Progressive Insurance commercials. Actually, we are the Progressive Insurance commercials. Every morning, Carey tells me about the dew point in St. Louis, Islamorada, Florida,—we have a house there—and Chicago where our daughter lives. He gives me the highs and lows and when we are in St. Louis, the barometric pressure because both of us get headaches if it moves around too much. I listen attentively so I can plan my day. I also care about Chicago because my daughter gets a little scary if she sweats on the way to the train. This weekend, we were at one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago, Twin Anchors, and one person in our group noticed it had patio dining—after going there for nearly 49 years. This caused him to wander off, and I swear he was going to start up a conversation with one of the diners until his son grabbed him and prevented the embarrassment. He too is a living, breathing commercial.

When Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she would be running for president, people kept referring to her as a “brat” candidate. I was perplexed. I had not seen her do anything like stick out her tongue or throw a temper tantrum. So, I had to Google it and found out that Gen Z (soooo much younger than us) uses the term as they break workplace rules. Or to quote some guy named Alan Todd, “It is about accepting imperfections and owning your authentic self.” Hmm … when I worked, I just wanted to fit in and not piss anyone off.

I am so uncool I talk to people in line, comment on their purchases and suggest other brands. This Baby Boomer is the furthest thing from brat as possible.

Reasons I know I am uncool—someone tell me if used cool and uncool appropriately.

  1. I buy shoes that are comfortable and not trendy.
  2. I shop at a store, Paisley in Webster Groves, where the people who work there will not let you come home with something that does not fit or looks too young. I cannot shop without help!
  3. I still put two spaces after a period out of habit. I suspect my editor cringes just a little when she gets my column each issue.
  4. I care about the dewpoint even though I have no idea why.
  5. I say things like ‘they had a good life’ when the person dying is only 10 years older than me. I’ve got 25 good ones left!
  6. I talk to my friends about Medicare Supplemental Plans.
  7. I have thought about reusing wrapping paper.

So, there you have it. I am not brat. Perhaps I am uncool, but I do try hard. (I just Googled “cool” for those in Gen Z and apparently, I should say gas, dank, slay or drip.) Let me slip on my Sketchers and head for a walk.