salesgirl asked if I was 55 or older (for discount) ahhhh

[ez]

K so I just turned 50. A lot of people tell me I look younger than my age, so it sure made me feel crappy today when the cashier asked if I qualified for the 55 or older discount. Why do I think that is untactful???? Sure can put a damper on a good day lol, what the heck?????

 

[Snowysmom]

I agree that there is probably a better way to ask. But I can identify with the senior discount issue. We went to a Golden Corral when we were at Disney. We paid for the buffet and our soft drinks. My DH looked at the receipt later and saw that the cashier gave us the senior discount which means our drinks were free. I was insulted because I don't think I look my age and even then I am not eligible age wise. DH and DS thought it was funny. But as soon as I old enough for the senior discounts I plan to take full advantage of them. I wonder if they "card" you if they think you are too young?

 

[LilyWDW]

K so I just turned 50. A lot of people tell me I look younger than my age, so it sure made me feel crappy today when the cashier asked if I qualified for the 55 or older discount. Why do I think that is untactful???? Sure can put a damper on a good day lol, what the heck?????

My guess is that they have not asked in the past and have gotten a lot of upset customers who complained that they didn't get their discount (even though the customers should remember to ask about it honestly). So, now they ask everyone who might look close in age.

Also known as, the clerk was doing their job.

 

[OhMari]

I agree that there is probably a better way to ask. But I can identify with the senior discount issue. We went to a Golden Corral when we were at Disney. We paid for the buffet and our soft drinks. My DH looked at the receipt later and saw that the cashier gave us the senior discount which means our drinks were free. I was insulted because I don't think I look my age and even then I am not eligible age wise. DH and DS thought it was funny. But as soon as I old enough for the senior discounts I plan to take full advantage of them. I wonder if they "card" you if they think you are too young?

It must be something with Golden Corral. We have one in Oshkosh and I was by myself after a dentist appointment and she asked me if I wanted the Sr. discount. I was 48. Like the OP said-sure wrecked my day.

 

[MIGrandma]

For workers, whether it be in a store or a restaurant, it's a no win situation to have to ask if people are "old enough" for the discounts. Some people get mad if they ask, some get mad if they don't ask.

I had that happen a lot of times when I waitressed. We gave discounts for people 55 and older for the buffet. I remember one time in particular I had a table for 8, all separate checks. I asked in a GENERAL way if anyone at the table qualified for the senior discount. No one took offense to the question, except one woman. I heard her say "well, SHE won't be getting a tip from ME since she asked THAT!!" Wow! Goes to show you just can't please everyone, no matter which way you go.

I'm 55 now and personally don't care how old someone thinks I am. From experience I know how hard it is to judge a person's age. I'm just happy to still be above ground, and I'll take any "senior discount" that is coming to me.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I agree 100% with a previous poster that said it is a no-win for folks in customer service. I work in a place that offers a senior discount and I train my employees to never assume someone is or isn't a senior but that doesn't always work.

I have had scenarios where someone asks the prices and I answer "$6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and $1 for children" and they say "Okay, 2 please." I then ask "Two ADULT admissions?" and they say yes. Then I ring everything through and after all is said and done they say "You didn't give us the senior discount! We are seniors!" The customer service person is always in a tough spot.

 

[Becky2005]

Being in retail....I take all discounts!!! I don't care if they ask and they are wrong, I don't qualify but if I did....I would be happy they asked & hey I got a discount I may not have been aware of (every store is different with their ages, etc...). I probably would have laughed because it is so darn hard to gauge ages! I am horrible at it (I always tend to guess in the WRONG direction -- making people older than they are!).

My guess is there is probably some matrix that the powers to be came up with that if you can't wait for them to ask for the discount, you must ask everyone (since it IS hard to guage ages, especially females with dying hair, etc...) & the managers sit behind you and WATCH to make sure you are actually asking the questions corporate tells you to.

Plus, you never know if it is a secret shopper, etc....

 

[jdb in AZ]

yes, it's a no-win situation. Several years ago a grocery store clerk asked if I wanted the senior discount -- 55 and I was quick to tell the clerk I wasn't even 50 yet. She really stuck her foot in her mouth when she followed up with, "how old are you?" sheesh. I just told her, "old enough to sleep alone and smart enough to do it."

That same grocery store now has cards similar to frequent flyer cards and they do have your age coded into them, so now they don't have to ask.

Last night DH and I went to a movie and the ticket seller asked if we wanted two adult tickets. DH took his cue from that and said "two seniors."

 

[Bob NC]

K so I just turned 50. A lot of people tell me I look younger than my age,

Who would tell you you look older than your age?

 

[7165red]

Op, I know how you feel. It always killed my day when I was asked.

 

[Albort]

i get it the other way around...

cable installer came to install... ask if i can go find my parents so he can start the cable install... mind u, im 26! he was like ooh, im so sorry! lol

 

[shortbun]

Man, you're going to age one day, everyday. Better start toughening up. 55 is just a few years away. Smile and laugh. It's not a big thing.

 

[powellrj]

My rule is if they ask, I take it!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I've had plenty of people call the house and ask to speak with my mother. I tell them she lives in Oregon, but they're welcome to give her a call. I haven't had anyone ask me if I'm old enough for the senior discount, but no doubt since I'm almost 52yo that day will come soon. There's not many years from when they stop carding you to when they ask if you're a senior. Seriously, though, I have plenty of other things to get upset about and there's no way I would let an innocent, albeit tacky comment from a clerk or anyone else ruin my day.

 

[Art 1]

K so I just turned 50. A lot of people tell me I look younger than my age, so it sure made me feel crappy today when the cashier asked if I qualified for the 55 or older discount. Why do I think that is untactful???? Sure can put a damper on a good day lol, what the heck?????

What was your answer?

 

[Cruisin]

My rule is if they ask, I take it!

Mine too

They want to give it to me, I will take it.

 

[Disney Daniel]

When I was a teenager (I am now 26) I worked in a department store that offered senior discounts once a month. I had never been good at judging ages to begin with so if someone even looked to be in the 55+ range I used to say "Today we have 15% off for special people, are you a special person?".

Looking back on it now it sounds incredibly ridiculous and I could see how some could take it the wrong way but I always used to get this bewildered look, they would normally say "Sure, I'm special" and I took off the 15%. Fortunately, it all worked out I suppose.

 

[ez]

Who would tell you you look older than your age?

Well I guess what I mean is, I have 3 children ages, 8, 18 and 28. So when I take my 8 year old to school, I guess alot of people think I am a younger mom. Like when I would tell someone that my 18 year old went off to college, they would say, oh I cant believe you have an 18 year old, you don't look old enough.And then of course I say, I also have a 28 year old. And of course my dad always tells me I look like Im 25 God Bless him lol!!!

 

[ez]

What was your answer?

I just said, no, not yet.

 

[Art 1]

I just said, no, not yet.

Good for you. I know people who would say yes to get the discount.