You get an unexpected good grade, how would you feel about telling this older person?
You might tell the person so he or she will know what’s happening with you in school.
You feel reluctant because he or she would tell you how hard school used to be.
You are excited because he or she would be so happy for you and would feel so good that you shared this information.
Your parents ground you for the weekend because you did not do your chores. Just then the older person calls. You:
Hand the phone to your mom right away without talking to the older person, because you assume he or she isn’t interested in your problem.
Get off the phone quickly to call your friend.
Tell the older person what happened, because you know you’ll get sympathy.
Your best friend, Ariel, is spending Sunday with you. Suddenly, the older person calls and asks you to come over to help move a table. You say:
“Sorry, I’m with my friend right now.” You think: “Why do you always call when I am having fun?”
“How about if I come over after school tomorrow? I have a friend visiting now.”
“I’ve been telling my friend Ariel all about you. May I bring Ariel over as well?”
You are having Shabbat dinner with your family and the older person. The older person is talking about how difficult life was many years ago. You:
Are amazed by how strong this person must have been, and understand why he or she gives such good advice.
Bring that person a cup of tea.
Wonder if the story is a bit exaggerated.
You are going away to camp for the first time and you’re nervous. You see this older person the week before camp and:
Promise to write him or her a letter from camp.
Share your fears about being away alone.
Talk about something else to distract yourself.
The elder has trouble hearing and keeps asking you to repeat your words and to speak more slowly. You:
Keep checking to see whether you are being heard and, when needed, repeat words even without being asked.
Make an effort to slow down and enunciate when the person reminds you.
Try to keep conversations short, because it is really frustrating to change the way you speak for one person.
This older person takes you to a museum exhibit. This person asks you to read aloud the small print on some of the explanations. You:
Feel good about reading the information, because you’re enhancing this person’s experience in the museum.
Are happy to help, knowing that you can then discuss the material you have read together.
Read the selections but feel annoyed that you have to slow down your trip through the museum to do this.
