DEAR ABBY: From time to time you ask your readers to air their gripes. I have a few suggestions for restaurant personnel.
Please don't ask if we are senior citizens. Some of us may be -- but we don't want to announce it. Senior citizens who want to take advantage of the discounts will ask for them.
And please do not ask if the young person with them is their grandchild. Especially with people having children later these days, it is very often one's child.
Personally I don't like being called "young lady" when I'm obviously not young. Same goes for "young man." It's just as insulting as "old man" or "old lady," as it calls attention to age.
One last suggestion: When you pick up the customer's cash to pay for the meal, don't ask if he or she wants change. Of course they do: If they want you to keep the change, they will tell you. -- ELLIE IN MINNEAPOLIS
DEAR ELLIE: You have made some valuable suggestions. We all know a few people who could benefit from them.