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  • 6/17/2025
“Why Kids Say ‘You’re Old-Fashioned’ – How to Handle Criticism with Grace”
Transcript
00:00Have you ever heard a kid blurt out, you're so old-fashioned?
00:04I'm the... I'm so...
00:06Maybe it was about the way you write emails, or the fact that you still keep a paper calendar,
00:11or gasp, that you actually talk on the phone instead of texting.
00:16Ouch, right? It stings.
00:18But before you grit your teeth or snap back, consider this.
00:23That moment doesn't have to be a battle.
00:25It can be a bridge, a chance to connect, not collide.
00:30When a young person says you're old-fashioned, it may sound like a critique,
00:34but it's rarely meant as an attack.
00:37What you're really hearing is the sound of a cultural gap.
00:40Kids and teens today are growing up surrounded by rapid change,
00:44endless notifications, and technology that reinvents itself practically every year.
00:50Their world is built on speed, convenience, and constant evolution.
00:54In contrast, you might treasure the depth that comes from patience,
00:58the meaning behind a handwritten note,
01:01or the satisfaction of taking time to reflect before responding.
01:05Those aren't flaws. They're values.
01:08So, when those two worlds collide, it's not disrespect.
01:12It's just disconnect.
01:14And the good news?
01:15Disconnection is something you can repair,
01:18especially with a little empathy and emotional intelligence.
01:20When you meet the moment with curiosity instead of defensiveness,
01:25you open the door to understanding.
01:27Why does this matter?
01:29Because how you respond can make all the difference.
01:32Reacting with defensiveness, saying things like,
01:35well, in my day,
01:36or you don't understand anything yet,
01:39usually ends the conversation,
01:41and maybe even adds a few bricks to that generational wall.
01:44Those responses might feel satisfying for a second,
01:48but they shut down curiosity and reinforce stereotypes.
01:52Instead, imagine responding with,
01:54that's interesting.
01:56Tell me more about how it works now.
01:58Or,
01:59wow, things really have changed fast.
02:02You don't have to agree or abandon your own perspective.
02:05You're simply showing respect for theirs.
02:08That's where mutual respect begins,
02:10not with agreement, but with openness.
02:12By being curious, you send a message.
02:16I'm willing to listen,
02:17and I value your experience,
02:19even if it's different from my own.
02:21So, how can you handle the old-fashioned label with grace,
02:25not gritted teeth?
02:27Here are three practical tips.
02:29First, pause.
02:31Don't react.
02:32When that comment lands,
02:34take a breath.
02:35Instead of firing back,
02:37try asking,
02:38what makes you think that?
02:40It's a simple question,
02:41but it shifts the conversation
02:42from conflict to curiosity.
02:45You might be surprised by what you learn,
02:47and they'll feel heard, not judged.
02:49Second, own your values,
02:51but do it lightly.
02:53You don't need to defend the past
02:55as if it's under attack.
02:56Instead, share your experiences.
02:59Try saying,
03:00we didn't have smartphones,
03:01but we did have longer conversations,
03:04or
03:04I like writing letters
03:05because it makes me slow down and think.
03:07When you share,
03:09not preach,
03:10you invite others to see the value in your ways
03:12without feeling pressured to adopt them.
03:15Third, add a little humor.
03:17Laughter breaks tension
03:19and reminds everyone
03:20that differences aren't disasters.
03:22They're just part of life.
03:24If someone calls you old-fashioned,
03:26you might reply,
03:28old-fashioned?
03:29Maybe?
03:30Timeless?
03:31Definitely.
03:31A smile can turn a potential standoff
03:34into a shared moment.
03:36Remember,
03:37being called old-fashioned
03:38isn't an insult.
03:40It's just a perspective.
03:42And when you meet new perspectives with grace,
03:44you don't lose your voice.
03:46In fact,
03:47you gain something far more valuable,
03:49real connection.
03:50So,
03:51next time you hear that phrase,
03:53take it as a compliment.
03:54You're bringing something timeless
03:56to a changing world.
03:57What's one old-fashioned habit
03:59you're proud of?
04:00Maybe it's writing in a journal
04:02or cooking from scratch
04:03or just taking time to listen.
04:06Whatever it is,
04:07own it
04:07and celebrate it.
04:09Stay curious.
04:10Stay connected.
04:11And remember,
04:12a little grace goes a long way.

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