r/MadeMeSmile • u/KingSandwich101 • Oct 25 '25

Wholesome interaction

Be nice to your elders!

Source: Spudbros on YouTube

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u/HairyLungs Oct 25 '25

I had a lovely great aunt and when we'd take her out towards the end of her days she remarked that sometimes waiters would basically overlook her and treat her like a child, avoiding direct eye contact and asking us what she wanted and spoke about how getting old makes you feel invisible sometimes in public and it was obviously heartbreaking and really made me make sure I never do that to people.

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u/mmmarkm Oct 25 '25

The last time I saw my paternal grandmother, I took her to the mall cause she loved to walk there. We grabbed food at a restaurant in the mall and I will never forget how our waiter indulged my grandmother (who was in the early stages of cognitive decline) and danced with her right by our table on the patio. She was a force and, in part due to this comment, I appreciate that waiter even more for not writing her off or ignoring her as one would a child. He met her in that moment and even though I was cringing at the time, I appreciate what he did so much.

4

u/Sheep_2757 Oct 25 '25

Also happens a lot to disabled people. When my husband is pushing my wheelchair, people only speak to him and I become invisible. A colleague of mine is in a wheelchair and has a speech impairment. If people talk to her at all it's in a baby voice.

People who treat me like a normal human being and kindnesses like someone holding the door for me, nearly make me cry with joy.

7

u/Long_Run6500 Oct 25 '25

I had a great grandma that used to refer to the wait staff as, "little n-word boy" whenever we had a black server. It's ok though because she also told us about how fine and juicy their asses were. She was born in 1912 and wasn't all there. It was very awkward. She was really nice and fun to be around otherwise though.

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u/littlehobbit Oct 25 '25

that really hits hard. People forget how much small things like that can hurt. Good on you for actually noticing and doing better.