Why is it so hard for an older person to get respect from the younger generation?
113346
Robert Heinlein answered this question pretty well, I think. He said that the younger generation can never really believe that the older generation was ever young. That they believe the strictures, rules, and mores of the elderly come not from wisdom and experience, but rather from inflexibility and incomprehension of the younger generation's situation. I once tentatively asked my grandpa how I could please my girlfriend, and found he had stories and personal examples that would make your local smut-peddler blush.
536701
You are correct in saying people disrespect you younger lifeguards. The ones that do this have no idea what you all had to go through to get where you are. Just let something happen to one of these people (God forbid) while they are in the water, and see how much respect you will get then.\n\nI think it is an age thing, people tend to see young teenagers as silly, irresponsible children. However I have a child who is 10 yrs. old and can probably swim with the best of the best on the local high school swim team. And he acts more maturely then alot of young adults I know. Unfortunately you are the one who pays the price. Please forgive the ignorant people who don't appreciate you and what you are trained to do. Chin up! Don't let it get to you!!!
721073
I'm not sure exactly what you mean or what you are asking. I'll give this a shot though.\n\nI think that the elderly should be treated with more respect than they get. Like how the Asian culture dote over their elders. That's the way it SHOULD be. However, I find that where I come from, that's not entirely true about the way elderly ARE treated.\n\nI'm in San Diego, CA. and see a lot of the elders treated unfairly in MANY situations. Youth do not give up their seats to them on public transportation the way that they should be. And no one thinks about actally helping the old woman across the street with her groceries. It's as if that's just a myth about how people USED to be. \n\nI find it offensive. I do what I can though to be a decent citizen when ever possible.\n\nI'm not sure if this answer helped you at all, but I'm hoping that it did. Good luck.
89785
nah...\n\nPeople have been complaining that the current generation is worse than the past ones literally since Aristotle. Times changes, as do attitudes and fads. Sometimes the old folks (and that would probaby include me at 44) sometimes don't keep up with it and have a lot of nostalgia for what they *think* was there youth.
67955
If you are a religious person, try reading T.D. Jakes book titled "Working in a Hostile Environment".  The most important thing to remember is that, you are at that job to work.  You do not have to be those people's friends.  If they don't like you it's probably because they are jealous of either your knowledge, or your looks.  Sometimes both.  Older people have a tendency to be "afraid" of younger people because they think younger people are after their jobs.  Be diligent and know that you are put there for a reason.
670868
I wish I knew the answer to this myself. I grew up in the 70's and it was soooo different. It seems as if everybody today is in such a hurry, they disregard the feeling of other people. So many people treat others as if they are an object, simply in the way. It seems as if material things are what is important. Like if you accidentally pull out in front of somebody, their first inclination is to start cursing and flipping you off. they dont stop and think of the times, THEY pulled out in front of somebody. I think the whole friggin world needs to slow down and take a deep breath.
977923
Today's youth don't have a monopoly on confusion, but at least they have the excuse of lack of experience, where older folks just seem to wallow in confusion (perhaps for attention lol).\n\nThe youth of today will figure things out, and for the most part seem to have a pretty good grasp on things.
903655
We are all guilty of this to some extent, aren't we?  On one hand, it is proof of how comfortable we are around our family members.  On the other, why is it so hard to offer them the same respect when they are so much more valuable to us than a stranger is?  We all should work on that, I think.......
353082
In older people especially, I think it is envy.  They felt much more restricted in their choice of mate when they were young, and so they envy you the freedom they lacked.  Try to be sympathetic, but ignore their bad manners.\n\nSomething similar may be said about those who feel negative about children who are clearly of mixed race.  To me, these kids are among the most attractive of all.  I can't help thinking that old scowlers are thinking, "If I had let myself love that one in my past, this might have been my child."  At least some of the time, I'm sure that envy is once again involved.  The kids are far too appealing, personally, to have any other explanation work.
528315
Because by the time you get to be fifty, you are SET in your ways and ideas and not easily changed. Because of this, it is hard for two fifty year old people to get together and work out indifferences. I know, I'm 47 and can't find anyone like me!
728849
It differs with religion and country.\n\nI've noticed that some countries (in the western area) usually send their elders to a "nursing home" or similar. They don't have time to care for them or can't afford a caregiver. They are usually dismissed and cast aside as if their opinions don't matter because they're aged. They are sometimes taunted and played pranks upon by younger people. I'm not saying everyone does it. As in the question, it's generalized.\n\nHere in the east and in Christianity in general, we hold elders in high regard. Usually, they stay with their immediate family. They are the wise ones we turn to in time of problems. They are highly respected and we usually bow or press their hands upon our foreheads as a sign of respect upon meeting. We never shout or speak in high tones of voice. We stand up when they enter the room. Usually, their opinions matter most in discussions. They are most respected because they have gone through a full life. They know more than we can ever know. Again, I hope nobody takes offense.\n\nI hope I helped!
1076219
because they are to immature to be considered grown-\nup.  i have seen even grandparents acting this way.  it\nhas nothing to do with age, and everyting to do with \nmaturity.
298443
No it's not fair, we are in another time period and in my opinion I think there are more negative things going on  these days than say 40 or 50 years ago so it's harder to be a young person now and older people can't always see it that way.
792370
yes.obviously if they have done it by knowldge.if they have not done any mistake so what asking apoligy from any elder person is called giving respect. its not a shame.
840595
98% of the disrespect I faced was in my teenage years. Adults were convinced I knew nothing, even about myself and my beliefs, which was incredibly frustrating. As an adult, however, people (be it friends, family, colleagues, etc.) recognise my experience and knowledge and often ask my advice on pertinent issues, which I take as a mark of respect. I think part of it is that when you stop caring about being liked by everyone (at the expense of yourself) you are respecting yourself and others come to respect you also.
1041848
You are only as old as you feel.\nMany times I act younger than my best friend who is 8 years younger than me and it drives her nuts\nMy mom is the same way she acts younger than she really is and many people can not believe that she is a grandma to a 16 yo
353084
Sometimes it's forced on by parents. All of my friends are 16-17 and, depending on how they're parents treat them, they act either younger or older. For example, I have a friend whose mother died when she was little and this girl knows how to take care of herself since she's been taking care of her dad for a few years. Another friend, though, is a little spoiled brat because she asks for everything and gets it plus more. Or it could be the bad media that shows the blondes in the tight skirts that little kids are exposed to and that's how they think they should act. Well, probably a little bit of both factors and more.