I was in a local pharmacy standing in line behind an elderly couple trying to use a debit card to pay for a purchase recently.
I had noticed the man was wearing a U.S. Navy ball cap. He looked like he served in the Korean War, or even World War II. As I watched, his wife, who was the one with a debit card, had trouble putting the card in correctly.
The clerk behind the counter was directing the lady saying, “You have to put the card in a certain way.” The clerk was speaking very rapidly, not waiting for the lady to comprehend his first instruction, which added to her confusion.
During the instructions, the man asked the clerk if he had given credit for one of the items on sale. The clerk said something to the effect that he’ll show him on the receipt. As the couple were hesitant, the clerk said, “trust me I know what I’m doing. I’ve been doing this for nine years!”
The transaction over, I was next, and I told the clerk some elderly people might not comprehend what is said, especially so fast.
“Let me give you some advice. Slow down, they served their time. Give them a break.” The young fellow replied, “I’ll consider that,” in what I thought was in a haughty way.
As I put my debit card in the correct way the first time, I replied, “You do that.”
I’m not far behind the couple in years. I served my country, as the elderly man did. Whether we were drafted, (which I hope ended at the end of the Vietnam debacle) or volunteered, at one point many of us either were in combat or witnessed bad things we still remember t we helped keep our country free. So do first responders, especially those serving in law enforcement are doing their part in trying to keep people from being killed by reckless driving on roads, crime and overdoses of extremely dangerous drugs.
Let me give some advice to young people. Many of our elderly and younger adults have done something that isn’t apparent. But if you live to be as old as us, you’ll likely have some moments where five of the six sides on cards placed in a machine are wrong.
I’ve tried it. Start now. Pay attention to people with a mental or physical handicap — or aged — act. Ask someone who needs help in a market having difficulty if you can help them.
Being courteous to others makes friends.
Don’t forget that if you’re fortunate, you might need help, but don’t know how to explain which of the six sides of the card to put in the machine.
Frank Dare
Olympia
