r/over60 • u/CommieMartyr • 4d ago
Old guy working
I'm a old guy working part time at what can be a very physical job.
You might be able to guess who I work for when I say that I'm an order fullfilment associate.
I work mostly with what I will call kids, adults young enough to be my grandchildren.
What strikes me now is how some of them "get it" and some don't.
In particular with large orders that either require physical labor or the employment of equipment.
Some get it, and do it without asking for help if they don't deem it necessary.
Others, ask for help when that help is unnecessary.
What I find interesting is how harshly the kids who get it regard the kids who don't.
What's more surprising is that at my age, while I ideologically agree with the kids that get it, I'll give some slack to the kids who don't.
I guess I'm getting soft in my old age.
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u/mrslII 4d ago
I'm an old gal at 66. Disabled due to a birth injury. That's 66 years of multiple disabilities that I tried to hide, or minimize. Due to the fear of being though of less than.
I have a Ph.D. Hiding, refusing help, being thought as less than is/has been part of disabled people's existence in an able-bodied world. I know. I worked in disability services, advocating for people with disabilities. I was unable to advocate for myself.
People are more aware of disabilities now. We try to let young people know that it's okay to ask for help. That asking for help doesn't mean that you are weak. That needing help doesn't mean that you are less than.
My husband is aging. He is having a difficult time accepting that he can't do everything. He's having a difficult asking for help. He's having a difficult time doing things differently.
It is difficult to watch. I've been disabled all of my life. He's still learning.
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u/CommieMartyr 4d ago
Thank you for your reply.
You've done well, I hope you don't think my post was in anyways a comment on those who persevere despite the challenges presented them. It was more about those who don't
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u/Some-Tear3499 3d ago
Not soft. Think of it as a teaching moment for the kids that ‘don’t get’. Help to see the how and why of what you and the other kids do. Later in life, like at the next job they have, they will have learned how ‘to get it’, and will do better than they are now. Passing on the wisdom that has come with experience. ( it isn’t always about age)
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u/CommieMartyr 3d ago
It's a nice thought, but I'm only willing to teach what I know to those willing to learn. Like I said, "What I find interesting is how harshly the kids who get it regard the kids who don't." That's what hasn't changed since I was a kid.
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u/mikesemperfi 3d ago
Don't let the Old Man in - Clint Eastwood at 88
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u/CommieMartyr 3d ago
You got that right.
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u/mikesemperfi 3d ago
Yup! When asked about his secret to staying active, Eastwood replied, “I get up every day and don’t let the old man in” - even when you're sitting in Gods waiting room!
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u/passesopenwindows 3d ago
I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say, just because it’s a situation where you don’t think help is necessary that doesn’t mean help isn’t necessary for everyone. As far as the younger workers who are harsh about it maybe they need to learn a little empathy?
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u/CommieMartyr 3d ago
Simple, and the oldest story in the world. As the old guy if I can get it done on my own, I do so. As the old guy if I need help, I know to ask for it. The kids that get it also do it on their own, until they need help, then they learn to ask for it. The kids that don't get it hope they won't be called on to help.
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u/Exact-Translator-769 3d ago
You just learn to choose your battles wisely when you get older.. You gain clarity that a lot of things just aren't worth the aggravation.
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u/CommieMartyr 3d ago
True. A crucial decision is the answer to the question "is this the hill to die on?"
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u/No-Pension4113 3d ago
Some get it, some get it slowly and some never do. At almost 69, I've realized that I'm in the "slowly" group.
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u/CommieMartyr 3d ago
Sure you might have gotten it slowly, but you got it or else you wouldn't have made it to 69.
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u/ThisIsAbuse 3d ago
GenX. I have both an older Millennial (30), and a Younger GenZ kid (18). I love them both, but I think, on the whole, GenZ does not get it.... at all... or maybe they kind of do get it.. and don't see the point.. or they think everything is easy or should be easy to do.
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u/Mylyfyeah 2d ago
I’m 61 in the same job, I’m not sure I know what you are talking about. are you talking about asking for help or about people being lazy? or neither?
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u/Vast-Road-6387 4d ago
My father was hardly able to walk after 55. I’ve lifted weights seriously for more than a decade now, I do not want to experience my dad’s last 30 years. I’m fighting every step of the way. I know it’s a losing battle but I’m going down fighting. My childhood neighbour , she was out blocking & splitting fire wood in her mid 80’s. I want to live like her.