Advice from a Boomer

Late last week a story appeared in my local newspaper, yes, I still read the newspaper albeit its an app on my phone, which probably tells you I’m a boomer. I’m coming to the end of my usefulness in the workplace and if I was looking for a job, I’d be completely useless and unemployable. Good many younger people might say, the sooner we get rid of you the better. I often hear from the younger generation about how we have ruined the planet and the housing market and if I take a real insightful and perspective look at it, they are probably right.

Anyway, I digress. The story that appeared was about a text exchange between a Gen Z (born between 1997- 2010) and a Millennial (born between 1981-1996) she went on a date with. The text simply said “Hey, had fun last night. Hope you have a great day.” Like any good Gen Zer, she screen shotted the conversation and took to Tik Tok to seek advice. Asking is he just a bad texter or is he 35. Now this might surprise one, but the video got over 500,000 views and 100’s of thousands of comments, questions and debate. What she wanted to know is if he was interested in her and a second date.

My first response was this is not bloody news why is it in the newspaper. Once I got off my high horse, my generation car desire was after all a Ford Mustang and settled into the silent Gen Z desire of a Tesla Model S, until Elon opened his Gen X mouth and chased his customers away, I thought why  doesn’t she just ask him. Simple right?

Before I knew it, I had rewound in my head 40 plus years. I was doing my compulsory military service. Should bring that back, it teaches you discipline, courage, to be a man, oh and a dose of PTSD, guilt, and depression, but anyway back I went 40 odd years. I wanted to ask out a young lady, when you away from home, at a base all men. During my time women did not partake in compulsory military service (not going to discuss the merits of that here). I just wanted someone I could take out on the rare occasions I got back home. Someone who cared if I lived or died on the battlefield. I also remember the dilemma going on in my head. The absolute fear to ask. What if she said no.  Let us not forget I was been shot at and was shooting at other people during the week for a job.

Boomers seek expert advice, I sort my mothers. Gen Z seek forum advice, like Tik Tok. Much has changed, much has not. We simply fear rejection. We do now and we did in the 1980’s. Technology, communication and language might change by our reptilian brain is still a little behind.

The text is simply saying I had fun, I hope you did too. I need reassurance from you that if I do ask for a second date you are not going to crush my ego and raise my biggest fear, rejection.

So, my advice is after much introspection exactly the same. Ask him, the fear is there to be overcome, if the response is negative, it’s better to know, isn’t it? If its positive you can teach him that a few emojis and less punctuation would make him a better texter. I know how Gen Z’s text; I have 3 of my lovely children in that age group.

#Boomersadvice #GenZ #Millennilas #BrainPower #EveryThingsChangesAndNothingChanges