I have such important things
going on that I want to tell you,
but I can’t stop thinking about
the idea of being made fun of
for doing something rude and
being obviously unaware of it.
Of what I was doing that was
rude. This is a hypothetical,
actually, that is based on a
voluminous list of redundant
and grim incidents. I realize it
could happen anywhere at any
time and I’d be none the wiser.
Perhaps this is normal, happens
to all of us, but I worry about
performing acts of unintentional
rudeness or being caught totally
unaware that what just came out
of my mouth or off of my page is
derogatory or embarrassingly
inaccurate. Or getting caught
using outdated language. Or reacting
inappropriately just because I have
completely misunderstood some new
lippity smack. When I know this has
just occurred, I will accept my mistake,
promptly apologize for doing whatever
it was that I did. Is everyone just
making fun of me because I’m older?
And all this time I’d been waiting
my turn so that I could go around
preaching at all the younger folks
about how things were in my day
my turn so that I could go around
preaching at all the younger folks
about how things were in my day
and how never to sass, etc. When
I’d have the upper hand in such
matters. But of course there’s
always been generation gap lingo.
Elders would tut-tut or act mortally
offended when whippersnappers
sling out their newfangled catch-
phrases. The upstarts never seem
bothered by this. These days
the new lingo of the lithest of our
always been generation gap lingo.
Elders would tut-tut or act mortally
offended when whippersnappers
sling out their newfangled catch-
phrases. The upstarts never seem
bothered by this. These days
the new lingo of the lithest of our
populous seem complex, twisting
traditional definitions of words or
phrases in ways meant specifically
phrases in ways meant specifically
to insult anyone over a certain age.
Was it always this way? Where the
intent lies so specifically in confusing,
intent lies so specifically in confusing,
confounding and generally screwing
with all of the rest of us? Perhaps.
But I’ve not been here before. And
am left to wonder if I’ll ever have
the advantage I spent a lifetime
awaiting. And I am all but certain
that the answer is that I will not.