Wolf,
I believe it continues because people search for reasons to feel superior. As I said, it doesn’t end at teenage discrimination, it continues (it did for me). I believe that it makes people feel good about themselves to put you down, so they do. As you get in your late 20’s, you’ll see what I mean. In any case, just try to focus on doing your best, and don’t let others attitudes affect you. It’s a great time to learn that, as you’ll need those skills later in life, too. Take care!
I’m very lucky. The only time I was ever up shit creek, I just happened to have a paddle with me.
–George Carlin
IMHO this sort of thing continues because the oppressed often become the oppressor. Perhaps it’s a way of distancing oneself from the role of the victim, maybe just old-fashioned revenge.
I work with teenagers a lot [in the sense that I employ them, not counsel them]. For every one who slacks and forgets to show up, or does a half-ass job, or shows discourtesy, or is generally a pimple on the butt of my workday,there’s another one who’s right on time, hard-working, dedicated and also fun to be around. What do you know? The same goes for people more generally known as adults. I know a half dozen teens I’d love to replace my staff with. I have sometimes cautioned teens about sloppy work habits, but always try to do politely and with the aim of heading them off early before they become the evil middle-aged skin donors I must treat as respected peers.
Hey, no chick thread here. Your point about being given cookies and milk and told to nap on “work time” was right on target. And so was the observation that roaring horomones and young sex are things to be treasured.
I’m curious…you have to interact constantly with young folks. (“Hey, make your 30’s an adventure! Enlist!”) What’s your take on this? Are young recruits assumed to be so many sacks of sawdust?
I’d always thought it was a type of misguided generosity to wear large pants - you could probably fit a grunge band or at least a few homeless in each leg, where they could be sheltered and steal body heat.
As for the underwear, it is considered the height of fashion to have name-brand underwear. No longer is merchandising restricted to the front of polo shirts!
Undoubtedly one of the worst traits exhibited by the next generation that will surely spell out disaster because of their ignorant, belligerent, and delinquent ways is their lack of respect towards their elders, why cannot they simply accept that they CANNOT understand it until they get older. It IS true.
There is no safety for honest men but by believing all possible evil of evil men.
To tell you the truth, I can’t explain most the trends I see, esp. rap and baggy pants. It’s crazy. And can you believe that the paople who follow these trends think I’m weird for not liking them? (the trends, I mean, not the people) I wish they could see how ridiculous they really look.
For me, I’m happy with comfortable jeans and a tee-shirt (and not one of those tiny tee-shirts that just SCREAM, “Hit on me!”)
(And what’s the deal with those clothes commercials?!)
White Wolf
“Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.”
“Half the world is composed of idiots, the other half of people clever enough to take indecent advantage of them.”
The young men and women serving in the armed forces today are role models which should be held up as shining examples to their “civilian” peers.
Many join for the benefits. Many to get a college education. Some for the travel. Others for experience. But the one thing they do have in common is the willingness to accept certain hardships in order to attain certain goals.
There are always a few problem children, but that is to be expected. Some are just not cut out for military life, discipline, or respecting authority.
By and large though, I think we get a pretty good chunk of American society’s cream.
That being said, they are as dumb as rocks when they get to the ship. But that thrills me. Day in and day out, I get to impart to today’s youth a piece of my pride and some of my knowledge. Hopefully, some of them will pass it on to other outstanding young folks in 15 years or so.
Don’t get me wrong. Some situations call for me to curse enough to blister paint (ask Nickrz or valenta8). But it’s always done with the ulterior motive of helping a young sailor.
I say this from experience: Those people in baggy pants will some day be twentyorthirtysomething and they’ll look at old pictures of themselves and say, “What the FUCK was I thinking? God, I was such a sheep!”
Does anyone remember the “AFRO” craze of the late 70’s? When we look back at our old yearbooks, we laugh our asses off at those geeky white boys and girls who did that. Oh yea, and Barbara Streaisand.
