As I strolled into one of those remittance agencies yesterday morning (Jan 3, 2024), expecting a routine visit, I was unexpectedly drawn into a disheartening scene of disrespect and mistreatment towards an elderly lady. The blatant exhibition of power and authority left a sour taste in my mouth, prompting me to speak out despite the risk of being dismissed for meddling in others' affairs.
The woman in question, a few years my senior, or perhaps even younger but weathered by the harsh experiences of life in this country, had come to collect funds. Accompanied by a younger woman, she faced an immediate obstacle when the cashier insisted she fill out the form herself. Struggling due to compromised eyesight, she requested assistance from the younger companion, only to be met with a cold response: "No, because you said you could fill it out yourself."
The cashier's tone of reprimand was so harsh that I couldn't remain silent. Frustration reached its peak when even the younger woman interjected, expressing the obvious need for help and imploring the cashier to show more patience and understanding. Leaving the small coop-like facility and still nursing the effects of the flu, I couldn't help but voice my thoughts.
It struck me that some individuals believe in wielding power and authority over certain people, oblivious to the fact that they, too, will age with time. I hoped silently that they would someday face the same kind of abuse and disrespect they had so callously dished out. Time has a way of turning the tables, and as I now find myself part of the cadre of senior citizens, enjoying special privileges like exclusive lines at banks, discounts on certain days in supermarkets, and preferred seating in the Knutsford Express, the irony is not lost on me.
Addressing the Moneygram cashier and her ilk, I couldn't resist reminding her that her time is just around the corner. There are pamper-sporting kids with nipple bottles waiting to demonstrate who holds the reins. Today it might be me speaking out, but tomorrow it could very well be you facing the consequences of their actions. After all, the wheel of time never stops turning.
Today for me, tomorrow for you.
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| Clara Campbell will be 108 in June 2024 |
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| Clara Campbell |
Writer, Lois Grant
Editor's Note:
If you are aware of any private or public sector organization where senior citizens are not appropriately treated, CLICK HERE and make a report.
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Elder abuse is prevalent and it will only increase as the population of seniors increases each year. It takes special team members to understand and deal effectively with seniors. We are all living longer than we used to. As yuh quint yuh reach 70!
ReplyDeleteOne time in my country we used to respect the elder but not anymore very sad.
ReplyDeleteSo true 👹
ReplyDeleteElder abuse is common in Jamaica. Happy you intervened.
ReplyDeleteHope what you said was not lost on the cashier.
Can be seen that proper customer relationship training is needed at this agency. 🙏
I'm not sure how some of these people get place into positions
ReplyDeleteWhy cant i edit or remove my comment?
ReplyDeleteYour comment was made anonymously so the system would not know that you have authority to edit a specific comment.
DeleteThanks for your intervention and thanks for highlighting this issue, God Bless
ReplyDeleteV. You are so appreciated for highlighting these issues that are so deeply troubling , Jamaica institutions are more about bureaucracy than anything else unfortunately respect and good customer service are not part of their business practices
ReplyDeleteThis disrespect for elders is part of the reasons why Jamaica is where it's at right now. We have a very foolish disregard for the wisdom that comes from age and experience. So we declare with reckless abandon that it is "young people time." Hence, we don't build on the foundational wisdom of our forefathers, preferring instead to dismiss such as "old time sinting" and to go glibly ahead into full-on disappointments.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sir Vernon for being our ambassador whether On- Air or Off - Air. It is damn disgrace how our people are being treated in this country. Somehow NCB continues to be a very endicment on our people and then they have some nice way of washing their hands clean as if they do not have any thing to do with it. I believe they are the biggest player in causing these problems with these systems they have built. Up to now some of us still do not understand it much less those who do not understand the online system. Why is the government so silent on this matter of urgent concern?
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