balcon

GenX regarding "guts" and "risk taking"

Posted by Sinsyne125@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 21 comments

balcon@reddit

This is an interesting discussion topic. In hind-site, I think I was more tentative than gutsy, even though I had a pretty typical childhood at the time. I believe the younger generations have to be more gutsy than we were because the world is a lot more complicated to navigate. Not only do they have to deal with some of the same crap we did, they have to concern themselves with their public image. There’s so much now that we didn’t need to worry about then. It was a simpler time to be a kid in the late 60s and 70s. There were only a few TV channels, no social media, and the norm was more freedom to go off and do whatever. I’ve never thought about it terms of bravery as much as kid’s do stupid things sometimes.

How many have dropped Facebook? Did you drop Instagram too?

Posted by IntellectAndEnergy@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1952 comments

balcon@reddit

I haven’t cancelled my account, but I stopped using it a while ago. If I get curious and take a peek to see what’s new, I leave disappointed that there’s nothing substantive or frustrated that so many of my relatives feel the need to express their retrograde views about *everything* several times a day.

Self Checkout

Posted by 5GAIBtoM@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1942 comments

balcon@reddit

Most of the time, I just want to pay and leave as quickly as I can. If that's by the using the self checkout? Fine. If it's through a line with a cashier? Also okay. If I have a lot of groceries, I'll opt for the cashier because I don't want to scan and bag a bunch of stuff.

I started showing my daughter classic GenX era movies.

Posted by MrBleah@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 751 comments

How long does it usually take for your Adult children to respond to a text?

Posted by don51181@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 503 comments

balcon@reddit

If he wanted to text with you, he would reply right away. Have you tried calling him to ask a question? I'm sorry if that's hard to hear. A positive reading is that he's trying to be his own person without a tether to his parents. For me, I would give everything I own now to receive a text from my mom. But in my 20s and 30s? It would have annoyed me because I didn't want to have an ongoing dialog about my life, or receive panicked messages if I said I had had a cold, for instance. I feel badly about that attitude now, but there's nothing I can do about it. Young people are young people.

Then vs now — what car feature do you miss vs what you can't live without?

Posted by spotforcars@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 365 comments

balcon@reddit

I can't think of anything. The only thing comes close is the parking brake. It's automatic now, and doesn't give that same satisfying ratcheting sound when you engage it. I don't miss that though. The thing I can't live without now? I would say the assisted driving system (lane keep assist + adaptive cruise control plus + bring spot sensor + emergency braking). At my age, it makes my commute feel less stressful. It's a dream on long drives, too.

What are the current GenX TV shows?

Posted by DrBobShelton_74@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 654 comments

Living in a 55+ community

Posted by wamimsauthor@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 232 comments

Question for the pet people...how do you feel about a new pet at this time of your life?

Posted by HammerMeUp@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 916 comments

balcon@reddit

I would like to get a dog. But, I don't think I could afford the vet care these days. It makes me sad because I've had many wonderful dogs. They gave me a lot of joy and companionship.

I feel like I'm drowning

Posted by ChallengeFine243@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 289 comments

balcon@reddit

I feel like I'm getting beat down by insurance prices and property taxes. It's only going to keep going up. It kind of blows my mind how expensive things have gotten. Florida insurance issues make the news often and feel for you, op. How are the property taxes there?

Anyone else returning to church in your 50s?

Posted by ServiceKooky1323@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 270 comments

balcon@reddit

No. It's a good question, though. What about you, op? It's just not for me. It wasn't a positive experience growing up. I appreciate the sense of community it can give people, though.

Anyone else returning to church in your 50s?

Posted by ServiceKooky1323@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 270 comments

balcon@reddit

This just raised a lot of questions. Who gets to decide what's shameful? And, what gives them the authority to decide who gets shamed and who does not? I don't understand your last sentence. What is the disgusting behavior that people who call it out are called weirdos? Dare I say they are being shamed. Shame all the way down.

Very misheard song lyric….

Posted by blulouwoohoo@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 2207 comments

The GenX version of The Villages?

Posted by send2steph@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 502 comments

balcon@reddit

That's my plan, too. The importance of having convenient transportation and access to medical care can't be overstated, especially after seeing what aging people have to go through in the small town I'm from. A specialist appointment is two hours away and you have to drive everywhere for everything. At least Walmart will deliver groceries there now.

Modern things that annoy you for no good reason

Posted by daydrinkersunite@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 496 comments

balcon@reddit

This topic is kind of annoying, actually. How people communicate, using acronyms, has been discussed at least three times that I can remember. Language changes and evolves. Sometimes it can be rewarding to look up an unfamiliar term or word. At least that's what I think. And some slang remains opaque because it isn't for us. That's alright, too. I remember receiving a text with FTW. This was several years ago. I couldn't decipher whether it meant fuck the world or for the win. Both would have worked in the context and I'm still not sure.

Painful Slow Death

Posted by SuperTeacherStudent@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 145 comments

balcon@reddit

It feels like we're so much closer to the country being attacked than ever, and I feel fine. Actually, I'm worried, though I try not to dwell on it. It's a different, deeper type of fear than the nuclear war threat from childhood. There are so many things in our day to day lives that make us more vulnerable than we were then. More vectors with disruption potential surround us. It's impossible for me to talk about this subject with any depth by not acknowledging the political dimension, so I won't try as to not run afoul of the rules.

My son just killed grunge with one word..

Posted by Hfcsmakesmefart@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1188 comments

balcon@reddit

You’re right. It’s been a long time and I have selective memory. That’s why the XM station with a lot of grunge was called Lithium.

My son just killed grunge with one word..

Posted by Hfcsmakesmefart@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1188 comments

balcon@reddit

That’s a funny thing for him to say. It isn’t always about the Benjamins. Especially when you consider the origins of grunge. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? I wasn’t big on grunge but that’s the first time I’ve heard it described as whining. He would hate the musical Rent.

Why are we trying to make smoking cool again?!?

Posted by Forktee@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1830 comments

V the miniseries - no one knew what I was talking about.

Posted by Old_Goat_Ninja@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 2030 comments

What to do with Cosby…

Posted by HonestNeighborhood67@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1189 comments

balcon@reddit

Why do you care what other people think? If you like Cosby, then that’s your business. His image is not going to be suddenly rehabilitated on a reddit thread because he was funny, if that’s what you’re here for. Are you trying to be convinced your taste is valid? Then allow me the honor: Enjoy the validation that no one gives a rats ass about what entertainment you consume.

Fast food back in the 80s, was it actually better than today or is that rose colored glasses?

Posted by Infomerical@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1113 comments

balcon@reddit

McDonald's was probably better. Not because the ingredients have changed. It's because the food was engineered for those chutes under heat lamps that people started complaining about in the 90s. They were strict about how long food could stay in the chute. After about 10 minutes, it was thrown out (wasted) if it wasn't sold. The grill made 12 cheeseburgers at a time and they went to the chute for pickup. That's a narrow example. McD's was different then, so it follows that the food was better.

Wondering if indifference to and irritation from corporate acronyms and c-suite idolization is a GenX trait.

Posted by CrowbiwanKenobi76@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 733 comments

balcon@reddit

Meh. Whatever. I am unbothered by corporate jargon and acronyms. I wasn’t always like that but I finally realized that every company I’ve worked has their own in some form or another. That’s probably true of all careers. I do hate the word strategize, though. Sometimes corporate speak can be helpful for getting you out of a sticky situation. Instead of saying that you’re unprepared for a meeting, you can say that you’ll “circle back around” or “let’s put that in the parking lot and we’ll cover it next time.” Jargon has a learning curve but what doesn’t?

What book did you read in your youth that you never forgot?

Posted by orangez@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 6371 comments

What horror movie did you see as a kid that traumatized you so badly you’ve never rewatched it and still can barely say the title?

Posted by glowbeits@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1933 comments

balcon@reddit

Fantasy island used to scare me as a kid. I still have vivid memories of some of the scenes, like someone who was supposed to be a scary native sneaking around with a knife. That was the scariest thing I think I've ever seen on TV, and I have no idea why it stuck with me.

Gamers, what are you playing now?

Posted by Mbluish@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 826 comments

balcon@reddit

I have a handful of games I play. I enjoy cinematic ones like The Last of Us and the Uncharted series. I also play Fortnite (rather badly) with a friend who moved away, and we have so much fun chatting and cutting up. Most of the time I'm playing a casual game like Timberborn or Stardew Valley. My reflexes aren't as quick as they used to be, so I like games with accessibility options for different difficulties and all that. If a game is too hard, I don't enjoy it and give up. For a time, I would play classic console games with an emulator installed on my Wii. I used a lot of the cheats to make it further into a game. It was a blast to make it through games to see the stories or harder levels I could never reach.

What did your parents/ direct family do that still doesn’t make a lick of sense to you?

Posted by Substantial-Toe96@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1210 comments

balcon@reddit

You have to unplug the toaster after using it but not the coffee maker. I don't think my dad has considered that the coffee maker has a hot plate that stays on if you don't turn the switch off. The toaster otoh turns itself off when the bread pops out.

Movies that were huge in the 80s but no one references anymore?

Posted by Mimir_the_Younger@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1101 comments

balcon@reddit

Midnight Madness When we first got cable, this movie was always on. Some other obscure ones I remember: Hamburger the Movie Joysticks

Movies that were huge in the 80s but no one references anymore?

Posted by Mimir_the_Younger@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1101 comments

Movies that were huge in the 80s but no one references anymore?

Posted by Mimir_the_Younger@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1101 comments

What song NEVER gets old?

Posted by jimmydoorlocks@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1555 comments

balcon@reddit

Girlfriend - Pebbles Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam Jitterbug - Wham Billie Jean - Michael Jackson Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley Like a Prayer - Madonna

Am I the only one that wants to vomit when I look at Linked In?

Posted by DogsAreOurFriends@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 822 comments

balcon@reddit

To maintain my mental health and a sense of perspective, I stopped looking at LinkedIn several years ago when I was out of work and seeking job. It was brutal seeing everyone thriving and getting promoted when I was lucky to get a call back. Dumping LI didn’t affect my job search , and none of the job listings from there turned into interviews. Age discrimination is so real. It was a wise decision and I haven’t looked back. I’ve read it has become more like Facebook with people posting their political opinions and shitposting. r/linkedinlunatics is a fun sub btw to see some of the extra crazy stuff.

Can you believe it?

Posted by Sunshine2625@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 376 comments

The first generation to not care into old age

Posted by Didjaeat75@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1609 comments

balcon@reddit

We are becoming elderly. And it’s ok. Making it this far in life is an amazing accomplishment. Doctors see us as entering our senior years. Younger generations do too, and we felt the same way about older generations when we were young. I would like to believe that we are somehow different, but illness can come quickly and then things change fast. There’s some truth to your observations, but we also need to realize that we and the people we care about are aging. The “I don’t give a fuck” attitude is fine unless it leads you down a path of neglecting your health and body. People can remain who they are while still acknowledging that we are indeed getting older and physical changes are coming. This sense of remaining youthful in demeanor is not a GenX thing. AARP has been pushing this idea for years. Your post is another way of saying active retirement or not aging gracefully.

Where do you stand on the regular wearing of concert shirts?

Posted by Edward_the_Dog@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1037 comments

balcon@reddit

If you like it, then wear the shirts. It’s for you and how they make you feel. Most people won’t notice or care, unless they want to bond with you as a fan or something.

Anyone else traumatize themselves?

Posted by ontour4eternity@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 716 comments

balcon@reddit

Is amazing how many of us read the same sequence of books. I don’t know what made Flowers in the Attic a staple of bookish girls and gays everywhere.

What song was an absolute banger, but you refused to admit it?

Posted by ZurEnArrh58@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 898 comments

How many of you ended up with the career you went to school for? Or - did you even go to school?

Posted by Crone-ee@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 832 comments

balcon@reddit

People who know how to communicate persuasively and write well are rare. AI is helping those who can’t write to better express themselves, which I think is a good thing. But it lacks soul and that undefinable something that experienced writers possess. For now. But it will write some passable blog posts and articles.

Excruciatingly Boring Dystopia - Our lives are the most mundane lives ever lived—and that is becoming a problem.

Posted by Toni253@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 410 comments

balcon@reddit

Work need not be stressful. There’s no rule that says it should be. There needs to be a strong safety net and infrastructure to support people should they not be able to work. That could make a real difference in people’s lives. Stress can come from fear of losing a job and having the rug ripped out from under you. It can come from the day to day demands of work. A lot of mine comes from feeling that I’m not doing enough and imposter syndrome. I hate that feeling when I’m doing my best. I slack off sometimes, like everyone else, but that’s very minimal. I just don’t relate to people who complain about being bored. It annoys me when one of my friends says it. I’m enjoying my Sunday just puttering around the house, and he complains about how bored he is. I’m grateful to have a day where I don’t need to do anything unless I want to. Everyone is different though.

Excruciatingly Boring Dystopia - Our lives are the most mundane lives ever lived—and that is becoming a problem.

Posted by Toni253@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 410 comments

Excruciatingly Boring Dystopia - Our lives are the most mundane lives ever lived—and that is becoming a problem.

Posted by Toni253@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 410 comments

balcon@reddit

I’m not sure I need to do that to relax. I just don’t go around saying or thinking I’m le bored. I’m content doing nothing and relaxing. Webster’s Dictionary defines boredom as the state of being weary or restless through lack of interest. I do feel that way when a webinar or something goes on and on. And when I was a child at church. But for some reason I don’t think the word boredom is something that causes issues or deep relaxation to me.

Excruciatingly Boring Dystopia - Our lives are the most mundane lives ever lived—and that is becoming a problem.

Posted by Toni253@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 410 comments

balcon@reddit

Cole Porter wrote a song about it decades ago. “In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked upon as something shocking. Now heaven knows, anything goes.” I wonder if he’s watched the musical this is from? He might like it.

Excruciatingly Boring Dystopia - Our lives are the most mundane lives ever lived—and that is becoming a problem.

Posted by Toni253@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 410 comments

balcon@reddit

Well, at least he’ll have something to do. How noble his suffering will be. Christianity loves to place suffering above all else.

Excruciatingly Boring Dystopia - Our lives are the most mundane lives ever lived—and that is becoming a problem.

Posted by Toni253@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 410 comments

balcon@reddit

I can see why some feel this way. To have time to be bored is a form of privilege, and it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that so many are struggling around the world. Work stresses me out. That’s not boredom. I treasure my downtime outside of the workplace. It’s a treat to just not do anything or do something mindless. Bored is not part of my vocabulary, unless I’m waiting in a waiting room for nothing to read, maybe? That’s more of an annoyance than boredom. The more I think about this piece, the more contempt I have for who wrote it. I want tell him to get over himself and stop bemoaning the lack of critical thinkers. There are plenty of them and more books than anyone can read in a lifetime. Good books, too. And if they’re not your thing, then pick up a classic. By all means, go to better vacation destinations. It seems the wealthy are the bored ones. They amuse themselves by tormenting others. No material good is outside their reach so they create chaos, stand back, and watch all the people scramble for scraps. We are responsible for how we spend our time. If he wants to live in interesting times, he can do that from his enviable perch. Fuck this guy.

when did you realize you were "old"...

Posted by Quack_Smith@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1433 comments

Growing up in the 80’s, what were some things that your friends were able to have that were not allowed by your parents?

Posted by tonefreq@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1907 comments

balcon@reddit

When you’re belittled by your dad (or any parent), it’s one of the worst feelings in the world. And you never forget it.

Who's giving up their smartphone? Found a good alternative?

Posted by cautiouspessimist2@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 265 comments

balcon@reddit

I was into computers as a kid, but the only access I had to them, for a long time, was using the Apple IIe at school. A smartphone would have blown my mind. I have no plans to give my portable computer up, but I can understand why others would want to. Especially if it is interfering with your day-to-day life.

Reasons genx doesn’t want to work anymore

Posted by Academic_Airport_889@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1788 comments

Facts are now decided by a vote everyone 😂

Posted by G14DMFURL0L1Y401TR4P@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 252 comments

balcon@reddit

But don’t call MAGA or republicans weird. That is forbidden and hurts their tender feelings. They can’t cope so those posts must be removed by the rootin’ tootin’ Texas “fact checkers.” But calling lgbtq folk crazy or demanding they be placed in chains to protect the children is peachy-keen.

Was your mom a terrible cook?

Posted by StudentDull2041@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 1252 comments