One Christmas a few years ago, when I had just passed my 50th birthday, I went to the local mall to do some shopping for gifts. As I walked across the parking lot, I had a lot on my mind deciding on gifts to get, and I didnt notice the teenage girl approaching me from behind, until I heard her call to me.
"Mister!" I heard her say, "Oh, Mister!"
I turned to face her and she went on "I'm taking a survey and want to ask you a few questions." I noticed the clipboard in her hand.
"Sure!" I responded. I didn't know what the survey was about, but I was proud to be asked my opinion on ANYthing.
"What kind of cologne do you wear?" was her first question.
Beaming with pride that MY opinion counted for ANYthing, I responded, "Well, normally I don't wear cologne....."
"Okay !" she cut me off, then turned and ran off through the parking lot towards another male. "Mister! Oh, Mister!" her voice trailed off, leaving me alone in the parking lot, to wonder what had happened.
I continued into the mall and started to shop, but I kept running through my mind the encounter in the parking lot. I was excited to be involved in a survey, but at my first answer she dropped me and went on to someone else. I decided that if I had it to do over again, I would take control of the situation and tell her my opinion and not let her 'get away'.
"Mister! Oh, Mister!"
I turned to see another teenage girl running up behind me with a clipboard in her hand.
"I'm taking a survey and would like to ask you a few questions."
Beaming with pride I was ready THIS time! "Sure" I said.
"What kind of cologne do you wear?" she asked innocently. She had no idea how prepared I was for that question!
"Well, normally I don't wear cologne BUT WHEN I DO....." I didn't let her get away this time ".... I usually wear Old Spice". HAH! There! I gave her my answer! I was ready THIS time! My opinion COUNTED ! I was so happy and proud of myself !
But that would last for only the slightest instant......
"EEEEEEYYYYYYYYWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!" she responded.
My jaw dropped ! I was stunned !
"W-W-W-W-Wh-Wh-Wh-WHAT????" I stuttered out, trying to understand her comment.
"THAT'S so ANCIENT !" she hollered back at me.
Then she turned and ran off through the dark parking lot.
Trying to save any last ounce of dignity I could, I shouted after her "B-B-B-B-Bu-Bu-But I LIKE it !"
My voice traveled off - unheard - into the darkness. She was gone. Once again I was left alone in a dark parking lot. This time to ponder how a 50 year old could be so ...... "ancient".