There’s a lot of conflict between generations now, with the Boomers and Gen X against Gen Z and Gen Whatever the Hell Is Next. Intergenerational conflict is normal, natural, and inevitable — you can find it in the Bible — and both sides have some valid gripes about each other. Most of us VIPs reading this are probably on the older side, and we’ve got lots to say about how the younger generation is weak, whiny, and weird. They have lots to say about how we are spoiled, clueless, and at fault for most of the problems facing mankind in general and them in particular. Again, none of that’s new. The Boomers’ parents thought their kids were entitled jerks, too. And the Boomers thought their parents were repressed automatons grilling in their backyard on yet another Pleasant Valley Sunday.

I do need to make one clear statement here — our 70s/80s music is infinitely better than that of the current younger generation. But I digress.

Now, of course, we’re speaking here in generalities, but generalities are generally accurate, much like clichés and stereotypes. There’s nothing wrong with observing commonalities and pointing them out; the only people who don’t like that are the ones being criticized. And let’s face it, the Boomers have screwed some things up, and younger folks do have to face some problems that we never faced. Of course, we faced problems they never faced, and let’s not pretend we didn’t b***h endlessly about them, too. But now we’re older, and we’re settled in, and most of us are doing OK, and it’s our turn to wag our collective finger at the younger generation.

But it doesn’t have to be merely an exercise in venting. It can be useful. After all, we have some experience with life. We have seen and done things and learned from them in peace and war, in times of economic prosperity and near collapse. We know some things about life, and it might be useful for the younger folks to hear them. But let’s not fool ourselves. Most of them are never going to listen. We didn’t listen. I know I didn’t listen. But that doesn’t mean we can’t offer discreet bits of advice, whether solicited or not, to the people who are someday going to be changing our bedpans.

So, here’s a starter list of bits of life experience that young people could definitely benefit from hearing. Again, they will probably choose not to, because people hate getting advice and hate taking it even more, but we can at least say we tried. And you can help, too, in the comments, by adding your own thoughts, and then finding young people in your life and irritating them endlessly by telling them these things.

My most important piece of advice is not to listen to people........

© Townhall