A curious thing happened about a month or so back. A good friend stopped into the coffee shop to visit and have a glass of wine. We sat and talked music and how our day was going thus far. It was getting to be closing time, so he had his last sip and started toward the exit. I followed him to the door, shook his hand and said, “By Dave, have a good night, be careful driving home.”
As I returned to the back counter to start the evening duties, our barista Winter says, “That was very wholesome of you.” “What?,” I replied, a little confused by that statement. She says the way you said goodbye to Dave. “We don’t say goodbye like that,” she said, “We say, Later or Catch Ya Later, or See Ya When I See Ya.”
That started a thought process on the differences between our generations. That’s how I get my ideas for these articles. Something happens or gets said and bam! My random mind is on a roll.
Anyway, I posed a question to a few friends, “What is there with our generation (us old guys) that we do or take for granted that you wish this younger generation would do or is missing?”
First, I went to Tony and Jony (daily visitors from Fountain Hills).
Tony: “I would like to see just general courtesy,” he says. “We are missing that general politeness that we grew up with. You know, the kind that our mothers would have slapped us upside the head if we didn’t show.” Jony: “Just smile more! Life is not as hard as you make it.”
So now I go to Barb’s sister Dee, retired Deputy Chief of Police for Scottsdale.
“Handwritten notes. A simple thank you note. Handshakes. Face-to-face meetings, not virtual,” she said.
Dr. Vicky from Philadelphia “Put that cell phone down and make eye contact. Smile when meeting someone and leave them feeling glad they met you.” My wife and partner Barb (the one that really runs Hava Java).
“We didn’t have computers or cell phones. So, we had more patience since we had to wait for the mail or find a pay phone. We actually went outside to play with our friends, so we developed better social skills. We weren’t glued toour electrical devices.” OK, my turn.
“Barb and I attended our granddaughter’s high school graduation party a few years back. There were about 10 or so friends all gathered in the family room sitting within two feet of each other. They corresponded with each other via text on their cell phones. They would occasionally make eye contact with each other, but the silence was deafening. This goes to Barb’s and Vickie’s point.
Communicate with other humans for god’s sake!” “Also, Google may be handy and easy, but it teaches you nothing. It gives you the answer but rots your brain at the same time. Trust me, you will need problem solving skills.”
OK, I know that we are showing our age here, but nothing said above is meant to be hurtful to anyone. It will only make you a better and more valuable person both personally and professionally.
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