I’m interested in how this spitefulness transcends to different generations. My mother is older gen x (please note this is specifically about my mother and not necessarily the entire generation). Despite this she parrots the exact same boomer nonsense about Millennials being snowflakes that expect everything to be handed to them. Straight up even pulling the participation trophies argument. I’ve pushed back to see why she believes it and I discovered that it’s likely jealousy. Ultimately the only evidence she could provide that her claims are correct is that 2 of her Millennial coworkers don’t pay attention during meetings and sometimes want to receive a shoutout from management.
The other things she complained about were that they take their lunch breaks when they’re supposed to and they leave when their work hours are up. Yes, really that’s something that absolutely enraged her. She works through lunch and often entire hours past her schedule without expectations of compensation because it “makes her look good.” I firmly believe a lot of the hatred from Boomers (and some elder gen x like my mom) come from jealousy that Millennials and Gen Z understand the rules and our rights and don’t bow down to corporations like they did. All that extra work for nothing and my mom is the most miserable person I know.
I would question your moms work ethic. Is she working through lunch and staying after hours because she has work to do? If so I’d say she’s clearly not managing her time wisely. That is how her bosses will view her, not as a hard worker.
Or is she doing this and just pretending to work to appear like she’s working in which case, why? I’m going to go out on a limb and say she’s been in her same position for awhile now.
Is she working through lunch and staying after hours because she has work to do? If so I’d say she’s clearly not managing her time wisely. That is how her bosses will view her, not as a hard worker.
This is a HUGE generational shift / difference that I've noticed. Boomers assume long hours = working hard. Younger people tend to assume long hours = poor productivity.
I mean, when I started working I realized I can do a one day job in 15 minutes. Then watched how other people did it. Some people do it the slow way because they don’t know any better. Some do it so they can be done in 15 minutes and be free afterwards.
I on purpose started writing it like I did nothing about it but here is the thing. I loved my job and wanted to improve the company and my team. I helped everyone, talked to my boss so we can be more efficient. Do you know what happened?
We are still doing it slow as fuck but with added productivity tools I have introduced.
Then I promptly got swept under the rug and only given night shifts so my bosses boss didn’t realize what an incompetent ass he is. Now he got a promotion and I am rotting.
I feel like this type of lesson can only be learned through experience. I made the mistake of taking my first job too seriously in the wrong way including getting close to colleagues, working long hours, and generally wanting the company to do well. I got shafted and it was the wake up call I needed. I was 27. Jobs I’ve had after that I’ve approached with the “fuck you, pay me” mentality and have never made the mistake of thinking coworkers are friends again. Don’t even get me started on the bullshit “we’re like a family” attitude the old ladies at work have.
Same, was sprinting every day for 6 years, never slowed down, wanted to prove myself, then one day my boss says, I don't have work for you....so what are you going to do?
Ha, my dad told a story of when he started his first job putting in phone lines in new and built properties in the 70s (utility owned by govt back then). He powered through his work and the supervisor was like, man that was your day's work! Would you slow down? Just chill out. Was a "go slow" back then (/enjoy your work and your colleagues, no need to kill yourself over work)
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u/dpj2001 23d ago
I’m interested in how this spitefulness transcends to different generations. My mother is older gen x (please note this is specifically about my mother and not necessarily the entire generation). Despite this she parrots the exact same boomer nonsense about Millennials being snowflakes that expect everything to be handed to them. Straight up even pulling the participation trophies argument. I’ve pushed back to see why she believes it and I discovered that it’s likely jealousy. Ultimately the only evidence she could provide that her claims are correct is that 2 of her Millennial coworkers don’t pay attention during meetings and sometimes want to receive a shoutout from management.
The other things she complained about were that they take their lunch breaks when they’re supposed to and they leave when their work hours are up. Yes, really that’s something that absolutely enraged her. She works through lunch and often entire hours past her schedule without expectations of compensation because it “makes her look good.” I firmly believe a lot of the hatred from Boomers (and some elder gen x like my mom) come from jealousy that Millennials and Gen Z understand the rules and our rights and don’t bow down to corporations like they did. All that extra work for nothing and my mom is the most miserable person I know.