Generational respect

The generation gap will always be a contentious issue if we don't try to understand those who are following in our footsteps.
But, are they following, or are they blazing their own trails?
They're Generation X and Y and they're headstrong and know what they want.
Sure, they know how to have a great social time, but they also know how to buckle down to the hard graft and get the job done.
But they also like fairness and respect.
And they're aware of the mistakes of earlier generations and they've learned that they have to make decisions to address those mistakes; especially in the environment, and in their relationships, whether it's personal or in business.
Over the weekend we read and saw the effects of the student riot in Dunedin.
The Dunedin mayor and University of Canterbury vice-chancellor have exchanged words over the riot, where 69 people were arrested.
But if we fast-forward 10 years, those students will be in positions of influence and making decisions that affect people's lives.
Those arrested will have buckled down to their studies and graduated from university with one or two degrees, and have hefty student loans to repay.
Will they stay in New Zealand or will they travel offshore, and will their arrests blot their ability to travel?
In Tokyo last week a survey was released which showed that young Japanese adults in their 20s were living modestly and stably, with many not buying cars or drinking but spending weekends at home, with a strong motivation to save money.
A friend works as a television producer for Bloomfield News in Tokyo and said that those people with a generous disposable income lived simply and frugally. Conspicuous consumption was not evident.
Over the weekend a young woman I know went out for a meal with her parents. Another diner stared at her most of the evening and did not hide the fact that he was staring at her breasts. At the end of his meal, the man went up to the woman and remarked so close to her ear that she could feel his breath on her face, 'Lovely cleavage'. Neither she nor I are prudish, but somewhere the line has to be drawn where a stranger thinks it is acceptable to go up to a young woman (from Generation X), and verbalise his voyeurism.
There's much to be learned inter-generational. We just have to keep the lines of communication open and be prepared to listen to another's point of view. At best, our understanding is broadened.