What I really think about market research branding executives is how lazy they were for naming Generations X and Y just because my Generation got labeled X (after Douglas Coupland's book).
OK sure, Y and Z follow X in the alphabet but doesn't that imply there were also Generations A through W? If I were a Gen Y or Z'er I'd find a way to complain, like kick the shins of anyone who uses those terms. At least "Millennial" identifies a time period.
My fear is that this very lame naming of generations will become institutionalized in the near future and in order to simplify marketing strategies and make it easy for Venture Capital to predict trends, the Fashion-Advertising-Entertainment Media Complex will just start at the front of the alphabet and call Gen Z's kids "Generation A" and go through the whole alphabet, then start over in 400 years. Not only that, they'll sub-categorize each generation by which decade they should be nostalgic for. I can see it now:
"Hey Grandpa, were you ever into the '50's?"
"Oh sure, I was into the 50's way back in the 90's--I still have my vintage Tommy Hilfiger boots and authentic Marc Jacobs motorcycle jacket"
"Oh Grandpa, you're so cool."
anonymous posited, while asking her buddy about what time her break is, "We don’t go around saying, “Wow, you’re old. Can you see this 12-point font?” ya, you do. actually, yes, you did. read back. after your break, course. what? i can't hear you, sorry. but since you brought up font size, how cool is it that if you just text emoji's on an intelligent phone, and keep it short, they're like triple the normal size?! 36 point!! much easier to grok. anyway, what time does your mom get off work?
1
LOL funny. Don't worry about my fellow Millennials who didn't get the joke. They are only confirming the stereotype that we take ourselves too seriously.
1
Don’t get me started on “bring your parent to work day” at some Silicon Valley tech companies...
Anybody remember when "slack" was the prelude to being let go?
I have 2 children. One calls me almost daily, the other once in a while ( guess the sexes). I find them talking about work more me being a spring board than a user manual.
1
So what I took from this (disclaimer: I am a 26-year-old millennial) is that just because I was born between 1981 and 1997, it would be totally fine for me to be brushed aside and overlooked for jobs, opportunities, and responsibilities for which I am objectively qualified because of broad opinions about my entire generation. If previous generations see mine as a lost cause, broadly speaking, who, exactly, is filling job openings these days? I am fortunate enough to be an independent contractor working under a firm owner who values the skills I have that come partly from being younger even than her children. If someone could point me to an article that says something positive about my generation, please enlighten me, because as yet, I have not seen one. It is disheartening to have it made clear, in no uncertain terms and many, many times in every editorial on the subject, that our parents and grandparents view us and our peers as such letdowns.
28
Every generation has gone through the same thing. It's just your turn to be the brunt now. The only solution is to wait it out until the next generation comes along. I'm sure that when you all move up and become sophomores, you'll treat the new froshies exactly the same.
9
@Joanne, As a Gen x, we got the exact same treatment from the boomers. We were called "slackers" and would never amount to much. We were lazy and had no work ethic. Funny though, my generation now has the highest level of entrepreneurship in the country. My grandfather, part of the ww2 generation despised the boomers, said they were all "hippies". Every generation seems to experience this, I guess it's our default tribal nature. A shame, think how much better we would all be if each generation respected and appreciated the positive attributes of each other.
18
@Joanne Hi Joanne, just going to add to the choir saying this too shall pass. When they (i.e. Baby Boomers) labeled my generation Gen X - before that we were just their kids, yknow? - we had to laugh at the gross generalizations and ineffective marketing that followed. I see differences between my generation and yours, but I know lots of smart, capable younger people as well as ones that fit the stereotype more. There is a generation gap now and a lot of the attitude has to do with your generation being so large, which makes it influential. Part of it has to do w youth’sembrace of disruptive technology that change the way things work (and sometimes seem unnecessary and ill-considered to older people like me). The rest is the long look down the nose each new generation gets from their elders. It will fade.
6
In a few more years it will be the stodgy old Millennials complaining about those rascally young Gen Zers. There is really nothing new about any of this.
The older generations always complain about the younger generations, always have, always will. Sure each of the generations are bit different, which is why the older ones have difficulty relating. It is just the nature of things in the workforce, about the time younger generations gain experience and understand what is expected, they are experienced enough to carry on the tradition of complaining about the next generation...
19
@Against the Grain
Faulty assumption. The hatred of the young is a relatively new phenomenon in America and is predominantly driven by the Baby Boomer generation.
For example, in the 1960s, the G.I. Generation and Silent Generation who had endured the Great Depression were remarkably supportive of the Boomers' desires to be "young" and "happy." They never wanted them to experience the hunger and hardship which they had faced at similar ages. (The issue of Boomer politics is a very different subject.)
Similarly, if you read commentaries by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edmund Wilson, older generations were surprisingly tolerant and supportive of younger ones during the 1920s. Fitzgerald and Wilson argued their generations did not want their younger siblings and children to endure the repressive Victorian Age morality which they had been subjected to.
Finally, hatred of the young is a unique phenomenon that often occurs with other societal distresses and point to far deeper ills predicated upon a distrust of Modernity. Ask a Boomer how they feel about Modernity, and you will notice their answer is eerily similar to how they feel about Millennials.
13
@Sándor Boomers are the parents of Millennials so I don't really understand your point.
6
@Sándor
Plato and Socrates complained of the youth of their day. It is constant - each new young person has plenty to learn - but also may challenge accepted dogmas that the mature adults accept as unquestionable.
8
A bean from my burrito shot out of my nose, I laughed so hard...
16
I am 42, and I consider myself a "Senior Millennial" though I am solidly Gen X (and proud of it). I have young nieces and nephews (unfortunately no children of my own) who keep me tuned in to technology and trends, coupled with my own curiosity, I am rarely caught off guard by anything a 20-something can lob at me and often surprise them with my correct use of memes in emails around the office.
I work in the government sector at the state level, and without sounds like a jerk, at a very high level. I can tell you that of all of my employees, I have a an equal mix of problem children.. ranging from folks that don't fit our culture to folks that just do a terrible job. On the flip side, I have incredibly high performers, and then of course all of those in between which is about 60% of my employees.
My point is.. it doesn't matter if someone is a millennial or a baby boomer - I have representation from every generation - what matters is their work ethic. Everyone - including me - no matter how old or experienced or young and inexperienced needs coaching for something, they just don't need coaching on the SAME things.
I wouldn't trade my millennial's or my baby boomers for the world - they all bring something to the table that is valuable. As a leader, recognize it and help them make it shine.
41
@James C How do you simultaneously consider yourself a "Senior Millennial" and a proud Gen-Xer?
3
@AnnaT Because some people are ashamed to be Gen Xers — the whole “slacker” stereotype has been internalized...
1
Being a millennial myself, I have to say I find this article a bit disparaging towards my generation. It’s not that there aren’t those among us who do act like spoiled brats, there are those people in every generation. But the truth of the matter is I know many people who are working really hard, and often struggle to be taken seriously exactly because of stereotypes like this. Despite what popular culture may say about our generation, many of us do work hard, do respect seniority and do not think we’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. Sure we’re young, so was everyone, but that alone doesn’t mean we all act the same, or need to be hearded around in order to make us tolerable.
59
@Sequoia Snow I could have read the same article about my generation.
Some people get old, and they lose their perspective of youth. Every 'generation' seems to get called the 'me' generation. Every generation seems to get accused of their parents doing everything for them.
I wish NYT would do some article about the fact the generation is largely meaningless, and stop helping with the ancient conflict of old v new generation.
Good luck.
14
@Sequoia Snow
I'm technically a Gen X-er, but I am at the tail end of Gen X and have much in common with Millennials. What I have observed is that Millennials tend to be impatient, outspoken, and overly confident. Millennials assume that they are competent, even where they lack experience, and don't appreciate the value of institutional knowledge that can only be acquired through years working in a field. Also, Millennials like to jump ship, even from jobs at organizations that provide career paths, job security, and great benefits.
9
@Abby We'll stop jumping ship when companies treat us like we're more than mere interchangeable cogs in a machine. Until then, get used to the mercenary Millenials. We didn't make this awful system, we're just trying to survive in it
15
These made a fun lunch read as I eat at my desk.
I have hired, trained, suffered and promoted millennials for a while now.
I can tell you a few pointers on how people on both sides of the hump (the big ol’ 3-0) can get along.
Do not talk politics. Tried and true for the elder set, the young’uns need to learn that work is not the place to organize a Trump protest, or to cheer Ocasio-Cortez.
Do not talk about salaries. Seriously. Some older people who have been with the company for decades might not seem bright to the kids, but they have earned their stripes, and some young ones come in with a set of skills no one else has and are compensated accordingly. But despite what the socialists say, no, people all do not ‘deserve’ to be paid the same. Earn it, in most companies trust, loyalty and skill are rewarded.
We’re not nannies. Wash your dishes, do not leave them in the sink; do your work without being reminded; and many more. This is not your house, mommy is not here to tend to your bo-boos or hear about your most recent break up or crush. The rest of us get distracted hearing about your latest clubbing night. Socialize but keep in mind you’re paid to work.
We the elders at work learned these rules by hard won experience. Learn them quick, before you have to learn them in HR.
53
@AutumLeaff This is what is wrong with America! Yes, yes you SHOULD talk about salaries. I'm a woman in my 40s working in a very young industry and Millennial women I work with are terrified of asking for the salary they want in interviews, more vacation or promotions. I would have thought they would be better at it than I have been but no. They don't like confrontation, they don't understand negotiation...and they have no idea what fair compensation is. Of course company leaderships doesn't want people talking about salaries- then they would have to pay people what they're actually worth!
38
I am a 33 year old Millennial. I watched the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil in vivid detail on television at age 16, I graduated college straight into the worst economic recession since the Great Depression and I am part of a generation that can realistically fear for the catastrophic destruction of the planet during my own lifetime. Still, I have a sense of humor, hope for the future and manage to be a hardworking, contributing member of society. Lay off of us. Also, Millennial bashing is sooo 5 years ago.
83
@Val . I hear you Val.. if you feel under generational attack try being a boomer.
14
Boomers: Kennedy shot, student riots, MLK shot, RFK shot, 2000 domestic bombings 1969-1972, Watergate, the 70s recession. And fear of nuclear obliteration in the background the whole time.
The people before that: World War II -- 50 million dead, the Holocaust -- and the Depression.
Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the W.B. Yeats line, "The center does not hold." Millennials have known terrible instability, but that in itself isn't new. The center has never held.
16
Here's what I've noticed about some, not all, millennials . They call in " sad". If they call in at all. Some don't, but too many do. And don't expect nor get any black marks for it. Breaking up with your boyfriend is not a 1 week excuse for no show!
Thank goodness I quit management a long time ago and do something I love more now. They'd get one chance with me.
2
Obvious generational tension in the work place. But more obvious is that the "corporate umbrella or foundation" doesn't really serve the employee constituency (other than paycheck, which in grand scheme of things is a minimal support.)
Eventually, a number of you will awake to the folly and shame of the corporate world.
1
My son is a caring man of 37, great father and husband, a hard worker. I did not even read his essay. He was taught manners from an early age so he doesn’t munch or slurp his food. His friends are pretty much the same. He calls almost every day, just to say hi and how things are going. Not long ago he offered to have a family bbq every Sunday because he remembered how nice it was when he was a kid and his grandparents came every Sunday for lunch. So please don’t stereotype, not all young men are like that.
3
What We Really Think About Baby Boomers at Work: We like you. You're wonderful. Just please stop patronizing us every day. You've already pillaged our planet and future! We can't help you any more!
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@Amelia S.
Millennials not voting is why Trump is president. Accept the blame, but in the future, vote as if your lives depend on it because it does.
40
Actually, too many Baby Boomers voting is why Trump is president. If only millennials had voted, then Trump would have lost in a landslide.
9
@D Trump actually did lose (the popular vote). So I see an opportunity for kinship here. Let's all blame those Generation A founding fathers who created the Electoral College.
20
This is neither thoughtful nor funny. It is easier to disparage everyone under 40 than to understand that ‘good at slack’ isn’t the point. We could translate that to ‘good at communicating’ if that helps. Which at least in software includes realtime collaboration without daily meetings and email threads where you Cc your dog too for good measure. Disrespectful attitudes like this probably account for a lot of the frustration and bitterness you feel. It’s a shame that the NYT considers this worth the space. It promotes negative sterotypes and division, with no insight at all.
8
I have never read anything so desperate and uncivil in the nytimes.
In the words of Andrew Gillum, “You sound nervous.” There is nothing more unattractive and transparent than someone who demeans a generation. Perhaps because you know you’re washed up?
Sorry nytimes, I have been reading you for 13 years, but If this is a sign of things to come, I’m moving on.
11
I have 3 children born between 1982 and 1988. No one has cause to complain about their work ethic and effectiveness. They have equally hard working spouses. And they make wonderful , witty, wry repartees about life in general.
They also have lovely, hard working, funny, interesting friends. They are good parents. So I'm not certain whom the letter writer thinks is an entitled, mama's boy or girl. I'd put my life in the hands of my children and their friends.
And so far as I can tell almost everyone in America munches and slurps all day or makes a religion out of resisting the urge.
I thought that a lot of this column was quite funny. I laughed aloud about the 12 point type issue. My students are trained to submit their papers in 14 pt. They are good about it. Let's all get along and try to understand and support one another. It's possible and it's what people used to do. To whose benefit is it to pit the generations against one another ?
9
This may be the least helpful advice column I’ve ever read. (And yeah, as an elder Millennial, I’ve read a lot.)
8
@Anna you’re right, it’s not helpful but it is entertaining.
2
I want the first comment/question author, Erin, to publish a novel or get hired by NYT. Her description of the loud eater was hilarious.
4
Millennials, please laugh at the jokes. Now get back to work. You will show your loyalty to the company but not to each other and you will vote for those who help the corporations keep you poor and under the thumbs of the company. It's not your fault, but you won't figure it out either.
Labor won concessions from the wealthy by literally having wars. People got beaten with sticks and shot and killed by thugs hired by people like Henry Ford. Is life hard? Maybe, but not as hard as it's going to be because your just good kid's who do as you are told.
2
I can only wish my millennial son would call more often!! Every day? Paradise!
Yes - I edited his essay and did not write it ;)
1
This column feels mean-spirited, self-loving (over everyone else), breathtakingly and undeservedly self-assured, and unwilling to consider complexities and nuances.
No more "Styles" for me, thanks.
9
This article is in poor taste. It’s overly snarky and condescending.
No author or publication is perfect, but I hope both consider what went wrong here.
12
@Charlie Drain. So. You are saying it sounds like it was written by snarky GenX’ers, correct? (GenX snark intended)
I read it as a GenX back and forth with Millennials. A generation coming of age (Millennials) in the work place and another (GenX) that was known for its cynicism and rejection of authority moving into that “these kids just don’t appreciate what they have / authority / etc etc...” phase that’s every generation at the age of responsible adulting (40ish) goes through. Through that lense, the snark and condescension as a characteristic of the problem with Gen X at the same time made comic sense to me at least as a “hey Gen X, you ain’t all roses either” commentary.
2
This column is hilarious. Hope to see more!
Commenters - it seems many of you are either missing the humor, or you're at risk of becoming a real life cliche of sensitive millennials. If it's the latter, I must confess that I, too, am tired of millennial cliches. So please, let's not do that.
13
Cry me a river, Gen Z and millennials! And your silly parents and grandparents who helicopter in to tell managers like me how to “empower” your precious little young’un and when will I promote them. Groggy at 9AM, shoveling food into their faces all day, expecting that others (like boomers, you’re welcome) are the ones who will read materials before meetings, get to the meetings on time, take the notes, write the reports, and handle the followup. And, when it’s pointed out to them ahead of and during performance reviews or at semester-grade time, they’re all OMG, who-knew and why didn’t you tell me sooner - even though examples abound all around them from their own peers about how to contribute. I’ve been a college professor as well as a team leader and I cannot get over the apathy, entitlement and lack of intellectual curiosity in millennials who think that Skimm is all the news they need to read, know and analyze; or that political tv shows are for dinosaurs and the Wall St. Journal needs to not be so analytical or in-depth because who has time to read all that when Facebook, Instagram and Tinder are much more compelling.
21
I needed this joke. Thanks Choire Sicha. BTW, I'm really good at Slack. I Slack off all the time. Too bad we didn't have it when I was in a traditional office.
2
I don’t think of them at all when hiring, Gen Z kids are much more worth your while when hiring. They have tenacity, grit, and more attention to detail. They don’t require constant hand holding and don’t have unrealistic ideas about their roles or effectiveness. Millennials have jumped the shark.
Bashing the millennial generation does not help bridge our divides. Instead it encourages petty stereotypes: something the older generations should know is wrong.
3
Re: being "good at Slack"
I don’t think it’s about Slack per se. I will use myself as an example. Despite stellar performance reviews I haven’t been promoted as hoped for and I have been told it’s in part because I don’t have “good visibility” in the firm. I think “visibility” means “relentless self-promotion.” Ergo, “good at Slack.” means successfully using it as an implement for self-promotion.
Also, employers see value in what they perceive as ‘dedication’ and ‘engagement.’ Keeping up the witty banter at all hours is a facile way for people to perform dedication and engagement. Is your work any good? Hard to say! But if you are quick with a witty chat thread you look interested and engaged.
6
The do love their meetings.
2
Criticizing millennials takes the focus off the economic situation in the country, the 1% versus everyone else, the ridiculous tax package that the Fox people are in no hurry to discuss or address. (I suspect a good deal of the anti-immigrant talk is also a deflection).
Better to blame poor career options on the "lazy" millennial.
15
In what workplace would taking a surreptitious video of your co-worker eating lunch go over well? Terrible advice. And if eating at your desk at any time of the day is allowed, you cannot reasonably ask someone to stop. Why not first say "you eat a little loudly, could you try keeping it down, especially when the rest of us aren't eating yet?"
14
@Leslie
Oh come on, it was a joke.
4
Bwahaha!!
I can see people will get offended by the columnist but I still found a good bit of it funny.
saving my outrage for more important things.
28
@rene. Here here! I agree.
6
The Punky Brewster question and answer is hilarious, and of course I am a late stage baby boomer which helps the hilarity. I especially like the vision of one of Jeff Bezos' future multi-businesses.
13
"You’re not experiencing discrimination, you’re experiencing teasing and/or meanness. I remember how much it chafed my rump when I felt dismissed for being young. (I am old now.)"
Seems a rather blithe take on things.
6
I am troubled by the headline. I know it was facetious, but it seemed to be in sync with many patronizing/judgmental comments about Millennials in the workplace that have been propagated over the past decade.
I am the parent of a Millennial, and have several Millennial coworkers. None displays the apparent stereotype of Millennial behavior that is often projected. They work diligently, strive to learn new skills, and leave me feeling that the future is in good hands.
33
@Matthew Brown, my sentiments exactly. Thanks for phrasing them so well.
6
This column is not helpful, unless you want to increase your snarkiness, without addressing the underlying issues, or learning how to better handle working life's challenges.
I strongly recommend askamanager.com
That site provides good professional advice of all sorts, addresses healthy boundaries, giving good scripts and all with a sense of humor.
Here's to all generations !
16
My feeling is that Douglas Coupland has a lot to answer for, and now that we've finally arrived at Z this idiotic gen stuff can come to an end.
6
@J, Oh come on now, we are going to roll it all over alphabetically and start the next bunch as generation "A". Those kids will grow up in the worst effects of climate change. The "A's", as in generation Apocalypse.
I agree w/the “lighten up folks” comments. But sarcasm stings because of underlying truth that hits close to home. So learn a brief lesson but don’t let commentators’ snarkiness bug you. It’s not personal to you.
5
Oh my, ALL of you are playing right into the satire of this column. Thank you for confirming that we all need to relax. And if you find this comment offensive then you’re beyond hope. Chill!
22
@MCA
Thank you. We have people who don't understand that "Make a video of your co-worker eating sloppily" is a joke.
It's called humor, folks. It's a snarky take on the modern workplace. More than a kernel of truth in many bits, some bits meant literally, many not meant literally, just meant to express the common frustrations and repressed (or not) resentments that plague most workplaces.
Of course no one has to like it, so read something else. But if you take all this literally as workplace advice, you're making yourself the butt of the joke.
8
I worked next to a guy who had convinced himself that he could ration a bag of potato chips by keeping them in his desk drawer, opening the drawer, removing one chip noisily from the cellophane bag, rolling up said cellophane bag, placing the bag back in the drawer, slamming the drawer shut, and repeating the process 30 seconds later until the entire bag was consumed. At one point, I exploded and told him that he knew full well he was going to eat the whole bag, so why go through this meaningless ritual? At least, while he was munching on chips, he couldn't talk to his wife on the phone, which was the other half of his job description.
17
@stan continople
Love your screen name!
Which generation are you? lol jay kay (i'm a 72 year old boomer)
I enjoyed the banter of this article proving to me that with some humor we can all succeed or at the very least, get by in our jobs while working with a diverse group.
Fun times at the water cooler or the canteen.
3
Ageism against the young is a very real thing. I have a unique perspective on this — I've looked like a teenager for my entire adult life. My brother has the same "baby face" problem. Contrary to popular opinion, looking much younger than your life experience is awful. You get zero respect from your peers.
Everyone remembers what it was like to be a teenager and have adults talk down to them. Imagine an entire lifetime of that‽
I'm now pushing 50, and when I showed up for a job interview last month, the interviewer shook my hand then immediately yelled at his assistant for giving him "the wrong resume." It wasn't the wrong resume. He then proceeded to spend the rest of the interview asking (poorly disguised) questions to "prove" I hadn't fabricated my 30+ years of work experience.
That kind of instant disrespect follows me everywhere — all because of my face shape and skin quality — things I can't change!
19
@Alex Am in my 40s and still waiting to get respect in the workplace. I don't think it exists. Double that if you're a woman.
18
@Alex
I have the same problem. I'm 42. My boss treats me like I am the same age as her mid-twenties kids. People in their mid-twenties treat me like I'm their age.
2
@Alex
I've always looked younger as well. Now that I am 66 I am grateful that my bone structure and skin have held up.
You'll be glad later. But the patronizing attitudes until you are about 49 I do recall. It wasn't enjoyable.
3
Bad manners are bad manners regardless of age. I don’t want to hear anyone chew, slurp, burp, smack gum or not blow their nose when it’s so apparent it’s needed.
10
@Katrina
There are many work settings in which it's not possible for people not to chew, because we have to, you know, eat. If there is nowhere to go to eat, or if you need to work through lunch, sorry, you'll eat at your desk, and if the office is open floor plan no matter how decorous you attempt to be, likely someone will hear you chew.
3
@Katrina Who is to say the letter writer is being accurate? It's just as likely the writer has Misophonia. It's quite common. I have it and long ago learned its my problem to deal with. We won't get into the false nature of the letter to begin with. How could headphones not block out eating noises?
1
@DW chewing with your mouth closed, and/or not loudly? is that not a thing? You all eating taffy or something?
1
This bit about them calling their parents seems a bit played out and demeaning. What makes them different is their ability to tune everyone and everything out by simply concentrating on a 4 inch screen with ear buds. They seem detached and perhaps they could be. More likely they speak a language that is understood by their kind and their perception of a world connected. Soon they will look on their own spawn and scratch their collective instagrams
5
I am old and I sit with my headphones listening to talking heads on NPR or music. Has nothing to do with age or antisocial behavior (I like people and get along with most), just a bit of boredom
If you're young, one day you'll be old. If you're old, you know the pitfalls of youth. Keep that in mind at all times. Carry on.
29
I am technically a millennial, but I hate the title and accompanying stereotypes.
5
@American Patriot
Many of us at the tail end of the Baby Boom generation feel the same way.
8
I, for one, and sick to death of this kind of judgemental insult.
6
@H Munro you misspelled judgmental.
15
Sorry but just because the protection for workers starts at 40 doesn't mean ageism can't go both ways. This is clearly a case where the prejudice runs the other way. Much like "harmless" sexism in the workplace (for example, getting called "honey" or "sweetie"), this is demeaning and negatively impacts someone's life in the workplace.
27
@MB I wholeheartedly agree! It's just not ok.
5
As others before me have said, there is definitely a fine line between snarky/funny and snarky/bitter and this column definitely does not navigate that line well.
As a millennial newly in the workforce, I have enjoyed reading these kinds of NYT columns for insight into the office space that I'm still learning to navigate. Will definitely reconsider my subscription now knowing you think so lowly of millennial workers. Respect is definitely a mutually earned dynamic and the author of this column might consider that before calling qualified workers disposable simply for being younger.
25
@Catherine
Go to askamanager.com
Good advice for all generations in the work force. You
can search back posts by topic - and with a healthy, not snarky, sense of humor.
1
The title and subtitle demean and belittle young people. Though I am not young, I object.
11
According to Pew Research Foundation, the Millenial generation spans from 1981-1996. Which makes you a Millenial as well at 35. That's all.
18
My experience with millenials (and some others) working in public businesses is that they're very attached to their electronic devices. SO much so. You almost have to apologize to them when you need their help or assistance. Recently the super market checker was busily texting as I stood there with the merchandise upon the conveyor belt. I wondered if she even knew I was standing there waiting patiently. I also often see employees hiding out in the corners of their work places on their phones.
How much productivity is being lost to this?
31
@MS If it happened at the local Wegmans supermarket the cashier was given a warning as soon as you left the checkout line with your groceries.
4
@MS Why would you wait patiently? It is time to demand service, with a pleasant or neutral tone, when you are being ignored in this way.
4
@MS funny, I have the same impression of senior citizens. My millennial friends all keep their phones diwn when we spend time together. My parents’ friends are ALWAYS on their iPads. You may be really surprised to learn that many businesses use connected devices to increase productivity.
1
Ha ha none of the commenters here have any sense of humor at all.
LIGHTEN UP NYT READERS! Go buy a Lexus or something until you feel better.
42
@MisterHippity 45 yo here. I enjoyed this column and even chuckled. Good stuff!
2
@MisterHippity
Most Millennials can't buy a Lexus because lives and incomes were forever altered by the Great Recession.
Is ridiculing those less powerful and less privileged than yourself truly a harmless joke or a form of harassment?
12
you can buy one fine used Lexus for 5k, I am sure that is a lot more affordable than a hisper mobile like a Tesla
3
One person’s “teasing” is another person’s harassment. There’s absolutely no reason to humiliate a young colleague by making disparaging comments about millennials. Fellow Boomer: Grow up.
16
You're obviously trying to be funny, Choire, but the harshness toward younger workers when they are genuinely coming to you for advice is tone-deaf. The dismissal of an entire generation of employees is frustrating and valid- so answer the question next time! You say you're old now- then don't fall into the trap of being patronizing like most.
18
This narrative needs to end. The current mess of our world is the result of decades of willful ignorance of boomers. Please stop projecting your guilt on to millennials. We are already tasked with cleaning up, we do not also need to hear your “constructive criticism.” Help or leave.
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@Chris D I'm pretty sure the guy who wrote the piece said he is 35. Please stop projecting your misplaced wrath on boomers, many of whom are retired and no longer a threat to you.
7
Considering boomers elected trump and deny climate change they continue to be a threat to everyone
4
@Chris D Could you provide links to fact check your claim that the boomers elected the current president and deny climate change?
.......> Didn't think so.
5
Your flat out denial that younger workers could be discriminated against is astounding.
24
No. Millennials are systematically discriminated against. The discrimination simply doesn't translate into loss of employment in most cases. They are tolerated because they are necessary. They are however routinely deprecated and generally treated abusively by the employer. This is the legacy of the Great Recession. Millennials are treated as an expendable commodity. There will always be some other young graduate that can't pay the grocery bill. There's therefore no point in treating them decently or listening to their demands.
For instance, why are millennial employees expected to eat at their desk? Do they even have a proper desk? Ask yourself questions like these before you start lobbing insults. This entire article is ageist.
15
@Andy we’re all expendable, no matter the age. No one is expected
To eat at their desk. We have to b/c of the amount of work we have b/c the company refuses to hire more b/c it impacts the shareholder’s profitability. Eating at a desk is age agnostic. Sounds like you need to find another employer.
4
@Andy The problem is that Millennials have been largely complacent. They put up with a lot and don't seem to realize that there used to be this thing called a lunch hour. They're afraid to lose their jobs and so they sit all day or at a standing desk and don't take walks or sit down with a friend for a meal. That's considered wasting time. And then we all wonder why young people are so anxious and depressed and tired...
4
Oh, honey. “Expendable”. Try being over 50. Then you’ll understand what expendable is.
23
For young and old alike. Please stop being such an absolutist.
Other people exist.
Other people exist.
Other people exist.
(OK, I'm being absolutist. But sloganeering and judging misses a whole lot of information.)
5
People often assume I fly a Confederate flag at my house and drive a gas-guzzling pickup with a gun rack in the rear window just because I'm from Texas. Wrong. I wish people would stop stereotyping others just because they were born into a certain generation. I've worked with millennials who are smart, creative, hardworking and eager to collaborate. They don't expect to be coddled, but they shouldn't be picked on, either.
Beto 2020!
58
Two things I love about working with millennials in my industrial plant: they don’t think twice about having a female lead operator, and they intuitively use their phones as tools in the field. If they want your opinion about a noisy pump bearing, they show you the video. Love it. And they’re not always complaining about their backs. Okay, that’s three things.
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@gomi as someone who has worked in manufacturing for most of my adult life (i'm 45) I couldn't agree with you more.
There is a line between snarky/funny and snarky/bitter. This article fails to stay on the correct side. Most of the rants are applicable to any bad colleague and not just to a millennial. In my experience, treat a young employee like a professional and they start to behave like professionals pretty quickly.
90
So, Same as it ever was? Nothing in those articles is new.
What we have is gen X/Ys just getting old nd noticing reality. I'm what someone who is overly optimistic would call 'middle aged'. Been a professional fir decades.
Frankly, I'm getting tired of the 'millennial' bashing. All the millennial I work with and I am friends with are fantastic workers. The don't work the 'traditional hours' but frankly, I don't care as long as their work is quality and on time.
Lets not forget that 'generations' exist because some self important people want to write books, not because they are really any different.
44
@Geekoid I'm Gen X and I really don't have any problems with Millennials. Some are even my friends. The only thing that surprises me is this fear of confrontation and the need to be "nice" all the time. Sometimes life requires you to stand up for something or someone, even when it isn't necessarily politically correct or cool.
5
More millennial food & water tips: Don't spill water on them, and don't feed them after midnight.
12
I know this was meant to be humorous, but patronizing younger employees only fuels the cycle that all of us are disposable. There needs to be less animosity between the generations, and a mentor-mentee style needs to be put into place.
No, old people are not useless if they are not witty chat-room members. And millennials are not to be overlooked because of lesser experience. Fresh minds and experienced ones equally have stakes in the company. If we continue to look upon one another with distaste or annoyance, the cycle will never be broken, and I'll be yelling at a 26-year-old when I'm 52.
58
Gen X'r here. Dismissing crappy behavior at work and calling it "teasing" is the lamest excuse. Just because you were bullied - er - teased - when you were young in the workplace doesn't meant it's ok behavior. Nobody needs their hand held at work, but changing the work culture to one with more respect would be an improvement in any industry.
74
Our workplace is VERY age diverse. Because we're a high tech product development firm and we can only succeed by hearing all viewpoints and drawing from a broad combination of experience and new ideas and technologies, we're a happy bunch. Our clients are all ages and 95% of our work is repeat business from happy customers. We range in age from 19 to 70+. Full disclosure: we lack some racial diversity and are woefully lacking in female senior leadership. Trying to work on that... easier said than done, but it must be recognized that diversity of all kinds is a key ingredient of success.
10