America's youth

[fabiodriven]

As if I really need to be starting another thread right now after the one I just started...

So I work for a small company and I work by myself for 40 hours a week. I do not work weekends. It's a great job really. It's a gravy job. It has its days when it can be demanding but for the most part you just have to show up and get paid.

I recently started training a kid (he's about 21) to cover me if I need a day off or take a vacation. It's hard to find somebody to cover me because people with my credentials already have a full time job. This kid went to get his commercial inspection license (on the company's dime) and already had a CDL, the two requirements to do my job. The first day he was scheduled to come in for training, I told him to be here at 8 am. I had a truck scheduled to come in for inspection at that time and I wanted to show him how to do it. Welp, 8 o'clock comes and goes and I send him a text. He says he'll be right in. He rolls in at about 20 past 8 with a coffee in his hand. I had him finish up the inspection and I waited until the customer left before I spoke to him. I told him the problem I had with him coming in late on his first day, coffee in hand. "Well I made the coffee at home" he says. Not a valid excuse in my book. He then informed me that he was just here for training and that I'm not his boss. I quickly corrected him and informed him that I am, indeed, his boss. Aside from training we won't be working together, but I've been here for 4 years and I have thousands of inspections under my belt. I thought I made myself clear.

So this kid was scheduled to work for me the week while I was gone at Trikefest 2012, which he did. However, before I left for my trip he asked me if I needed any more time off before I went. I said no and asked him why he would ask me that. He told me because he was "starting a regular 9-5" the week after I get home from Trikefest. Oh rly? So now he can't cover me for any days off because he works another job, after we paid for him to get his inspection license. He's about as useful to this shop as tits on a bull. He still works a couple of hours on Saturday though, which is where the problem arises.

Every week I come in to start my work week on Monday and things are not where they should be. Not just misplaced, or left out, but things are completely re-located to other parts of the shop. My shop. I sent him a message today to let him know he has to put certain things where they belong because everything in this shop is where it is for a reason. I have, after all, been here for 4 years. He's got about 60 hours and maybe 200 inspections into this shop. I also had to let him know that he cannot let the customers drive their own vehicles into and out of the shop and if he gets caught doing that we get shut down for a week, and that's the bare minimum. I told him that if he gets the shop shut down for a week and causes me to lose a weeks pay I will not be happy. His response to my message was to inform me of another way I am running this shop incorrectly. Now, this business was broken when I took it over. My predecessor had run it into the ground and informed (erroneously) the clientele that we would be closing for good. I had to pick up the pieces and rebuild this business to its former glory, which I did. We are thriving tremendously at this point. And this kid has the balls to tell me how I should run this business? He then tells me that I need to stop speaking to him in such a condescending fashion and he doesn't like confrontation, and apparently I do. All this from informing him of how this shop is run, which is why he's here after all.

He once approached me about an argument I got in with a customer while he was here. It was a very heated argument with an unhappy customer. I was in the right though. His truck failed inspection miserably, he took his truck back and brought it in the next day, repaired next to nothing, and then expected to pass his re-inspection. In the 4 years I've been here, I've probably gotten in 5 yelling matches, if that. The kid just happened to be here for one of them. So the kid approaches me and starts telling me how to talk to my customers. I was so taken aback by it that he actually threw me off guard. I should have just told him to shut the heck up, but I actually explained the situation to him in an attempt to teach him something. It didn't work.

This kid doesn't know sh!t from shinola when it comes to the mechanics of a vehicle. I tried to teach him, but before I can finish explaining anything to him he's already saying something back to me. How in the world is somebody supposed to learn something if they don't listen to what you're telling them? Who raised this kid? Who in their right mind walks into an established shop at the age of 21 and thinks they're going to have any say of what goes on without even having worked a 40 hour week yet?

Parents, please teach your kids right. I talked to the owner of my company already and there is a very good chance this kid is going to lose his job. I've never been half as disrespectful to anyone as this kid has been to me, and all we did was offer this kid employment.

Sorry for the rant, especially after my other rant of a thread. This kid's just got me all riled up. I hope this entertains somebody.

[dcreel]

Respect is an important piece of the puzzle that is missing in todays society.. The young kids aren't raised to give respect or to work hard enough to earn respect. And we have to hope that this generation will raise their children correctly when they weren't showed how. How often do you see people holding doors for women, men, or others? When I hold a door open for someone, how often do I get a thank you? People are being taught the easy way to get by, throw their damn trash out the window of their car.. They're learning this from their parents.

The world is going to hell in a handbasket for sure..

[philgipson]

i am 67 years old and grew up in west texas.i was taught to say sir and mam.i take my hat off in the house and i have always worked for a pay check.too many of the younger generation dont want a job they just want a check.

[Flossyb20]

How is it that I see eye-to-eye with you on this thread, but completely disagree with you on the other??? You are an interesting character there Fabio:-)

[coolpool]

It's not just a American problem Fabio, we see it all the time too. That kid should be sent packing IMO. You're his mentor AND his boss; he needs to respect that. Late on day one = skidded out the door. I think a lot of it stems from the "on demand" lifestyle kids have these days; if they want it, mommy or daddy buys it, no questions asked even if it puts the parents into debt. Most youth in this neck of the woods think they deserve the new truck, quad/dirt bike and the latest phone at no cost to them even though they are disrespectful and are complete D-bags to everyone. I say bring back the strap in school and we'll see how tomorrows youth look. My $.02

[atc007]

I had my ass HANDED to me ,,often,from my Marine Dad.. Really had little to do with Marines, as it did HIS upbringing on the farm. I thank God for it EVERYDAY. There is no gray area in my right and wrong. I KNEW he Loved me.But i usually learned the 1st time I did something!! My kids are hugged and kissed many times a day.. they also think I am just the HARDEST ass there is. It Kills me sometimes,as my wife doesn't do Crap for discipline.. They sort of resent me now,,but I keep telling them they'll be thanking me in spades when they're 30. My son will be 21 this month. he'll drop his groceries and sprint across the parking lot to help elderly. Has and does often. But his friends have no clue why he does things like this! My biggest problem has to be the trance these kids have with their phones. I fail to get it. I truly do.

[bkm]

What do you expect from the "Time Out" generation. Back when I crossed the line there was no such thing as "Time Out" in my house. I can still to this day here my Old Man's belt clearing the loops on his pants. My dad never "beat" me but he got my attention that is for damn sure. My dad never forgot to tell me he loved me, always gave me a hug when he saw me or we parted ways, but boy did I think he was the baddest, meanest Sum B!tch on the planet when ever I screwed up.

[El Camexican]

Seen this from all angles. I was forced to tell 45 year olds what to do when I was 20 and sometimes I have to listen to them now. I recently took a fresh off the farm kid under my wing and a year later he's practicaly a mini me. I'm so proud of him it almost makes me cry when I see him in action. Unfortunatly for every one like him I've had the pleasure of working and training with there's been 10 dead-eyed burn-out punks I've had to fire. Sounds to me like Flabio needs to open his own shop, or at least make the boss agree to let him do the hiring and firing if he's going to have to put up with this caliber of help. PS. bkm/atc YOU are SOOOOO right! Spare the belt and fudge up the kid. Yo coolpool, why don't you tell the good people here what happens to parents that spank a kids arse in Canada.

[TecateDan]

I work for a staffing company and deal with these kids all day. There are one or two jems that I find here or there and they all have on thing in common. WHen they were young and screwed up they get yelled at and they were taught respect by there parents. When I was 21 an "GIVEN" a job like fabio gave this kid I was there 20 minutes early with a coffe for the boss not 20 minutes late with a coffe for myself. Oh and it's not my fault there days that kids spend 200K on a degree in Roman Theory! I mean what the is that going to help you do in life. They come crwaling into me all the time and want job for which they have no skills telling me how they have debt!!!!! Not my Problem. I make a good living now but 4 years ago when the economy emploded and I was workign for myself and I had debt I didn't cry to people I went and offered to do any horrible job for any amount of money to pay the bills. I didn't wine, I didn't show up late, I didn't complain and I used my skill and hard work to make a better life for myself. That what these kids don't get. They are young and they don't have responsiblity and it oinly gets harder as you get older and have more responsibilites so if you can't cut it now then go crawl into some cave and hide for the rest of your life cause I'm sick of the whiny complaing kids that have no respect and worse don't even understand why people thinkg they are idots

[atc007]

What do you expect from the "Time Out" generation. Back when I crossed the line there was no such thing as "Time Out" in my house. I can still to this day here my Old Man's belt clearing the loops on his pants. My dad never "beat" me but he got my attention that is for damn sure. My dad never forgot to tell me he loved me, always gave me a hug when he saw me or we parted ways, but boy did I think he was the baddest, meanest Sum B!tch on the planet when ever I screwed up.

Lol, I lOVE this! BKM,,my wife will TELL you ,,we WERE BEAT !! I say,,No,,we were taught right from wrong and there was a lOT of work to get done. Onto the next problem! I too,say I was never beat,,my back looked like a welted up zebras back sometimes from that belt.. ohh yes,,BUT,,we were dairy farmers!! Milker hoses and milker straps! With brass grommetts in them : ) Ok,,so maybe I was beat,,I wouldn't change a damn thing. I have now bathed and diapered him for 4 years and Mom 8. they must have done something right. I don't do it because of anything but PURE Love and respect. Funny little side note.. My Nephew gets the biggest kick out of this,as he Knows my Dad.. The LAST Time Dad went to Kick my ass,,,literally. I was stepping across the gutter in the barn,and he kicked,,I caught his foot and waved my finger, no more Dad. I Think I was 20.. He still hadn't gave up on me!

[jays375]

Was he wearing a pair of untied logger style boots?His hat cocked of to one side?The pant legs of his jeans cut up?Granted when I was that age thought I was cool?My job taught me alot,thanks to my co-workers.Luckily some of the guys I work with were willing to teach me things.Can't stand people being late.I show up 15 minutes early to chat and drink a coffee.Most of the younger crowd walks in the door as the bell rings,if not after.Then they stand around and finish there coffee.I work in a fab shop and get to build lots of neat things.New workers get the same treatment.Show them the best way and what works when putting something together.If they don't listen,no more help from me.I tend to be OCD and like my work area clean and organized.You don't see alot of that either these days.

[ebaccm26]

Sounds like some of you put any young person into the same category, that being that they are no good? I do realize some of you are just having some fun but others of you seem to be quite sincere. I'm 18, I have a FULL time job and go to college FULL time. My parents offered to pay my college in full but I told them no because it is my responsibility not theirs, granted they still help me but they should not have to bare the full burdon of that for me. My parents are well off enough that they would probably give me anything I asked for but yet every one of my machines was bought with my hard earned money NOT theirs. Maybe I am the only one but I have a sense of pride I have never missed a day of work nor shown up late, I work for what I want because it makes it feel that much better in the end to know that what I have is truely earned. I could go on and on but my point is don't single everyone into the same group because of their age, we are not all so disrespectful and ungrateful.

Respect is an important piece of the puzzle that is missing in todays society.. The young kids aren't raised to give respect or to work hard enough to earn respect. And we have to hope that this generation will raise their children correctly when they weren't showed how. How often do you see people holding doors for women, men, or others? When I hold a door open for someone, how often do I get a thank you? People are being taught the easy way to get by, throw their damn trash out the window of their car.. They're learning this from their parents.

The world is going to hell in a handbasket for sure..

As for that I would say I most definately was raised to give respect. My dad always taught me to do the simple things such as holding the door, taking care of your own messes etc, and not everyone appreciates it like they should but at the end of the day I am always better for having done it. On a side note I can't tell you how many times I have held a door for a older person who didn't say a word because for some reason they think they deserve it, it is not only younger people who show disrespect it is people in general.

[dcreel]

I could go on and on but my point is don't single everyone into the same group because of their age, we are not all so disrespectful and ungrateful.

I would say that you are definitely in the minority. Most of the 18-25 year olds I have worked with or known in my area have had several dui's or had some that have been covered up by their parents. They don't care about a legacy, morals, beliefs, or a work ethic. They care about the weekend, a check, and doing the least amount of work to get one to allow them to do the other.

This is the Teen Mom/Jersey Shore generation.. Where you do something stupid and make a living off of it.. Where being a douchebag is now a job title.

[TecateDan]

ebaccm.. I said in my post there are a few hidden jems and there parents taught them right.. good for u man keep it up if what u say is true u should do well in life with that ethic

[KI4UJO]

I am a member of this generation (I'm 15), and am ashamed to say it. Really, I don't even know where to start on the problems our generation has. Probably how most just go to their parents and beg for it. Everyone I know is always suprised to hear about how I actually work on stuff, and that I haven't been on facebook in 2 months. Also, if they do something, the lack of quality is amazing. Music really shows it. Not only is the "music" horrible, the actual quality of the audio is horrible. Anyone else here my age willing to build on this?