Should We Excuse Old People for their Rudeness??? WHY?

Question

I am sick of senior citizens getting away with everything including pushing their way thro a crowd, spitting in public and not following certain rules! During lunch today, a very grumpy old woman was scolding me non stop and complain on and on as she was cleaning the dirty table I was trying to eat at!!! All I did before that was to wait for her to come to my table, I didnt even call out to her for not wanting to annoy her. Do I have to excuse her just because she s OLD?! Fyi, no I didnt, I scolded and shouted at her back. Im sorry if someof you guys dont agree but Im getting sick of this. The way I see is, ya not my mom, ya not my grandma, you are just a stranger to me so why should I care? Why should we excuse these old ppl for such uncivilised behaviour? Afterall they were once young!

If I do have a bad day, I dont take it out on others and scold perfect strangers non stop! I mean.. what the heck. I do respect elderly, I give up my seats for them on the train or bus anytime but I cant take **** and rudeness.

Answer 1

I know this is hard to hear, but yes, we should excuse them. The reason is that one day we will be old and annoying, and the young people will laugh and spit on us.
In the words of Ralph Kramden: "be careful who you step on on the way up because you're gonna meet the same people on the way down"

Answer 2

It's hard to understand what some people see in others. Is your ma being abused in any way? Has her previous relationship been crappy with your dad? Have a sit down with your mom, just you two and voice your concerns. My parents divorced in 1982 when I was 12. She hooked up with a guy from work shortly thereafter and i hated him 'cause ma would serve him his plate first, he came first all of a sudden and I'm an only child and was going through puberty at the time and I really needed my moms help with support etc. Anyway, he'd get his plate and go,"Nah nah nah nah nah.' What an azzhole! I took me 20 + years to figure out that as long mom was happy with the guy, who was I to say anything? I don't know how old you are, but I assume you can't be more than 20. If your mom genuinely likes or loves this guy, then you really can't do much about it. As long as she's happy and not being hurt, then leave it and try your best to get on with the dork of her choice. If she's getting attention that her previous man didn't give her, it'll be awhile, if ever, she realises the guy isn't for her. If you ***** at her about his being a moron, then she'll see it as you being jealous and she'll make excuses for his behaviour. If you're old enough to leave home then do it.

Answer 3

There's no excuse for rudeness at any age -- and age certainly shouldn't be an automatic excuse.
However, in my experience, more and more people seem to be getting more and more self-centered. When I ride the bus, for example, the number of high school kids who get up to offer obviously doddering old women and men their seats is minimal to none! (They don't get up for super pregnant women, physically handicapped or mothers with very young children either -- so, possibly this is more a question of good manners right across the board and not age!?!)
What about turning this situation around and being nice and nicer to whoever is being rude? (And I'm not talking about letting someone walk all over you here!) When I'm in a good frame of mind, I've done that and the results have been interesting (especially for my state of mind). But it isn't easy!

Answer 4

Yes, we should forgive them. Maybe they have had such heartache and hardships for years that causes them to be mean. Haven't we all had a bad day and would snap at someone. well just imagine years of those bad days. The bad days build up year after year. And you become grumpy. And until your at that age you have no idea how you will be.

Answer 5

I dislike many older people myself, I agree with you mostly but there is one thing you're forgetting. Respect your elders. I know that they're bitter and bored, and they tend to turn mole hills into mountains often, however you need to realize that they've got nothing to do. Idle hands, so they say. And yes, they were young too and in their day, they wouldn't dare talk back to an elder, but remember this: You'll be one of those one day so a bit of patience and understanding goes a long way.

Answer 6

your little story amazes me, rudeness in any age group is not OK. It shocks me, she was not fired, next time try harder for that, at Ryan's, we were all getting food, a woman came over with one nasty cleaning rag, cleaning as we were filling the plates, no excuses, she was canned with in minutes, for a young girl, yelled at her and said she ruined her appetite, the looks and smell of the rag, the 20'ish girl was just so proud of herself. Do believe in karma, hope you do too

Answer 7

I agree with you. It is absolutely ridiculous that that old people are excused for acting like children. They scold others as if they were children and then act like children themselves. I for one despise old people. I would like to congratulate you on your choice to stick up for yourself and not take any more old people crap. Good job. Thanks for your hard work and guts. Hopefully someday the old people will all be put in their place.

Answer 8

Well, the same applies to you "young" people!!!!!! After all, when you get older you've been there done that so many times and if she's working???? You've never had a BAD day??

Answer 9

I try to be nice. They have false teeth and that sorta scares me. I mean, what if they get REALLY mad and their teeth fall out or something. Seriously, I'd have nightmares.

Answer 10

If someone is straight rude, it's not right, no matter their age... But I was raised to respect my elders, and I do. :)