Let's get Generational!

[amberpi]

I think other sources sometimes call Millennials Generation Y. I am using a company that presents/focuses on this stuff so there isn't argument and conflict over the boundaries. There are a lot of different definitions of the groups, and even more terms out there.

I've also seen a Gen X, Gen Y, and Millennials are separate designations, although I don't know if it matters and I'm not arguing with the classifications you've outlined. I think anyone on the ends of those designations (the buffer zones) is going to have a more mixed experience.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Periodically I wondered what I was. I knew being born in 1944, before the baby boomer cut off date of 1946, kept me out of that category. But with this, I guess I am a traditionalist.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One of the best work conferences I ever attended was on this very subject, but also included cultural differences as well as age. The goal being to help us all learn to respect others' differences and learn how to get along at work. I've never forgotten it.

In the work setting, as an example that was used in the conference (and speaking very generally - again, as a way to understand people you may be working with), Baby Boomers were taught that when one task is done, you move on to the next, and find something to do if you're done with that. Whereas Milennials feel that when the job is done, it's done, and the rest of the time is their own. This is an important distinction when you have people from different generations working in the same setting. (And I suppose it can apply at home, too. I've thought of it many times myself when raising my children!)

 

[adelaster]

Periodically I wondered what I was. I knew being born in 1944, before the baby boomer cut off date of 1946, kept me out of that category. But with this, I guess I am a trsditionist.

Yay! You are our first one.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

I'm Gen X!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Adelaster, I am curious about what type of dialogue here you find catatonically depressing?

 

[adelaster]

Adelaster, I am curious about what type of dialogue here you find catatonically depressing?

 

[Micca]

Baby boomer here! It will be interesting to see the results over a period of a few days.

 

[adelaster]

Baby boomer here! It will be interesting to see the results over a period of a few days.

Yes! Please spread the word.

 

[disneychrista]

Gen Y

Millennials were originally Gen Y, somewhere along the line they changed it.

Who decided "generations" needed labels anyway.

 

[amberpi]

Millennials were originally Gen Y, somewhere along the line they changed it.

Who decided "generations" needed labels anyway.

I think this is an interesting micro generation to contribute to the discussion:

http://www.mamamia.com.au/xennial-generation/

Although, I don't remember a time before cable TV or a computer in the house (the original Mac and then my mom got an Apple iie as she was a teacher), and honestly, my folks were early adopters of most things so they had car phones (literally the ones installed in the car) when I was pretty young - maybe 1990? However, I certainly remember before internet and then the early days of Prodigy.

Great discussion! Love hearing everyone's experiences and if they feel close to their generational norms.

 

[adelaster]

Millennials were originally Gen Y, somewhere along the line they changed it.

Who decided "generations" needed labels anyway.

Framing this discussion through the lens of connection and better understanding across differences. If you read my initial post I am working off the Bridgeworks organization and workshops. Not about labels-just a jumping point for perspective. These are the age brackets they landed on after investigation, though there are many others out there.

To answer your other question, this is a great read:

www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/09/the-generation-of-generations/379989/

 

[brad813]

Haha, we should get @brad813 on recruitment duty, I feel like he's been king of the threads there lately.

Nah, just try to be helpful while helping myself.

 

[Kitty 34]

Baby Boomer here and Dan (Murphy) I have met you twice and would categorize you as a Baby Boomer.

 

[Marchand63]

One of the best work conferences I ever attended was on this very subject, but also included cultural differences as well as age. The goal being to help us all learn to respect others' differences and learn how to get along at work. I've never forgotten it.

In the work setting, as an example that was used in the conference (and speaking very generally - again, as a way to understand people you may be working with), Baby Boomers were taught that when one task is done, you move on to the next, and find something to do if you're done with that. Whereas Milennials feel that when the job is done, it's done, and the rest of the time is their own. This is an important distinction when you have people from different generations working in the same setting. (And I suppose it can apply at home, too. I've thought of it many times myself when raising my children!)

I think this is so true. I also think BB & to some extant Gen Xers were also taught the art of multitasking.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

X marks the spot

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I think this is so true. I also think BB & to some extant Gen Xers were also taught the art of multitasking.

Multi-tasking is often a necessary evil, but it destroys efficiency.

 

[tzolkin]

I would have guessed that there'd be a lot of GenXers here. We're the ones with kids of the right age to be going to Disney World, and we're old enough that we have some disposable money and jobs where we can play on the Dis at work occasionally.

ETA: Yes, I know millenials are old enough to have kids, and sure, some Boomers are here because of grandkids, but we're just talking general trends.

I think we all (myself included) tend to think of millennials as young 20s/just out of college, but the age actually goes up to 37. Statistically, I believe, most have already started having children by then.

Well I'm a baby boomer with kids still in high school. Late start.

Hubby retires early when the youngest one graduates high school.

I'm a millennial with one in college already...

I find myself much closer aligned with Gen X values as being the oldest of the possible millenials. I've got far more in common with someone born in 70 than in 90.

That's what I thought when I realized a few years ago that DH and I are technically millenials. I would certainly never put myself into that category. And, DH ironically complains about millenials often. (We have a few couples among our friends who are mid-20s and they certainly seem like a completely different generation.)

 

[Marchand63]

Multi-tasking is often a necessary evil, but it destroys efficiency.

It does depend on the job.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Multi-tasking is often a necessary evil, but it destroys efficiency.

I agree in general, but not always. I think some people are naturally good at multitasking and are able to do it and still maintain high productivity. And millennials are said to have short attention spans.