Gen Y are not the Sharpest Group in the Toolshed

[101RRS]

I have a 21yo son of a friend staying with me at the moment and has been drinking my food and drinking my booze for about 6 months. He drives a mid 90s Corolla 1.8l Seca.

Yesterday he asked if I could drive him to work - why I ask - his P plate licence has just expired and he has not yet changed it over to his full licence, didn't seem to be too concerned but he also said that he could not drive his car because to "low oil" light had come on. :confused: Huh???? what low oil light I said - he responded with "the red one on the dash with the oil can symbol on it. WTF - that is not a low oil light but the low oil pressure light. So I explained what it was - now while the light was on in the car - there were no lights on in this kids head.

The sad thing is we had a similar conversation about 6 months ago when I spotted the oil pressure light on. :confused: The point obviously has not sunk in. He drives the car until the oil pressure light comes on and then puts oil in:o.

So today - I drive him to get his new licence and then fill up the oil - it was not on the dipstick and took over 3 litres of oil to get it back up to the fill position on the dipstick.

Gen Y don't seem to sweat the small stuff or the big stuff.

The other sad thing is - I don't think the issue has still sunk in - the lights are on but no one is at home.

Wadda you do:(

Garry

[Col.Coleman]

Stop helping!!!

I know it sounds harsh, but until they get a few knock backs and have to rely on themselves, all they know is someone will fix this for me.

Let it blow up. I guarantee it will be lesson learned.

CC

[DENLEE]

:D That or you'll have to drive him everywhere

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

I start to wonder if its Gen Y for **Yawn**........
God help us with Gen Z......


I am not a moderator, I am a human being!!!

[Col.Coleman]

:D That or you'll have to drive him everywhere

Falls under the category of Stop Helping.

I have 2 kids myself. Yes they are not teenagers yet but close.

I used to whinge when I was young that I didn't have anybody around to help me out, but when I REALLY needed it my parents did help. It taught me how to be self reliant.

It also meant that if something happened, I bore the consequences. Lost a job, you went hungry. Didn't look after your things, you went without. Hell, I even had to pushbike around at the age of 23 for 12 months because of my own actions.

As parents we want to help, but in this day and age, I think we jump in a little bit too early.

I also realise Gary, you are not talking about your child.

I work on the 3 strike rule. I will tell you once, and repeat. Third is last time, after that you are on your own. 1 big Uh Oh in your life, and preferably early on, shortens up alot of the rest of life's learning process. Just as long as it is not too big an Uh Oh. Blowing up a motor would be a minor annoyance.

CC

[clubagreenie]

You're generous CC, I'm a one strike. I'll show and tell then if you don't get it just go away.

[101RRS]

Yes - not my son - more of a friend - not stupid - has a good job - at 21 owns four blocks of land and the house on the first is just nearing completion. Is basically sold and will fund the hose building on the others - all his own initiative.

However things like oil pressure lights, drivers licences doesn't seem to worry him. He worked for the first two years without a tax file number so paid max tax - it was my prodding that got him to fix it.

If I had not whinged about the oil pressure light - the engine would have failed and he would not have been worried - he would have just bought another older car - he gave his previous Nissan to a mate and there was nothing wrong with it.

The difference in life's approach between baby boomers and Gen Ys is incredible - but maybe just a sign of the times. While I never wanted for anything, my parents who went through the depression and WW2 instilled in me similar values - I guess in the plenty of the 90s and into the 21st Century, Gen Ys are far enough removed from hard times to understand that the minutia also count and are important.

However all is not lost - he buys my Bundys and Coke :).

Garry

[Col.Coleman]

It is just a case of different realities. I see it all the time.

Gen Y are growing up in an ever increasing easy come, easy go disposable world, with vastly different priorities to Baby Boomers, or my Gen X.

It is also true they do not know what hard times are. In fact, neither do I really, but I know my grandparents certainly did.

The thing to remember, is that things are cyclical. We dodged our bullet with the GFC, but sure as eggs, there will be something that makes the whole house of cards fall down. It always has, and always will continue to happen. it is human nature. No, matter how much we have ourselves convinced we have learnt our lessons, or how evolved or in control of our enviroment we are, it will happen again. Every civilised society in history has failed at some point, and it is normally it's greatest strength that turns out to be it's greatest weakness.

Bit deep for this conversation I know, but the cycle continues.

I liken the P/C and stiffling rules of this day and age no different to the restrictive ideas and collective think of Elizebethan and later Victorian times. Only with far less manners.

It will all go to hell in a hand cart. Just give it time.

There's a thought. Maybe they already know this. Obtaining things and other life stuff is not that important. Friends and goodtimes are, because it can all be gone, just like that.

CC

[Grover-98]

I don't feel it would be fair to put all of a generation into the same category of intelligence... i am a Gen Y and i work hard for myself and expect no hand outs!

Gen Y could always turn around and say they were incorrectly raised by all "Baby Boomers"... just like they say statistics mean nothing to the individual... i feel the generation falls under this as well! :)

Kind Regards.

[LSD_AUTOMOTIVE]

I don't feel it would be fair to put all of a generation into the same category of intelligence... i am a Gen Y and i work hard for myself and expect no hand outs!

Hear, hear! (and look, I even know it's not here, here - 1 point to Gen Y!:angel:)

[slug_burner]

I don't feel it would be fair to put all of a generation into the same category of intelligence... i am a Gen Y and i work hard for myself and expect no hand outs!

Gen Y could always turn around and say they were incorrectly raised by all "Baby Boomers"... just like they say statistics mean nothing to the individual... i feel the generation falls under this as well! :)

Kind Regards.

I think the above is certainly part of the issue, not that they set out to achieve all the bad things people use to stereotype a generation. For better or worse that is the way it is, just have to make the most of it.

[bee utey]

Be fair Gary, it's more like 80% of every generation that wouldn't know or care what a red light on the dash meant. Some of these dummies are even running the country. I can guarantee you that the 60's kids I grew up with are just as bad as the current lot. I hated my age group at skool. They sure were slack.

With population growth there are just more of them. Kudos to the hard working Gen Y's amongst us!

[Col.Coleman]

I don't feel it would be fair to put all of a generation into the same category of intelligence... i am a Gen Y and i work hard for myself and expect no hand outs!

Gen Y could always turn around and say they were incorrectly raised by all "Baby Boomers"... just like they say statistics mean nothing to the individual... i feel the generation falls under this as well! :)

Kind Regards.

The spokesperson for a generation.:D

I think what you will observe in the subtext, is the time honoured generational paradigm shift from the proceding to the subsequent, and the passing of comment about the failure to reach a mutual understanding of one's ideology. By highlighting and refuting the opening statement, citing your own personal experience as a basis for defence of the offronted generation, your credibility has descended southwards by a display of hypocrisy. Further more by announcing to the community at large your arguement and the failure to comprehend the intended prose within the context of the original statement, you have unwittingly confirmed the very stereotype you were hoping to debunk.


In other words, "Harden up Princess". This has been going on since Adam was a boy. You will get your turn in years to come.:p

CC

[clubagreenie]

Is it feasible that the last people of the preceding generation and the first of the next have the most in common as the previous gen's out going will have the most experience in the current level of tech and will pass on knowledge, and following the first level of the next gen will be the most out of touch with the newer tech coming in by the time they are at a point where they can pass on their knowledge (given that breeding ages are increasing).

So the gap between gaining knowledge and passing on that knowledge increases, and also that knowledge passed on is less relevant because of the increasing rate of technology improvement?

Not that in anyway I disagree with a good Harden Up every now and then.

[Grover-98]

The spokesperson for a generation.:D

I think what you will observe in the subtext, is the time honoured generational paradigm shift from the proceding to the subsequent, and the passing of comment about the failure to reach a mutual understanding of one's ideology. By highlighting and refuting the opening statement, citing your own personal experience as a basis for defence of the offronted generation, your credibility has descended southwards by a display of hypocrisy. Further more by announcing to the community at large your arguement and the failure to comprehend the intended prose within the context of the original statement, you have unwittingly confirmed the very stereotype you were hoping to debunk.


In other words, "Harden up Princess". This has been going on since Adam was a boy. You will get your turn in years to come.:p

CC

What an awe-inspiring vocabulary you have there...go ahead and give yourself a satisfactory pat on the back then we will continue... OK, You can continue praising yourself in your own time.

I feel my comment was fair, i simply stepped in to make the point that it is not fair to blanket an entire generation under a single level of intelligence the same way it would not be fair for my generation to do the too your generation or any other for that matter. Garry who i have met and know to be a fair man would not have meant it i know but in all areas i disagree with generalisations. I did use my own personal experience for my generation but not to represent my entire generation just to represent myself which is all that was required to show that i am seperate from the mentioned gen Y in Garry's post which is enough to show the blanket doesn't quiet fit all of us underneath.

In other words, Get off your high horse :)

[101RRS]

The spokesperson for a generation.:D

I think what you will observe in the subtext, is the time honoured generational paradigm shift from the proceding to the subsequent, and the passing of comment about the failure to reach a mutual understanding of one's ideology. By highlighting and refuting the opening statement, citing your own personal experience as a basis for defence of the offronted generation, your credibility has descended southwards by a display of hypocrisy. Further more by announcing to the community at large your arguement and the failure to comprehend the intended prose within the context of the original statement, you have unwittingly confirmed the very stereotype you were hoping to debunk.


In other words, "Harden up Princess". This has been going on since Adam was a boy. You will get your turn in years to come.:p

CC

I don't think it is fair to pick on Grover 98 - I have met James a couple of times and been away on a trip with him - even though we are at either end of the adult age spectrum we got on really well - he is very respectful of not only his elders but everyone - he certainly doesn't fit the Gen Y stereotype - I bet he even knows what the little red light on the dash of his Disco means :).

However I do agree that his response did show a little bit of sensitivity to the Gen Y issue - but his point about generalisations is true but the reality is that they do exist.

Garry

[Col.Coleman]

Gary,

I wasn't picking on James, he just happened to be the one to reply to defend generation Y. When talking in terms of generalisations, idiosycrasies of the indiviual are not applicable. Broad statements take into account the mean postion of the group, and not the extremeties. There will always be someone that doesn't fit.

I too am like this. I wish to deal with people I consider to be normal. By normal I mean, think along similar lines to the way I do.:D

People get testy about stereotypes, but like it or not, they always evolve out of some underlying truth. Deal with it.

I do not take your statement of "not being the sharpest tool in the shed" to be an assault on gen Y's intelligence, far from it, they are far more equipped to deal with the modern world than the preceding generations are, again as a rule with notable exceptions.

I would explain it his way.

Centries ago, woodworkers used to process their wood by hand using tools. Regardless of the tool, you needed to keep it sharp for best effect. Being that these tools were hard to come by, you tended to prize them and keep them well looked after and Sharp. If you didn't you bore a direct increase in effort which would then highlight the need to rectify the situation, and you would become pro-active to stop it repeating itself. A wide selection of the population of the time were directly effected and could relate to this lesson.

As time goes by, tools become more easily attainable, better designed and the labour component reduces. We start to use mechanical aides and become detached from the intimacy of hand work. With increased mechanical assistance the sharpness of the tool can be slightly overcome, but the truth still remains that for best results, the tool must remain sharp. For alot of the craftsman the detachment has already begun. For the poulation at large, we do not worry about this so much any more as it is either done for us, there is a mechanical aide, or is becoming cheaper and easier to replace.

We reach this day and age whereby there is total detachment. It is all computor controlled and we concentrate on the systems and outcomes, rather than the initial process. We are too evolved and technical to worry about the sharpness of the tool doing the cutting. We can just throw it away and replace it with another one. Yes there will be a select few who are directly effected, that fully understand that the tool must be sharp, but as a whole, it is all provided for us, and generally now in flatpack form, Ikea style. Buy it, use it, chuck it out and repeat.

Alot has changed, but nothing has changed. The fact of the matter is, no matter what the system or level of technology, the tool must be sharp. The difference is the disconnection with the fact by the subsequent generations, that the previous cannot relate to the next, due to shifting priorities.

So with that is mind, in this day and age, by horse, I take it you mean my Defender. By high you mean a 2" lift, and to open the door and get out.

But you are right Garry, they are a little sensitive aren't they:D

CC

[Slunnie]

I have a 21yo son of a friend staying with me at the moment and has been drinking my food and drinking my booze for about 6 months.

Wadda you do:(

Garry

Stop being a cranky old fart and teach him how to chew. :D

[rovercare]

....Blah blah blah, old man stuff

CC

Anyhow sounds as though his property investments have him further ahead than alot here, no need to know about cars when you have a large portfolio

[slug_burner]

Yes, one wonders as to who is the sharper?

The guy that knows what the little light means and identify the the fault with his car and fix it himself.

Or

The person that is able to make the money such that he does not care how much he pays to have someone else fix it or just get a new one?

[stig0000]

im gen y,, ( i think:p) all i can say is

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE:twisted::twisted:

as for hand outs,, were can one get this hand outs:p

[Tombie]

I'm currently reading this:

http://www.generationme.org/bookcover.jpg

So far its proving a fantastic read :cool:

A factual, honest account of everything from the Baby Boomers onwards..

A statement from the book "Its all about the individual" is a common theme covering modern Generations... Or "Do what makes you feel good"

About self satisfaction, of the disappearance of societies basic "Manners"
(Once it was about the collective, now more the individual"

Its definately a good read... :cool:

[Lucus]

Im on the tail end of Gen X and find it hard to relate with people who are middle to late Gen Y stereo types.

Having said that , I think any generation is going to find the next generations, values and customs foreign but if we didnt change and evolve (devole you could argue in some situations ie social interaction face to face) where would we be?

I also agree with the comment re the preson who knows what the light means and how to fix it versus the person who earns enough to

A: not care and pay someone to fix it or,

B:Identifies that its not worth his or her time to fix it!

Its taken me a long time but at 31 I have finally worked out im better off doing what im good at and paying somebody else to do what they are good at!:) (within reason obviosuly)
Im as tight as it get when it comes to handing over my hard earned but also have no problem handing it over for a job well done. I like to think Im helping to keep our economy moving:angel:

[Tombie]

Yes, one wonders as to who is the sharper?

The guy that knows what the little light means and identify the the fault with his car and fix it himself.

Or

The person that is able to make the money such that he does not care how much he pays to have someone else fix it or just get a new one?

Could this also be based on a different line of thinking?

He who has worldly knowledge and gets by...
Vs..
He who is sponging off an older generation whilst feathering his own nest...

The moral code to "Help another out" is being exhibited by the older generation, whilst the younger generation - obviously investing 'surplus' cash by living in someone elses property, using his hospitality and hard earned wares to save a dollar????


An actual case in point here at work...
Young blonde lass and her boyfirend.... She buys a house.
Gets the 1st home buyers grant... They live there together for the required minimum.
They then move in to HIS parents house (with his parents) and rent out the property...
Then HE goes and gets a mortgage and buys another house...
Now he claims the first home buyers grant...
They both live there for the required minimum time...
Her parents have put a 'games room / guest flat' in their back yard.

Both these little upstarts have moved in!!! They are now paying something like $50.00 a week each board!!!!

Yet both are landlords, with 1st home buyers assisted mortgages... :twisted:

When do their parents get to wind down? When do they get to become "empty nesters"

Bloody selfish if you ask me.....

I've been an independant since I was 16... I've worked hard and still do...

I do not believe in this late in life rubbish - something my Son is very aware of ;)

[Lucus]

Have to agree with your Post Tombie,

I also moved out late in life.....at 17 (late compared to you anyway :) )

I worked very hard to get myself into the position im in now and the only fall back I got from my parents was a free meal when I ran seriously short of cash.

I knew I had there support if everything did go to ****e but thats a far cry form staying at home till yor 30 and building a property portfolio along the way.

At 21 I would have been embarrised to say I still lived at home but that doesnt seem to be an Issue with Gen Y.

My brother in law is Gen Y to prefection. he's a good kid and not afraid of work but like most Gen Y's has champaign tastes on a beer budget, of course when you live at home you can afford to buy all the expensive whatevers you like because Mum and Dad are propping you up.

He's due to get married later this year and then he and his wife(who also still lives at home) will move into a home they have built together,and as the date looms Im noticing a change in his spending habit and work ethic's he's realising soon he'l be paying his own way and relality is slowing sinking in.... :)

[PhilipA]

Tombie, what those young people have done is NOT smart.

It is Immoral and unethical.

It is also AFAIK illegal. Same as dudding Centrelink.

Maybe that is why the states have introduced ethics classes at school.
Regards Philip A

[Lucus]

Let's no forget the parents that Allowed it to happen....

[Tombie]

Tombie, what those young people have done is NOT smart.

It is Immoral and unethical.

It is also AFAIK illegal. Same as dudding Centrelink.

Maybe that is why the states have introduced ethics classes at school.
Regards Philip A

I agree Philip - I'm not a fan of what they have done... Rather the opposite...

But this is the normal approach to things in the latest generation - "Think of yourself, what makes you feel good... Dont worry about others"

Immoral and unethical - Absolutely...

Illegal - Nope... They are not nominated as joint owners and therefore meet the requirements for each getting the first home buyers grant :o

Each owns their own bit of property - even though the defacto laws would apply if they seperated ;)

[alittlebitconcerned]

To be honest I find some of the tsk tsk-ing and hand wringing just stoopid.
Each generation always seems to think the next less worthy, question is, who raised them? What part did the previous generations play in shaping the world each new generation inherits and subsequently responds to?

There's no denying some of the criticisms are valid but thats only the negative side of the story. What doesnt get highlighted is the strengths each successive generation has over the previous one and seriously, if you can't see that its because you've become a cranky old man or women and nothing will change your mind.

When I was kid the message came through pretty clear that my generation wasn't up to scratch as I know my parents generation was judged by their parents generation. My generation is now bagging the next.
Yawn.. business as usual.

[101RRS]

he also said that he could not drive his car because to "low oil" light had come on. :confused: Huh???? what low oil light I said - he responded with "the red one on the dash with the oil can symbol on it. WTF - that is not a low oil light but the low oil pressure light. So I explained what it was - now while the light was on in the car - there were no lights on in this kids head.

The sad thing is we had a similar conversation about 6 months ago when I spotted the oil pressure light on. :confused: The point obviously has not sunk in. He drives the car until the oil pressure light comes on and then puts oil in:o.

Garry

Am driving down to Mellbourne tomorrow and was checking my car over for the trip - kid says that his car needs some oil - how do you know I ask - response - the red oil light on the dash comes on :o.

I check the oil on a cold engine - not even up to the dip stick - took over 3 litres.

Wadda you do? After many discussions he still seems to think that you drive the car until the oil pressure light comes on and then you fill with oil.:confused:.

Garry

[101RRS]

Well it looks like low oil in the engine is not going to be an issue in the future - when driving to work yesterday the young guy had to brake heavily but was on black ice and hit the back of a falcon ute with a big tow bar.

The tow bar pushed bonnet and radiator, A.c radiator back into the engine (the core of the radiator is really bent but not broken), so much that the top radiator hose is bent back on itself so little coolant can circulate. Car drivable over short distances but not roadworthy.

Cr was bought from his mum so ownership stayed with mother but the 21 yo never got onto the insurance as an additional driver - so NRMA excess is $2400 ($800 basic excess plus unnamed under 25yo driver) on a car only worth $4400. If he had been a named driver excess would have been a more reasonable $800 + $400 under 25. I asked why he did not get his name on the insurance and he said - Mum does that.

Anyway - any one who has an unnamed occasional under 25 driver - be aware the excess might be huge.

Garry

[stuee]

To be honest I find some of the tsk tsk-ing and hand wringing just stoopid.
Each generation always seems to think the next less worthy, question is, who raised them? What part did the previous generations play in shaping the world each new generation inherits and subsequently responds to?

There's no denying some of the criticisms are valid but thats only the negative side of the story. What doesnt get highlighted is the strengths each successive generation has over the previous one and seriously, if you can't see that its because you've become a cranky old man or women and nothing will change your mind.

When I was kid the message came through pretty clear that my generation wasn't up to scratch as I know my parents generation was judged by their parents generation. My generation is now bagging the next.
Yawn.. business as usual.

At least someone still has their lights on, quite clearly others do not...

[Shonky]

Young people these days... :angel:

If only we would remember that Baby Boomers and the earlier Gen X were all considerate and law abiding drivers at all times since getting their licences, all were independent and financially self supporting since age 12, none have ever been unemployed and all can cook a 3 course meal from scratch, rebuild a motor blindfolded and have perfect children who will never grow up to be like the rest of their generation.

I aspire to be like you...

...later. Right now I'm playing x-box and waiting for mum to come home with my McDonalds. I'd get it myself but I never bothered to ge a licence. I would, but I'm too depressed. gtg i hav 2 chek ma fb b4 mum cums home lol roflmao ttyl hehehehehe!!!1!!11!!!

[Basil135]

I do feel that the kids of today certainly have different values than previous generations.

However, it is not necessarily their fault.

Look at the hand-outs that have been put in place by our well meaning governments over the years.....

First home owners
Baby bonus
Paid Maternity Leave


Successive governments have created a society of people who expect they will be given things (in this case $$$), whenever they need it.

If these handouts were stopped, would the nation crumble? I doubt it. Well, no faster than it is now.

Just imagine if the amount of money spent on these 3 schemes alone was put into hospitals, roads, education etc. The benefit to the whole nation would be better, rather than a selected portion.

[Tombie]

Basil... Think you're spot on.
We had none of this and got on just fine.

[twr7cx]

A bit harsh to judge a whole generation on one idiots actions. Can you really not remember any such people from your generation (if you can't I would suggest old age is having an effect)?
But I guess the other way to look at it is it's the olders generations fault - they bred and raised these tools!



Look at the hand-outs that have been put in place by our well meaning governments over the years.....

First home owners
Baby bonus
Paid Maternity Leave

There's a fair bit more to the economics issues than that. Housing is far less affordable to the average Australian now than it was 30 years ago, hence the first home owners grants.
Since Gen Y are too young to have caused the current economic turmoil, I guess the blame rests on the poor decisions and actions of the older generations...

[series3]

Basil... Think you're spot on.
We had none of this and got on just fine.

Except for the fact that the world has changed and progressed in so many ways that comparing different times and generations is next to useless...

Sam

[clubagreenie]

ROFLCOPTER @ Shonkys 13375p34k

As for diverting money from the handouts. Lets pull pollies super for ine year and retar the entire perimeter roads of the country.

[Stuck]

I can see where this is going :D.
Original 4 Yorkshiremen Sketch - YouTube

Cheers,
Anthony.