Becker Business Podcast — “I’m Not That Old, Claire” (09/26/2025)

Host: Scott Becker
Episode Theme: Reflections on Age Perceptions in Business Settings

Episode Overview

In this light-hearted solo episode, Scott Becker shares an amusing and relatable story about generational gaps in business, awkward compliments, and the humbling moments that come with aging professionally. Using a recent dinner encounter, he explores how assumptions about age can influence everyday interactions, especially across different generations in the workplace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin of the Episode Title

[00:00 – 00:19]

• Scott introduces the topic: “I’m Not That Old, Claire.”
• The story begins at a recent dinner with two much-younger professional colleagues (aged 40 and 33), highlighting the generational divide.

2. The Dinner Incident

[00:19 – 01:24]

• A waitress, Claire—a hardworking college student from the University of Iowa—serves Scott’s table.

• During the meal, Claire casually remarks, “Well, this must be a work dinner,” implying that such an age gap at a social dinner could only exist for work-related reasons.

• Scott reflects:

  “…when Claire says to me, this must be a work dinner, what she obviously means is they’re not your family. You’re a lot older than them.” [00:52]

• The comment leads Scott to consider how the world perceives cross-generational group dynamics, especially regarding age.

3. The Humorous Reality

[01:24 – 01:48]

• Scott describes Claire as a “wonderful college student working her butt off,” showing admiration for her work ethic.
• He acknowledges the humor and light sting of her assumption:

  “But I tell you, you might as well have just said to me, Claire—God, you’re so old, they’re having dinner with you. It must be a work dinner.” [01:45]

4. Scott’s Response & Reflection

[01:51 – 02:15]

• Scott jokes about navigating the tip screen and makes clear he left the highest possible tip for Claire.
• He underscores that while the comment stung, it was all in good fun and self-deprecating humor:

  “Yes, I was able to figure out how the screen works… But I had to laugh at the concept that this must be a work dinner because you’re so much older…” [01:55]

5. Takeaway & Closing Thoughts

[02:15 – 02:25]

• Scott signs off by reiterating the episode’s theme—“I’m not that old”—and notes, tongue-in-cheek, that this was a “first world slight” he’s more than happy to laugh about.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On generational differences:

  “Well, these young people would never want to have dinner with him but for it being a work dinner.” — Scott Becker [00:52]

• On being the butt of the joke:

  “But I tell you, you might as well have just said to me, Claire—God, you’re so old, they’re having dinner with you. It must be a work dinner.” — Scott Becker [01:45]

• On tipping and technology:

  “Yes, I was able to figure out how the screen works that you insert your credit card into.” — Scott Becker [01:55]

• Closing self-awareness:

  “I know this is a first world slight, and I am over it, but I did get a big kick out of it.” — Scott Becker [02:22]

Episode Flow & Timestamps

• [00:00–00:19] – Introduction and setup
• [00:19–01:24] – The dinner story and the waitress’s comment
• [01:24–01:48] – Reflection on humor and age
• [01:51–02:15] – Tipping, technology, and Claire’s character
• [02:15–02:25] – Takeaway and closing remarks

Tone & Language

Scott maintains a conversational, humorous, and self-deprecating tone throughout, making the episode both engaging and relatable for listeners who have ever felt out of place based on age or experience. The story blends light teasing with genuine respect for the younger generation, ultimately delivering an uplifting perspective on intergenerational workplace dynamics.

“I’m not that old. Thank you all for listening…God bless America. Gentlemen, start your engines.” — Scott Becker [02:15–02:25]