A cartoon I recently saw poked fun at both the burgeoning senior crowd and senior discounts as it shows the entire audience at a Rolling Stones concert qualifying for senior discount tickets.
Another senior discount that I have mixed feelings about is my insurance company offering a wellness program which is very inexpensive and gives a person access to gym membership discounts, live exercise videos, and more.
That all sounds great, but I break out into a sweat just glancing over the senior wellness program website where they use lots of scary words like “get moving” “workout” and “effort.” Just be my luck to accidentally sign up for the senior synchronized swimming team!
I do find it a bit confusing that some restaurants include discounted kid and senior menus which are essentially the same. In fact, one menu I saw had selections labeled “For kids of all ages.”
Just what is the implication here? I was afraid if I ordered from that menu the waiter would bring me a booster seat.
Also, with my limited alcohol capacity nowadays, it would be greatly appreciated if bars which offer Buy One Get One Free on drinks during Happy Hour would let me buy one today and get the free drink tomorrow.
And those late-night Happy Hours offered by some establishments which start at 9:00 pm? Forget about it.
Another intriguing aspect of the senior discount option is how businesses should manage such a delicate situation. If an employee automatically assumes a customer qualifies for the discount, that can be insulting.
And if the employee is wrong and the customer is a female – downright dangerous!
If I were waiting on people, I would always ask first. Better yet, how about an approach like this: “You certainly don’t look over 60, but I have to ask if you are.” That would no doubt increase tipping significantly.
On the flipside of this issue is the fact that I always forget to ask about senior discounts. Sure, I’d like to think that this is the result of a subconscious personal pride thing. But I doubt it.
