DEAR ABBY: The problem: I am a single woman who was out on a dinner date. The food server, who appeared to be in her early 20s, asked to take our order. Just as I was about to reply, the server stopped me and asked if I had looked at the senior citizen menu.
I told her that it would not be fair to order from that menu because I have not qualified for that discount yet. You would think that would have ended the subject, but no-o-o-o. She pursued the matter by saying, "You only have to be 55 to qualify for our senior citizen menu."
Granted, I will be 51 on my next birthday. But don't you think a person should be allowed to ask for the discount, not have the server determine eligibility?
After she left, I made a joke about it to my date, but I must admit that I was upset about the young woman's remarks, and I am afraid that my embarrassment was noticed by my date. Please tell food servers that everyone knows about senior citizen discounts without being nudged. Could I have handled this differently? -- GROWING OLD IN FLORIDA (BUT NOT THAT OLD)
DEAR GROWING OLD: You showed remarkable grace under fire in dealing with the server in front of your date. She was insensitive and clearly out of line.