# I'm not going to let old people get away with their horse shit anymore. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 31, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904 "2013-01-31T11:27:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/241 "2013-02-03T02:35:27Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > What is this, 1980? You know they don’t have to put credit cards in the clickety-clack machine anymore, right? These days, most credit card transactions are faster than making change. They sure as shit don’t take a minute. > > Oh, I see the problem. You’re insane. The deli on Fifth Avenue I used to go to (until 2011) before work each day required a signature on all charges, even for a $1.25 cup of coffee. Even electronic signatures require swiping a card which is all too often an adventure of man vs. human hating technology. I had a woman in front of me at Pet Smart two days ago who had to swipe about five times before her card was read. She had one five pound bag of dog food. I had two weeks worth of canned food for a couple of dogs, kibble for our bird, 31 pounds of kibble for the dogs, and a bottle of doggie vitamins. Total cost after using my PetSmart card was $99.95. I plunked down five twenties and was out immediately after. So simple. That large a bill probably should have been charged, but I had the cash on me. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/242 "2013-02-03T02:42:11Z")
> [@](#): > > Re: butterscotch, good Lord. Pa didn’t go in for candy or sugared cereal, but when he made an exception, there was a jar or butterscotch “candies” in the dining room. Butterscotch isn’t candy, people! Candy is supposed to be sweet and good! There’s a lot of crappy candy being put out. Some butterscotch disks are sweet and good. Often, though, the stuff that’s sold is bitter, not really sweet. The stuff you get in big bags at office supply stores seems to be really craptacular, no matter what the flavor. I am basing this on the candy I sometimes get from the candy dish at businesses. Same thing goes for caramels…very few caramels are worth eating, they generally have a bitter, chemical taste. I wanted to make candies for a gathering, and my recipe called for caramels. It’s a good thing I tasted one first, that stuff was nasty. It was either Kraft or Brach’s, and I was surprised. So I threw out the bags and tried Werther’s, which is nice and smooth and not bitter. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/243 "2013-02-03T02:56:35Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > …So I threw out the bags and tried Werther’s, which is nice and smooth and not bitter. Werther’s Coffee Caramels..Mmmmmm.. If only someone would make them all tapelike and wavy. With stripes. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/244 "2013-02-03T03:48:09Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Yes, I was being a pedant, but the term “penny” is a UK mint term, not a US mint term… > > Clearly everyone knows a penny is a cent. And in the UK they know an American is speaking of football when he uses the term soccer. Well, very un-Bricker-esque of you. I retract my snark. \*(which many lower animals and invertebrates cannot do) \* ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/245 "2013-02-03T03:51:52Z")
My snark is on a stalk. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/246 "2013-02-03T03:54:40Z")
Retractable Snark would make a terrible band name. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/247 "2013-02-03T05:46:02Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Retractable Snark would make a terrible band name. I’ve progressed beyond yelling “Retractable Snark! Band name!” Now I mutter “[retractablesnark.wordpress.com](http://retractablesnark.wordpress.com)”. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/248 "2013-02-03T07:44:28Z")
I had a run in with old people today at the movies. They got to the movie late, after all of the previews and commercials, and couldn’t figure out what seat to sit in. That’s fine. Things are confusing in a dark theater. Finally, they decided to sit in the row in front of me. That’s fine. I’m an excellent movie companion. They were now in a hurry to get to their seats, so they cut off the woman who was returning to her seat in the same row. Some guy called out “She’s sitting there.” as this old couple tried to sit next to him. For some reason this old couple, instead of leaving the row, decided to move back to the end and then stand directly in front of me and pretend they were statues. The woman squeezed through and I muttered “My God.” (I’m apparently not as patient as MeanOldLady.) Afterwards the old lady said “It’s dark in here!” I guess in olden times movie theaters weren’t dark. And, the movie always started 25 minutes after the scheduled time. Oh well. the rest of the theater was filled with old people. They were very nice, and didn’t seem to have any rudeness problems. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/249 "2013-02-03T08:24:44Z")
> [@](#): > > I guess in olden times movie theaters weren’t dark. She might have cataracts, which reduces the ability to see in the dark. I’m just now starting to get them, and I have problems driving in the dark, so I rarely go out when I’d have to drive after the sun goes down, which makes me very, very sad. However, she and her companion needed to get to the theater earlier, so they could find seats more easily. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/250 "2013-02-03T11:05:20Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I’ve progressed beyond yelling “Retractable Snark! Band name!” > > Now I mutter “[retractablesnark.wordpress.com](http://retractablesnark.wordpress.com)”. And…I’ve now reached my technology cliff. I’ll just shuffle off over to the bright side of the theater and enjoy my butterscotch. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/251 "2013-02-03T13:41:21Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > She might have cataracts Or a big old Buick. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/252 "2013-02-03T14:13:28Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > My snark is on a stalk. My snark is prehinsle. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/253 "2013-02-03T14:32:08Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > My snark is prehinsle. “_Mom_, Billy’s snark is _prehinsling_ over on my side of the seat!” ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/254 "2013-02-03T18:55:31Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Speak up for yourself then. You sound capable of that. I for one would gladly give you my seat, but I don’t consider it my responsibility to constantly scan for needy disabled people. I’m going to read my newspaper (a real paper one) and if you need my seat, say “excuse me.” And hey, if your disability isn’t obvious, nobody wants to ask just because you look old, because that says “you look old.” I once saw a group of high school students on their devices totally ignore the request of a woman who was at least 80 years old asking for a front seat. Finally the bus driver had to make an announcement! I totally lambasted them. Right now, old people are in the majority. When all these techno-babies get old, they will be in the minority. Good luck with being treated respectfully. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/255 "2013-02-03T19:00:33Z")
Man, I wanna be a techno-baby. I’m too old, I guess. But I like the sound of it. Techno-babies. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/256 "2013-02-03T19:12:43Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > My snark is prehinsle. Dammit! I wish my snark was prehensile! > [@digs](#): > > “_Mom_, Billy’s snark is _prehinsling_ over on my side of the seat!” “Keep your snark on your side of the car!” > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I once saw a group of high school students on their devices totally ignore the request of a woman who was at least 80 years old asking for a front seat. Finally the bus driver had to make an announcement! > > I totally lambasted them. Right now, old people are in the majority. When all these techno-babies get old, they will be in the minority. Good luck with being treated respectfully. She should have texted them. 🙂 > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Man, I wanna be a techno-baby. I’m too old, I guess. But I like the sound of it. Techno-babies. I want to be a Techno-Old Lady. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/257 "2013-02-03T19:55:14Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > When all these techno-babies get old, they will be in the minority. Good luck with being treated respectfully. Good karma down the road for the oblivious. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/258 "2013-02-03T20:36:45Z")
I’ve been thinking there’s gotta be some good money in starting tech help for seniors. Sort of an “Introduction to Email and Facebook, Explained Slowly and Logically… for Old Farts, by Old Farts”. I should call it **Tech-Coots** (® and ™). ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/259 "2013-02-03T20:42:59Z")
You could bring back Clippy from Office Assistant. You know how those old shut-ins just want someone to talk to. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904/260 "2013-02-03T20:49:16Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > You could bring back Clippy from Office Assistant. You know how those old shut-ins just want someone to talk to. You want marauding hordes of psychotic grannies armed with knitting needles? Clippy can push anyone over the edge. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-going-to-let-old-people-get-away-with-their-horse-shit-anymore/648904.md?page=14)