Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Mamas, don't let your Babies grow up Apathetic

We went to lunch at a local eatery on Sunday. It was a nice day to share some family time over a couple of fish tacos. We were seated, then we waited, and waited, and waited until two waitstaff had a discussion within earshot about who would be taking care of our table.

Finally, we heard which one would be taking us on, and he sulked over to ask what we would like to drink. I felt instantly irritated by this young expressionless zombie...what my mom used to refer to as a "dead fly." I had one or two friends that were the kind that never looked her in the eye and only spoke (as little as possible) when spoken to. I learned early on that Mom was not impressed by a distant "whatever" attitude, and it was just easier not to bring those kind of kids around.

"No, I'm a monster. An aloof monster." "I can't live without you. Look at me, I'm dying."

And honestly, "dead flies" don't have much to offer in the way of companionship, anyway. Bella.

In college I worked in restaurants. I never considered it too much to offer a smile and a sincere greeting. I was, after all, expecting something in return for my outgoing service. The better you are at convincing the customer that you care (even when you do not) the more money you make. Instinctive right? Just a good life lesson, right? And aren't there easier jobs to be had than slinging food if you're pining away and can't even muster a smile?

MMA sensed my contempt, because he instantly offered up consolation and told me not to judge this inexperienced kid on his demeanor. "There is no ill-will there, he's just part of the Apathetic Generation," he says. Then he goes on to explain that he's not being polite or impolite, he's just speaking in the generally accepted (mono) tone that kids understand as normal."

What? So, aloof is the new norm and that's OK?

MMA has always been my culture coach, being far more hip than I.

Maybe he's right and I'm expecting too much (from the service industry!?) because it seems everywhere I go, I run into young people with their heads down, voices barely audible and their faces devoid of expression as they take my order, bag my groceries, and sell me things. The customary "thank you" [for your business] is clearly from a bygone era.

At the risk of sounding way older than my 35 years, I can't stand that our kids won't open their mouths anymore...not to say something nice or something not nice; they just don't open their mouths anymore!

This apathy-plague is not a question of competency. How many proud parents have I met who lovingly enumerated their child's academic accomplishments while I secretly speculated that the child was mute? Then, you find that the kid can speak, but word-conservation is way cooler, so usually you get a slow "yes" or "no." Is frivolous conversation dying?

Kick me the next time I complain that my three year old won't ever shut his mouth, because when he hits his teens he may decide that talking went out with Obama. And eye contact is overrated. He very well may kill me with Apathy! (New House Rule: saying "whatever" is equally punishable and equivalent to dropping an F-Bomb.)

As our meal unfolded, we were able to slowly lull our waiter out of his coma. (That's right, we warmed the waiter up.) And despite his best effort not to, Only Child did make him laugh. Physically, he can smile and carry on a conversation. No, he didn't know what Pontchartrain Pasta was, but he did offer to go find out if I wanted him to (I'm rolling my eyes a little bit...but MMA assures me that it was not his intent to be lazy or rude.)

To be fair, there are some great kids out there who haven't lost their ability to articulate through a conversation with old-fashion pleasantry. And for those outgoing, eye-contact-making kids who are not afraid to risk a little emotion...the sky is the limit! I have to imagine that a little personality sets you apart when you are of the Apathetic Generation. (I'd leave 25% for that.)

Is this happening because electronic devices that we sit in front of and carry in our pockets all day have a sedative effect? Or maybe the texting generation has evolved to a level of communication in which symbols and abbreviated speech supersede human warmth. What seems blase and mopey could read as passionate yearning to the 21 and under set. (You saw Twilight, right?)

Now, somebody please just shoot me, because I AM the crotchety Old Lady on a rant about "teenagers these days." Oh the misery!

10 comments:

Jill said...

Don't feel bad. Don't even get me started on teenagers these days.

Aggie2percenter said...

Hee hee. You sound old. It's not that I'm more hip than you (in this case). I just have more experience with this than you do. I was once the apethic waiter. Actually, I knew when to turn it on and off better than that kid, but I could see where he was coming from.

And I missed the part where they were deciding who would wait on us. Who wouldn't want to wait on us?! Although Only Child did leave his mark with those crackers
...whatever!

Anonymous said...

My 14 year old niece has this disease and I am done having these one way conversations with her. She just doesn't get it.

Terra said...

That said, beautifully mind you, I also can't stand when children at my daughters school don't hold the door, don't look at you when they speak to you and don't use any sort of manners or respect...It is SO hard to keep my own children in line when they spend so much of their day with that.

jmt said...

I refuse to accept apathy in the generations here or to come. I refuse to leave until they look me in the eye, speak to me, respond with you're welcome or thank you....I will be the old lady trying to teach manners. I've already hounded a couple of my stepson's friends (11 years old) to react and respond appropriately, I only wish they came around more so that Hubs and I could influence them more. I'm with you and I won't retreat.

Girly Stuff said...

Haven't you seen the Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde routine with these kids? They utter one syllable grunts to us old folks, and then talk their friends' ears off. Or is it they text their fingers off? At any rate...

We (meaning the 30 something generation who still think they are young and hip) need to realize that we are old and will be treated like boring parents, not like hip/cool/text-worthy friends.

Megan said...

Hi, sorry to leave a random comment, but I wanted to answer your question about the restaurant gift certificates.

Yes, I do use them. There is only one restaurant in our area, but it is luckily one we like to eat at.

There are some restrictions like a mininum purchase. For example, the restaurant we go to requires that you spend $35 to use the $25 GC so you actually spend $10.00 OOP. This is still a great deal since you can get the GC for $2.00.

You are actually only paying $12.00 for a $35 meal! Our restaurant also adds an 18% gratuity but we would pay that anyway so it didn't really matter to us.

I'd say go for it!

Megan

chiara said...

You know, I seem to recall my generation being called apathetic as well. I think it's really a function of old age - we are all becoming crotchedy old ladies.

Live.Love.Eat said...

Great post! And awesome points!!! I love your idea that "whatever" should warrant a punishment like the F bomb.

Jill said...

I just tagged you on my blog. :)