Everyday Ageism?

[Cismyfatarse1]

After the success of the everyday sexism project, anyone up for cataloguing everyday ageism? Now I am 50 it is all around.

For example, the self checkout till I was working on stopped working (problem with voucher). When the young man came to help he tutted, moved me next door till and then proceeded to put all my shopping though, all the while making comments that suggested I had failed due to not understanding machinery.

In another shop, with a purse full of receipts, the young man commented hat I was, "Just like his Mum and her older friends" for keeping all my receipts.

Also, when doing things in town, people who are younger kept saying, "No rush, take your time" as if I was some ancient crone when I looked for a loyalty card etc.

None of these are serious. Or against the law. But I am ONLY 50 and got home feeling about 90.

For all the younger people moaning about older ones there will be older people moaning about the youth of today. Basically everyone loves a good moan 😁

Agreed. But I have only recently started being patronised in public, as if I am a bit useless.

When younger, I was more visible and treated as more intelligent.

Keep looking at MN. It’s a regular thing on here.

Employment. Good luck getting an interview if you're female and the wrong side of 40! And if you do slip through the net, the competency-based interview is designed to weed out those with too much work experience. It's such a desperate waste of talent.

A friend recently complained to her building society. After making an enquiry in branch and being told she needed to complete something online, the employee then suggested “she could always get one of her family to help her”.

Ageism is endemic, just like sexism, and yes it should be challenged. Always.

I got this around the same age as you and it really annoyed me. Same with finding a job when I was made redundant at 50. Keep going with this and you will get there it just takes more effort - I did eventually and now have a great job.

My biggest gripe is with receiving a particular medicine that has to be delivered direct to me and refrigerated. Their system is totally set up for people who are at home all the time - not possible with my job. It really is difficult to arrange deliveries to fit around my work diary and they tut every time when I don’t just accept the first half day slot they offer.

It gets worse OP.

Speaking for myself, I am happy for someone to help me through checkout or tell me to take my time. I don't see this as particularly ageist, just good customer service. And believe me, I am the first to call someone out on ageism or sexism. The comment that you were like his mum is, I suppose, a bit ageist, but I think I would find it hard to get too upset about it.

It does happen but we shouldn’t tolerate it. I think sometimes we assume ageism when there is none. I was promoted six months ago and I’m the wrong side of 55.
I don’t look aghast when I am offered a seat; on an hours train journey, I want to sit down. I love that I have reached an age where I can say what I think, where I can tell people to behave if they are being inappropriate in public and where I am listened to for my views no my skirt length.
In truth though, I have been guilty of being overly protective of young staff - making sure they get taxis instead of walking back to hotel when working late at night, for example.

Employment. I knocked ten years off my CV, had a phone interview and got the job.

I must be living in a bubble as I'm mid-fifties and haven't come across ageism at all. I work, socialise, etc and haven't had anyone offer me extra help, seats on buses or be patronising. Long may it continue!

I think, taken in isolation, the things in my OP would have been fine. But they all happened in a day or so. I was with a similarly aged friend so we both discussed them.

On the upside I do have an interview coming up. For an HOD in a school. So, maybe, I will get that in spite of my advanced years.....

I'm 50 and have never come across anything like this.

I hear you OP.I'm still smarting from last week at a supermarket checkout too.
I got my phone out to pay contactless and the woman behind in the queue said, 'she's very good isn't she, my mother wouldn't have a clue.' The check lady replied, 'and she's got the latest phone too.'
I was stunned in to silence.
I used to be a webmaster till I retired.

@PorterBella That is awful.

Also, talking about anyone when they are actually there like that.....really shit.

Maybe I was looking particularly old. I usually wear contacts and am reasonably well dressed. I was in glasses and was in very comfy clothes after a fall (I know, old lady thing to do but, in my defence, I had been drinking and there was a giant pothole).

I notice it more on here than anywhere else!

I know, old lady thing to do You're at it now OP

I have to say none of this has been my experience either. I am 49 and have a very busy social life and have never been offered a seat etc on a bus or help in the supermarket.

I have not found it hard to progress with work either. I interviewed for and got my current very senior position last year at the age of 48!

The only time I can remember being taken aback was when I was buying a jersey blazer in Whistles last year (they are really lovely jackets by the way, I have 2!) and the person serving me, who looked to me to be at least mid / late 20's said 'oh my mum loves these jackets as well' - nothing too shocking but it left me in no doubt how she viewed me!!!

I still turn some heads mind you!

Yes I am.

Caperplips - you’re still under 50. After that age it starts to creep in.

Congrats on your new post.