I fear for my generation

[McGoddess09]

Ok, so my sister gets clip on lip piercings for her Halloween costume and lets me wear one today. I have always wanted to have one, but because I can't wear facial piercings at work and I really don't want to have holes on my face when I have to take them out, I figure why not?

So, people asked me about my "new piercing" and I explained the situation.

The most common response?

"Then why don't you just quit?"

I gave them a :eek: everytime.

Is this the mentality that teens have? If there is something so small and insignificant that you don't like about work, you just quit? Am I one of few teens who believe that you have to make compromises when it comes to important things, like work?

I told them that it was too hard for someone my age to find another job and that most jobs don't like facial piercings anyway.

These people will be taking charge of the world. Hide me.

[Bright_Star]

They used to think that my generation(everybody who was a teen in the 80's) was a lost cause.

[Evil Queen]

Gee Bright Star, thanks a lot. I had to be reminded :rolleyes: (1986 DOB)

Teens today also tend to not have a work ethic. What happened? When I was a kid you could always see teens working all the time. It was like their safe haven from their folks or something. These days? Forget it. There are only a few left that actually WORK for the hell of working! GAH! :runaway:

[Bella_Vixen]

God. I'm 29, and work is my safe haven from my mother. :cry::eek::lol::eek::cry:

I love her to death, but ever since she was forced into early retirement, ...:cry: just :cry:!

[protege]

Teens today also tend to not have a work ethic. What happened?

Mommy and Daddy got money, and spoil the crap out of their kids. That's what happened ;)

[BookstoreEscapee]

Gee Bright Star, thanks a lot. I had to be reminded :rolleyes: (1986 DOB)

Oh, shush, child. (1975, TYVM)

[SorryIsGoodEnough]

When I was in Wyoming, everywhere had a HUGE turnover rate because only teen girls wanted to work in town. All the guys were out welding, working the rigs, or MAYBE working the late shift at the convenience stores.

When I first got into town, I asked my coworker, "So, how do females make money in these parts, anyway?"

Her answer?

"Wait til they're legal, and get married."

:jawdrop:
Edit: I was born in 1988. ^_^

[Shards]

Mommy and Daddy got money, and spoil the crap out of their kids. That's what happened ;)

Not all of us kids with money are spoiled bums.

My grandparents taught me never to accept money I haven't earned, and I've stuck by that. If someone (family only) wants to buy me food, or give me shelter, then I'll thank them, and accept, yes. I won't bitch about dad paying my tuition, but that's the end of the line. I'll accept payment for chores around the house, although I would do them for free, but I still insist that I need to earn my own cash by holding a job. I'm going to an interview for a night job in addition to my afternoon job next week in order to support my hobbies, because my afternoon job cut my hours back, and I've always had insomnia problems, so I figure why not get paid to stay up all night if it's going to happen anyway?

I'm 18 years old, ATM.

Then again, as I said, my grandparents taught me right. I think the reason people have no work ethic nowadays is because they have never had anyone push them to it, or let them fail on their own. The modern generation is taught through the public school system and through over-active parents (yes, there is such a thing) that they can just shoot the shit and everything will go fine.

Then again, I learned my best lessons in life from two grandfathers who survived World War 2, and a pair of cousins who didn't know at what point things went from boys being boys to life threatening situations...

[Broomjockey]

I knew one teen who would refuse to stay at a job more than a year. When I was hired at my first job, I was in a group of about 10~15 people. After about a year, only 2 of us were left. We'd have people leave in the middle of their shift because they thought it was some kind of protest about their "harsh treatment." Honestly, the number of people who went through that place in a short period of time, I can see why some people have a harsh opinion of teens and their work ethics.

[Jester]

Am I one of few teens who believe that you have to make compromises when it comes to important things, like work?

Not teens, but people. There are too many people who just don't think that they should have to make any compromises for their job. Lameass motherfuckers.

They used to think that my generation(everybody who was a teen in the 80's) was a lost cause.

We turned out okay, wouldn't you say?

Edit: I was born in 1988.

Thanks for making me feel old on a night when a customer thought I was 23.

I graduated high school in 1988, thank you very much. McClintock High, Class of '88! GO CHARGERS! :lol:

[Jaden]

It's simple - if you take the stereotypical categorization of the 80's as the "Me generation", then working was still something for yourself, with the money and all that. My generation, however, is known as the generation that doesn't care (not sure if there's a "snappier" name for it). And quite frankly, from what I've observed about my generation, it's sadly mostly true. :(

[InsanityInc]

*Sigh* I was talking to one of the women I used to work with, and made a comment about how I was going to have to change the hair color I normally use (Burgandy) because I was trying to get a job in a law office or a hospital/doctor's office. IE really conservative offices. She had no idea why I would need to change my hair color, and lambasted me for it saying "I would never change my hair color for ANY job, f*ck them if they don't like it". Me, I'm sitting there figuring that's why she doesn't get jobs in such places. We're both in our 30's.

[SengaKitty]

You know, this is something I just don't understand. I mean seriously. If you want a job, if you need a job, you make sacrifices. Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do to survive. I.e. I have never wanted to work food service. Ever. But I had to eat, so I did it. I don't want to work third shift, I never have time with my fiance, my friends etc. But I'm doing it. I'm surviving. Kids nowadays (oh god I said it) just don't get that. My roommate is 19, has been living with us for over a month, and still has no job!!!! AGHHH

[crazylegs]

Oh, shush, child. (1975, TYVM)

Even though you keep mentioning your age I keep thinking you're in your early twenties... :shrug:

[DevilBoy]

I remember reading a study about 'kids' in the workplace today a while back. The study posed a situation to the effect of:

If your employer blocked access to social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc) and other non-essential websites, what would you do?

A large portion of those surveyed would either quit or never take the job in the first place.

There were similar situations about dress code, hair style, tattoos and such. All of the answers were similar... quit or never work there in the first place.

I just don't get it. I have never let my tattoos, piercings or the like hinder my performance or ability to get and/or work at a job. I have taken out piercings, wore long sleeves... whatever I had to in order to keep my job.

My roommate is 19, has been living with us for over a month, and still has no job!!!! AGHHHIf I were in your situation right now, that person would not be a roommate of mine for a second month.

[RetailWorkhorse]

If your employer blocked access to social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc) and other non-essential websites, what would you do?
What is a "Twitter" and why does it sound like some kind of sex toy?

[DevilBoy]

What is a "Twitter" and why does it sound like some kind of sex toy?

http://twitter.com/

[Shards]

I remember reading a study about 'kids' in the workplace today a while back. The study posed a situation to the effect of:

If your employer blocked access to social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc) and other non-essential websites, what would you do?

A large portion of those surveyed would either quit or never take the job in the first place.

There were similar situations about dress code, hair style, tattoos and such. All of the answers were similar... quit or never work there in the first place.

I just don't get it. I have never let my tattoos, piercings or the like hinder my performance or ability to get and/or work at a job. I have taken out piercings, wore long sleeves... whatever I had to in order to keep my job.

If I were in your situation right now, that person would not be a roommate of mine for a second month.

I'm 18.

I don't have a myspace or a facebook, I've never heard of Twitter until today.

If my workplace didn't like my hair, tattoos, or other appearance-based things, I'd ask them if it was necessary to change the hair in order to keep the job (just because getting it to this length has taken a while, and I don't want to slice it off yet.), and if they said yes, I'd chop it off until they liked it. I would cover my tattoos with clothing before being asked.

We're not all irresponsible shits.

I'm Shards, and I approved this message.

[The Last to Know]

My oldest son is 18 & he works full-time at a truck stop from 2pm to 10pm and most of the time they have to kick him out in the evenings because he ends up getting overtime. He has made a couple of mistakes (being late or something of the sort) and the manager has gotten on his case, but also told him that he hates doing it because of all his "teen" employees - my son is the hardest working, always comes in when asked, always does the job of himself & usually one of the other teens. I think being a single mom and always struggling has given him an excellent work ethic. Now, if only I could get up the gumption to ask him for rent. He would pay, but I feel bad because he has always gone beyond anything I have ever asked him to do without question & without complaint. I think I've done a good job. Now just two more to go.

[SengaKitty]

If I were in your situation right now, that person would not be a roommate of mine for a second month.

Well, they both announced today that they have jobs. But damnit it's too little too late. Because their rent was due TODAY (well yesterday considering it is now after midnight, and the 16th, where their rent was due on the 15th), and because they haven't paid it, the fiance and I have not only had our cell phones shut off (having to pay not only all the bills but feed four people is really difficult when it's just the two of us), but Rent-a-center is now coming to pick up our bedroom furniture....

I know it's not all kids these days (ugh I said it again!!! :eek: ), and it's not JUST kids... But what is wrong with these people and not wanting to work? I just don't get it...

[Broomjockey]

We're not all irresponsible shits.

We know. It's kind of the central theme of this site. "Customers suck, but not all of them, but the ones that do, we're here to vent about." But in this case, we're talking about teens.

[RayvenQ]

Gee Bright Star, thanks a lot. I had to be reminded :rolleyes: (1986 DOB)

Teens today also tend to not have a work ethic. What happened? When I was a kid you could always see teens working all the time. It was like their safe haven from their folks or something. These days? Forget it. There are only a few left that actually WORK for the hell of working! GAH! :runaway:

:eek: I'm actually older than you :runaway: 85 DOB here.

:lol:

[crazylegs]

:eek: I'm actually older than you :runaway: 85 DOB here.

:lol:

Whippersnappers! ('83) :lol:

[draggar]

Not teens, but people. There are too many people who just don't think that they should have to make any compromises for their job. Lameass motherfuckers.

I think a lot of teens have the attitude that OP has, but not with their own jobs. Chances are, the people making comments like "Why don't you just quit then?" don't have a job themselves and if they do, it's at a place that allows them to look however they want to.


We turned out okay, wouldn't you say?

I think so, mostly, kinda.. ;)

Thanks for making me feel old on a night when a customer thought I was 23.

I graduated high school in 1988, thank you very much. McClintock High, Class of '88! GO CHARGERS! :lol:

You're older than I am (not by much - 4/5 years) and I thought you were younger than I am by a bit, I would have guessed the same age.

[draftermatt]

I've never understood the mentality that some people have.

It's not just younger people, older people too. I've met older people who feel like because they are old they are owed something. And there are plenty of people who do what they want, don't worry about the consequences.

That said there are too many people who say "I wouldn't work for a place like that" or "I'd quit if they tell me what to do"

Most of them will end up changing their tune when they find themselves pushing 25-30 still living with mom & dad (and in some cases their married and have kids by now) because despite having a good education, they can't find work at anywhere that pays half decent because they look like a piercing shop attacked them.

I think tattoos on the wrist are cool, however since I work in an office (that doesn't ban them mind you) I won't do it. I don't want future jobs to be on the line, or worse, someone to not want to speak to me because I look a certain way.

[blas]

It's all in how you were raised......is what it boils down to.

My brother and I had to get jobs as soon as we were old enough to legally work (as in like, restaurants, stores, etc). We were both 14 and freshmen in high school when we started our first jobs.

My mother knew that times were changing, and she made damn sure to raise me to never depend on a man. She taught me to look for a partner to be my equal and appreciate good gestures, but that I MUST have my own job/career and that by the time I got older, it would be damn near impossible to live on only one income. My mom was right on the nose with that one.

My parents taught both of us good work ethics and responsibility.

The problem is that some parents never teach their kids a good work ethic, or they spoil them for too long, or they don't teach their children consequences of job hopping and failure to launch. Some parents can't let go and never teach their kids how to make it on their own. Some parents don't care. Some parents just want their kids out and don't care what happens.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

These people will be taking charge of the world. Hide me.

Well, you can look at this that way, or you can look at it like this:

These are the people with whom you will be competing in the workplace all your life. :D

Make sure your signature is nice and pretty when you slap it onto their paycheck.

[DevilBoy]

But what is wrong with these people and not wanting to work? I just don't get it...I don't get it, either.
My girlfriend and I live together.
She had gone back to and was still in college when she and I moved in together, so she only worked a PT job. The money she made there was barely enough for her to gas up her car each week.
Hence, I paid for the two of us with my salary alone. I knew this going in and never made her try to work more hours or get a better paying job. She was in school and needed to focus on her studies and I made enough to support the two of us.
By 'support' I mean pay the bills, put food on the table, gas in the cars... nothing more than the absolute necessities. We weren't destitute, but money was extremely tight the entire time she was in school.

She graduated and got her degree (multimedia design, same as me) at the end of September. Her graduation ceremony was on a Saturday. She had started going to job interviews about a week prior to graduation.
She started a new job on the Wednesday after her graduation ceremony... a whole 3 days later.

Point being... She had a drive and desire to get a job. She worked hard at getting one and it didn't take very long at all. If you need a job and want a job, all you need to do is get out there and actually look for one.
Chances are, if you put forth the effort, you will find a job easily and quickly.
Granted, some careers/industries are a little more selective and require a little more patience and work to get into, but eventually you will get a job.

[Evil Queen]

Oh, shush, child. (1975, TYVM)

Silly BSE, I was staying I'm from the same generation and even I'm putting them down.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Even though you keep mentioning your age I keep thinking you're in your early twenties... :shrug:

I knew I liked you...

Whippersnappers! ('83) :lol:

GAH!!


Silly BSE, I was staying I'm from the same generation and even I'm putting them down.

I know, I know... :p

Maybe I come across younger because I feel younger. I suppose I got a bit of a late start on the whole "career" thing. Hell, I still don't quite know where I'm going. Most of my college friends are married, some with kids, most own houses...and I just moved out last year (for the second time; there were some mental-health issues going on) and I have a roommate because affording a decent apartment on my own in this state is next to impossible (but then my roomie's only 2 years younger than me; I'm not sure I could live with someone much younger...).

“I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words. When I was a boy, we were taught to be discrete and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise and impatient of restraint.” -Hesiod, c.700 BC