As someone who has worked in the food service industry for around 16 years, I've seen all sorts of discounts, given to all sorts of people, for all sorts of reasons. One in particular I've never agreed with is the 'Senior Discount'. This may start off sounding like a rant, but hopefully, it won't end that way.
Millenials are often accused of being self entitled, and holding the belief that the world owes them something more than what they're getting. Being 30, I suppose I do just barely fall under that category, but millenials aren't the only ones who think they're special...
Congratulations! You're old enough to retire!
If you decide to do so, you'll probably be living on what most would call a 'fixed income'. This means you may have to adjust your budget, and you may not be able to afford some of the finer things you used to enjoy, like eating out. This does not mean you should now be entitled to pay less for things you buy, simply because you've lived/worked for a long time and money is tight...
This is America... Money is tight for everyone but a select few. The company I work for very rarely approves overtime, so I'm essentially on a fixed income as well... I've never asked if someone offers a struggling millennial discount...
Now, if a business owner decides to offer a discount for any reason, that's their perogative, but when you all but demand that you pay less than the next person for the same order, I start to judge the kind of person you are. You are willing to support a business only as long as you're getting a little something extra, because again, you made it, and you deserve this.
The elderly aren't the poorest amount us anymore
Back in the 1930's, supporting the elderly became a hit topic, as many were hit hard by the great depression, and we're left with nothing. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, in the last 30 years or so, though, the median income for Americans aged 65+ has increased by about 42%, while the median income for those under 35 has dropped nearly 70%! Then add in the fact that many seniors have paid off mortgages and cars, social security, and often, and a pension from the work they did for decades, while many younger individuals are earning less money yet still have all those expenses. Maybe we should be offering discounts to struggling young adults...
If it really is the case that your fixed income doesn't allow you the same luxuries you're used to, maybe being fiscally reasonable is the best option instead of insisting a business be held responsible for your lack of extra money.
OK, so it ended as a rant too. Oh well. Tell me I'm wrong.