Generation Differences
By deouscef
@deouscef (25)
Philippines
July 22, 2009 8:03am CST
Being a high school teacher enabled me to work closely with people who are, with no element of surprise, quite younger than I am. Since I am more senior, it is already expected that I show the proper attitude, enough moral fiber for them to respect not only as their teacher but a person as well. It is easier to teach using the blackboard, but the exact opposite in doing it by example. Even the unguarded moments must be kept to a minimum. No one would like to create a wrong impression to children, right?
Good thing here is that when I am with them, I feel young and free as they are. More often, I have this self impression that when I am with my students, my children to those who are pretty close to me, that I am always the centerpiece of our discussions. I go out mostly with my children who are 8 to 9 years younger than me. We go out for lunch or dinner, watch movies, or simply just stroll the mall and chat endlessly. I start and end the topic, producing the higlight statements of the day which they can incorporate in their lives.
Yes, being older means you are expected to talk a little wiser compared to them. And through most parts of the past 6 years, I have lavished this kind of attention that my children supplies me. Which made me realize something that I havent experienced for awhile. I never had the chance to go out with people who are at my age for some time. I never experienced being left out in a discussion. I usually serve as the catalyst, but to be a mere part of it will be a different scenario for me. I always had this iffy feeling that I will be left out once the conversation starts to roll. That my inputs would be lame by their standards.
Much of my insecurities are still untested. I lost contact with my friends who are of my age. Do you think it will really be that awkward? Or am I thinking too much? It's been awhile... To talk to people of my age. Had any experience similar to this?
1 response
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
26 Jul 09
come to think of it... most of the people around me are often either older or younger than i am. although i have quite a few friends around my age, the people i know mostly belong to different generations.
in my line of work, i have come across people decades older than i am. it was a great challenge playing the role of teacher to people old enough to be my parents and grandparents. i always have to act my mature self to be respected in my field.
at home, with about a dozen nephews and nieces around who are from a much younger generation, i have to assume another role to be able to understand and keep up with them. sometimes striking the balance of being a respected elder and aunt as well as a peer, takes a lot of juggling personalities. hehehe (you know what i mean, with your experience with kids an all. being the voice of reason yet maintain friendship with a younger group.)
i see and interact with more people in different generations than the crowd in my own generation. not because of any insecurity but more likely because of the very nature of my job and environment i live in. i don't think it would be awkward to be in their presence. perhaps it's just a matter of what we have been used to do, see and act.
as for yourself, you have just been around a younger crowd for so long that you might think that you won't be comfortable being with people in your own generation. that's worrying/thinking too much. there's nothing to it. there might be an awkwardness at first, but everything will normalize once you get a hang of doing things.
