A Paradigm Shift in Society for the New Millennia & Millennials & Sprezzatura!

A paradigm shift is here. Gone are the old European Victorian etiquette & manners of the last Century. Here are the new rules (etiquette) and behaviors (manners) of the new millennium, brought in by the now Millennial generation, coming into a firm adulthood at 30 years of age. Different set of charms. Different set of graces. Different ways of verbal and written communication. Different priorities in their daily lives. Neither better nor worse, because in the end, human nature does not change. It's  just different.

We older generations may not like it. It's not our way. To us it holds no charm. No grace. No trust. Little gratitude. But, Millennials have not grown up like we older ones did. No exploring, playing "Kick the Can" or riding bikes all over the neighborhood with all the nearby kids completely unsupervised until dinner or dark. Millennials have working Moms and have had to have every single activity supervised. After school activities are also supervised whether it be a Dance Class or Lacrosse practice. Weekend activities are supervised too, as are Summer activities.    

Gone are the days of "The customer is always right." Now, one has to chat up any customer service representative and follow their instruction to the "T." No trust shown to the customer. Instead, you, the customer, must prove you are to be trusted. No small talk allowed. No sense of humor allowed. Yet, at the end of each fact only, exhausting 40 minute phone call or in store experience, you may or may not accomplish your task needed. You may have to start all over again with a Supervisor. If you don't follow instruction to their "T", as well, you may be disconnected and have to start over. So, just be ready for a minimum 40 minute phone call, and have all your documents, account numbers and a credit card ready.

We older ones, raised with our Grandparents born with parents from the Victorian Age were taught discretion. Be gentle. Be kind. Don't ever complain. Be diplomatic in your statements about religion and politics. It is rude to give your unsolicited opinion, verbally or in writing. We wrote quite differently that we spoke. No longer. Millennials write just like they talk. The Online world is their Kingdom. Their Universe. They are more insular in their relationships and lives. More introspective. To them, the unsupervised outside world is not to be trusted, so they will tell you Online exactly how they think and exactly how they feel. We older ones may read it or consider it to be rude, but Millennials do not. It's how they operate. It is how they live, and it's their world now.  

All in all, Human nature does not change all that much. We all want to be loved. To be accepted. To be polite. To be liked. To be respectful and respected. We all want that elusive Sprezzatura! To do better. To get along socially and in business. We all want to succeed and be happy for ourselves and our families. We all seek respite from an always changing, ever angry and tough world. 

The important thing to remember about finding happiness today, is to each find our "nitch." Our balance. Life in little increments. Learning from our mistakes and failings. Waking up anew every day and trying to do better. Working on our flaws and listening to family & friends. Forgiving others their sins and cruel behaviors towards us and not worrying about them at all or removing ourselves from those situations. Giving a bad situation or conversation 3 minutes for the other person to vent, then changing direction by politely and diplomatically leaving the conversation or room. 

Life is not easy. It's one thing after another. It is a survival of the fittest world. The more we do every day to stay "fit", the better we will get along and go along. Versatility is the key. Changing direction is crucial. As my brilliant Step-Sister said at age 15: "Accept, adapt, and move on! "