Text Me (or Not)

Today, our guest blogger, Marcia Nellans, shares a story about a real conversation she observed… one that may be life changing. Anyone who is challenged with texting teens will want to read on.

This weekend while my tires were being changed, I went to the local Bob Evan’s to get some breakfast. Soon after I was seated, a 40-ish man and a young man around 17 came in and sat at the next table. The older man was facing me. After they gave their order the younger of the two picked up his cell phone and started texting. The older said, “We are here to have a conversation. Cell phones are not for conversation. You have a conversation with a live person you are with.“

He then told the young man his rules for working, managing money, and life in general. It was one impressive conversation and I must say I was a bit envious that I had not been part of a similar conversation around that age. If that young man follows what the older one said, he will have one heck of a life and be able to retire comfortably.

Their relationship is still a mystery to me. I have no idea if they were father/son, employer/employee or just friends. I did want to get up and tell the young man he had just spent 30 of the most important minutes of his life with this man and that if he missed something he should be man enough to ask for a review.

I wish I had written down the points the man made. Some of them were:

• Don’t just do what you are told; look for ways to go above and beyond.
• If you are unsure what to do next, ask what you can do next.
• Watch for a co-worker who needs help and then help.
• Know what your expenses are for the next pay period and make sure you have that much money set aside before you do anything else.
• If you pull from your savings replace the savings first before spending money on non-essentials.
• Keep building your savings for a rainy day. You know that someday something will break and need to be fixed or replaced. Be prepared for that day.

He also told the young man about his business practices; how he keeps his name in front of past customers and how he does a good job so they would recommend him to friends.

It was all pretty impressive. Part of me wanted to say something, part of me was afraid of being a nosy old woman. The man made an impression on me even if the young man missed the message (but I don’t think he did). It made me realize that as adults we need to demand the attention of young people and give them the best we’ve got. Even if we only have a half hour at breakfast.