"No juice?Glower, sour face

Given how some of the people in your building are, I suppose that at least some behavior of that sort should be expected. It may be that the issues with the glaucoma is putting him in a foul mood, or it may be that he has some other issues developing that are affecting his mental state.

Mom I normally don't eat out in restaurants or hotels, but i have observed what you shared, some behave just crazy. 2 months back i ate in a starred hotel, a old man from some village probably sat in front, and probably it was for the first time in a big hotel After we ate they serve warm water with pieces of lemon in bowl to wash hands.. You know this man squeezed all drank hahaha

Ahhh, welcome to the odd ole man club! One of my neighbors was that way. He would have a snit over some of the dumbest things. Even when he was in extended care he had fits about the food and called 911 to report the bad food! (that made the papers here!) I realized it was from simple boredom that they did all the complaining. Guys are used to being very active and involved in EVERYTHING. When they go into extended care of assisted living their way of live is taken away from them. They're not used to sedentary activities like reading, crafts, bingo or whatever doesn't put too much strain on their hearts. It would help Steve out a lot if there was something he could get involved in to keep him active and happy. I just got a copy of my teddy bear magazine and there was an article about a man making teddy bears...also there are articles in my beading magazines about older guys taking up jewelry making after they retire and aren't able to do the strenuous physical activities they used to do. Maybe there is something like that that we could get Steve involved in. I doubt he would go for making teddy bears....but.... even model railroading might get his interest. There are train sets that can be a complete setup that would fit on a cookie sheet! (I [b]WANT[/b one!!! I'm saving towards one. I have 6 jars that I throw change in for the "I wants" so that it doesn't come out of my living money. I will say that I wouldn't be happy about getting my juice after my cereal. I hate drinking juice after having had a mouthful of milk...it's just a taste bud thing. Steve is being the little kid like I would be about it. As an adult I've been known to sulk at times when I didn't get what I wanted.... I have to work my way out of it. You are right about the upset isn't good for his health. I FINALLY realized that myself and decided that I wouldn't get upset over the small things. It has changed my life a LOT! Plus, I get a great laugh over other people getting rabid about little things...they don't realize the energy that goes into getting that upset and how much it does take out of their bodies. Plus, getting upset like that can trigger heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks and so much more havoc involving your body. I always look at people and ask "If you were to die right now, is this the final memory you want to leave with your loved ones? You want them to remember you having a extremely angry reaction to something in the scheme of life is so trivial that you wouldn't remember it tomorrow?" It might not change them, but it gives them something to think about. The change in my attitude has been great, I don't get upset at things that go wrong in check out lines or other places, where the person waiting on me expects me to come totally unglued at them for the problem. The look of surprise is so wonderful when I tell them that it was okay and that the problem wasn't their fault. The person assisting me straightens up and their facial expression changes from fear to relief and they smile. I get much better service from the people and Bill and I are welcomed happily into all of our favorite restaurants, stores, and theaters.

He might be good company but it's apparent he's used to having his way all the time at home or elsewhere with his wife whom I'm thinking is deceased. She must've waited on him hand and foot in exact order of how he wants things. He must've been a real bear to live with and/or be married to. I know how long I'd put up with him.... NOT! LOL But hey, if he's good company, then enjoy that side of him while you can.

Is he like this all the time? My Dad is becoming more grumpier the older he gets. Due to Mum being 9 years younger - of course - she won't put up with it for any length of time. He's 76 by the way so it won't be long when he's the magical '80.'

That is not a good way to ask. Next time he needs to tell the waitress he would like his juice brought before his food. He made himself and others miserable by acting that way. Shame on him.

I would get mad too. You see, when people of my age were young, and of his age, oranges were more expensive, so you know what our parents gave us? Koolaid! Yes koolaid which is not as good and was often watered down. So he is thinking well, I may be able to live a few months later, and now these restaurant people think that i am not needed, so they want me to be even sicker. He is thinking of what he never got what he had when he was younger, healthy food.

I guess he reeelly wanted his oj.

It seems like a small thing to someone that doesn't care about those things but to him it is important. Because it is such a small thing you would think they'd cater to him and make sure that he gets it first. At his age, I think he has earned the right to be served his OJ first thing. True enough that it is not worth getting all stressed out over but I see his side also. I like my coffee right off and I'm pretty much a grump if I don't have it first thing. He is in his 80's....I would cater to him...whatever he wants.

Oh Hatley, you do mae me laugh! Of course, it is ridiculous to get in a snit about orange juice, but perhaps the poor man has nothing else in his life and late orange juice is the only thing he has to feel some emotion over all day.

I think that maybe he is grumpy as a defense meachanism as his sight is going bad. or maybe he is just a miserable old man. Nothing much you can do except still be pleasant and chat to him

Oh no! Does he have things to do over there . . . I mean, is he keeping active and social? I find that some people just don't have enough to occupy their minds (as they say, too much time on their hands) - so they get pickety snickety about everything. To us, getting upset over juice is just plain silly . . . but to him perhaps it's a major event in his day.

It's a feature of Alzheimer's that people get upset if their environment changes from what they are used to. Steve, in spite of his culture, education and intelligence, may be in the early stages.

I've noticed that when one gets older - especially men - there's a "set in one's ways" type of attitude. Steve is used to doing things and having things a certain way. When something is out of order, it obviously sets his total day in disarray. One little thing out of whack can set the whole day off like that. Most likely that's why he was glowering. His day was ruined. You'd think those who work with the elderly would be aware of these things, eh? And try to keep even those basic things like juice first in order. Or explain to him why things were out of order that day (the orange juice came in late - there's a new employee who got it wrong, etc.). That might have set things back on balance for him, at least.

That kind of grumpiness seems to lend itself to the very young, and the very old whose mental faculties are declining. As we can all see, your mental faculties are all well and good. I can't ever see you pouting over juice.

Would things at breakfast time be so regimented with staff doing everything that they couldn't put out a Jug or a Juice dispenser for those who wanted things in a hurry or would prefer the independence of getting their own Juice?

People get habitual about something and when it changes it makes them feel really uncomfortable. If he was having a bad day anyway it's possible the orange juice incident just set him off because of that. One time I was really hungry and asked the waitress to bring my salad as an appetizer before my meal. She misunderstood and didn't bring it and I got really angry. I didn't say anything to her but I was already having a bad day and that just made it worse.

I believe we are all creatures of habits and it comes no surprise for him who has been accustomed all these years to be worked up when his order of events are changed. I don't know if it is entirely his fault or unreasonable for his outward behavior but I would blame the service workers for not announcing the irregularities. I mean they are serving a group of habituated and old individuals. They should be aware and sensitive to inform of any disruptions no matter it is intentional or unintentional. So, I would not fault him totally even when he seems to be annoying but can we help it when we ourselves are affected at some point of time.

Maybe this attitude comes with age. My children at times comments that I am becoming sensitive on some things that I don't use to before and teases me that it is a sign of aging.

Maybe he is really so thirsty and that makes his face turns sour too, like the taste of his orange juice. LoL! Just kidding Hatley Well, for me I don;t also mind if juice was served after my cereal. What will bother me is when they did not really served me any juice for a long time after I finished eating my food.