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Post by majorminor on Mar 3, 2015 10:13:26 GMT -5
I can't tell if you're kidding or not, Rick, but the reality around here is that there's a group of early morning men, then a group of late afternoon men. I stop by the Farm Service to get beer on Friday afternoon, and it's always the same old joke: "Is that enough to get you home, Todd?" No, being facetious, Todd. I don't know about big cities in the USA, but around here, there's no such thing as a gas station like you're describing. They are there to go to and leave immediately. They don't have places to sit around and socialize. If I tried to do what I was joking about, I'm pretty sure that's the reaction I'd get. There are senior centers. MacDonalds often gives seniors cheap coffee and let them hang out. It's a kinder and more relaxed world that has places like that. What you have to do is find your best local diner, walk in about 7am and say "pancakes are on me!" and you'll be up to your eyeballs in old duffers. I love listening to a group of those old guys when they get going.
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,848
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Post by Dub on Mar 3, 2015 10:26:19 GMT -5
The thing to keep in mind is these old guys don't talk and behave that way because they're old. They've been that way their whole lives.
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Post by Marshall on Mar 3, 2015 11:19:07 GMT -5
Very true, Dub. It's a generational thing. The corner store was the social media of the day. Like checking in with the Soundhole.
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Post by dradtke on Mar 3, 2015 11:27:40 GMT -5
One thing I noticed about all my old uncles, they would always repeat the punch line to a joke. Tell a joke, hit the punch line, everybody laughs. As the laughter dies down, shake your head, repeat the punch line, laugh again.
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Post by Shannon on Mar 3, 2015 11:34:54 GMT -5
I live in a small enough town that there are "old man" tables scattered all over town, where the regulars get together for no particular reason.
You know what, though? I think this forum is our "old man" table. And I like it.
My condolences regarding Clarence, Todd.
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Post by aquaduct on Mar 3, 2015 12:05:02 GMT -5
Good stuff all around. I chuckled at James comment. I relate to Rick's. And I love Todd's. Gas stations here are not gathering places. They've all changed to quick marts. Get your gas, a cup of joe, and a donut and you're gone. later in the day it's a hot dog and a soda; or a candybar and chips. But it's all grab-and-go. Nobody lingers. The places i see seniors hang out are the McDOnald's. Get a breakfast tray and go hang out in the corner seating. Not so much Starbucks. That's not a seniors place, Too pricey, I suspect. It's all youngsters on their lap-tops. But there's so much traffic there's no easy gathering places. Bars still work in the evening. Every bar has its regulars and its ocaissionals. But that breeds other social issues, like alcoholism. . . . , just mental meandering. You made me think of some things. That's one of the things we've really come to appreciate about the winery industry here in Virginia. It's a daytime thing with nice indoor accommodations for bad weather and spectacular outdoor accommodations in decent or better weather (you'd be surprised how cold it gets before folks stop going outside to the fire pits). No smoking unless you want to pull some chairs out to the tree line and light up a few stogies and tell lies while the ladies chat under the umbrellas about whatever it is that women talk about. Comfortable seating for the physically challenged of all ages and degrees of codger-dom. No rush to get in and get out. And there's always a table to share with complete strangers- usually with a picnic lunch already in session. We also have breweries and distilleries, but they don't seem to have the same joyous, soul-refreshing social gentility of the wineries- mountains, valleys, greenery, livestock, old barns, ancient estate houses, wild animals, birds, etc. as far as the eye can see. As long as you avoid the drunk bus destinations over by the big city that is. We've been playing them now for going on 6 years and even though we're really getting out of music, we're keeping the wineries (some favorites anyways). Just too easy to enjoy all that for an afternoon and still walk away with a check. And Todd, my condolences too for your friend. Today's the 10th anniversary of my Dad's passing. I empathize.
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Post by Hobson on Mar 3, 2015 12:42:05 GMT -5
Todd, sorry about your friend. Strange how much we can miss a person who we don't really know much about and would never call a good friend. Remember the thread about where old people can go to hang out? acoustictalk.proboards.com/thread/35773/thirdMr. H is at his "Old Farts Coffee" right now. It's only once a week, but he would really miss it if it died out. And it is dying out as the members die or have to give up driving or are in bad enough shape that getting out of the house is too much of an effort. Mr. H was recruited a few years ago when he was in his mid 60s. A friend brought him in because they needed younger guys. I always get a report on who was there. It's now getting to the point that the wives sometimes outnumber the old farts. I've only been a handful of times.
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Post by millring on Mar 3, 2015 15:03:58 GMT -5
Warsaw had a town hangout for old and not so old men. A sort of "bull pen". It was called "Breading's Cigar Store" and it was right on Center Street when Center Street was the old Lincoln Highway. Every morning men met there for breakfast. There were no waitresses. You sat down and shouted out your order to seemingly nobody. The kitchen was behind an open window and they listened for the orders there and shouted when yours was up. And, yeah, it was also a cigar store, for all that mattered. Mostly it was a chat room, breakfast place, and checkers and backgammon room. It closed about a decade ago and now the old men convene at the East MacDonald's. www.breadingscigarstore.com/breadings-cigar-store-photos/cigar-store-photos.html
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Post by Village Idiot on Mar 3, 2015 16:47:36 GMT -5
The thing to keep in mind is these old guys don't talk and behave that way because they're old. They've been that way their whole lives. Absolutely. And that's why I said in the beginning that sometimes I wish I was born 100 years ago.
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Post by frazer on Mar 3, 2015 20:08:21 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Todd.
And this is a wonderful thread. This is why I keep coming back to this forum.
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Post by TKennedy on Mar 4, 2015 0:22:54 GMT -5
Your posts are always a joy to read Todd. I think I could handle being an old man trapped in a young man's body right now.
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