Young at Old

Gone are the days when the old people used to go to temples daily, offer prayers throughout the day, and watch TV soaps in the night. They want something more exciting and interesting!!Times have changed and so have they!!

They want to be in limelight even after their retirement and are in no mood to sit in the house idle and doing nothing. Proof??

Here u go;

At the newly opened McDonald restaurant in Bangalore, things weren’t the same as at other outlets. McDonalds’ used to be a common place of hangout for youngsters grabbing their burgers and coke after college and chatting in the backdrop of songs of Madonna or akon etc. But this wasn’t the case here. The outlet was filled with ladies in their early 60’s ordering burgers and French fries and chatting amongst each other. Even the backdrop songs were different .Songs like Boom Boom Robo da from endhiran, a blockbuster rajnikanth movie were being played. The old ladies couldn’t stop relishing their burgers in midst of their favourite songs!!

Malls are now increasingly visited by the old couples. The grandmothers and grandfathers prefer to visit the popular malls with their grandkids and son/daughter on weekends. Several health problems like knee/ankle pain haven’t stopped them visiting these places. They are taken around in the wheelchairs provided by mall’s customer service. Some shops have been opened particularly targeting these customers.

Restaurant, malls what else?? Maybe Tours!!

The old ladies and gents in the neighbourhood get together and form groups. They conduct and attend various singing/bhajan classes and also plan their outdoor trips themselves. After making plans, they find travel agents nearby who arranges buses. Not only are they self-dependant but they are also self confident to go to these trips. Several such trips have enabled them to view various temples and sight spots outside the city. These trips are very memorable for them as they travel with people of their same age and are able to share their experience and stories on their way.

Apart from doing young stuff, they want to look young too. No one wants to show their age. They regularly dye their hair; some hit the gym to stay in shape. Several Beauty-treatment procedures for the old are being opened.

Several couples save money and spend it to visit places abroad or go for world tours after retirement. The government’s plan of extending the retirement age to 62 would just ruin those plans.

Gadgets are also increasingly used by them. Cell phones, Mp3 players are with them at all times. They also get interested on seeing new devices like I phones, Tablets, LED screens.

In those days, communication between two old friends staying at different cities used to be via telephone or postcard/letter. But now, we have easier and interesting ways of communication.
1. Email
2. Social networking sites-Facebook , Orkut, twitter etc

Few days back I got a friend request in Facebook. When i opened the tab to see the friend who was sending the request, I was in for a rude shock. My 85yr old grandfather had just sent me a friend request in facebook. Looking at his profile, I noticed that he already has over 80 friends. He updates status and comments frequently. Wonder if he has joined Google plus before me!!

Even though few of them may not like how the culture is shaping up, they can’t resist enjoying the fun and thrill that the present has to offer to youngsters.