Firstly, I am not a "grumpy old man", I am 33. I like a good laugh as much as the next person, BUT …
There seems to be something badly wrong with many young people (I mean 25 and under).
In particular, our town centres have become no-go zones on a Saturday night … why? Because a relatively few people make these places intolerable for the rest (majority) of us.
Being outside that age bracket as I am, it would be interesting to hear the views on this and other matters, of teenagers and people in their early twenties.
So … my questions are as follows:
1) The media portrays the kind of loutish behaviour that I’ve referred to as being widespread and accepted amongst teenagers and young adults. Is that accurate? I personally don’t think it is, I meet plenty of people who are not like that and only a few who are.
Now, if you are the kind of person who thinks it is fun to get smashed out of your head on a Saturday night, get into a fight and then throw up all over an innocent passer-by, these next questions are for YOU!
2) Do you deliberately set out to be antisocial, or do you just not think to be considerate of other people?
3) Once I was driving through Portsmouth, I was coming home from a pleasant evening at a friend’s house, I was stopped at traffic lights opposite a night club, suddenly two young guys got into the car, pissed out of their heads and said, "Oi mate! Drive us home will ya!". When I politely refused and politely asked them to get out of the car, they started swearing at me and threatened to smash the car up unless I drive them home. They got out when I threatened to call the police. Now … why would anyone do that? What kind of mentality does someone have to have to do that? Do they think it is acceptable? I don’t. Most people that I know don’t.
4) Do I, and does not any other person, have the right to walk down the high st., without being sworn at, jeered at, having to step over unconscious teenagers, having to dodge people vomiting, etc? If not, why not?
5) It seems to be "cool" to be an idiot – you have to behave like a complete know-nothing moron in order to be accepted. At least that’s how is seems to me when I hear groups of teenagers talking – or, rather shouting at each other – and why do they have to shout at each other so everyone around is forced to listen to their idiotic rantings? Why can’t they just talk normally? When I went to school someone behaving like that would have been ridiculed. So what is the attitude today?
6) I used to work with a guy who would go out and get drunk every single weekend. On a Monday I would ask him, "what did you do over the weekend?". He would reply, "We all went out on the beer, I don’t remember anything, I woke up covered in puke, it was great!". Now why the Sam Hill Jones would anyone find that FUN?!?!?!?!?! You wanna know what my idea of a fun weekend is? well, I like getting on my mountain bike and having a bike ride out with friends on a Saturday, or go rock-climbing, then go round to someone’s house to talk about the ride, watch some DVDs, get pizza delivered and have an early night so I can get up and do something constructive on the Sunday – perhaps go to the beach with my girlfriend, or an art gallery, or do some DIY, etc.
So – what on earth goes through some people’s heads?!?!
I am sorry if this post offends anyone, I don’t intend to offend, I am just genuinely bewildered by the attitude and behaviour of many young people today.
It’s not just the UK, but also the rest of affluent western world.
My view is a lack of upbringing. Parents are extremely self centered with their kids and do not teach them how to behave in society. They don’t teach their children to respect others and their property. It’s all about me.
The media also contributes to negative behavior. Since they don’t get it from their parents, they see certain behaviors on TV and the movies, which is supposed to be funny and they pattern themselves after it.
Finally, they have too much disposable income. Many live at home till they’re 30 or more and really don’t own anything beyond a fancy car (often bought by their parents for graduation). You don’t become a responsible citizen until you live on your own and cut those apron strings.
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Hello, i’ll be honest I kind of skimmed what you said but I think one of the main problems, (living near 2 pubs) is when they get too drunk, because they would rather not remember what theyre doing than just have a good time, and a lot of them mix drink with cocaine and this obviously causes the rowdiness in towns etc. I think they do think it’s fun, because of how the media portrays it.
But yeah, stop letting idiotic coked-up young men(and women) keep drinking once thier obviously uncooperative or unable to get htemselves home!
I’m sure bars and clubs wouldnt agree
I’m 17 by the way
References :
http://www.witches.vze.com
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:24 pm
It’s not just the UK, but also the rest of affluent western world.
My view is a lack of upbringing. Parents are extremely self centered with their kids and do not teach them how to behave in society. They don’t teach their children to respect others and their property. It’s all about me.
The media also contributes to negative behavior. Since they don’t get it from their parents, they see certain behaviors on TV and the movies, which is supposed to be funny and they pattern themselves after it.
Finally, they have too much disposable income. Many live at home till they’re 30 or more and really don’t own anything beyond a fancy car (often bought by their parents for graduation). You don’t become a responsible citizen until you live on your own and cut those apron strings.
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Hi,
Yes, I know what you mean, I’m 18 and I am actually ashamed of my youth. Isnt it supposed to be the best time of my life? I wouldnt call getting so drunk that I have no control over myself fun. I don’t drink because I’ve seen how some people have behaved while drunk.
I’m not whiter than white because I have gotten very drunk in my early teens. I think back now and cringe.
Another ‘cool’ thing now is to talk as if you are uneducated. Using text talk all the time. I’m sure if they wrote like that on a C/V there wouldnt be many people impressed by it.
My eldest brother gets his pay packet on a friday, goes out the same day. More often than not he comes home with a black eye or a ripped t-shirt. He has actually admitted to enjoying fighting. I think its pathetic.
I have a lot of views on the subject.
References :