Respect for your elders is something many young folks tend to disregard. The arrogance of youth can be pretty cruel when it comes to how some people choose to treat their elders. While older people may not be as quick on their feet as they used to be, they still deserve everyone’s respect, having lived so many years and seen so many things. One never knows what valuable insight into life you can learn from someone who’s been on this Earth far longer than you. For one young French customs official, he learned a stinging lesson on why it’s always best to respect your elders after disrespecting the wrong old American.
A group of Americans (retired teachers), recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry-on bag. “You have been to France before, monsieur?” the customs officer asked sarcastically.
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Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. “Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.”
Mr. Whiting replied, “The last time I was here, I didn’t have to show my passport.”
“Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!”
The elderly American gave the French customs officer a long, hard look. Then he quietly explained:
“Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate your country, I couldn’t find a single Frenchman to show it to.”
Image Source: Pexels
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Source:
- “French Customs Official Started Giving an Elderly American Man a Hard Time” Blissful Slot.
