How would you describe someone you know who is old or older than yourself by at least, say, 25 years?
Would you say that person is more set in their ways? Does he or she become irritated easily? Speak their mind more openly? Maybe even complain to the point of preaching? Hmmm.
I never thought of myself as getting old, although I know I’m older than I was the day before. It’s just hard for me to picture myself as someone who is old. Yet, in the eyes of most 20-somethings, that’s exactly how I appear to them.
Case in point: Last weekend, we visited with our oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, for homecoming activities at Georgia Southern University. She is a senior this year and will be graduating soon — we hope. Prior to attending the Eagles’ football game, we made a few stops along the way for some pre-game festivities. Tailgating probably is the most appropriate word that I could use to describe what we did, although I did not see a tailgate anywhere.  
I will say that tailgating has been taken to a whole new level as compared to when I was in college. And nothing makes you feel quite as old as you really are until you spend an afternoon with your daughter’s friends at one of the fraternity houses. But it didn’t stop there.
At the football game, it is customary to stand up when teams are kicking off to each other. And I would say it is safe to stand when an exciting play is occurring. But I was not familiar with the tradition of students standing throughout the entire game.
As the game progressed, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was the only person sitting in my seat who can’t see the teams. I’m positive that everyone else around me saw the students standing in front of us without a care in the world as to what is happening behind them. So why was no one speaking up?
Leave it to the old guy to say something.
“Yo, down in front,” I exclaimed.
To which I received the reply, “Who, us?”
You would think those with college educations would understand that standing up in front of everybody means that some people sitting behind them will not be able to see what is happening on the field. Oh well, I guess I could always stand up with them — but what about the folks behind me?
But wait, it gets better. All of a sudden I heard, “Dad, stop, you’re embarrassing me.”
It’s at about that time that the “old guy” in me really wanted to kick into high gear.  After all, somebody needed to preach to these students about proper game etiquette. I was only trying to help our future generations of stadium-goers.
However, I heard a voice from above. No, not heaven, but a voice from a person sitting behind me who also indicated her discontent for those standing. Yay — there was another old person in the crowd, I thought to myself.
Thankfully, there were no stadium riots and we got to watch the rest of the game sitting down. Now, if I had only remembered my stadium cushion.
Stay young, my friends.

Call DeLong at 912-531-7867 or go to www.thesuitesatstationexchange.com.