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The Big Bail Out - What Must Generation Y Be Thinking? Good parents raise their children to be ever-mindful to the consequences of their actions. We tell them, essentially, that when a kid makes a mistake–as long as they say they are sorry and learn the intended lesson, the punishments are fairly mild; but that for adults in the ‘real world’, the consequences for making big mistakes are usually quite severe...Read the rest in Eric's blog. Curbing Obnoxious Behavior: Consider the Source Christie lives a simple life and she isn’t well-traveled. As a baby-boomer from a middle class family, she was raised to speak up only if she had something interesting or important to add to a conversation, and to keep the focus on others, not herself. Understandably, Christie was not only put off, but completely offended by this Gen Why’s pompous spiel and self-aggrandizing rants. Christie wanted my opinion on whether she should have remained silent (as she did) or if she should have perhaps said something to put this brash young lady—thirty years her junior—in her proper place. This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked this kind of question, leading me to believe there are a growing number of aging boomers who are at a boiling point and want to scream to Generation Why a collective and resounding ‘shut up’ from the highest mountain tops. Prescription prior to diagnosis is mal-practice, so before we can apply any type of a remedy, let’s understand the ailment. It’s in their DNA. Gen Whys, as a rule, have been programmed to be sarcastic and speak their mind. More often than not, this behavior draws the attention and peer approval they crave. So while it doesn’t necessarily have to be overlooked or tolerated, it shouldn’t be taken personally. Empathize before you Criticize. Step back and ponder how you might be different if you’d grown up in a world that caters to—and even champions the “shock-jock,” poor sportsmanship, political mud-slinging, false-but-rewarded bravado, and the I-Want-What-I-Want-and-I-Want-It-Now mindset. Realize that more often than not, the offender is infected with feelings of inferiority, self-deprecation, and a defeatist attitude and is so consumed in his/her negativity that they are oblivious to how their behavior is perceived. Judgment Call. Ultimately, following an ill-timed and/or self-indulgent rant by an outspoken Gen Why, you are faced with the same choice my sister had to make: speak up or let it go. If you choose to speak up, take the high road and do so with class and do it in private so as not to embarrass them. Never back a Gen Why against a public wall or you’ll take a bad situation and make it much worse. Instead, gain your composure and gather your thoughts and facts and look for the right place and time to state your case. Then, do so directly and succinctly without any name-calling or mimicking. Avoid saying “here’s what you did” or “you’re wrong because...” and instead substitute “I get put-off when others…” or “when I hear someone continually boast about their adventures and possessions it makes me feel…” This is much less of an assault on them personally, and more of a general statement of purpose and point. They might initially defend their actions (society has engrained into them to be ever self-protective) but your chances of getting through and making a measurable impact are much greater. If you choose to let it go, then let it go. Again, don’t let rude behavior and blunt, expressive outbursts ruin your day—or even your minute. This doesn’t mean you’ve taken a cowardly path. Actually, ignoring the offender may prove to be sufficient humiliation. Inappropriate outbursts and ostentatious behavior are methods many Gen Whys use to get a reaction—positive or negative, so when those they are trying to impress simply ignore them, they’ll get an error message and perhaps realize they’re barking up the wrong tree. Whys
Cracks THAT'S MY BOY! ACT II - Benjamin Davis, 23, is charged with running S&M parties. Actually, the charges are keeping a house of ill fame for lewdness, lending or selling articles for self abuse and, for good measure, assault on a police officer. Davis lives with his mother who admits she was "stunned" to learn he "may be" involved in "the sadomasochistic scene." Davis had allegedly been holding parties every two weeks for six months, and when the Hudson, N.H., police raided a recent party they "discovered about 55 men and women in various stages of undress along with whips, chains and other paraphernalia." But, she said, he is her son: "I'm proud of him. But the other part of me wants to spank him." (Hudson Sun) Gen Why Perspective You might not agree with him, but I encourage you to see things through the eyes of Generation Why. Click here to read TJ Wihera's blog. Do you like what you are
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