a red light, my radio was on, window down, the guy next to me had his radio on the same station.
We jammed out singing and acting silly for the whole light cycle.
My daughter goes with my dad a few mornings every week to get breakfast before work.
I use to do the same thing.
The guys sit and talk over things and crack jokes. It's great.
And no matter where I go, I'm always running into someone that knows dad or remembers me and my daughter is starting to have those experiences.
I don't know.
I like talking to people.
-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Saturday 16th of July 2016 02:49:17 PM
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
That would make me insane. I don't want to talk to people, I want to get my latte and get out. I will talk to the cashier or the person waiting on me, but the other people in line...no. Just no.
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
Well, we are more friendly in the hospitable south.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
You seem to think saying hello is a long winded conversation.
It isnt.
A brief "hi, how ya doin" isn't an imposition.
Of course it does take stepping outside your own little bubble and realizing you are not the center of the universe.
That was in general, don't get your knickers in a knot.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Why do I have to be amenable to having a full on conversation with a stranger just because I am in a public space? If I don't know you, I don't want to chat about your breakfast or anything else. Chances are I am trying to eke out a few moments to myself and sorry, but I am not sorry that doesn't mean chatting up someone who saunters over to my table.
I don't enjoy chit chat and I don't think that dining alone means you have some obligation to entertain all the senior citizens in the restaurant.
I've often wondered the same thing myself. I'm not a talker. DH will happily stand there for what seems like hours just chatting away. I've had to tell him we need to go because he has no concept of time and has made us late to appointments because he just won't shut up.
