Since there have been generations there have been generation gaps. But it’s become clear to me that since the technology
boom of the 90’s and 2000’s the gap is widening.This happened to me on my way to work the other day:
I passed a car full of college kids & their stuff broken down on the freeway, in a bad spot. Now after reporting traffic
for a few decades here in SD, I know too well the danger of having your car stopped on the freeway for any reason, in this case, with a flat tire. The car was almost over to the shoulder, but not quite, and the two stranded dudes were outside of the car looking at a flat tire when I drove by. Something told me to stop and help.When I asked the two college sophomores (on their way to move in to their dorm at UCSD) what was up, they said, “Um I think the tire is like…flat.” Ummm… yup, you nailed it, dude. I say, “let’s put on your spare. Do you have one?” What I got in return to this question was disheartening on SO many levels “I don’t know. Where is that?” was the response. I let that slide, since nowadays your spare could be tucked away just about anywhere and could be the size of a donut but what followed was a string of events that have led me to believe that the generation gap is bigger than ever.
In the next 60-seconds I heard this “I called my dad and left a voicemail. I think he has Triple A or something.” “Maybe a tow truck guy will come by or something.” also “Do you think it just needs air or something?” followed by, “This sucks… dude, get a Snapchat”
At this point I interject, “Guys C’mon your killing me! Get in, drive down the ramp to the park and ride, and we will put the spare on. It will take 15-minutes. Dudes, man up.” The look was precious as they got in the truck and drove down the ramp. It took us 20-minutes to drop the spare, jack up the car, replace the tire (they actually had a full-size spare) and get them ready to go. BUT, in the time it took me to teach them how to change a tire they took the time to...
Updated their Facebook pages.
Take at least 8 pictures, Snapchats, Instagram pics, tweets.
Called 3 people to tell them what they were doing.
Asked each other, “Dude, is there a flat tire emoji?”
Asked, “How do you know how to do this?” at least 5 times.
Sure, it was hard for me to see two grown-men not have a clue what to do with a flat, and harder to watch THEM watch ME fix the flat. But I feel pretty sure that I was doing a good thing, and maybe, just maybe, saving the world by showing the next generation that a flat tire is not the end of the road, it’s a bump in the road. And bumps in the road of life can’t be righted with social media posts or cute little emoji’s. It takes effort and a little “elbow grease” (look it up 20-somethings) to smooth out life’s problems.
Kevin Dean
Reach me – kdean@gmail.com – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram
