NormanKliman -> RE: Sometimes Teachers are Weird! (Dec. 21 2012 8:26:05)
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Forgive me for getting off topic. I agree with Ricardo on the importance of respecting elders, and I expect that most of you have the same opinion. It is usually very difficult, though, for all parties involved. We all hear older people say that times have changed and that people today are disrespectful toward others, etc. I think it's true, but I've also met very few older people who are able to interact with younger people without being condescending, intolerant, dismissive, etc. It's very important for younger people to know how to put a lid on the ego when in the company of their elders. The younger person has to realize that the older person is going to be more reserved at first (maybe maintaining this attitude for what might seem like a long time) even when facing contradiction, confrontation, etc. In my vocabulary, this is an example of wisdom (long term) as opposed to cleverness (short term). Even the stupidest old person has learned how to "wait and see what happens." This unfortunate word (stupid) brings me to my next point: Many people are born stupid and remain stupid in their old age. In my opinion, many fail to learn the finer points of human experience (generosity, tolerance, etc.), which is very sad. Of course, when I look at others and draw these conclusions, I can't know the whole story (physical pain and being insecure, for example, can make people seem like jerks), but I see a lot of closed-minded resentment and condescension among older people. The concept of an "old-school" vs. "new-school" guitar debate represents very well both sides of the issue that I'm describing here. Keeping the mind open and the ego in check are monumental tasks for any human being, for sure, but old-timers are supposed to have maturity that gives them some kind of advantage in this regard. Summing up: I agree that all old people deserve respect and that many young people today don't seem to care about this. On the other hand, there's no fool like an old fool.
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