I've been noticing this more and more over the past year and a half I've been working in a Traditional Hardware store, but today it came to a head after a older gentleman (around 65-70) was so unbelievably rude. Anyway, I'll just give you a bit of a back story.

I'm 16 years old, I'm a regular teenager, I don't get drunk, I tend not to swear, I'm not one of those stereotypical teenagers that hang round on street corners. I'm a hardworker and am going into the police next year (at 18-and-a-half).

However, when I'm working, the older generation come in and see a young guy behind the counter think it automatically gives them the right to lose all respect and manners. However, do they stop to think that their view and 'tarring all people with the same brush' may be wrong? Perhaps if they stop to think that not all teenagers are the same, pay the teenager some respect and manners, they might get them in return.

This particular gentleman who came in today wanted a key cut. He took one look at me and slammed his key on the counter and said "do three of those." I looked at him, and after some initial hesitation (I usually bite my tongue at work) I replied, "do I get a please with that?" Thankfully, my boss sided with me and everything was ok. I cut the three keys and continued to serve him at the till, and he replied with please and thank yous.

My questions are, as the general public, are we rude on the whole? Do old people tar the younger generation with the same brush and expect respect?

[MTVN]

Yeah there is a lot of hostility I think, not helped when the Daily Mail & Sun etc. sensationalise things and go on about broken britain and knife crime and how dangerous teenagers are

I really dont think this generation is that much worse than any that has come before, things just get blown out of proportion more

[Marsh.]

I don't think it's as much them thinking all teenagers are the same. But, that a lot are hypocritical. When it comes down to it they believe people should respect older generations than themselves but when it comes to them dealing with the youth it doesn't cross their mind that "kids" deserve as much respect as any other human being.

And I agree with MTVN, it's not that this generation is any worse than previous ones it's just that nowadays there's more technology and research and 24/7 news feeds so you just hear about it more than you used to.

Originally Posted by MTVN

Yeah there is a lot of hostility I think, not helped when the Daily Mail & Sun etc. sensationalise things and go on about broken britain and knife crime and how dangerous teenagers are

I really dont think this generation is that much worse than any that has come before, things just get blown out of proportion more

I agree that the media do not help at all. Especially with the 'hoodie' situation. I a load of hoodies, I only wear the hood up when lounging around at home, but when out and about I still get dirty looks when the hood's not even up. I think that's down to the media too.

Originally Posted by 08marsh

I don't think it's as much them thinking all teenagers are the same. But, that a lot are hypocritical. When it comes down to it they believe people should respect older generations than themselves but when it comes to them dealing with the youth it doesn't cross their mind that "kids" deserve as much respect as any other human being.

And I agree with MTVN, it's not that this generation is any worse than previous ones it's just that nowadays there's more technology and research and 24/7 news feeds so you just hear about it more than you used to.

Summed it up perfectly, to be honest. Alot of them do think they're superior.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by mathews220

I've been noticing this more and more over the past year and a half I've been working in a Traditional Hardware store, but today it came to a head after a older gentleman (around 65-70) was so unbelievably rude. Anyway, I'll just give you a bit of a back story.

I'm 16 years old, I'm a regular teenager, I don't get drunk, I tend not to swear, I'm not one of those stereotypical teenagers that hang round on street corners. I'm a hardworker and am going into the police next year (at 18-and-a-half).

However, when I'm working, the older generation come in and see a young guy behind the counter think it automatically gives them the right to lose all respect and manners. However, do they stop to think that their view and 'tarring all people with the same brush' may be wrong? Perhaps if they stop to think that not all teenagers are the same, pay the teenager some respect and manners, they might get them in return.

This particular gentleman who came in today wanted a key cut. He took one look at me and slammed his key on the counter and said "do three of those." I looked at him, and after some initial hesitation (I usually bite my tongue at work) I replied, "do I get a please with that?" Thankfully, my boss sided with me and everything was ok. I cut the three keys and continued to serve him at the till, and he replied with please and thank yous.

My questions are, as the general public, are we rude on the whole? Do old people tar the younger generation with the same brush and expect respect?

Whilst absolutely agreeing with you: a pet hate of mine is also the omission of 'please' and 'thank you' - and like you, if someone is as rude (young or old) I will point out their lack of basic manners, for which there is no need.

That said, it also works in reverse - those younger can be as equally rude and as ignorant as the 'older generations'. I don't tar them all with the same brush but I do think basic manners and respect somehow are being lost along the way in this world we all live in these days.

[Vicky.]

Eugh dont get me started on rude old people. I swear around 90% of them are exactly the same. You get the odd one who shows you respect but the rest are horrible from my experience.

Just the other day, I was on a crowded bus and an old woman got on, I wasnt in the seats 'reserved' for the elderly, but I still got my bags ready to move for her. There was a middle aged couple in the seats in front of me too...anyways, she walked right past them, glared at me and said I 'had to' move so she could sit down. She could ****ing see that I was already moving my bags anyway so she could sit there...just wanted to make a show of me. Because of this, I then refused to move...she then walked away muttering about 'kids these days' and went to harrass someone else. I didnt feel guilty for not moving for her, as I planned to anyway, and she knew that. The moral of the story? Dont try to make me look a fool for the sake of it, and do not TELL me what to do

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by mathews220

Summed it up perfectly, to be honest. Alot of them do think they're superior.

That sounds very much along the same 'stereotypical' generalisation towards the older generation. ...... The same thing that you've discussed in your opening post, but towards the older generation. It's the age old thing: (no pun intended !!) who is worse? -each will say the other - when in fact, both groups are being stereotyped for a small minority? possibly?

[Stu]

I hate threads like this because everyones argument will invariably be useless. You meet a lot of ignorant older people. I see a lot of nice older people. I also meet a lot of wankers my own age.

Every age has it's wankers and I'm betting the numbers are about the same throughout the scale. Personal experience counts for nothing. I don't think it's something worth compaining about.

I walk past absoloute knob goblins who are 14 and 15 everyday but I wouldn't start a thread and have a moan about kids being ignorant. Some kids are ignorant.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Eugh dont get me started on rude old people. I swear around 90% of them are exactly the same. You get the odd one who shows you respect but the rest are horrible from my experience.

Just the other day, I was on a crowded bus and an old woman got on, I wasnt in the seats 'reserved' for the elderly, but I still got my bags ready to move for her. There was a middle aged couple in the seats in front of me too...anyways, she walked right past them, glared at me and said I 'had to' move so she could sit down. She could ****ing see that I was already moving my bags anyway so she could sit there...just wanted to make a show of me. Because of this, I then refused to move...she then walked away muttering about 'kids these days' and went to harrass someone else. I didnt feel guilty for not moving for her, as I planned to anyway, and she knew that. The moral of the story? Dont try to make me look a fool for the sake of it, and do not TELL me what to do

Oh you get cantankerous old buggars like this for sure: but perhaps her eyesight wasn't so good? Perhaps she was tryng to get a seat quickly in case the bus moved off and she lost balance? Maybe she genuinely didn't see you starting to shift your shopping? There's these types of things to consider...... but to be honest, and in all fairness to you- she DOES sound like a cantankerous old biddy if she was as abrupt as it sound she was !

[InOne]

I'm 21 and bloody teens annoy me

*shakes walking stick*

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Stu

I hate threads like this because everyones argument will invariably be useless. You meet a lot of ignorant older people. I see a lot of nice older people. I also meet a lot of wankers my own age.

Every age has it's wankers and I'm betting the numbers are about the same throughout the scale. Personal experience counts for nothing. I don't think it's something worth compaining about.

I walk past absoloute knob goblins who are 14 and 15 everyday but I wouldn't start a thread and have a moan about kids being ignorant. Some kids are ignorant.

A post moaning about people moaning !! surely you see the irony.

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

That sounds very much along the same 'stereotypical' generalisation towards the older generation. ...... The same thing that you've discussed in your opening post, but towards the older generation. It's the age old thing: (no pun intended !!) who is worse? -each will say the other - when in fact, both groups are being stereotyped for a small minority? possibly?

Lol, but the difference is I always start with respect, you don't to earn it. You get these idiots who say that you have to earn respect and gain it, rather than starting with it and losing it.

I see what you mean, but I'm never rude to begin with. Like the guy in the shop, I said "hiya, how can I help" I get in return "do 3 of those". That's when all respect was lost.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Oh you get cantankerous old buggars like this for sure: but perhaps her eyesight wasn't so good? Perhaps she was tryng to get a seat quickly in case the bus moved off and she lost balance? Maybe she genuinely didn't see you starting to shift your shopping? There's these types of things to consider...... but to be honest, and in all fairness to you- she DOES sound like a cantankerous old biddy if she was as abrupt as it sound she was !

I got a, and I quote

'You have to move so I can sit down'

Even if her eyesight wasnt too good, her attitude was horrid anyways. Respect goes both ways I'm afraid. I wont respect my elders if they talk to me like ****e

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I got a, and I quote

'You have to move so I can sit down'

Even if her eyesight wasnt too good, her attitude was horrid anyways. Respect goes both ways I'm afraid. I wont respect my elders if they talk to me like ****e

Yes, I completely agree with you. They don't get that respect is a two way street.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

A post moaning about people moaning !! surely you see the irony.

No, I don't. I hate silly arguments like that. Irony aint that simple. I had no choice but to use the English language to air my views about moaning. It's like saying 'isin't hating hate ironic lol?!'. Nah, it's not.

Originally Posted by InOne

I'm 21 and bloody teens annoy me

*shakes walking stick*

Teenagers are absoloute wankers. I suppose as a whole it's part of the package to be all self involved and full of your own sh*t when you are growing up but yeah. Myself and everyone I know hated who we were a few years ago now even though at the time we thought we were the bees knees and wouldn't accept any criticisms .

Weird thinking about it. Phases. Ugh.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by mathews220

Lol, but the difference is I always start with respect, you don't to earn it. You get these idiots who say that you have to earn respect and gain it, rather than starting with it and losing it.

I see what you mean, but I'm never rude to begin with. Like the guy in the shop, I said "hiya, how can I help" I get in return "do 3 of those". That's when all respect was lost.

Your view to respect...... I could not agree more with you. Respect is a common courtesy - do something to lose it, yes I am 100% behind you. This 'earn respect' doesn't wash with me either.

What I am saying is: you should not judge as each generation have their good and their bad.

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I got a, and I quote

'You have to move so I can sit down'

Even if her eyesight wasnt too good, her attitude was horrid anyways. Respect goes both ways I'm afraid. I wont respect my elders if they talk to me like ****e

Errrr...... I was only saying there may have been other factors.

I also said that from what you had said, that she sounded like she was one of those cantankerous old buggars.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Errrr...... I was only saying there may have been other factors.

I also said that from what you had said, that she sounded like she was one of those cantankerous old buggars.

I know, was just clarifying exactly what was said, went on a bit of a mini-rant there, sorry. But stuff like that makes me so angry

I should just ignore it, but thats not me

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I know, was just clarifying exactly what was said, went on a bit of a mini-rant there, sorry. But stuff like that makes me so angry

I should just ignore it, but thats not me

We all get them...me, you, everyone: young and old. I'll never deny that - same with the ones that you hold a door open for, walk right past you without even an acknowledgment never mind thank you - I always usually say, "...And they say the younger generation have no manner" (and loud enough to pass any 'hearing' problems. !!!!

Then you get the wee 13 year old, who not only holds a door open for you, but insists on letting you pass first, with them following behind you which restores your faith !

[james130]

I work at Next and it kills me when an old person comes in; usually tuts at me, then slams their items down on the counter. By this point all i've done is smile at them and say "hiya." :|

However, i'm 18 and go to my school's sixth form and look at some of the younger years and think "i'd have never been like that." I do think teenagers and kids are getting worse. But then maybe people thought that about me I suppose.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by james130

I work at Next and it kills me when an old person comes in; usually tuts at me, then slams their items down on the counter. By this point all i've done is smile at them and say "hiya." :|

However, i'm 18 and go to my school's sixth form and look at some of the younger years and think "i'd have never been like that." I do think teenagers and kids are getting worse. But then maybe people thought that about me I suppose.

Having been a teenager - and now older but not in the 'golden oldies' generation: I honestly can see both points of view. There are mannered and ill mannered from all sides........ just your luck of the draw in which ones we come across in life I guess!!!

As one sort of in the middle, I think I was never as bad as some teenagers today: but when I look back, I probably was and I know there were years that I gave my parents real heartache (and if I had kids who did what I did then, I'd bliddy kill them !!).

[Niall]

I think old people can be ridiculously rude. I was going to an exam today and i was standing on the bus and two old women decided to come and stand next to me (we were all standing in the wheelchair spot) and one of them decided to start harping on about how young people are rude and how we don't move out of the way for others on the bus. So I moved across the bus and she shut up. I just stared at her but I felt like grabbing her, opening the doors on the buss, and hurling her wrinkly ass out.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Niall

I think old people can be ridiculously rude. I was going to an exam today and i was standing on the bus and two old women decided to come and stand next to me (we were all standing in the wheelchair spot) and one of them decided to start harping on about how young people are rude and how we don't move out of the way for others on the bus. So I moved across the bus and she shut up. I just stared at her but I felt like grabbing her, opening the doors on the buss, and hurling her wrinkly ass out.

There are indeed (as Vicky encountered), older people who will go out of their way to do what you experienced.

The flip side is though: given that the older woman had to verbalise her thoughts to someone else on the bus, BEFORE you and your friends moved along out of the 'wheelchair space' and moved across the bus ...... it 'could' have been perceived that she shouldn't have needed to say anything, that you and your friends 'could have' moved across as more people were coming onto the bus - thus not giving her the need to moan.

I am not saying for one second you were wrong - there are miserable old sods out there, just as there are impudent young ones..... all I'm saying is sometimes we need to consider: there are sometimes (sometimes...not always) 3 sides to a story... his side, her side, and what really happened.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Stu

I hate threads like this because everyones argument will invariably be useless. You meet a lot of ignorant older people. I see a lot of nice older people. I also meet a lot of wankers my own age.

Every age has it's wankers and I'm betting the numbers are about the same throughout the scale. Personal experience counts for nothing. I don't think it's something worth compaining about.

I walk past absoloute knob goblins who are 14 and 15 everyday but I wouldn't start a thread and have a moan about kids being ignorant. Some kids are ignorant.

yeah, I agree with this, people are individuals, lumping them into boxes based on their age or sex is inaccurate and unhelpful imo

[BB_Eye]

I'd say a lot of the older generation have an 'attitude problem', lets put it that way.

As regards to how I feel, as a twentysomething, about teens today. Compared to my own generation, nothing much about them bothers me.