Is Generation Z, those now ages 12 to 27, the rudest generation ever known?
I think it must be. They are casual, indifferent and never imagine that the agreements they make must be respected.
For example, my oldest grandson, 23, contacted me a couple of weeks ago to ask if he could come over for Sunday lunch. We get along well and always have interesting conversations, so I said yes, I’d be delighted. Could you confirm it? I would make a reservation at a nearby restaurant.
Having not seen or heard from him since Christmas, I was thrilled that he had reached out of his own free will.
I didn’t hear anything more, so on the appointed day I messaged him three ways: email, text, and phone. No response. Should I start cooking, book the restaurant or what? Twelve o’clock arrived, 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. Nothing. No grandson, no messages.
Finally, at 8 pm and after his father asked me, I received a short text message saying that he had been out late the night before and that he was sorry he hadn’t let me know he wouldn’t be coming.
That meant that, as far as I was concerned, an entire day had been wasted. I don’t mind? I don’t count? It seems not.
Perhaps I could excuse this behavior in a 14 year old, but for someone who is supposedly an adult and has a responsible job, it is inexcusable and rude.
Electronic devices have become more important to Gen Z than people, says our writer
This is not an isolated example either: just the latest.
Vague promises to visit are rarely kept. It is true that seeing your grandmother or great-aunt for lunch may not be the most exciting adventure, but in our days, we considered such visits as our unavoidable duty, knowing that the lonely elderly would be greatly pleased by the lively presence of the young. people. And it’s not that we are especially demanding. Seeing them once or twice a year is all we ask.
But even that, it seems, is too much. It never occurred to any of them, for example, to wonder if I might be alone during Easter or to think about cheering me up with a phone call or a card.
And I know it’s not just my family that behaves like this. This lack of consideration is endemic among Generation Z.
A friend has several nieces and nephews in their teens and twenties. They say they will come, she buys pizzas or other takeout and looks forward to their visit. Then, if something more exciting comes along, as it often does, they just don’t show up and almost never bother to let you know.
And it seems that “thank you” is not in this generation’s vocabulary. My five grandchildren, now all grown up, never think to write or phone to thank them for the gifts or money they were sent for their gap years, driving lessons, computers or new guitars.
We extend generosity to them in the hope of receiving a show of consideration in return, which almost never comes.
Last year, I sent a special book about the Brontës to a friend’s teenage granddaughter who was studying Jane Eyre in high school. I bought the book during a visit to the town in England where the Brontës had lived and also included some postcards from the sisters. Did I ever receive any kind of recognition? Of course not!
These young people carelessly lead the life they choose and do not care about anyone else. The fact that someone could be waiting all day for a visit that never materializes doesn’t even cross their mind.
And even when they do deign to pay a visit, usually arriving late, they pass the time simply staring at their phones.
Why is Generation Z so negligent and indifferent? My own opinion on the matter is that they have been spoiled to death from day one. They have never been disciplined and believe that the world revolves around them.
Apparently schools can’t give negative feedback at the end of the semester, but they must always offer maximum encouragement, no matter how low the level.
The days when teachers put students in their place with a cutting comment are long gone. Parents would complain that their little ones were upset and needed counseling and would probably fire the teacher.
Another factor is that for them their electronic devices have become more important than people. Whenever you see a group of teenagers on the street, they will lower their heads looking at their phones, instead of interacting with each other. Apparently, his entire life takes place online.
My generation (I’m now 80, which puts me among the Silent Generation, older than the boomers), and also our parents, were independent and out in the world when we were in our early twenties.
In contrast, this group still lives at home, does not pay rent, and has their clothes washed and meals prepared upon request.
This prolonged indulgence means they never really grow up. Is it any wonder then that they don’t think for a minute about anyone else?