I had my first encounter with ageism at 65.
Actually, it was reverse ageism.
I didn't look 65.
I had to fight with the ticket-taker at the Metro that I wasn't of criminal intent
in wanting to buy a pass for 65 and over!
Mid 70s was another story.
How do you minimize the shock of a 22-year old I was hiring
that this "old woman" - in her mid seventies - could still walk and talk!
Never mind the walkie talkie stuff.
The biggest shock of all:
That this "old woman" ran a business!
So I had a strategy.
Grab their head space before they got scared.
Mid 70's I was hiring assistants online - same as I had been doing since I was 60 -
placing ads online on McGill Placement.
When someone answered the ad, we spoke on the phone
and made an appointment for the interview chez moi.
How did I handle their head space?
I gave them fair warning ahead of time.
"Don't be shocked when an old lady answers the door!"
The first encounter was no problem.
The young guy had been properly prepared.
But now we had to prepare for the second act.
The same principle. Go for their head space!
When he sat down, I had my little shpiel all ready.
"Before we start, I want you to know.
I can't see too well. I can't hear too well.
And when I go off on a tangent, I can't remember where i started!!
So part of your job description is to bring me back to where I had started
so I can continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
After getting the age factor out of the equation, the student didn't blink an eye lid.
It was clear sailing.
The job was great,
I was a fun boss,
And only his graduation ended the relationship!
