🚀 go-pugleaf

ameijers <aemeijers@worldnet.att.net> writes:

> Nurse Uniforms, or Cafeteria Lady uniforms?  Look in
> some old-timey photos of institutional food service-
> the outfits are very similar.

Nurse uniforms, specifically.  Even down to the starched,
pointy hats.  I know the Cafeteria Lady uniforms you're 
referring to, though, and these weren't them.

As an aside, until I went to visit a friend in the hospital
three years ago, I didn't know that those traditional white
nurse uniforms with the starched hats were no longer current.
A woman wearing a loose-fitting blue and green blouse over 
blue stretch pants came in to check on my friend while I was
there, and I thought she was an orderly of some kind until 
my friend remarked in passing that she was a nurse.  I have
no idea of the reason for the change.  It made sense for 
nurses to dress in distinct uniforms so that everyone knew
who they were. 


> As to Buicks, they were long considered a 'nice' car, but
> not show-offy like a Caddy.

That would be true across many demographics, not just among
old people.  It's my observation that disproportionate numbers
of old people drive Buicks. Back in the Seventies, that was
more true of Chrysler products -- not just thrifty Valiants
and Darts, which old people were certainly partial to, but 
the full-sized models as well.  

I guess that reflected the tastes of an earlier generation of
senior citizens.  Maybe when we get old we'll all be driving 
BMWs and be doing 20 miles per hour below the speed limit in 
the left lane with the blinker on, listening to "Dark Side Of
the Moon" as we look *through* the steering wheel.


> As to Cafeteria-style restaurants- although many aren't
> <really> any cheaper than a ma'n'pa sit down place, people
> feel frugal when they eat there.

I'm sure frugality has something to do with it, as it does
with many things that old people do.  But I suspect there's
more to it than that.  Maybe it has to do with being able to
actually see the food that's available when they make their
selections.

About a decade ago somebody came out with a series of books
called _Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?_ which addressed matters
like this that many people wonder about.  I believe the author,
David somebody, referred to these questions as "imponderables."
I have a couple of the books, perhaps the first two in the 
series.  

I remember looking at a later volume in the bookstore, one that
I never actually purchased, and that the old people and cafe-
terias thing was one of the topics in it.  It's been too long,
though, and I don't remember what the guy had to say about it.


> All these little quirks are harmless, and when you start
> getting AARP mailings of your own, 'them young punks' will
> say similar things about you.

I detect a note of defensiveness on behalf of old people.  No
need; I don't mean any of this with hostility or derision.  I
enjoy observing people and thinking about why they do what they
do, is all.



Geoff

-- 
"If I wanted to make political statements, I would have
 run for office.  I want to make movies." --Michael Moore