Generational Gaps

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
I’ve been thinking about this a bit lately. I know I’ve certainly hit that point in my career where I can see the obvious gaps in society’s culture shifts, what’s right, wrong, or indifferent, et

While like any job there are several generations worth of people in the workforce, I think our field is unique in that you may be “stuck” with someone old enough to be your parents/ young enough to be your child. Sometimes it works out no problem, other times not so much.

My personal opinion is that many things now seem to be blown out of proportion on a whole new scale, thanks in large part to the advent of SM.

We seem convinced other’s opinions are where we need to be for validation in our lives. When did this happen? Was it truly the SM era? I’m sure it goes deeper.

I’d love to hear your guys’ thoughts—all sides. So let’s have a convo.

FWIW, this is from a guy trying to raise his kids right in the midst of all of this. And yes, I realize I am not alone in that. Thanks all.
 

Qulevrius

Nationally Certified Wannabe
997
545
93
“Kids are on YouTube, learning how to be cool.” (Toby Keith, American Ride)

People had self validation issues in the past as well, but they had a better social engagement with their peers. Then SM rolled in. Now if you’re socially awkward, it’s not a big deal online because what used to be “weird”, is now called “special”. But once the “special” person steps out of their comfort zone, suddenly it’s a shock to their system.

Now, I wouldn’t blame the “special” person as much as I’d blame whoever raised them, but at the same time there’s a whole generation of maladjusted Americans. There are sound exceptions of course, but as with any exception these are far and between.

I would also like to point an accusing finger towards the education system for turning schools of every kind, into goddamn flower beds where they grow socially inept vegetables. And that has a LOT to do with politics, but that’s a sh*tpot I’m not willing to stir here.
 

Peak

ED/Prehospital Registered Nurse
1,023
604
113
Kids have never changed, it's the parenting that has.

Parents are the ones who shove an iPad into the hands of their crying toddler.

Parents raise their children and enculture them to the social norms that they will see, engage in play with, and ultimately develop as their own behaviors.

Parents are the ones arguing with teachers and school administrators that their child cannot be held accountable to academic or behavioral expectations.

I honestly believe in the next few decades we are going to see a large divide between those who are socially, academically, and fiscally successful and those who are not. Unlike in the past where this was caused by racism, familial wealth, neighborhoods, quality of school districts, and so on it will instead be determined by how bad or good your parenting was.
 

Seirende

Washed Up Paramedic/ EMT Dropout
891
429
63
This my favorite generational gap meme, btw
FB_IMG_1581361386371.jpg
 

Jn1232th

Forum Captain
359
81
28
I see a difference in gap when I’m at work. I’m 25 years old and not going to lie, I do like social media a lot and when I’m with someone who is significantly older than me, they seem to always want to socialize whole
Shift haha.
but I have been open to that and try not to use my phone at all while at work unless it’s for med doses or protocol checks.
My sister on other hand, who is 14, lives off social media. Her friends are same way and when I do talk to them they can’t hold a conversation for more than few sentences.
I do feel like this is going to cause a divide. With a generation who can socialize and take criticism and a generation who is tech savvy but can’t take criticism/stress or anything that causes critical thinking
 

Jn1232th

Forum Captain
359
81
28
How do you mean?

just talk in general.It’s only really one person whos old enough to be my dad but he’s goes on about stories, his life, my life, calls he’s been on in the past. I don’t mind it but when he’s talking and see I’m on Instagram at same time he will stop and start over again assuming I’m not listening
 

CCCSD

Forum Deputy Chief
1,756
1,081
113
That’s pretty rude. Ever thought that talking IS socializing? Your use of SM is an addiction, not communicating. This person, standing in front of you is a real, live, human, who may just be able to tell you things that might impact your life.

GTS won’t help you when you’re laying in a street, bleeding out...

No wonder this country is going down the tubes.
 

Jn1232th

Forum Captain
359
81
28
That’s pretty rude. Ever thought that talking IS socializing? Your use of SM is an addiction, not communicating. This person, standing in front of you is a real, live, human, who may just be able to tell you things that might impact your life.

GTS won’t help you when you’re laying in a street, bleeding out...

No wonder this country is going down the tubes.

no it is. Which is why I stated in previous post I stopped being on social media at work in general.
 
OP
OP
VentMonkey

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
@DragonClaw this thread pertains to you. Give us “old salts” something to consider. Offer some of your generational insights...
 
OP
OP
VentMonkey

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
You sir, are a provocateur of the worst kind [emoji3166]
In all seriousness, I’m curious to hear from all colors of the generational rainbow. The thread isn’t meant to troll, merely to invoke.

ETA: my generational window isn’t the slightest offended by said remarks. I sincerely seek dialogue from all.
 
Last edited:

DragonClaw

Emergency Medical Texan
2,116
363
83
@DragonClaw this thread pertains to you. Give us “old salts” something to consider. Offer some of your generational insights...

Me?

Hmm. Disclaimer, not everything is true to everyone my age group and I certainly don't believe it all.

Well my folks are big into memes. I'm too young to be a millennial. They are like 30 with kids.

We're used to having people look down on us. Say we have poor work ethic or acting like we know everything. Doesn't even matter if it's true or not.

Going to work and school is harder than it used to be with inflation and many boomers just don't get it. We are tired of "When I was your age".

Many of us are doomers, thinking the world has gone to crap and there's not much in the way of fixing it.

Technology is our thing. The latest apps, trends and things are a central hub for us to communicate.

Some of us are hyper-agressive due to them thinking they're a victim because they've beg raised told that. Things like actual physical tantrums are coming back.


Gender issues are peak. Some say you can be anything you say and that's okay. Biology becomes an archaic concept.

Things like expressing one's self are also peak. Colored hair, tattoos and other things show others the kind of person you are. It's an advertisement of sorts, but don't call it that.

Casual romance means you have power. Your body becomes a bargaining chip. But don't call it that either or they'll get mad.

Moving out at 18 is less a thing. It's just costing more money to do and many parents don't mind.

In the workplace, we dress more casually than others. If we don't like how things are, we know eventually things will change when the older people die out.

Many think free healthcare and other things are a right, voting for something else means you side with the rich and powerful and evil.

Racism and sexism and thinking people are nazis are back in style to get mad about.

In a home life, most people I talk to think moving in before marriage is mandatory. That abortion is a right.

Messaging with someone in the same room or next to you is okay. It's not really different than talking.

Trying to greet someone with a firm handshake isn't really needed anymore. It might be unwanted touching or presumptuous.

We get news from memes and social sites like Facebook and reddit.

If they're the kind to do it, doing keto, yoga, etc is a way to be healthy. Paying more for meal prep that's catered to you. Essential oils to fix things instead of meds.

They kind of try to reject the prior culture, seemingly because they can.

Not trying to start anything, but CCCSD would be a prime example of those that they dislike due to the complex he/she has. That is the kind of thinking that makes us quit jobs or report people for hostile work environments or such. In EMS we're a bit different, but if they managed a retail store or restaurant, they'd be prime example of a popular Twitter series about a bad boss.

Largely because it's "I'm your boss and this is how it is. Little people don't matter and you should listen to me" is the kind of vibe you get from it.

And nowadays we want to be heard. Even if we're wrong, we want to be able to say our piece instead of being shut down. We have different priorities.

Pets are kids. Furbabies, scalebabies etc. We buy then lavish items and food and cater to them. And if we had to take time off for our pets well being and then we're in trouble for not being at work? Heartless boss. It would be a *Nobody liked that* kind of thing.

The idea of a powerful woman appeals to the female group. Like Mortica or something like that from the Addams family. She, Daria and a few others are popular figures.

Entertainment is largely digital. Phone apps, movies, Netflix etc are just ways to kill time and relax. Other things are not cost effective and should be carefully planned.

Language.

Things like "Mood", "Big Oof" , "Oof", "F", "Vibing", "Yeet", "Big Sad" portray emotions.

"Bois", "Birbs", "Floofs", and other such words exist to make things lighthearted. Bois are like good people or things and can be used as bois or with a description. Birbs are bird. Floofs are anything fluffy, usual an animal.

"Absolute unit", "Thicc", "Chonkers" are bigger things that are comical or funny usually. If you saw a particularly large fluffy dog one might say "This boi is a heccin chonkers floof, he thicc".

Thicc is good. Can refer to animals, people or non life forms. Most things can be referred to anything if used properly

Mood is often like a sad realization but can be good mood depending on prior context.

Big sad is a way to talk about depression without getting to clinical and kind of make it okay.

F means you feel badly for a situation.

Oof is kinda like "cringe" but less severe. Big oof is a step inbetween.

If a buddy pokes at you, especially if they're right you might say "Boi", all by itself. It just means they're pushing it, but in a comical way.

"Right in the feels" means that's triggered an emotion response, often a kind of sadness or nostalgia. or it hit hard.

I could go on, but if you read that and are still confused, I'll throw an f in chat for our bois we lost.

A lot of humor has turned dark, to nihilism, self deprecation etc.

But there's also a line of trying to get help when needed, especially mental health. There's things like "Lifting ya bois up" and bring "Queens" and "Kings". Kings and queens are good people that don't get bothered and in the face of hardship don't give up. They lift others up.

Or they've done something famous that was considered to be sufficient. Like if a guy had a bad boss so he decided to get even by like doing something crazy or clever and unapologetic. Like if you got an unjust fine and paid in pennies.

Things like sending a meme (excuse my language) that says "Did you drink water today, you filthy *****" means you care. Water and hydration memes are in season.

Calling a friend a ho isn't bad if it's not meant to be.

We have become pretty derogatory and fowl mouthed and kinda uncouth.

A lot of us don't want to immediately settle down but want to enjoy life first. Having kids is often time not really a part of that. Referring to children as animals, monsters "crotch goblins" and other things are common. They're an expense and hindrance and not really what we want right now.

Being yourself and trying to make your own way means you realized you don't want to suffer under the yoke your parents tried to pass onto you. Just because it's done doesn't mean we want any part of it.

Women will encourage each other to dump men they think are bad to an extreme degree. "Sis, leave him" to a girl you met once isn't really ask that unacceptable if she's given you the story about them.

Immediate family bonds are not as strong, especially if the child thinks they've been wronged constantly. People my age increasingly encourage others to sever ties to toxic family members and pursue what they want instead.

Parenting now means you probably need to be your kids friend more than before. You need to be "cooler" and on their level. Otherwise they'll think you're just judgmental and things will fall on deaf ears.

I won't forget how I taught my dad memes and we were in the living room. We'd bright food in and the trash was still there. Crumbs and plates, not a huge mess. But, He goes "Do you want ants, this is how you get ants" and I couldn't argue that.

If your kid wants to buy something and it's not a good deal, (excuse my language again) "The price is too damn high" might come into play.

Of course everything doesn't have to be memes or internet speak, but if you know the lingo, you might get a "Speech 100" moment you might not have.

Talking down to us like we'll never achieve anything is old news. That just means you're an old curmudgeon. Teaching and leading by example is not new, but more important.

We can be easily amused by things like a "Yeet cannon" or "Boaty McBoat Face". The pictures of an inflatable dying giant yellow duck on the Thames, a story someone told, whatever.

If you're very entertained by it, "I'm dying ☠💀☠" is appropriate.

It's become very Zoomer vs Boomer kind of thing. Okay boomer is our way of saying that we don't really care that you're so out of touch. Like we tried but it's not gonna work so we're stopping trying.

A Karen is a generic complainer who makes mountains out of molehills. Often times middle aged, possibly divorced.

A Kyle is a high energy guy. The drinking monster and punching drywall is a testament to his power. Shaggy from Scooby Doo is a symbol of raw power on a godlike level. Like scary powerful, less Kyleish and more just plain destruction.

Maybe I've kind of deviated from the point but these things are our culture. If someone online gets upset over nothing or even if it'd a friend and we want to let them know they're being too much "Calm down Kyle/Karen" is a way to say it. Among friends it's fun, among internet strangers it's an insult.

Discord serves for chat via text and voice are popular. You pick what servers to be in.

Things change faster and faster and for those who can't keep up, oof.

If you want a specific answer, more than happy to oblige.
 
OP
OP
VentMonkey

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
Painstakingly detailed and a tad disheartening, but enlightening. I can respect that.

Yeah, like I said, there’s so much generational variation in our field. It’s too bad we all assume to know one another better than we actually do, and in turn, take each other’s insights for granted.

I’d like to see this thread grow. Hopefully it remains civil as well, but with this group...
 

Seirende

Washed Up Paramedic/ EMT Dropout
891
429
63
Well for those of you boomers who started working when you were babies, how did you get along with the generations before you? Did you feel respected or was there a lot of talk about "kids these days"?
 

FiremanMike

Just a dude
1,129
696
113
I’ve been thinking about this a bit lately. I know I’ve certainly hit that point in my career where I can see the obvious gaps in society’s culture shifts, what’s right, wrong, or indifferent, et

While like any job there are several generations worth of people in the workforce, I think our field is unique in that you may be “stuck” with someone old enough to be your parents/ young enough to be your child. Sometimes it works out no problem, other times not so much.

My personal opinion is that many things now seem to be blown out of proportion on a whole new scale, thanks in large part to the advent of SM.

We seem convinced other’s opinions are where we need to be for validation in our lives. When did this happen? Was it truly the SM era? I’m sure it goes deeper.

I’d love to hear your guys’ thoughts—all sides. So let’s have a convo.

FWIW, this is from a guy trying to raise his kids right in the midst of all of this. And yes, I realize I am not alone in that. Thanks all.

The only thing I disagree with is the sentiment that self-validation through other's opinions is unique to this generation.. While our generation (I'm the tail end of gen-x) may have expressed our desire for acceptance with different nuances, the fact of the matter is that Maslow's triangle, which shows social belonging as being fairly important, was published in 1943...

My biggest observation of our younger guys is that they are more aggressive and or transparent with their selfishness, and backstabbing seems to be essentially unapologetic..
 

FiremanMike

Just a dude
1,129
696
113
Well for those of you boomers who started working when you were babies, how did you get along with the generations before you? Did you feel respected or was there a lot of talk about "kids these days"?

There has always been "kids these days" sentiments.

I don't recall my generation creating a pejorative term for the generation above us, however..

Seriously - any time I see someone say "boomer", I genuinely want to throat punch them, because it's almost always smug.
 

Seirende

Washed Up Paramedic/ EMT Dropout
891
429
63
There has always been "kids these days" sentiments.

I don't recall my generation creating a pejorative term for the generation above us, however..

Seriously - any time I see someone say "boomer", I genuinely want to throat punch them, because it's almost always smug.

Is there a name for that generation that I've missed other than baby boomers? I think it was sociologists that came up with that name, not millennials in general.
 
Top