I am quite sure that this post will really annoy some people.
GOOD.
A couple of months ago, I came across the term "Snowflake" used as a descriptor of the upcoming Generation Z, people born in the mid 1990s.
Snowflake was used, as it is a good description of these people.
From birth, they have been told that they are unique, a treasure to behold.
AND they melt away at the slightest hint of things not going their way.
My generation was brought up under the principle of shut up, do as you're told, if you're wrong, you're wrong, get used to it. If you fail at a task, accept it, fix it and do it again, but this time get it right.
If the task is especially difficult, then get stuck in and work harder or longer or both to get it done.
When I trained as a teacher in the 1990s, we were told that our little darlings (e.g. students) were not allowed to fail. They had to be told that "didn't achieve"
This attitude got steadily worse in the 2000s and 2010s, where the "Not Achieved" got converted to a low grade.
The result of all of this mollycoddling is a generation who don't even bother, and if something goes wrong, they just walk away and do something else, probably taking pictures for their forever-curséd Faceache page.
God (if such a mythical thing exists) help us when this lot get into positions of power.
Yep, I agree with this and had experience, at the end of my career (thank Robert's god) of 'snowflakes' working for me.
ReplyDeleteNow we are all suffering from the 'snowflake' attitude from those we interact with especially in the service industry.
Yep,
Deleteit's going to hit us all. But that is not to say that even some snowflakes manage the metamorphosis to at least hardened balls of ice.
Well, not meaning to defend anyone but, it is a bit of a sweeping statement to classify everyone as a type. I can think of quite a few very successful 'snowflakes'. I'm surprised I'm being this positive though after my last day relieving at NLHS, but that was more like a snow storm.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's a bit sweeping, this is a BLOG FFS, sweeping statements, gross exaggeration and major suggestive phrases of an intimidating sexual manner are always required.
DeleteWell, they are in my Blog.
(Plus many pictures of pretty ladies)
Friends' grandchildren seem to divide into
ReplyDelete'educated', i.e. attending what passes for university education these days, in which case they tend to the snowflake brigade, or
'working', where they tend to get on with things, though there are exceptions to both groups.
Usually the parents of the latter have less money than the parents of the former...it takes a financial cushion to be able to melt away and reform later...
I would agree partly with that. The problem is in the UK, Europe and to a certain extent here in GodZone that the benefits available to the young parasites is enough to keep the snowflake syndrome ticking over.
DeleteI've had quite a few employers mention that while many of today's youth are sterling examples of "get in and do your best" most just give up and don't even turn up for work the next day.
ah ... a counter to my post. so you already know that I agree with you. so the thing that gets me is that we have a 'special snowflake' for a president that easily gets his feelings hurt and sounds off on twitter in the middle of the night. How this snowflake is successful is beyond me. to the point that I want to pack my bags and leave the country. but then ... where to? the world has gone mad
ReplyDeleteBelieve me when I say I feel your pain. He is indeed special, so special that they should set up an institute to care for the poor old bloke. NZ is still pretty good (although there are some warning signs) and we have plenty of land, so you could always come on down here.
Deleteoh its crossed my mind ... especially with my sister there. so very painful to watch the G7 / perhaps G6 if the snowflake manages to get us kicked out of that too. F'n idiot Cheeto Prez
DeletePost production is slow.
ReplyDeleteQuality before quantity every time.
DeleteAnyway, if I start churning out posts, then the lovely people out there won't have a chance to put in their comments.
Ah Snowflakes. Yes they abound in today’s educational institutions. I have encountered many since I started teaching firstly as a university tutor then high school teacher and more recently teaching at a local intermediate school. Their lack of resilience astounds me. Dealing with their parents is a nightmare. I wonder how they are going to cope in the harsh real world of today. I suspect this may be why many don’t leave home even in their twenties or older. I have encountered many a snowflake meltdown. One particular recent incident stands out. A boy had left his trainers at home but had dressed for PE. He was keen to participate in the session as it was a practice run around the school field for cross country. I told him if he wanted to participate he had te choice of running barefoot or not at all as school would not let them do PE in school shoes. He wanted to go to office call his Mum and get her to drop off his trainers. I told him this wasn’t an option as we were due to go out for our sesssion in a few minutes. This was articulate snowflake then burst into tears. I couldn’t believe it. He needed to harden up but I couldn’t say that to him. Not PC in today’s schools. I thought cruisy 290 years ago my Grabdfather had to walk to school barefoot baby mikes even in winter. He was grateful to be getting an education. Anyway this snowflake eventually stopped crying and got on with the run.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what will happen when the Snowflake generation get into Education and meet someone like Ringo.
DeleteTears before bedtime I think.
Lol Ringo! What a nasty individual he was. Hear he’s living and working in Belgium now no doubt playing mind games and inflicting his stupidity on other poor souls. That’s just the adults. Education attracts some strange individuals alive encountered many who I really wonder what they do it apart from the power trip. Granted it occurs in other occupations too to some extent.
ReplyDeleteI had heard that Ringo did indeed go to Belgium, for some sort of International Union job, based on his work with the PPTA, but that he only lasted 3 months and was then sacked. He is also divorced now I've heard. To be fair, I think he did, in his twisted way, want the best for the kids, but his interpersonal skills were sadly lacking.
DeleteVery interesting. Sounds like Ringo lucked out big time. Hope he’s not back in and lurking around somewhere. Oh Karma is such a wonderful thing!
ReplyDeleteLucked out?
DeleteWas his wife even worse than he was?
Asking for a friend.
Haven’t got a clue as I never met her. Couples split for many reasons. But some are still going strong like you and your dearest. Happy anniversary by the way. It’s my 35th this month. Your 40th from memory? Quite an achievement.
ReplyDeleteWell remembered, it was indeed our 40th last week. Celebrated with a night in Wellington and dinner at The Ortega Fish Shack, and very nice it was too. Congrats on your 35th, doing anything nice?
DeleteProbably spend the night in the city and have a fancy meal. Not this weekend though as there’s an All Blacks test on. Accommodation will be full and pricey. My dearest has just come down with a cold too. Hopefully it won’t turn into the dreaded Man Flu.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Wellington test was next week, on the 16th? Man Flu can be deadly. Keep him wrapped up nice and warm. I, as a Gentleman, would not suggest HOW to keep him nice and warm.
DeleteYes you’re correct Test is next weekend. Got my dates muddled up. Long weekends confuse my placement in time these days. I seem to be thinking a week ahead of myself. June is a tough month. Full of sad anniversaries and a couple of good ones, my younger daughters birthday and wedding anniversary are the happier ones. Dearest cold is progressing but stable thanks to coldrex.
ReplyDeleteSWMBO and I are off to the cake tin to watch (hopefully) le Frogs getting whipped. Sorry about June for you.
DeleteHere in the States it's used as a derogatory term for people whose political persuasions swing to the left. I thought snowflakes were kind of beautiful but they mean it in another way. Delicate. Easily disturbed.
ReplyDeleteI believe there's a bit of a cross-over. The new generation are indeed "beautiful" and delicate and easily disturbed. I don't mind the lefties, it's the do-gooding liberals who should be shot, which is what Trump is probably going to be doing to them anyway.
Delete