Young people are so lovely these days

Luckygirl3

I remember when I was a teenager the presence of my parents when out with younger people was a source of deep embarrassment - let alone a grandparent!

I have just been to another gig where two of my teenage grandsons were playing in a jazz fusion band - they are both very talented instrumentalists and I go to as many of their gigs as I can.

I walked in and they detached themselves from the group of young people they were chatting with, came over and gave me a hug and said it was good to have me there. I noticed other band members doing the same with their relatives.

At the door the girls taking the ticket money were so polite and helpful, and when I left early I was waiting by the door for my DD in her car and one of the girls came up to make sure I was OK and went out and looked out for my DD's car and then said "Go carefully; and thank you for coming!

I have noticed this a lot recently - there they all are with their crazy tattoos and hair, and wild clothing - and there I am with my stick - and they are all just so kind and welcoming.

It is such a joy and really isn't at all how it was when I was young. Something to be happy about I think ...;.

A lovely post !

Yes I agree. I love to be around young people, they’re so full of life.

I agree. I have always been impressed with how my son's friends engaged with us but more importantly, how much they looked after each other whilst they were out partying. I used to worry about my son't alcohol consumption and one of his friends would message me to reassure me that they were on their way home and all was well.
My older son hugs me in front of his friends, hugs his friends and tells his friends he loves them quite openly. It isn't just something he says, he really means it. When he was younger and had a moment when he didn't want to hug me, I pointed out that his Dad still hugged his Mum. He threw his arms around me and said, "If it is good enough for my Dad, it is good enough for me!"
My grandsons are too young to be anything other than loving but time will tell! However, as their Dads are huggers, I suspect they will be too.

That is so good to read Luckygirl3. I am seeing similar. When I’m out and about the young men wait for me to go before them. I say you go I’m too slow!
I’m use a stick too! Wonderful isn’t it. I don’t see my own family that often but the young people today who I meet are such a pleasure. 💐

My first experience of pleasant youngsters was in France.
Walking down our village street and seeing a group of rowdy teenagers approaching I was ready for hostility .
However, when they got closer they moved apart for me to pass them, smiled and greeted me with a really friendly ‘bonsoir’.
I was quite taken aback.
A reminder not to judge by appearances.

I learned a lesson a few years ago when I employed a young tiler recommended by a friend. He turned up with a shaven head, nose ring and tattoos on both arms. He was an excellent worker and extremely polite. I will never again judge a book by its cover.

M0nica

I am reminded of the nursery rhyme

There was a a little girl, who had a little curl
right in the middle of her forehead
and when she was good, she was very very good
and when she was bad she was .

I think that the fear and respect that kept young people away from older people in the past has gone and each can be as spontaneous and loving with each other without feeling awkward.

Unfortunately I think, for those for whom it goes wrong, there are many more of them than in the past and some of their behaviours are far more violent and malevolent than in the past.

It’s a poem by Henry Wadswoth Longfellow. There have always been good and bad and always will be I guess. Most youngsters are helpful but are more outgoing and therefore more likely to come forward and offer help these days

Basgetti

Yes they are! Our AC, 23 and 31, are delights. Couldn’t have wished for more.

The friends we’ve met are equally lovely.

Ditto us. Our AC are 23,25,28,40,41! All are pretty nice most of the time! Their friends are all extremely polite and talkative when we see them. Always a big smile and sometimes a hug!

Fabulous post.i think young people get such a bad press these days, people referring to ALL children and young people as “feral”

I think most children and young people are still well brought up and are great examples of being open and lively people.

Well done to your grandsons

We recently went to a concert where our 11 year old granddaughter was playing. I know she’s not into her teens yet but there’s hope for the future.
Her Dad gave her a bunch of flowers after the performance and she gave us a card she had made to say thank you to us for coming along.
We thought it was so lovely.

Ziplok

It is certainly lovely to hear, although I think there always have been lovely, thoughtful young people who have loved their older relatives and would never snub them or be embarrassed by their presence.

I agree with you, it’s not that ‘young people are lovely nowadays’ at all.
Some are, some definitely aren’t.
I loved going anywhere with parents and grandparents as a teenager.
There’s an age where some teenagers are embarrassed by being seen with them probably 12-16 and very much depends on the teens themselves and what the older relatives are like!

I agree, the young people I meet out and about are friendly and polite, and of course the family teens and tweens are perfect (😸)

crazyH

Monica
I remember the last line as
‘And when she was bad, she was horrid ‘
But then I didn’t grow up here - different countries have different versions , I guess.

'horrid' should have been there. I have a pc with a failing key board, and I am not a good proof reader

I’ve found most young people to be perfectly polite and friendly. Like all age groups there are good and bad, unfortunately the bad are the ones we generally hear about. My own 23 year old Grandson will and always has greet us with a hug and have a conversation with us and has always been happy to call in to see us on his own. Mind you his Mum would not have allowed him to be rude and uncommunicative.

We have a new recruit at our foodbank.
He is a recent graduate and is employed in a job with flexible hours whilst he attempts to move into his chosen field.
The rest of us are retirees and appreciate his cheerful good humour, hard work , and compassion.

Yes they are! Our AC, 23 and 31, are delights. Couldn’t have wished for more.

The friends we’ve met are equally lovely.

I am pleased to hear about how great young people are now.

I presume you are talking about people in their early and mid twenties.

Sadly, I am still at the s stage of a 16 year old who is at the grunting, surly stage.

He was fabulous when he was a little boy, so I am hoping (as many of you have reassured me), that this is a teenage phase and that he will become equally lovely in his twenties.

Oh I SO agree. I was mortified with embarrassment to be seen with my mother. I never met my grandparents but I know I would have been the same.

Our granddaughter is 26. She said she feels lucky to have both sets of grandparents and has asked me and DH to go on holiday with her and her lovely boyfriend.

The young bar staff in our local pub are lovely.

My parents had very poor relationships with their own parents and our learned behaviour towards our grandparents was very negative - it makes me shudder really.

I feel so privileged that this has changed in my family and I have the privilege of enjoying their company. I count myself lucky.

Monica
I remember the last line as
‘And when she was bad, she was horrid ‘
But then I didn’t grow up here - different countries have different versions , I guess.

I am reminded of the nursery rhyme

There was a a little girl, who had a little curl
right in the middle of her forehead
and when she was good, she was very very good
and when she was bad she was .

I think that the fear and respect that kept young people away from older people in the past has gone and each can be as spontaneous and loving with each other without feeling awkward.

Unfortunately I think, for those for whom it goes wrong, there are many more of them than in the past and some of their behaviours are far more violent and malevolent than in the past.

Interesting - I do not remember this from my childhood - but my parents had certain idiosyncrasies!

They bring me great joy these lovely GC.

No, I have to disagree. There have always been decent youngsters who have been kind and thoughtful towards their elders. It has nothing to do with the advent and aftermath of Covid in my opinion.

I think youngsters weren't so bad but definitely improved more with/after Covid.

It's lovely. They are really caring 🙂

Although I do remember I was surrounded with older relatives and used to chat to them a lot too.