NEWS: One of the Saddest Stories Ever

CULTURE: One of the Saddest Stories Ever

I have no idea what Giorgio Angelozzi looks like, but I want him to be my grandfather. His wife died in 1992 and he lives in Milan with his seven cats. The 79-year-old man was so lonely that he promised $600 dollars a month to the family that would adopt him as their grandfather. He placed an ad in the Corriere della Sera that said:

Angelozzi has gotten dozens of replies across the country, including one from his former student: singer Antonello Venditti.

Thats so sad
If i didnt already have two id ship him over HERE and adopt him. just because
*sends best wishes*

that is really sad.

awww...

I hope I have somebody when I'm that age....that is depressing.

I don't know.......

$600.00 Dollars doesn't cover changing diapers.

Maybe it could spawn a new movement, adopting grandparents. This culture, as well as many other western cultures, has too harsh an attitude when it comes to discarding the elderly.

It's like that Simpsons episode, when Bart goes to the old folks home and tells the receptionist "I'm here to see grandpa", and abotu 30 old guys stick their heads out of their door, hoping its a visit for them.

[Edited on Aug 31, 2004 7:02AM]

Well, it's not that sad. He got several responses for his ad.

There is a story in one of the books I teach about an agency in Japan where you can rent a family to hang out with you.

The story said what equals out to about $1000 for three hours. You pick the family members you want to roll in, they come and do whatever, and then they leave. The story was about a grandmother who wanted people there for her birthday.

Yeah...definitely sad.

It's sad, but it's not the saddest thing.

AHAHAHA

Lonely old Japanese people

i'd do it for free

oh man, so would i.
I havent had a proper grandfather in AGES.

I hope not to live that long.

I believe the elderly Italian mentioned at the beginning has no family (thus his wish for an adoptive one), so it's not as if he's being ill-treated by family as the Japanese woman mentioned above. Her situation is not just loneliness, it's abuse.

Sad all 'round, though. The "orphaned" elderly thing happens a lot here in America; anyone who's in a service position (waiter, sales clerk, etc.) has stories about lonely old people who come in for hours every day simply to have someone to talk to, people to be around. I'm afraid that's to be my lot in another half-century.

This sort of thing is going to be a huge problem in the US, too. It already is. We have really sharp dividing lines between age groups -- think about it: what's college all about? It about going off to a place where 99% of the people you interact with are within 4 years of your own age.

I dunno, it seems pretty shortsighted to me.

everyone go talk to your grandparents.. they need you.

This is the best thing I've heard all day.

old people, the scourge of humanity

And someday you won't be able to.

I totally agree....sis?

I think it's a great story... I mean.. he's a lonely guy.. people responded.. and this will probably bring attention to the fact that elderly everywhere are just hangin' out with nothing to do and no one to love.... It's a little sad, but happy ending... just like it's supposed to be! I guess it's not so bad to be a human today....

I'm going home on thursday and I haven't seen either grandma in almost a year. (but one of them hates me so screw her).

I'm gonna give the nice one a big hug on Thursday.