Old is new Gold?

Oh my... I sure hope I wouldn't get bullied when it's my turn to be old.

Was slurping down a healthy dinner of fish-meat-noodle-in-clear-soup just now when I got distracted by a sudden, continuous torrent of loud, rough muttering. Not quite comprehensible, I must admit. But from her gestures and the icy dagger stares thrown so obviously in one lone direction, it's not difficult to pinpoint the target of her unhappiness.

This pint-sized lady looked to be in her late fifties. Dressed, from head to toe, in red - red zebra-striped top, red capris with lace, red shoes. Side burns tied up with pink ribbons, remaining hair bunched up in various twists and butterfly patterns with red clips and elastic bands. Red lipstick. Pink eyeshadow. Puffy face. Sallow skin. Clutched 2 red handbags and lugged 1 more.

Yes, in all objectivity, she looked weird. But the point is, her actions (prior to her angry outburst) look coordinated and sane. She ordered her food, she bought her drink. She sat down and waited patiently, without disturbing anyone. That's the last bit I remember about her before I turned my attention to fishy noodles.

Apparently, the western food stall uncle brought her a wrong order. And somehow refused to change it. I don't know how it escalated. But the uncle eventually removed the food and never came back again. And the lady's fuse was blown. Threats about getting police to come... rants about others thinking she has got no money...

Argh... I couldn't finish my dinner. Felt sad, angry, resigned, worried, sympathetic all at the same time. Old age is not golden age, no matter what those gurus and politicians say. When one is old, weak, poor and alone, I think one is better off buried. =P

But... everyone's turn will come. Just try to hit at least 2 out of the 4. Old is a given. It's between weak, poor and alone now.