Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Poster BOY.... No.. Poster old guy

During lunch, saw this old man, 'wearing' a carboard poster card with the words "Steak at xxx place, selling for $3.50"..

The sun was burning brightly and he was standing in the hot sun, with the giant poster over his body. He didnt move around and was just standing there. No one took much look at him. The sight is very disturbing to me..

My colleague told me, thats probably a retiree who has to work because he didnt have enough to live on. How about, maybe he just wanted to find time to kill??.. whichever way we look at it, I cant help but feel upset at this. Perhaps I thought of 'retirement' as 'golden years' when we can do what we want, we can choose work we like, etc. But I am too naive. Even if we like to work till older, and can contribute, companies may not hire. Even if the company did hire, will the older worker be regarded as 'poor souls' who have to work ? (like the way I feel now?)

Then also brings in the question of what can I work as when I am 60 and beyond? Other than a professor or teacher, or consultant or 'advisor' , where age is deemed as 'wisdom' , and not too 'slow', which other areas would be good for workers beyond 60?

I suppose a better solution would be for me to ensure I invest, have enough savings and not be too poor when I retire.. and I better also hope that I dont live too long to an old ripe age.

Sorry for this depressing post... My mood has been a little depressed lately.