Results: Retirees - nothing to contribute or an overlooked resource?

We are out for a meal with the family and when the bill comes it is automatically assumed that grandpa will pay. I am retired on a pension, my kids have 6 figure incomes. I sometimes feel like an ATM. Should grandad pay the bill?

We have a reasonable income and no debts. We put a lot of miles on our vehicles heading south for the winter and back again. We buy a new vehicle every 5 years so that we always have a warranty. Car salespeople assume our car buying days are over and ignore us. Does this make sense?

We have had it with Canadian winters and head somewhere warmer every year. We leave by October 1st and return by May 1st. Recent elections have been in October and March so we don't get to vote. Prisoners in jail get to vote so shouldn't we?

Market surveys online in malls etc. assume that because we are retired and out of the workforce we are no longer consumers. We have more uncommitted income than ever before and the time to spend and enjoy it. Meanwhile the marketers are all chasing my kids with their student loans, mortgages, children to feed, and mountains of debts - and no money to spend. Are they nuts?

We spend winters out of the country, summers touring. Our address is wherever we park our RV at any given time. When there is a census we are not counted in yet our demographic needs specific services and programs that other groups do not. Should we be ignored by the census?

We have spent many years working long hours and making money that we paid out in taxes, mortgage payments, buying goods and services and contributing to the economy. Now that we are retired we pay less for most of these things which leaves more money for eating out, entertainment, travel, recreational spending etc. We also are fit and have time enough on average to golf, travel, take up new hobbies, do charity work, get involved in politics and, if necessary, to protest or lobby when we are taken for granted. Do you think we are taken for granted?