We have all grown up hearing about the "isms."
I knew racism and sexism, but I didn't know much about ageism until I fell victim to it.
Ageism, as defined in the dictionary, is discrimination based on age. Going on 21 years, I am a victim.
This past weekend I strolled into a local restaurant for a late lunch. Naturally, I wasn't dressed to the nines. Regardless, I was bright, cheerful and found myself to be worthy of a nice afternoon.
But as I opened the door I instantly received a feeling of disdain from the waiter who begrudgingly sat me in his section. He looked familiar.
Why the attitude, pal? I'm not going to shout profanities, spill salsa or stomp dance on the table. Yes, I'm young, but I don't stick up gas stations. Let me eat!
"What can I get you to drink?" he asked.
"I'll just have water with a lemon, please," I replied.
Twelve minutes later, it arrived. My first mistake was clear. When you order water, it conveys the message that you are either cheap or poor. Oh well, strike one.
The waiter returned to take my meal order. "I'll have the lettuce wrap appetizer, please."
He glared, "And?"
I stopped and thought, "Oh no, oh no. He's going to spit in my food because I didn't order more. My meal tab would be $8. Not enough. Twenty percent of eight is $1.60. Should I get more? But I just want the darn lettuce wraps. I'm not a scorpion woman! I've been there; I'll tip you more. Just give me the wraps, oh please?"
"Excuse me. Anything else?" he asked.
"Nope, that'll do it. Thank you." I began to turn a pinkish color.
This, my friends, is absolutely ridiculous. Why should I be ashamed to order what I want? Why should I be discriminated against because I don't have the money for the creme brulèe and the seared tuna?
I'm appalled. I'm outraged. I'm in college, and I just want to fill my stomach and be on my merry little way! I just want to be treated like a human, not a poor, rowdy college kid. What ever happened to good old-fashioned customer service?
Tom? That is Tom! I knew the waiter's face was familiar. He sat behind me in class last year.
Oh, Tom, you don't have a lot of money, either. You're a college kid, too. You can't afford the steak, either.
The anger began to boil. You hypocrite! You discriminatory hypocrite! You're 20, and I'm 20. What gives?
Simply put, ageism is wrong. Even more ridiculous is the fact we are doing it to ourselves.
Let's point out the obvious: For the most part, the people who work at Saks, Prada, Cache, Gucci and at fine dining restaurants all over cannot afford to wear or eat the goods they sell. The salary just doesn't cover those $600 shoes.
I want to drink the free water. I want to go in the dressing room at the store and try on the dress I can't afford.
You can't afford it. I can't afford it. Stop the insanity!
