The Internet Not for Old People

Alien54 writes to tell us the Daily Mail is reporting that if you want an internet connection and you are over 70 you may be in for a surprise. From the article: "After walking the Great Wall of China and making plans for a trip to Russia, Shirley Greening-Jackson thought signing up for a new internet service would be a doddle. But the young man behind the counter had other ideas. He said she was barred - because she was too old."

Comments

Re:why would HE be reprimanded?

[Joe Random]

He's following company policy. He works there... it is not his problem, it's the companies.

It most certainly is his problem. From TFA:

A spokeswoman said: "It is not our policy to refuse business from adult customers of any age group. However, we do ask our agents to use their discretion when dealing with older customers."

So the entire thing was at the agent's discretion, and he decided to deny this woman service based on her age. My sentiments are the same as the GP's: I hope this guy was reprimanded.

Re:A trip?!

[Bodrius]

I fail to see the Funny. (did the moderators RTFA?).
This comment does seem a bit disrespectful.

The lady said she completed a VISA application to go to Russia, and went to China last year.
She was legitimately comparing the complexity of Passport/VISA requests to a common subscriptions service contract.

Now, I don't know if either country has particularly complex VISA application processes, but even if they are not the accumulation of absurdities, redundancies and mistranslations that government forms often are, they should be definitely comparable.

Perhaps it wasn't the most interesting quote ever, but there is no reason to be condescending.