Please tell generation Z that ageism cuts both ways!

Anyway, less about young people of generation Z (under-24) and more about how life is panning out for us much maligned Baby Boomers (over-58’s). For instance do you still insist on saying “Hi it’s Dad” when leaving a message on their phones…when its pretty bloody obvious who you are? And by-the-way, are you also mocked for always having on you a little black purse full of change which your kids think hilariously quaint? On the other hand there is the business of tattoos. Dear Lord they are everywhere and on everyone, please tell me how an attractive young man or young woman’s looks are enhanced by splodges of black ink randomly drilled into parts of their bodies like outbreaks of Shingles?

Anyway, it is my task today to list certain things that we the more mature elements of society - say and do, that may, or may not, get on the nerves of a younger generation. I think that our wearisome hopelessness with modern technology is a given, although it has be said that certain Boomers can be annoyingly capable at it and subsequently rather let down the rest of us who don’t have ‘scooby’ about any of it.

Nevertheless on the other hand, I am always surprised at the enthusiasm that films such as Barbie elicit amongst a younger generation. Indeed last Friday, early evening, I walked up to the part of town that has loads of bars and restaurants catering for local youngsters and every other woman/girl was dressed in pink and giggling like five-year-olds. Mind you, we Boomers can - and do have our own minor obsessions. Although my own kids are more than a little older than typical Generation Z-ers - they find it hilarious that we (that’s you and me, if you are a Boomer) get irrationally angry at the very mention of Meghan and Harry - or as they say - “Who cares?” I suppose they do have a point don’t they? If you think about it, ageism in all its forms is what almost every generation inflicts on its previous incumbent. I can remember my own father going completely berserk when watching The Rolling Stones on Top Of The Pops during the mid 1960’s and taking a very dim view of me taking part in Anti-Apartheid marches back in the day. Perhaps a bit like my own typical reaction to any form of modern identity politics and a seemingly ludicrous desire to police language and so called “regressive” thought processes.

Finally, and it has to be said I’m afraid - this current generation is the first generation ever to be significantly less well off than the generation before it. Think about that my ‘old-fogie’ friends!