I got asked if I was a senior. AGAIN.

[Anonymous]

I'm 46. This ... is the second time in a year that this has happened. First time at a hair salon where apparently they have a discount for seniors on the day of the week I was there. Yesterday it happened again. I was checking out at a store and the cashier asked if I was a senior. I said yes to see what happened - I got 10% off each item.

Maybe I DO look a decade older than I am? I don't walk with a limp or a cane or anything. A week ago I got my hair dyed so it's a chestnut brown without any gray, parted in the middle just past my shoulders - it's not like an old lady pouf hairdo. I was wearing jeans from Nordstrom Rack and a solid-colored v-neck t-shirt with sneakers. I'm not gaunt or anything. I'm not wrinkly. I've never smoked, tanned and on an average day drink about two liters of water.

If it had just been that one guy I'd chalk it up to him just being horrible at guessing people's ages. Now it's a second person. So maybe ... could I look 55 even though I'm 46? (And yes, I know it's 62 or 65, but for discounts in restaurants it's often 55 so I'm guessing both people meant they thought I might be that age because surely there's no way I look 65, right?)

[Anonymous]

Wow, jeans from Nordstrom Rack?

[Anonymous]

Sorry. That’s painful.

[Anonymous]

If it’s much younger people (college age and teens) they are always horrible at guessing ages. Plus it’s easier to give the discount liberally to anyone vs. being chewed out by someone who was mad that the cashier forgot to give them the senior discount.

[Anonymous]

Oh my god. That’s awful. Were you wearing makeup?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s much younger people (college age and teens) they are always horrible at guessing ages. Plus it’s easier to give the discount liberally to anyone vs. being chewed out by someone who was mad that the cashier forgot to give them the senior discount.

The first person was in his 30's I think. Yesterday the woman was easily at least a decade older than I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god. That’s awful. Were you wearing makeup?

No, I've never worn makeup. Maybe this is the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s much younger people (college age and teens) they are always horrible at guessing ages. Plus it’s easier to give the discount liberally to anyone vs. being chewed out by someone who was mad that the cashier forgot to give them the senior discount.

The first person was in his 30's I think. Yesterday the woman was easily at least a decade older than I am.

They are told to offer the discount to anyone that might qualify so the err on the side of caution, similar to alcohol for minors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god. That’s awful. Were you wearing makeup?

No, I've never worn makeup. Maybe this is the problem?

Could be but it depends on the person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 46. This ... is the second time in a year that this has happened. First time at a hair salon where apparently they have a discount for seniors on the day of the week I was there. Yesterday it happened again. I was checking out at a store and the cashier asked if I was a senior. I said yes to see what happened - I got 10% off each item.

Maybe I DO look a decade older than I am? I don't walk with a limp or a cane or anything. A week ago I got my hair dyed so it's a chestnut brown without any gray, parted in the middle just past my shoulders - it's not like an old lady pouf hairdo. I was wearing jeans from Nordstrom Rack and a solid-colored v-neck t-shirt with sneakers. I'm not gaunt or anything. I'm not wrinkly. I've never smoked, tanned and on an average day drink about two liters of water.

If it had just been that one guy I'd chalk it up to him just being horrible at guessing people's ages. Now it's a second person. So maybe ... could I look 55 even though I'm 46? (And yes, I know it's 62 or 65, but for discounts in restaurants it's often 55 so I'm guessing both people meant they thought I might be that age because surely there's no way I look 65, right?)

It's just random. Lots of places offer senior discounts starting at 55. I'm more than 20 years older than you and I often have to ask for the senior discount even though I have gray hair and some wrinkles. I dress a lot like you described except I don't wear jeans from Nordstroms, I just wear soft casual pants. I have smoked and tanned but that doesn't seem to cut any ice with some cashiers. I don't walk with a limp or a cane either but maybe I should start just for the discount.

[Anonymous]

I’m just going to tell people I’m a senior so I can get discounts.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s random, like when 46 year olds get carded. No one actually thinks they’re under 21.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe everyone isn't saying "What do I have to do to save 10% just for lying about my age?"

Rock it, OP. Invest your discounts and when you actually are a senior, they'll be worth $$$$!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god. That’s awful. Were you wearing makeup?

No, I've never worn makeup. Maybe this is the problem?

Yes, at your age you need a little something to give your face some color and life and dimension. -NP

[Anonymous]

I got asked this question one month after I turned 60. (I've got 2 kids in HS) But I was happy with the 10% grocery discount.