Rick’s Latest Listicle: Top 10 Things I Don’t Have Time for as an Older Person

By Rick Rose
LGBTSr contributor and co-host of The Twist Podcast

A new listicle for the listicle-minded! Top 10 things I don’t have time for as an older person. These are in no particular order, as they all annoy me equally.  See how many you agree with!

1. Arguing with people. As you get older, you learn that it’s not worth your time to argue with people. You’ve got better things to do with your energy.  Screw their senseless logic.
2. Waiting in line. This just isn’t due to my mobility issues as much as my ever thinning threshold of patience. I do like self check out for this reason and you better believe I get a feel for the folks who are using self check to make sure they have sharper skills than the check out folks.   
3. Roller coasters. These days, roller coasters are just too much for some older adults. Right?   The speed, the heights, and the G-forces that I wanted more and more of are now just too much to handle.  Been there, done that…and glad I did!
   
4. Crowds. As you get older, you may find that you don’t enjoy crowds as much as you used to. The noise and the chaos and clutter are a couple determining factors, but really it’s just the people.  They can be so overwhelming.
5. No time for BS. Older adults have earned the right to be direct and honest. They don’t have time for games or nonsense.  Let’s cut to the chase and say it like it is.  Move on!
6. Work. Work can be a major stressor, and more so than ever before, so it’s no wonder that many older adults don’t have time for it anymore.  Bye bye.
7. Young people’s attitudes. It’s not that I don’t like young people; I actually love them and appreciate all I learn from them.  It’s just that they may not always understand my attitudes and behaviors as an older gent. It is easier for us older folks to find young people to be disrespectful, lazy and entitled, something I assure you they can’t say about most of us.
8. Waiting for a table at a restaurant.  “It’ll be a 20 minute wait for your table, Mr. Rose.”  Hasta la vista, there are other restaurants on my list to experience.  
9. Rude people. Rudeness is never acceptable, but it can be especially grating at my age. If someone is being rude to you, don’t be afraid to call them out on it.  I do all the time and usually find they appreciate it, if not at least have a light shined on them to take a look at their behaviors.  I still count that as a win.
10. Air travel. Who, like me, remembers the sexy days of first class, no TSA, less folks in airports?  The long lines, the security checks, the cramped narrow seats and everyone fighting for overhead space can all be tough to deal with. Not that I like long car rides, but I find myself avoiding non-direct flights whenever I can.