I entered the store as always – with a shopping list in my pocket and with a smile that I liked to keep even in the simplest moments of the day. < img src = "https://zycie.news/crrops/19cb85/620x0/1/0/2025/04/26/cvzu9k99c99crlvyqdldkvkcckMed13yttoyyyyqaj8xbn.jpg" alt = "from life taken." Quot; I refused to accept shopping & quot;: The saleswoman laughed at my age and I do not intend to tolerate it " Style = "background-color: rgba (104.73.52.1)" > < p > I was tired but happy & ndash; I enjoyed this little daily routine. Shopping, conversations, minor gestures of kindness. I believed that the world, though faster and faster, still knows the concept of respect.

< p > A young saleswoman approached. The smile on the face quickly gave way to bored. She threw products on the counter, sighing demonstratively. I pretended to see it. Until I heard how, not even to tile the voice, she said to her friend:

< p > & ndash; Of course, the elders have time to walk around the store. They could sit at home, not bother.

< p > Blood hit my head. I squeezed a wallet in my hand, looked at my purchases & ndash; ordinary, modest & ndash; And suddenly I felt that no bread, no milk, no apples are worth losing dignity.

< p > calmly, though I was full inside, pushed the bags.

< p > & ndash; Thank you. I give up the purchase of & oacute; w. < br /> and I added: < br /> & ndash; Nobody will chase me out of my life just because I have gray hair.

< p > I felt like shopping not only, but for any justifications that could be submitted to P & oacute; < P > because age is not a shame. I left the store lighter than I entered. < br /> not with nets in my hands. < br /> with dignity, which & oacute; rej did not allow myself to pick up anyone. < /p >

Natasha Kumar

By Natasha Kumar

Natasha Kumar has been a reporter on the news desk since 2018. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining The Times Hub, Natasha Kumar worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my natasha@thetimeshub.in 1-800-268-7116