When I was a kid, there was a cartoon character named Scrooge McDuck, who was Donald Duck's uncle (on his mother's side). His story lines were often related to money, and one was centered on his affinity for the first dime he ever earned, which he kept. Disney fandom describes the Number One Dime:
"The Number One Dime ... first appeared in an Uncle Scrooge comic story titled The Round Money Bin ... (September 1953). In this story, the dime is so old that it has become thin as a razor blade and allows Scrooge to cut binding ropes"
That is one thin dime! A dime back then (1953) might purchase a thing or two. In today's money that value would be about $1.20. Some years after 1953, in my youth, there were vending machines from which a dime might yield a handful of candy or some useless toy in a plastic globe. Today, not much value in a dime. It may be as antiquated as a penny, but just more popular?
Thoughts of the venerated dime came back when I recently ran into an intriguing notice on a sandwich counter during a trip out of state. This state provides a 1% sales tax reduction for people who are over 85 years old. I am a big fan of the old folks, and though not at the 85-year-old mark yet, I aspire to it. It makes some sense to take good care of the folks who have made it through this life, contributing so much to our society, wisdom, success, and experience.
But then I paused. 1%? So, the sandwiches at that shop were reasonably priced. A sandwich with chips or fries averaged about $11.00. So, 1% of that is about $.11, essentially a dime. An 85-year-old has to be buying for "personal use," presumably not for the whole family, must specifically ask for the dime, and must present proof of age to qualify for the dime. For a dime?
What had first struck me as a nice gesture to the seasoned citizen crowd seemed less sincere after doing that math. If an 85-year-old manages to get to a restaurant to purchase a sandwich, they could save a dime! I know a few in that population.
They are the "Silent Generation," an unfortunate and untrue characterization. They were not the "Greatest Generation," did not save the world from Hitler, but they build a largely lasting peace that has persevered since 1945. They had a Greatest foundation, and brought us the Boomers. In truth, they were anything but Silent.
How might we thank them? It is unlikely that many of them are eating out regularly. That generation tended to cook at home. As notably, there are few of them remaining. Some estimate only about 6 million in the U.S., about 1.9% of the population. This is not a big sandwich shop demographic.
What would be more appropriate than a dime? Perhaps a simple "thank you" once in a while? Holding a door at the store, or pulling a cart free to offer? How about just a smile and greeting when you happen upon one of them in your day? It is certain that a few could use the dime, but more certain they would value your smile, kindness, and greeting far more.
Now that I write this, it occurs to me that would be true of most any member of any generation. A dime? The smile and greeting are worth a thousand dimes and more. Think about it as you travel through your day.
