RFK Jr would not be pleased. I just received my inoculation against Covid today. According to Bobby, I'm not old enough for the vaccine. Additionally, I don't suffer from any conditions that would make my contracting the virus more challenging to recover from. I do, however, volunteer with the elderly and I work in a shop in San Francisco that is visited regularly by tourists from all over the country and beyond. I neither want to become ill nor do I want to spread the virus. This should be a 'no shit, Sherlock' type of situation, but not for RFK Jr. The fact that he's in a position to dictate any sort of public policy regarding the health and well-being of Americans is so fucking galling.
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I work with a nineteen-year-old and am learning so much about how the young'uns of this generation communicate (or don't). I know that I and my cohort used *thee* most ridiculous slang, so I cut her a lot of slack when she says things that make not a lot of sense. I also don't ask for a 'translation', if you will, and just sort of figure out what she's saying based on context. Have you heard the word 'bet' being used not as a verb? This is the Gen Z slang I hear most often and have no clear idea of what is meant. It seems like an affirmative of some sort. Again, I'm not asking my co-worker.
What's also been a trip is learning how young women of this generation make money outside of the usual channels. In my day, it was phone sex. I think they were 1-900 numbers--I really don't recall--and the minutes added up quickly for the guy calling in for a 'good time'. My housemate, an ex-cheerleader from Florida, was in college while also working at a strip club downtown (anyone remember the Lusty Lady?) and doing phone sex from the comfort of our shared house. I remember she'd often be wrapped in a bathrobe with her hair up in a towel, phone receiver against one ear and Marlboro cigarette in hand saying things like, 'Oh, yeah, baby...' with the least sexy expression known to man on her face. It was all fairly comical. Nowadays, young women are video chatting, if that's what you'd call it, with their client/mark. These men seem to be up for a lot of kooky scenes. My co-worker finds the whole thing a bit of a joke and is thrilled to be making a couple hundred bucks for a few plus minutes of freaky role-play. I asked if she felt both in control and not uncomfortable by what she's both saying and seeing on the other end of the camera. She said that she's fine and I have to believe her.
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I will leave you with a bit of whimsy and wonder from my visit to Golden Gate Park this afternoon--
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Magical serpent seen along JFK Drive.  |
The glimpse into generational differences and evolving ways of working is fascinating (and made me smile!) as I am going through that right now, especially my 13-year-old. Your instincts are correct on best as Hayden uses that one a lot. Wishing you many more moments of whimsy and wonder in the park! Thanks for sharing photos. They are awesome, which is the exact opposite of Bobby.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't realized that that term was already so wide-spread! Our generation certainly had goofy slang, so it's not a surprise to hear things that don't totally compute coming out of the mouth of babes, if you will. The park is a respite; I'm glad you enjoyed the snaps!
DeleteYea, bet is just kinda an acknowledgement. (I frequent Urban Dictionary when something pops up that it new to me.) It's fun to listen in when the kiddos talk. Has your coworker used "fire" and "trash"? They're used in an interesting way.
ReplyDeleteI think I use 'fire' as well. :) Wasn't that more Millennial talk?
Delete'Trash' is not one I know yet. I'll listen for it!