Ganny is used to a different time when things were done a different way. This becomes particularly apparent when interacting with society at large. Before going in a restaurant, the bank, or a number of other locations, preparation is required to minimize embarrassment.
For example, we have to explain ahead of time what to do if those people in the mall trying to sell something stop you. What they're selling is probably not as great as they're saying it is. Failure to prepare will end in a 30 minute conversation with the person in which Ganny makes various politically incorrect observations and talks about the Lord's return.
We have to "prep" her before going into Babe's so that she understands why you don't get a menu. Failure to do this leads to loud questioning, repetition of those questions, and loud offensive comments like, "I've never been to a restaurant like this. I just don't understand this."
(Note: This method of embarrassment avoidance is only successful approximately 50% of the time. For failed attempts, read on.)
Recently Ganny asked me to go to the bank with her because she needed to make some changes to her trust account, including adding my name so I can write checks for her if needed. I anticipated difficulty and thus asked her to please "be polite if the people in the bank don't understand what you're trying to ask them." What I really meant was "I have no idea what you're talking about, so I doubt they will either. Please don't flip out and unleash your geriatric wrath upon us all."
"Oh, no problem," she responded. "I don't get frustrated." Famous last words.
First, the lady at the door had the nerve to ask us to wait a few minutes before we spoke with a banker. Every thirty seconds Gan would say "I just don't know if we want to wait. This is just taking a long time." I repeatedly told her it was fine. Approximately 10 minutes later a banker called us back to her office.
Ganny presented her with the paper from her lawyer stating that I could be added to her account. The twist was that my maiden name was listed. The woman helping us offered to call the bank's legal department since she wasn't familiar with working with trust accounts (who is?). This was the beginning. Ganny doesn't understand that it's not as easy as picking up the phone. Bankers have to wait on hold too and go through automated menus. Not everyone at the bank is an expert on every random thing you throw at them. They are just people, like me, who need a job. This is something old people don't get: Most people just work there - whether it be at the bank, a department store, the cell phone store - whatever. It's not that they don't care, it's that these aren't little "ma and pa" establishments anymore. These people work for big corporations and have to do things a certain way because they have to - not because they're trying to be difficult.
The next ten minutes consisted of the lady talking on the phone while Ganny behaved like a child. "I just want to leave," she said. "This is not the question I wanted to know. My lawyer has already taken care of this," she loudly complained as the poor woman tried to get information over the phone. I tried my best to diffuse the situation, to somehow indicate to the victim that I understood her pain, but the damage was done, as it usually is.
When we left I tried to explain to her that you have to be more patient with people. Again, these are not "ma and pa" businesses that know you by name and know your situation. Throughout the rest of the day she continued to defend her actions. I have added the bank to the list of places I will no longer accompany her to. The cell phone store and The Cracker Barrel in Arlington are also on this blacklist because of Ganny's past outbursts there.
For example, we have to explain ahead of time what to do if those people in the mall trying to sell something stop you. What they're selling is probably not as great as they're saying it is. Failure to prepare will end in a 30 minute conversation with the person in which Ganny makes various politically incorrect observations and talks about the Lord's return.
We have to "prep" her before going into Babe's so that she understands why you don't get a menu. Failure to do this leads to loud questioning, repetition of those questions, and loud offensive comments like, "I've never been to a restaurant like this. I just don't understand this."
(Note: This method of embarrassment avoidance is only successful approximately 50% of the time. For failed attempts, read on.)
Recently Ganny asked me to go to the bank with her because she needed to make some changes to her trust account, including adding my name so I can write checks for her if needed. I anticipated difficulty and thus asked her to please "be polite if the people in the bank don't understand what you're trying to ask them." What I really meant was "I have no idea what you're talking about, so I doubt they will either. Please don't flip out and unleash your geriatric wrath upon us all."
"Oh, no problem," she responded. "I don't get frustrated." Famous last words.
First, the lady at the door had the nerve to ask us to wait a few minutes before we spoke with a banker. Every thirty seconds Gan would say "I just don't know if we want to wait. This is just taking a long time." I repeatedly told her it was fine. Approximately 10 minutes later a banker called us back to her office.
Ganny presented her with the paper from her lawyer stating that I could be added to her account. The twist was that my maiden name was listed. The woman helping us offered to call the bank's legal department since she wasn't familiar with working with trust accounts (who is?). This was the beginning. Ganny doesn't understand that it's not as easy as picking up the phone. Bankers have to wait on hold too and go through automated menus. Not everyone at the bank is an expert on every random thing you throw at them. They are just people, like me, who need a job. This is something old people don't get: Most people just work there - whether it be at the bank, a department store, the cell phone store - whatever. It's not that they don't care, it's that these aren't little "ma and pa" establishments anymore. These people work for big corporations and have to do things a certain way because they have to - not because they're trying to be difficult.
The next ten minutes consisted of the lady talking on the phone while Ganny behaved like a child. "I just want to leave," she said. "This is not the question I wanted to know. My lawyer has already taken care of this," she loudly complained as the poor woman tried to get information over the phone. I tried my best to diffuse the situation, to somehow indicate to the victim that I understood her pain, but the damage was done, as it usually is.
When we left I tried to explain to her that you have to be more patient with people. Again, these are not "ma and pa" businesses that know you by name and know your situation. Throughout the rest of the day she continued to defend her actions. I have added the bank to the list of places I will no longer accompany her to. The cell phone store and The Cracker Barrel in Arlington are also on this blacklist because of Ganny's past outbursts there.
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