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Oh floralou, generalizations like this make me so sad! We live in a largely Hispanic community, where everyone is taught by example to respect and care for their elders. Doors are held, laundry baskets and grocery bags put in cars, carts returned and all manner of assistance offered by the younger people here. Teens jump up to give us "abuelas" their chairs in crowds.
On the other hand, the older men (winter visitors) are apt to just walk in front of us through doors and not hold them, not take turns in lines, etc. And the young are far less judgmental about many issues than many of my peers who believe there way is the only right way.
So goes life, so please don't single out one group and paint them as bad.
Sue
Replies to "Oh floralou, generalizations like this make me so sad! We live in a largely Hispanic community,..."
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Hi Sue--your comments warmed my heart. I've spent my adult life in a small multicultural city, mostly Hispanic, and taught community college for 25 years. Where yes, doors were always held for me, boxes carried, and sometimes even my desk and chair were tidied up after a seminar. I'm aunt to 7 nieces and nephews who check on me and visit--from hundreds of miles away. And of course my daughter and son-in-law right here are invaluable in terms of support and fun. I love the younger generations--we're not leaving them a world in great shape but I admire their optimism and community and family spirit in the face of everything. One thing I really enjoyed about a recent long stay in Hawaii was that my husband and I were called "aunt" and "uncle" by everyone--the Pacific rim brings together many cultures that respect seniors. I do experience some road rage and some rudeness in stores--yes, almost exclusively people in own age bracket, not younger. Thanks for putting in a good word for the upcoming generations!