You know, I just don't get the lack of respect for elders our society has, in general. It still amazes me that every time I step aside to let an elder through a door first at the bank or grocery store or whatever, a look of surprise and then a genuine smile lights up their face, as if they expected to just be shoved out of the way instead.

Truly sad to think of all the knowledge and experience we youngsters miss out on by not striking up friendships with elders more often. Unfortunately, the one elder in my own family that wasn't a total asshole died last xmas, so I'm on the hunt for other people's grandparents/parents to pester. ;)