Why has the AARP not concerned itself with apps th...

r244910r · ‎11-06-2023

There is a practice that is becoming very common that is age discriminatory. The general comments I’ve received when I’ve mentioned this in conversations with location managers, responses are generally in the tone of, “Their attitude is to hell with the Boomers. There are ten younger people to replace each one we lose.”

It’s time for the AARP to do something about this.

The practice I’m talking about is restaurant discounts only available through apps.

How is this discriminatory? Let’s look at the facts. Many members of “Boomer” age are somewhat illiterate when it comes to computer savvy. Oh, they can get on Facebook and talk to friends, but when it comes to doing much on their phones, their knowledge dwindles. Since apps are set up basically for those who “do everything” on their phones, this leaves the majority of “Boomers” out in left field paying more for items that the younger generations are getting at huge discounts. In essence, the money that comes from the limited income means of our age group offsets the discounts younger folks are receiving.

I’m sorry, but even as technology moves forward, the aged are being used as cash cows. This is wrong, very wrong.

When out and about shopping, most seniors don’t plan where they’re going to eat. They complete their tasks and decide at that time as to where and what they will partake. It’s simply bad business and complete disrespect for a business to charge them more than they do whose lifestyle has been immersed in the technology of today’s world.

I recognize that the younger generations consider themselves the “entitled ones”, but seniors have worked all their lives to scrimp and save what little they have. It makes no sense that we do not have access to the same discounting that is available in apps for the technology crowd. And, as this becomes even more acceptable, what else are we going to end up paying for before the AARP says, “Enough is enough!”

For the AARP to see this occurring and to not recognize it as discriminatory is an atrocity. A strong push against the brand names participating in this needs to be immediately pursued. It’s not taking on a challenge to technology as many would have you believe. No, it’s accepting that the exclusion of the elderly who do not have the savvy to use this technology are being cheated out of the discounts available to those who do, again, generally the younger generations. This disrespect for the seniors of our country needs to end.

I’ve discussed this with many seniors, many who have such distaste for the practice that they no longer eat out. Although we have long recognized that life is not fair, this practice seems to be not only unfair, but discriminably aimed against the “Boomers”. It needs to stop.

The AARP has the strength to change this practice, but hasn’t attempted to do so. I ask only, “Why not?”

EricC28201 · ‎11-07-2023

Call it 'vicarious', 'by proxy' or 'quasi', but this is an example of the element of cannibalism that is so deeply entrenched in our culture that it is taken for granted. It is such an integral part of the culture that we have all participated (knowingly or unknowingly) during our lives and that is part of what makes it seem impossible to mitigate.

A healthy, prosocial response to a matter like this could be an early step toward reform by evolution instead of revolution. Evolution would be healthier because Revolution has such Win/Lose overtones that it just perpetuates the distorted spirit of competition that, in part, is used to disguise the cannibalism.

This is another example of the spirit of the folks who renamed the Personnel Department to Human Resources. We're not Persons anymore, we're Resources and, in their view, Resources are to be exploited. Welcome to the Jungle, you're on the Menu.

nctarheel · ‎11-07-2023

@r244910r wrote:

There is a practice that is becoming very common that is age discriminatory.

It’s time for the AARP to do something about this.

The practice I’m talking about is restaurant discounts only available through apps.

@r244910r,

I couldn't have said it better myself. My wife and I have expressed your concern to many a restaurant Manager and they could care less. AARP probably will NOT RESPOND to your perfectly valid concern. Good luck.