The Old Men of Moberly

I believe it's fair to say that Moberly is a town with an aging population. It is of note that in any establishment serving free coffee refills, there are large groups of old men sitting at tables for hours.

They have loud discussions of their opinions, other people's activities, politics, and the weather. Their sons are more successful and their trucks are still more powerful. They know better. I have spent some time trying to find articles on the internet about these guys because I think there may be either comedy or science on the phenomenon. I used "old men", "coffee", "restaurants", "loitering", "hours", and "hanging out". Tried in various combinations, I got limited results.

• "Old men" got me countless references to the movie No Country for Old Men.
• "Restaurants" of course displayed both reviews and discussions about goings on in eateries.
• "Loitering" got me trite but true discussions of teens and groups of teens.
• "Hanging out" even showed me a blog about an old man's privates protruding from his khakis in a Burger King. This one came complete with photo!

So it appears either not spoken of or outside of language of which I know. I can't find the habit of nearly elderly males collectively lollygagging over coffee mentioned as an occurence. Maybe we all see them but they exist for us as annoying cacaphony and puffs of smoke. I have questions, though.

Is there nothing better they can do with their time? I imagine the trinkets available at the dollar store, made by overseas workers, being made by coffee fueled old men sitting at tables chattering away like hens.

For whom do these guys vote? From their vapid conversations, I imagine they vote for the person who they think will either protect their assets or their world views. This worries me because they are far past their gainful years and the "old man vote" might have consquences for those who are truly productive.

Is their plight sad or annoying? I personally am annoyed but also am trying to reflect upon lives that are just lived as blustering table-sitters.

I suppose there are good things about them loitering in restaurants.

• They are forced to buy a small food item most of the time, either by guilt or policy, so they fuel the restaurant economy.
• They keep each other company, freeing their families to pursue their own lives.
• They force me to get a little exercise because they block all the close parking with their vehicles.
• They aren't out on the road driving whilst they bask in their own glory over free coffee refills! I will say no more.