You hear it all the time — older people being treated like children, spoken down to. There isn’t any ill intention in this. In fact, some people think they’re being caring and respectful. How do you suppose the older person feels? Climb into the mind of this imaginary senior citizen and find out.
There it is again. “Hello, Dear.” “Let me do that for you, Sweetheart.” “You want anything else, Honey?”
Guess what, Dearie! I’m NOT your “Dear” or your “Sweetheart” or your “Honey.” You don’t even know me. Only my loved ones are allowed to call me those things.
Why do you do that? I’m an adult. Do you think my wrinkled face makes me feeble-minded? Or that, because I move slowly, I need you to be my nursemaid? You know, I’m quiet because I’ve learned to talk only when I have something to say—doesn’t mean I can’t talk. Or hear, for that matter. So why do you insist on shouting at me and treating me like a child?
I think I’ve lived long enough and been through enough to have earned some respect. How about it?
