Judging by the responses, there’s a whole lot of our time being siphoned away for a lot of reasons
A big one is the evolution of customer service, to customer disservice, according to Shirley T….
The biggest time bandit, in my opinion, is doing the work of other people. Be it in doctors’ offices, banks, insurance companies, my internet provider, etc. I very frequently encounter people who don’t know what they are doing. Or are poorly trained. Or those who have attitudes which convey disdain & lack of caring. I must keep copious notes, place follow-up calls to see that people have done what they say they are going to do.
…and from customer disservice to customer self-service..
… If I wanted a career as a health navigator, at least I’d be paid
-Jane G.
There were some very emphatic comments about being on standby to take care of grandkids…
… They think that, just because you are retired, you are a free sitter cum cook for them, as if you didn’t have a life of your own!! I love them, so I usually cave in, but I wish I had more time just for myself,
— Conceição B.
Reader Marilu offers some very practical advice in the comments, but it might get you taken off the holiday card list.
And sadly, even the most quotidian activities are now mind-numbingly, time-wastingly complex…
I mean, try to figure out toilet paper – there’s regular size, jumbo size and then a bigger one; one-ply, two-ply; “strong”, “soft”, “anticeptic”….
-Ernie J.
…even opening the packages when you get home.
…everything comes sealed into containers that would withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and forest fires..
-Jane G.
Several readers mentioned the pressure that technology brings; Gene brings up spam and scam calls
I quit answering my phone due to the myriad of …scam/sales calls. And the ‘I want to buy your house’ phone calls & online ads are beyond annoying at the very least!! Go away salespeople!! I don’t have any $ except my social security anyway!
The wisest approach seems to be that of reader Sharon G.
…we don’t have to “stay on top” of anything. We just need to be “in there”. We can stop cramming for the A, getting a nice round average C in tech anyway, is fine these days!
Very sensible approach, thanks everyone! We’ll keep the comments open for a while, so feel free to add yours!
Original text below.
Sometimes I think aging is like having an unpaid second job. Being older takes a lot of time.
I used to go to the doctor once a year, maybe even every other year. I was lucky and rarely got sick.
…if I was a car (hopefully a vintage Ferrari!) with the mileage I have, I’d be in the shop a lot, too!
In the past few years, though, I’ve had surgeries, hospital stays and some really scary close shaves. Now I’ve got a schedule of medical checkups just about every month, and I don’t just have a doctor, I have an entourage. I keep reminding myself, if I was a car (hopefully a vintage Ferrari!) with the mileage I have, I’d be in the shop a lot, too!
Time Bandits
Older people have more to handle. Besides healthcare, there’s Medicare or Medicaid, taxes (oh, those RMD’s!), insurance, finances and investments (watch that retirement nest egg!), retirement planning, estate planning…and of course, technology.
Tech helps, but sometimes adds to the chatter. OMG, 3G is ending. OMG, do I need to use facial recognition tech to file my taxes? OMG – another update? Another TOS change? Since seniors are the target of choice for scamsters there’s all that technology and security measures to stay on top of, too.
Then there’s the emails, texts, Facebook notifications and more. It’s not just spammers. I love my friends but I wish they’d get together and decide to stick to one distribution channel!
This “chatter” takes a toll on people’s wellbeing, and is a considerable stressor, as well. One author calls this accumulation ‘sludge.” Here’s what Cass Sunstein of the Harvard Law School, has said about it.
Time for a Time Out
When it starts to get to me, I know it’s time to step away from the desk, the phone and the gadgets and take a walk. It’s also time for me to get a handle on the “time bandits” and manage my time, priorities and incoming messages better.
In fact, I think that’s a wonderful way to mark Older Americans Month this month: Unplug!!
How about you? What ‘time bandits” irk you the most? What do you do about them? Let us know in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.
Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash
COMMENTS
26 responses to “Open Thread Update: Time Bandits”
My time bandits are long-winded friends, relatives & former coworkers calling during prime hours (after AM/before PM rush hour traffic.)! Like me, most are single & live alone: so I “get” that phone calls are sanity-savers, especially post-Covid. Let’s say 4 friends call today, talking 2 hours each. By evening, I’ve spent the equivalent of a full day’s televisits as an unpaid therapist! MY errands, chores, appointments etc are undone: leaving me feeling resentful & drained like my phone battery!
Its good site, thanks!
Even minor matters can be mighty annoying: grocery shopping! I mean, try to figure out toilet paper – there’s regular size, jumbo size and then a bigger one; one-ply, two-ply; “strong”, “soft”, “anticeptic”…. Tuna! – white, light, and unlabeled; farmed or wild-caught; “albacore”; in water or oil… It goes on and on: chicken thighs – bone-in fat on, bone-out, fat on; bone in, fat off; bone-out, fat off; “natural”, “organic”…. Oi.
I spend a lot of time trying to break into packaging of products I’ve purchased: everything comes sealed into containers that would withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and forest fires. Granted my hands are weaker than most but I shouldn’t have to go to the tool box just to open a container of cream cheese!
Totally agree!
I imagine arresting my time bandits, putting them into my cat’s cardboard box, and taking them to a swap meet. My bandits might be superheros to someone else. My text message bandit might be useful teaching someone else the basics.
The question is, what would I bring home to plug into my newly available time? Postage stamps to write letters? The challenge of blank stationary and my Parker pen with blue ink used to make time fly. What would you look for to plug into your newly freed up time?
MyChart and every hospital wanting me to use Their App and multiple times filling out the same info that should already be there! Add a few independent doctors on their own app or website… I could scream! If I wanted a career as a health navigator, at least I’d be paid. Add people that ask if your on social media, they look at you like you have 2 heads when you say NO, that’s a black hole I don’t go down. I used Tech since Apple, on my terms, for my needs that are different now.
I also get irked at filling out the same blank questionnaire every year at my physical (at least I don’t have to fill one out at quarterly check-up visits). Why can’t I get a copy of the last filled out questionnaire to mark what has changed??? Besides, I don’t think the doctor ever even looks at the questionnaires because they don’t ask about answers that may indicate a problem.
You could ask someone to make a copy and print it out while you are waiting…. It may be a good thing to take into your Dr. question him about any of the questions that might help you to keep track of & save for the next visit and compare or take notes for your benefit. (I had a questionnaire for my knee replacement surgery a page long, a friend with me got a copy and I gave one to the doctor, and took notes on it.) this was after 4 procedures, only to find out I was allergic to the device!
Surveys! You can’t go to the drugstore, bank or car dealership to get your car serviced without being asked to complete a survey afterwards. Enough already! Yes, I can delete the email, but that takes time too.
I ignore them all! They can live without my accolades and my blood pressure deserves self care for the complaints! Sincerely, Sharon in Allentown!
Smiling!!!! THANKS!!!
Agree! And have the time you have not even received or used the product or service they are surveying you about. These all go in my trash icon!!!
I quit answering my phone due to the myriad of scam/sales calls. And the ‘I want to buy your house’ phone calls & online ads are beyond annoying at the very least!! Go away salespeople!! I don’t have any $ except my social security anyway!
The problem with unplugging from email is that there’s more to look at , a lot more, when I go back after a break.
As far as tech, we don’t have to “stay on top” of anything. We just need to be “in there”. We can stop cramming for the A, getting a nice round average C in tech anyway, is fine these days! Only annual medical visits but tech is a definite time bandit. Priorities!! Scan charges on accounts once a month using Quicken for years. Check email and read do not click any link I did not ask for – delete, delete, delete! If I’m really curious, I go to the website. Use Outlook ca. Yep, not easy.
My time bandits are my grand children and their parents!! They think that, just because you are retired, you are a free sitter cum cook for them, as if you didn’t have a life of your own!! I love them, so I usually cave in, but I wish I had more time just for myself, without worries about getting children on time to school/swiming pool/ music lessons/ playdates .
My husband and I don’t have dinner, why should we have to cook for other people, even if they are family?
Got that right!. This is the time to relish life as you get older. I stepped away from all that and relocated. Now, my time spent with my 3 grandchildren is priceless. They miss me more and appreciate even the little things-Charito, New York City
You shou;d ck on the going rate for nannies;present them w/a bill,and tell them you don’t work on weekends,and will happi;y provide them w/a list of nanny/babysitter agencies,as you have a life also, and have EARNED the right to enjoy your retirement.Show them this reply, if you like.
Just tell them “sorry, we can’t make it, have other plans”. You don’t have to go into detail. I think you have to reach a compromise because you may need their help some day.
The biggest time bandit, in my opinion, is doing the work of other people. Be it in doctors’ offices, banks, insurance companies, my internet provider, etc. I very frequently encounter people who don’t know what they are doing. Or are poorly trained. Or those who have attitudes which convey disdain & lack of caring. I must keep copious notes, place follow-up calls to see that people have done what they say they are going to do. And for all of this, I receive no pay. Just headaches.
I’m with you on that. I spend a lot of time now doing the scheduling, trafficking, etc. for companies, saving them from paying someone else to do it…..and I’m still paying more for everything. I”m talking to you, Spectrum.
agree agree, Shirley, customer service folks not fully engaged
Just tell them “sorry, we can’t make it, have other plans”. You don’t have to go into detail. I think you have to reach a compromise because you may need their help some day.
You got it so-o-o right. Thank goodness I still have my legal pads & ball point pens to make notes that I can read. Even if I can’t remember everything at least it’s all there in front of me.
Ilene
Bloomfield Hills , MI
Amen! You must be talking to the same people I am. It is distressing , so I have taken a few days to relax, regroup, read a good book and spend some quality and quiet time with myself and my husband. It is working ; so far, so good.
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