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Post by bobjohnson on Aug 26, 2011 17:46:18 GMT -5
If you remember me than great if not I will recap.
I joined this Board way back in late 2003 or early 2004 at the young age of 17 (this is a newer account so disregard that) In the time I was more active I went through the growing pains of fighting over politics, global warming science and movies and shows good or bad (and MST3k natch) I took some time off and appeared sporadically through the years updating about things like weight loss, college, and other random stuff.
I come back to talk about something I need some insight on, getting older.
For the past year I graduated college, started a new job and getting into my first serious relationship with a wonderful woman. Despite what looks good on paper, I have a bad case of being overtly grumpy for someone who is only 26.
Granted I am not saying these things out loud like I used to but my patience for people younger than me has grown thin. I feel like they need to shut up and work hard to get where they are going to be. On one side I am right but the other is saying to be more compassionate and have faith they will grow up. Does anyone deal with this issue?
I come to this board because the one consistent thing I can say through the years is that the inhabitants of this board are smart, articulate and never disrespectful.
Thank You and much appreciation
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Post by Shep on Sept 10, 2011 8:35:50 GMT -5
If you remember me than great if not I will recap. I joined this Board way back in late 2003 or early 2004 at the young age of 17 (this is a newer account so disregard that) In the time I was more active I went through the growing pains of fighting over politics, global warming science and movies and shows good or bad (and MST3k natch) I took some time off and appeared sporadically through the years updating about things like weight loss, college, and other random stuff. I come back to talk about something I need some insight on, getting older. For the past year I graduated college, started a new job and getting into my first serious relationship with a wonderful woman. Despite what looks good on paper, I have a bad case of being overtly grumpy for someone who is only 26. Granted I am not saying these things out loud like I used to but my patience for people younger than me has grown thin. I feel like they need to shut up and work hard to get where they are going to be. On one side I am right but the other is saying to be more compassionate and have faith they will grow up. Does anyone deal with this issue? I come to this board because the one consistent thing I can say through the years is that the inhabitants of this board are smart, articulate and never disrespectful. Thank You and much appreciation I feel your pain. 20-somethings get on my nerves, too. |
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Post by Don Quixote on Sept 10, 2011 11:15:04 GMT -5
Bob, I've attempted to write a response to this a few times. I'm going through something similar. I know it's small comfort, but still...
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Post by CBG on Sept 10, 2011 12:25:46 GMT -5
You are absolutely right, Bob. I get very frustrated with the lack of work ethic, and the general, "I'm owed this, so I don't have to earn it" attitude I perceive in this group of peoples. I'll be 50 next month, so my tolerance is growing thinner and thinner.
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Torgo
Moderator Emeritus 
-segment with Crow?
Posts: 15,420
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Post by Torgo on Sept 10, 2011 12:27:45 GMT -5
It's all just the pains of growing older. Here I am pushing 30 and I'm wondering where the hell it came from.
It's easy to lose patience with those younger than you, because you've learned more about life than they have and their simple questions and ideas just seem idiotic to you. But just remember you've been around the block and they're just stepping onto the pavement. They need to be guided and not snapped at for not taking the same steps as you.
And at the same time, be thankful you're not 40 yet! Pffft. Old people. Why are they so old?
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Post by Phantom Engineer on Sept 10, 2011 12:35:33 GMT -5
Old people. Why are they so old? Because we survived by killing and eating the young. |
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Post by siamesesin on Sept 10, 2011 13:39:37 GMT -5
In my experience entitlement seems to be less generational and more geographical/situational. Try mentoring or other volunteer work and you'll find a refreshing number of appreciative and hard-working people from across the age spectrum. It's also useful for insights in the other direction-helping people who are done everything they can, and still need a hand, can not only help you understand your own blessings but consider other perspectives.
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Torgo
Moderator Emeritus
-segment with Crow?
Posts: 15,420
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Post by Torgo on Sept 10, 2011 13:49:13 GMT -5
Old people. Why are they so old? Because we survived by killing and eating the young. Like the Leech Woman? Heh. That's totally my image of Phantom now. |
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Post by mylungswereaching on Sept 12, 2011 22:24:06 GMT -5
I never really minded stupid questions. I hate willful ignorance. As a teacher, I wouldn't last long if I hated stupid questions.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 14, 2011 6:56:54 GMT -5
When people my age get together and we talk about the regrets of our youth - near all of us speak of being stupid and selfish and how we wish we could go back and advise our younger selves (would we listen?) But hell, I can look back 5 years and wish I hadn't done or said this or that.
That's life, we stumble, hopefully we learn. We get older and realize our parents (well at least my parents) weren't so dumb after all and I should have listened better.
And it's not just Americans. Watch the documentary "Last Train Home", set in China, about the poor migrant workers who toil in bad conditions and sacrifice just to get by and provide for their children. There's a teenage daughter in this flick and while she works harder than the average teen in the USA, she's just as bratty and unappreciative and selfish as any kid you'd find here. (Oh and P.S. - don't ever say F--- to your tiny father in China... he will wup your ass!)
It's hard to be patient, and some are flat out idiots (and will grow up to be the idiots you work with your whole life) - but a lot of them will work it out. I just tune 'em out (even some of my teenage nephews and nieces on Facebook - let 'em go through it like I had to)
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Post by Mitchell on Sept 14, 2011 13:09:56 GMT -5
In my experience entitlement seems to be less generational and more geographical/situational. Try mentoring or other volunteer work and you'll find a refreshing number of appreciative and hard-working people from across the age spectrum. It's also useful for insights in the other direction-helping people who are done everything they can, and still need a hand, can not only help you understand your own blessings but consider other perspectives. I agree with this. I work a lot with Habitat for Humanity. If there's a group that will bolster your faith, that is it. Plus you learn how to do useful stuff and get the warm fuzzies. Great way to go. I think being irritated by whining, entitled pipsqueaks is just a sign you're maturing. |
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Post by mummifiedstalin on Sept 14, 2011 14:52:50 GMT -5
I did lots of Habitat stuff in my 20's. Then kids happened. Time to get them out slaving away, too, I suppose.
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Post by bobjohnson on Sept 14, 2011 19:19:00 GMT -5
I appreciate the responses so far, I was worried for a while that no replies equals total unique isolation in this issue. I will elaborate more on what I wrote. One thing I forgot to add in is that I am the youngest sibling, grandson, youngest in my group of friends (they are more in their 30s), and I am 2 years younger between my girlfriend and I. This to me exhibits never feeling like I have a seniority stance in my life. I talk like I was older but never was given the respect for it until recently. I guess this new found facet is more worrisome because I never had a practice zone when I was older. For volunteering, I worked with the disabled for many years but the one thing that got my craw was that my co-workers treated the work like they were someone special. I never felt like I was any better than the next person who didn't work with that population. I grew tired of this sense of "I am better than you" attitude and stopped doing it. I like to help people but I am not going to make a spectacle of it. At the end of the day I am not afraid of this new found wisdom or whatever you may call it, its more that I find myself less and less flip flopping on my values and beliefs. I think that the biggest mistake I made this year was to not talk about this sooner  |
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