Understanding Gen Z

I was pretty struck by an article in the Sunday Times this week.  Written by Charlotte Ivers, it discusses the toxic effects on Gen Z caused by their use of smartphones and by extension, social media. Seemingly Gen Z suffers from Obsessive Compulsory Disorder (OCD) in astonishing numbers.  This particularly affects young women for whom the percentage is 6.1% against a national figure of 2.2%.  As a whole, mental health issues are suffered by almost a third of the Gen Z cohort. That is, those born between 1997 and 2012.

It seems for Gen Z that short form video sequences and addictive social platforms make this generation, which has known nothing else, find focussing difficult and affects their ability to think and interact with others on a one to one basis. A little bit of googling takes the matter further, explaining that this generation fears judgement, suffers stress in dealing with other people and that they counter this subconsciously by maintaining a blank expression or averting their gaze, simply as a way to organise thoughts and process what is needed in interactions. Looking people, in particular older people, in the eye can be a step too far for many.

This brings me back to beer and pubs.  I have, from time to time, moaned about this sort of thing, but I suppose I'm saying that maybe I should look on it a bit more benignly than I have hitherto. Perhaps I'm realising it isn't as easy for some of the youngsters of today as it was for me as a 19 year old when I first worked in a pub - though it was a still very daunting. Different times - different pressures.

Then we were from a generation - the first after the Second World War - that was expected to sink or swim. It was the world we knew. Being told to chat to customers and perform in a certain way was accepted. That was how it was everywhere. It was tell, not show.  In the 1970s West of Scotland, the Boss did explain the various niceties as being designed to bring repeat custom, but in the main at work in those days, it was "Dae as yer telt." Nowadays, it seems that a more egalitarian way, such as "You all right there?" is seen by Gen Z as perfectly acceptable to both give and receive in most circumtances. 

Things have moved on - for better or worse and now I'm sort of concluding that pushing back and complaining about lack of interaction or proper training in pubs is somewhat pointless and the current position should be regarded as just how it is now. Reacting to the staff concerned or even to the management isn't going to change anything, and if what I read is true, likely just to add to the mental pressure that some young people feel. 

Oh I know this isn't universal and that a bit of gentle "show and explain" training wouldn't be a bad thing at all, but I'm just going to try and get over it.  For my generation, we can just say with certainty "Life is too short" and go and quietly sup our pints. Elsewhere if needed. And know, as all generations do, that we did it better.

Unless they are being deliberately couldn't care less, or cheeky, or offhand, or lazy, or just ignore you........... Well that didn't last long!