We Don't Do That

While at work (The Source in Shoppers Mall) the other day I heard something extremely depressing. A Couple about 60 years old came in looking for some speakers for their TV, we didn't have anything that they liked but we did tell them that they could check the website since it lists several things that we don't always carry in store. The response from them was "We're old we don't do that kind of thing." We were all dumbfounded for a second or two before we let loose some awkward laughter and generic "well alright then" comments they left the store (before you get mad we weren't laughing at them they we laughing at how our suggestion was shut down so we joined in). The incident was quickly forgotten by everyone else at the store but i couldn't help but keep thinking about it. These two people were cutting themselves off from so much. So much news and information, entertainment, everything. Why were they doing it? Were they not sure of the technology and didn't want to try? Did they not want to learn how to use it? Had they become victims of all of the internet fear mongers and believed that the internet was dangerous? I don't know and I don't want to speculate or contribute to stereotypes about older people and technology, i've just offered possible reasons. This is the kind of thing we need to stop, whether it be fear or unwillingness to learn, we need to stop it. New technologies that stick around for more than a year come around because they are in some way useful or convenient. If we learn how to use them properly and at our own pace then to me there should be no reason not to use the technology. Granted it is not a necessity to live our lives but this couple, instead of coming into the store when they made the trip into Brandon once a week, could check our website.