As a callow youth I, along with my neighborhood homies, did my share of annoying the adults who lived in our neighborhood.
We accomplished this mostly by just existing, but we were also somewhat the scamps at times.
In response to their disapproval of whatever we did, we labeled them “old fogies”.
It would appear that I have crossed over to fogie-dom.
As many may know, I have a retirement job in sales. The other day a grandmotherly type, her mid-20’s daughter and the daughter’s 3/4-year old son dropped in to make a purchase.
The entire time they were there the boy continued to try to get my attention by shouting ”Hey!” “Hey!” “Hey!” at me.
I’m sure tiny wisps of steam started to waft from my ears. I was ready to throttle this kid.
What’s worse, neither granny nor mommy made any attempt to set the youth straight on the use proper manners.
I have a good friend I’ve know since he was 10 years old. Now 42, he still calls me Mr. Byrne. I tell him, “Jeff, we’re all adults. You can call me Dave.”
“Okay Mr. Byrne,” he replies.
Maybe junior needs to spend a week with Jeff and his dad.
