Q: Going out to eat is making me feel old. My grandchildren came to visit and took me out for a meal at a popular local restaurant I'd never visited.
Even though it was a nice gesture, I didn't have a great time. When we entered the lobby, it wasn't clear where the line started or what the food options were. I wasn't able to get a look at the menu before I was asked to place my order.
I ended up getting flustered and embarrassed, and my granddaughter ordered for me.
Am I too old to try new things?
A: Not at all! It's easy to forget over time, but every new experience comes with a learning curve.
Even young people face confusion the first time they go into a new restaurant. This is particularly the issue with fast-casual dining, as it requires more customer participation, and stores have varying setups. It's not always clear what we're expected to do to get our food.
Don't be embarrassed to take your time.
When you're going out with a group, participate in the planning process. If someone has been to the restaurant before, ask them for a recommendation or a crash course in how the ordering process works. If not, don't be afraid to ask someone inside.
If you're confused on the food options, ask for a server's suggestion or to see a menu. A reliable line to use is, "What is the most popular item you serve?"
Take advantage of the resources and people around you. If you figure out the process the first time, the second time shouldn't cause you as much stress. You can also ask for a menu for the road.
All that said, you may prefer your old routine. Many casual restaurants tend to be noisier, more crowded, and eager to move bodies through the door. The next time you go out in a group, suggest one of your favorite restaurants. — Emma, Doug's granddaughter
PHONE FRAUD
Q: I get a lot of spam calls on my home phone.
It used to be easy to tell legitimate calls from financial scams, but the line now seems blurrier. This week, I got a call claiming that I was a victim of identity theft and that I needed to take care of the matter immediately over the phone.
Although I felt like it was shady and hung up, I wasn't sure I made the right decision. After I heard that some friends in my community had received a similar call, I felt more certain. But it's hard to know if I'm making the right decision in the moment.
What's the best way to deal with spam calls?
A: Scammers are becoming more competent, but you are still able to protect yourself.
Seniors are a prime target for phone scams due to their financial stability and vulnerability, in addition to the level of difficulty involved in reporting crimes. Knowing that seniors struggle to remember exact details, many spammers rush their victims through the scam. Going quickly disorients and confuses their targets.
Some common scams targeting seniors are: Social Security Administration spoof calls; "grandchildren" asking for cash or wire transfers to be sent for an emergency; and organizations pretending to collect donations for natural disaster aid. There are many more.
In the case of a grandchild scheme, contact the family member in question to verify that they called you — not someone pretending to be them.
Never give your financial or identification information during an unsolicited phone call. Instead, tell the caller that you plan to call the organization directly.
A legitimate caller will not demand that you make a decision in the moment. Some scammers claiming to be from the government will threaten you with legal consequences. This is a sign of fraud.
If you fear that you have been the victim of a scam, there are resources to help address the problem. Some popular ones include the AARP Foundation ElderWatch, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Prevention is the best solution. — Doug
Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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