Are you out of step with your generation, in thinking, 'philosophy' and politics?

Several interesting replies thanks.

Kitty- yes same here with DDs friends who used to spend a lot of time at our house. Having said that, it was the same with my mum, all our friends were always at our house where they loved discussing all sorts with her.

Mamie- yes, you got your finger on it. For nearly 10 years I was at home, firstly handicapped then with young children- and I was living in an area where the majority of people, especially other mums, I just couldn't relate to and with very different views to mine. So too with DH's colleagues, older and very formal and conservative.

And for me, going back to Uni and studying with young people, then working with people who were much more on my 'wavelength' was such a relief and enjoyment. Many older people, relatives and acquaintances- used to say- oh you'll grown out of your ideals and 'liberal' views- but I am very glad to say I haven't. So yes, Mamie, stereotypes are not helpful- and many of my ex colleagues and friends of my age feel as I do- and possibly my problem was that I was catapulted with adults I didn't feel comfortable with, for all sorts of reasons- and often felt like a fish out of water. Just as I often do here on GN.

This Summer, as we hosted so many young people, I was talking to a group of them and they told me they so enjoyed being here because we are so tolerant and open and non judgemental. So I had to laugh, and tell them I was often accused on GN of being 'judgemental' - which was in total contradiction with how they felt. So they said 'good on you- it's because you think and behave like a young person- and you've never grown old in your heart or head.

So there you go, I'll be damned if I reply this, and damned if I don't. But it was interesting to hear the youngsters say that and share- and I am glad for it. They put into words something I'd never quite formulated for myself.

We seem to have all replied similarly.

Perhaps now would be as good a time as any to reply, granjura, otherwise the thread will just keep falling off the 'Active' list.

Isn't 'being in step' synonymous with 'being on the same wavelength' then?


It is surely not generational though, I agree with some of my generation, not others, likewise with each successive generation.

Well, I posted to rescue the thread as it was about to slip off the Active list.

Can't see how there can be any more permutations on the replies already. Especially as we don't know what the question was, exactly...

Just don't see being in step, interpreting that as agree with or more importantly able to see the ciewpoint of, is to do with sharing an age group.

16.22 yesterday

I intentionally kept out of the thread and left it open- so anyone can put their own interpretation and thoughts on it.

And yes I will reply at some point. Jalima, NO this is not it, thanks.

Doesn't look as though we're going to get a reply.

g, sorry!

Yes, I'm with POGS in that it would be interesting to know what conclusions the OP is referring to.

Did all these young people think you were more on their wavelength than they'd expected, ranjura?

I think I'm more instep with my grandchildren than their parents. DGS is very concerned about the planet as they do and his parents fly around the world as if there is no such thing as conference calls. He was very reassured that one of my relatives is planting trees for the rest of the world. I sent him a mapof the forests being planted.

This article from the Times would seem to suggest that more and more people are falling into step, so to speak, with how I've felt about some high profile charities for a few years now. Went off Friends of the Earth and The RSPB years ago, after having supported them for years.

generalisation (I think I need a new stylus).

I think I am still most in tune with my friends from university because we have, by and large, had similar life experiences and kept the same attitudes and values. I am part of the generation that benefited from the broadening of access to university in the sixties, experienced the student revolution, became a feminist in the seventies and worked outside the home from when my children were tiny. I feel pretty much in tune with my daughter's friends because she has followed a similar path.
There are, of course, lots of people from all generations with whom I have very little in common, others I get on with as long as we don't discuss politics or religion and others who I recognise as soulmates.
I don't like the idea of "it's a generational thing", because I think it is a sweeping geralisation that means nothing.

I think lots of people make erroneous judgements abouts lots of other people, putting them into boxes according to age, class, income, voting habits etc. They are then surprised when people don't behave in the anticipated manner.

Friends of my children are surprised when they talk to me because ' I'm so young in my view'. They are wrong to stereotype people like me just because of my age etc. Everyone is an individual. I'm not out of step with anyone, I'm just me!

I'm assuming this is where you OP is coming from, gj?

It would be interesting to know what topics did you cover in the many conversations you had Granjura.

I think it means 'Are we Down Wiv da Kids'?
Definition:
The state of being on the same wave length as members of a younger generation. To be cool, clued-up and enlightened as a result of ones knowledge and/or pursuit of the interests, passtimes and trends commonly associated with people younger than oneself. A characteristic commonly displayed by minor television personalities, celebrities and people involved in entertainment media, trend spotting, marketing and advertising.

plus, according to the above, a less than first class knowledge of the use of apostrophes with the addition of the occasional misspelling.

I could qualify!!

I'm another that doesn't really get the question. What was the conclusion all these young people came to?

Always have been

It depends on whether the younger generation view us all in same way. If they do, they are falling into the trap of believing in stereotypes so someone who doesn't fit that stereotype would appear to be out of step. But as we are all different, we're all out of step, and in step, some of the time. Doesn't matter what generation we belong to.

dramatictessa- no I didn't mean Brexit, just generally. I intentionally kept out of the thread and left it open- so anyone can put their own interpretation and thoughts on it.

I too don't know what you're on about, granjura.
You only have to look at the politics threads to see that there are widely divergent opinions on many issues.
How can we possibly all be 'in step' with each other, when we are all individuals with our own opinions?

Well, granjura, it seems there are mind readers amongst GN. Did you mean Brexit?

Oh, never thought of that - yet another dig at Brexiters. Of course, how silly of me...

I think the OP means Brexit and how all the young people wanted to stay in the EU ( not true btw) and how all the oldies wanted to come out ( also not true) and if you were a Remainer, then maybe you are somehow 'more in tune' with the younger generation.
and somehow more cool.
But perhaps I have that all wrong, and it is something else entirely?

Still not sure what the OP actually meant...