Working alongside colleagues in their early to mid-20s can be a delightful experience. They’re witty and full of energy! However, interacting with these “baby adults” can sometimes leave you feeling more like their grandma than a peer. While some middle-aged folks might like to think they’re staying young by adopting trendy phrases or music, the reality is that a significant age gap can often lead to feeling old and out of touch.
If you find yourself giving your younger coworkers the side-eye frequently or resorting to Google to decode their conversations, you might want to consider a few conversational guidelines to make your work experience smoother and avoid tearful drives home listening to your favorite ’90s hits.
1. Avoid discussing specific years.
This can be tricky since time can feel like a flat circle sometimes. But steer clear of sharing what you were up to in certain years. Hearing their shocked responses, like “1998?! I was in preschool!” can spark feelings of frustration, which are definitely not conducive to a pleasant work environment.
2. Reboots are a landmine.
While we can all appreciate a good movie, don’t delve into how you experienced the original. Starting a conversation with “When I saw Jurassic Park for the first time…” is likely to backfire since your coworker wasn’t even around back then (or was probably too young to remember!). Instead, stick to discussing the current film without comparing it to the past; it will save you both from an awkward moment.
3. Stick to current technology topics.
If it wasn’t developed in the last five years, it’s best to keep quiet. Your younger coworkers likely don’t share your nostalgia for older tech like fax machines, which may seem ancient to them. Trying to demonstrate how to use one could just make you feel ancient, not wise.
4. Websites come and go.
Be aware that the platforms you relied on may no longer be trendy. Mentioning something like MapQuest might lead to laughter rather than admiration. Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest online tools to avoid feeling out of touch.
5. Movies? Just skip it.
If it’s not a fresh release, it’s probably not worth discussing. Trust me, they haven’t seen the classics you hold dear. You might find yourself reminiscing about a film like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure only to be met with confused stares, which is never a good feeling.
Overall, if you can adhere to these guidelines, you might discover that Millennials are actually fantastic coworkers. They might have a reputation for being less proactive, but I beg to differ—just the other day, a coworker pointed out a stray string in my hair, which turned into an awkward moment when we realized it was a gray hair she was tugging on.
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Summary:
Working with younger colleagues can be challenging but fun. By avoiding discussions about specific years, sticking to current tech, and being mindful of movie references, you can build a positive rapport with Millennials. They can be delightful coworkers, even if their youth sometimes makes you feel a bit out of touch.