HUMANS

[Roy]

The CBC and BBC are public services. We have the PBS, but it may not be seen in all areas of the country. I don't know.

[chuck]

CBC is a Crown Corporation. Entities in this category are "corporations" that provide goods and/or services that don't fit into a government ministry or are not economically viable as a commercial enterprise. Canadian National Railways was a Crown Corporation up until 1995.

Crown corporations are shielded from constant government intervention and legislative oversight and generally enjoy greater freedom from direct political control than government departments (condensed from Wikipedia). CBC has direct advertising (aka commercials). While there is some overlap in terms of "mission" with PBS, it behaves more like a commercial entity. As I don't have direct access to BBC broadcasts I can't say where they fall in the spectrum.

[up148]

Wow! Leave a thread for a few days and it goes ballistic. I guess I'm very fortunate that I haven't run into these oldsters demanding so much or expecting to be 1st at anything.

We seldom eat out or spend much time in public, except to grocery shop or HD or Lowes, so maybe that's the reason or maybe it's different here in the midwest. I've always felt the pace was different in the central core, even back in the 60's, 70's and 80's.

I have more problems with younger people hogging the road, cutting me off in traffic, etc. than older people. There are always exceptions to this rule, like motorhome and travel trailer pullers, but I'm not around them that often.

But, I'm surprised to hear how bad we oldsters are as I just don't see it.

[chuck]

Not ALL old people, just some. I suspect a fair number winter in southern locations. Also, they don't morph into *'s. They were probably that way all their lives and kept it under wraps. As they age and have to deal with the massively truly clueless millennial's they get very short tempered.

[HONDO74]

I'm not seeing the problem with older people that Chuck and Rufus are seeing. Maybe it makes a difference as to where you live in the country. The only people I see driving badly are those in a hurry to get to work or get home. But those are not older people because most are retired and are not on the road at that time of day.

I am not seeing a problem waiting to pay for grocery's at Walmart or the local Price cutter market. The older people are paying with cash or a credit/debit card and the younger one are using a cell phone or food stamps. When I have quite a few items in my basket and someone comes up behind me with just a couple of items I tell the to go ahead.

When the lines are long I sometimes use the self check out if I only have a few items. Only if I have items with bar codes on them. If an item like veggies that have to be identified and weighed I wait in line. I pass the time reading the front page of all the comic rags they have.Gives me a good laugh.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I'm not seeing the problem with older people that Chuck and Rufus are seeing. Maybe it makes a difference as to where you live in the country. The only people I see driving badly are those in a hurry to get to work or get home. But those are not older people because most are retired and are not on the road at that time of day.

Go out in the middle of the day then - that's when they are out causing chaos.

I am not seeing a problem waiting to pay for grocery's at Walmart or the local Price cutter market. The older people are paying with cash or a credit/debit card and the younger one are using a cell phone or food stamps. When I have quite a few items in my basket and someone comes up behind me with just a couple of items I tell the to go ahead.

Only problem I experience at the grocery store paying is that the line is long since they only have 1 line open out of 10-12.

When the lines are long I sometimes use the self check out if I only have a few items. Only if I have items with bar codes on them. If an item like veggies that have to be identified and weighed I wait in line.

Same - don't mind self check as long as everything has a bar code.

[up148]

Yeah, I felt like an alien on my last flight in April. I have a paper ticket and majority of others (some older than me) just scanned their phone on the optic eye. Phones went quick, my ticket not so quick....4 tries later the agent told me to board. But, since I hope to never fly again (hate it) no sense setting it up.

[up148]

Go out in the middle of the day then - that's when they are out causing chaos.

I finally retire in 4 weeks and moving back to a KCMO suburb. I imagine I'll be out much more during this time period going forward....hope that's not the case.

[HONDO74]

UP148

I was born in KCMO. We lived on Bellefontaine Ave about 5 blocks south of Swope Parkway. Went to Graceland Elementary up to 3rd grade when we moved to Tuscon first and then to California.

Mom and I would walk down to Swope Parkway and take the trolley into the city.

When we lived in Kansas we used to drive up to KC for train shows. Used to be a good train shop just south of KC overland park, Can't remember the name or the exact location. Maybe on Metcalf ave

[rogruth]

I think my biggest gripe is with the middle aged plus that is fairly well to do that drives a bus-like travel van. Quite often they are also pulling a trailer
of some sort. They are seemingly not often the best of drivers and forget to signal and sometimes block traffic. I think persons that drive these things, even some of the smaller ones and the trailer type, should need a CDL. They often scare me.

I drive a 2009 Ford Flex, a large but not anywhere near as large as some vehicles. I do not drive after dark (or twilight) and try to take many breaks.
My speed is usually 5 over the speed limit. I will go with the flow if possible. I, IMHO, don't have a lot of driving time left.

[chuck]

I don't know about the the time left part but you are way ahead of the game as far as most drivers I encounter.

Sunday morning I was driving with my daughter. First we have the yo-yo that gets off the freeway and gets into a right turn only lane and then proceeded to make a left turn. This was an intersection with dedicated left, through, and right turn lanes. We pull into a structure and the small Toyota in front of us is hit by a Millennial backing up his big *'d jeep. This the ENTRANCE to the structure, no where to go back to. Then we encounter a well dressed retired couple that where waiting at a crossing. The lights were in their favor yet they waited for them to change and then they ran out into traffic. They panicked as we all hit our breaks and they ran in opposite directions with really scared looks on their faces. What a sh*t show.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The lights were in their favor yet they waited for them to change and then they ran out into traffic.

I don't know why but this seems on the increase. Stand there while they have the lights and crossing in their favor, but they wait for it to turn red and then they step off into traffic.

I also see on the increase folks waiting to turn right into the lane I'm driving in not pulling out despite a huge space available just waiting, waiting, waiting until I'm right in front of them and then they go. Jam on the brakes and then I get them gesturing at me.......

[up148]

I think my biggest gripe is with the middle aged plus that is fairly well to do that drives a bus-like travel van. Quite often they are also pulling a trailer
of some sort. They are seemingly not often the best of drivers and forget to signal and sometimes block traffic. I think persons that drive these things, even some of the smaller ones and the trailer type, should need a CDL. They often scare me.

I drive a 2009 Ford Flex, a large but not anywhere near as large as some vehicles. I do not drive after dark (or twilight) and try to take many breaks.
My speed is usually 5 over the speed limit. I will go with the flow if possible. I, IMHO, don't have a lot of driving time left.

Although younger than you (70) I completely agree with your post. I do drive at night but the headlights are b*tch and really can blind you with old eyes.

[rex desilets]

I suppose all we retired people should just take the red pill so we don't inconvenience our betters.

[up148]

UP148

I was born in KCMO. We lived on Bellefontaine Ave about 5 blocks south of Swope Parkway. Went to Graceland Elementary up to 3rd grade when we moved to Tuscon first and then to California.

Mom and I would walk down to Swope Parkway and take the trolley into the city.

When we lived in Kansas we used to drive up to KC for train shows. Used to be a good train shop just south of KC overland park, Can't remember the name or the exact location. Maybe on Metcalf ave

Born in St, Louis, but moved to Blue Springs (KCMO suburb) in 1961 and didn't leave until moving to OK to start a business in 2006. Very happy to go home. The area you mention has become quite dicey from what I've heard. LIke most cities, nice areas go down hill, until urban renewal comes in and then it starts over. Swope Park, Volker Park and Loose Park by the Plaza were all wonderful places.

I understand there are a few hobby shops left in the KCMO area, but all the old ones are gone. There was a nice one on Metcalf in OP and their was a great one on Prospect called "Spotlight". I think Doc's Trains in the west bottoms below Quality HIll is a new hangout for train guys and watchers. We'll be living in a much smaller circle when retired, but expect we'll get around to see the city and suburbs. Have some great memories of growing up in KC and the suburbs during the 60's and early 70's.