Ordinary language, the expressions we hear, read or address to us, have great power as information transmitters that take shape in our brain and cause various internal reactions.
Antonio is 82 years old and decides to go to the doctor’s office to seek medical treatment for a shoulder ailment he coincidentally shares with his grandson, who suffers from the same condition. After Antonio describes the signs and symptoms, here is the phrase you should not take: Adam Anthony! At your age… what are you waiting for? That’s a phrase your grandchild will never hear. FYI, I’m not saying this attitude is common in the admirable healthcare system we enjoy, but we know it happens sometimes. Antonio went through this today and what makes his brain very sensitive due to his living conditions is the Commentary: Sure, I’m an old man and that’s the case. They will give me medicine, but I have to get used to the discomfort.
It is possible that, immediately after the consultation, it is his turn to be vaccinated against COVID, and at the time of the puncture (we saw it on TV), he will speak in a tone that everyone can understand. know it, do it with all your good intentions, tell him: Come on Antonio, no small puncture! Why didn’t you notice anything!… brave! Antonian Brain Comment: They told me that old people are like children and that’s why he talks to me like that. Without generalizing, I repeat that this is common.
After the transaction is completed, our hero goes to a bank to perform some transactions. Alfredo, a retired bank employee friend, asks a very polite young man from the institution: Has the application been downloaded to the smartphone? Antonio manages to stutter: what… what?… I trusted Alfredo. A new interpretation of a sensitive brain: I am an ignorant old man. This world is not for me, it is beyond me.
When Antonio’s grandson’s friends ask him to take a walk on Sunday, Antonio himself is broadcasting! another “poisonous phrase”: No, I’m not going… I’m already my age. “I’m already my age” may reflect the impact that a certain segment of society’s attitude, portrayed in inappropriate language, has on a person who still has a life that can be very productive, and may have negative consequences for Antonio’s life. self-esteem feeling old and useless.
We must try to banish these attitudes towards a very heterogeneous group of older people who are caring for them, knowledgeable, among others, who demand rights such as social empowerment based on opening channels of participation. the fact that they have a permanent education that enables them to “be” in the society they live in and like other population layers.
The message is this: 21st century elders are not what they used to be, and the statements I have outlined, which is just an example, are inappropriate, I repeat, even made in an effort to build trust, and are made with the best of intentions; It is desirable to rethink the use of this language. As for banks……will have to be analyzed in another case; There are many variants of tax languages and they do not fit in this field.