Monday, September 5, 2016

SHAMELESS


Yes I am shameless and quite frankly, I am a bit proud of it.

Lately my trees and vines have climbed my power pole till they completely surrounded my outdoor security light that I pay for on my light bill.  Outside of a nice glow among the trees, I got no benefit at all from the light. This is the second time this has happened.

I called the power company and they promised to send someone out that day to trim the branches so I thought I'd get in some lawn mowing while I waited.
I just finished mowing and was walking to the house when a power company bucket truck with two nice young men  pulled up to the gate.

The head guy sadly said that they could only cut the branches down and pile them up.  I would have to dispose of them.  I said,"OK," thinking this would not be too difficult.  Then they went to work.

The pile kept getting higher.

The branches kept getting bigger. 
That is when I shamelessly played the age card. I said nothing but took quick action.

When I mow on the rider, I wear a huge brimmed sombrero, two cooling neck scarves, and am lathered in white zinc oxide for sun block that looks a lot like clown make up. I am pretty sure my disguise made my age a mystery.

Recently I have been nursing a bum shoulder that makes shifting gears in my car and even pulling up my underwear an uncomfortable, painful experience. Realizing I probably could not handle this huge pile, I was getting worried.   Pretty sure those limbs weighed more than my underwear. Steps had to be taken.

I eased into the house, removed the hat and scarves, quickly washed off the grease paint exposing my wrinkles and fluffed up my white hair. Did I limp a bit when I went back out?? Well I do have a bad back and hip. It is hard to show that a shoulder is hurting so I MAY have exaggerated my normal limp a wee bit to make the point that I was a beat up old lady.

I limped up to the head guy for a casual chat.  He looked at me closely for the first time. We chatted a bit, then he went to his truck and talked quietly on the radio.

He came back with a big smile and said he had arranged for the wood chipper truck to stop by in the next few days to remove the debris.  Ah, what a sweet man.

I thanked him profusely saying that I really didn't know how I would have managed that pile---and that was the truth.  I was enormously relieved and he got to spend the rest of the day rightfully feeling good about himself.  Win/win.

When I was younger, I would have gone in, fixed my hair, made sure my deodorant was still working, added makeup, put on some short shorts with a flattering blouse and hope for the same results. Now days, white hair, wrinkles and a bit of a limp works just fine. This isn't new shameless behavior, just different.

Have you ever deliberately played the age card or exaggerated an ache or pain to get extra service?

55 comments :

  1. I LOVE IT. I never really thought about it but I do think I use the age card. I am helpless compared to what I was 10, 20 or 40 years ago. And isn't that what they have that chipper machine for anyway. I'm glad they are helping you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara,
      I know, I use to be so competent but now days, I do rely on the kindness of strangers. If they had been regular tree trimmers, they would have had the chipper. They were just linemen helping out. I was very grateful.

      Delete
  2. P.S. I would have tried the makeup and shorts too - but that was a long time ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara,
      Ha ha, yes that quit working for me over 30 years ago.

      Delete
  3. Love my Monday morning laugh fix :-) I have this visual of you sweet talking these guys, and it makes me smile.

    Once again, sweet talking works way better than yelling and demanding. We have our ways...just a different way of operating than 20 - 30 years ago. But it still works, and as you point out, leaves the person feeling good about themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole,
      Thank you, so happy to oblige. It just takes a bit of adjusting to get the same results and what is better than making a person feel good?

      Delete
  4. Hilarious! When ya got it (whatever it may be) FLAUNT it.
    Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A wonderful lesson from my funny hero I shall now play the age card more often. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie,
      Glad you enjoyed. It is a very handy card to keep close.

      Delete
  6. You are an inspiration, Patti! Why didn't I think of doing something like that? Now it will be in my arsenal of tricks. Good on ya! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Djan,
      Thanks. Keep it handy, you never know when it will bail you out:)

      Delete
  7. I have seen it used very effectively. I worked at a very large company in a department that was dependent on actions of another department before we could proceed with certain things. When things became backed up waiting on the other department, the boss would enlist the aid of a sweet, cute, young thing to carry paperwork to the lagging offender and chit-chat, smile and generally persuade that person to take action. Worked every time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pudge450,
      You had a resourceful boss. Nothing like a little inspiration to get a job done and everyone is happy.

      Delete
  8. Love the story! Glad it worked out for you. I haven't played the age card yet, but expect to probably sooner than I can even imagine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. robin,
      Thanks, glad you liked it. I had fun with it. You are still too young to need it but just know it is there.

      Delete
  9. Good story. I have not played the age card. I'm not very good at that sort of thing so maybe I need to practice a bit and then give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn,
      Glad you liked it. Just remember it is like insurance. Hopefully you never need it but it is good to know it is there.

      Delete
  10. I haven't personally pulled the age card myself because I've got Bob who's 84 and people stumble a lover themselves to help. Someday it will be my time and I won't hesitate to use the age card.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda,
      You have seen how good it works for Bob. Just knowing the card is available is a comfort.

      Delete
  11. I was never able to flit my eyes and wiggle my bum for results, but i currently have no problem using the age card for help. I would have also slipped him a twenty as thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. joeh,
      Ah but the money would have taken away that really neat feeling he got to enjoy.
      I would pay to see you flitting and wiggling:)

      Delete
  12. Ha! Well played. I've not had to resort to any such action, but have probably fallen for it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barry,
      I'll bet. You are the target for us oldies and so far I have never been let down. Love you youngsters.

      Delete
  13. I find leaning heavily on my cane gets me a seat in crowded places!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. If I did, I did mindlessly. I want the chips! Great mulch after it's aged a while.

    Lizzy still will not swim but she's enjoying the cool. It only took four years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gail,
      Sorry, no chips. The truck came today and it was the big truck with the giant arm. They just picked it up with the arm and hauled it off. They were quick, neat and through. What a company.

      Delete
  16. I am glad that they agreed to take care of that mess for you. It was only right! As for the age card...well, I am going to wait til I get old to try that. Hahaha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olga,
      Ha ha, I forgot you were still a puppy:) Just know the tool is there when you need it--far in the future.

      Delete
  17. I'm sure I've received senior discounts I wasn't entitled to, although by age I was pretty darn close.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen,
      You are still a youngster and a man yet. Sorry, two strikes against so this ploy might not work for you. But those discounts sure are cool.

      Delete
  18. When I have to call Comcast because of lost service, I sometimes say I'm too old and debilitated to climb the stairs to recycle the modem (this, of course, after I've hiked 10 miles). My mom always said you catch more flies with syrup than vinegar. Smiling and flaunting the gray hair is a privilege of age.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb,
      Aren't you a rascal? The only way you will get extras is via the phone. You look entirely too fit and healthy to work the age card.

      Delete
  19. Oh this made me laugh so hard and it soooo true! 20 years ago I could still play the young and cute" card and now I play my age card and, you are right -- I get the same results! Never thought of it that way! Either way == we are being nice and the guy feels like a hero!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SimplySingleSenior,
      Thank you for stopping by and I am so glad I gave you a giggle. You are right, both ploys ended up making the guys feel like heroes. The reason it works so well.

      Delete
  20. You played your age card well. But it was certainly justified.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda R,
      Thanks, we work with what we have. They came today to clean up. Love it.

      Delete
  21. Oh how funny----and YES, I'm glad you did it. Don't feel even a tiny bit guilty... As we age, we DO need more help with various things... I love it --and I'm sure I'll be doing it myself SOON....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betsy,
      Thanks and so am I. Luckily you have George to handle the heavy lifting for you. Enjoy having a live in handy to do the hard stuff.

      Delete
  22. No, but I may have exaggerated my stumble in the grocery store as I fell into the arms of not one, not two, but three firemen. And if you read my blog you know how I feel about those guys!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Inger,
      WOW, now that was an amazing fall. Lucky you.

      Delete
  23. Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Yay for nice guys! I haven't had to use the age card much yet, but I will when I need to. I think we're somewhat entitled. :- ) Most people are awfully nice here though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay,
      I totally agree which is why the upcoming election doesn't scare me --too much. I am relying on the basic goodness of most folks.

      Delete
  24. Well done, more flies with honey, and a limp!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brig,
      Yep, huge believer in honey. Vinegar should be for cleaning floors.

      Delete
  25. I generally count on the "Minnesota Nice" card. And work on my helpless and befuddled" look. Oh and deaf too. This act works best dealing with modern technology issues. Manly brainless physical work I have a harder time pulling off...:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TB,
      Those are handy tools and I think most places have a lot of "nice" folks though Minnesota and Canada may have the most.

      Delete
  26. I'm glad they offered though- that was sweet. I've got a tree out front that is wedged in a V of power lines and it needs to come down. I wouldn't dare hire someone to do it though, because my luck, they would knock my electricity out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terri,
      Call Entergy. They should take care of that via Asplundh and they will remove the mess too.

      Delete
  27. You are so naughty :-) But I love how you think! Good job. What is beyond your control is within your influence - this age old wisdom proves true once again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GQ,
      I am always delighted when you stop by with a comment. You make my day. I love that saying--it is now mine.

      Delete
  28. This is a tremendous post. Thanks for setting a good example for the rest of us. The world needs more positive speakers.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh yes this is our time to use that but we must use it carefully. No bullies needed.
    I had to use it for airline help while travelling without Hubby and Buddy. Vision help is needed so I get support at aitports.

    ReplyDelete

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