Sadly, most Boomers are past the age we need to show I.D. when buying liquor. But at the other end of the scale, we now qualify for seniors’ benefits in many establishments such as movie theatres and retail stores. The age requirement can vary anywhere from fifty to sixty-five depending on where you live and where the purchase is being made. When I first started dating my husband he would request seniors’ tickets at the movies. Too vain and nervous to be questioned about my age at the time (I was in my fifties), I would discreetly stand back while my white-haired partner did the dirty work.

Then one day when I attended a movie alone, I found myself having an internal debate about whether to chance buying a seniors’ ticket when I was only sixty-three, but being the honest person I am and fearing being asked to produce I.D., I deferred and paid full adult price. Then, when I handed my ticket to the attendant inside, I noticed to my horror that the stupid child in the ticket booth had pegged me as a hag and without asking had sold me a seniors’ ticket. I was awhile recovering from that humiliation.

Then, today as I was paying for some Christmas cards at a store I asked if this was seniors’ day. The clerk looked at me questioningly and hesitated. Jokingly I asked if she wanted to see my drivers’ license, and she did!  I was thrilled and noticed my fellow crones behind me in line smiling at my obvious joy as I produced the document. Is being recognized as a senior a good thing or a bad thing? We tend to want it both ways, don’t we. We don’t want to be perceived as old crones but we enjoy the benefits of seniors’ pricing. Getting carded reminded me that I’m not only vain, I’m cheap and old too. And if you don’t believe me I’d be happy to show you my I.D.

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