What does Generation X want?

[Martha]

You will never be refused emergency treatment here in the US either as hospitals are legally required to render emergency treatment regardless of ones ability to pay- this is one of the reasons why healthcare is so expensive for the rest of us who can pay.

Yes, but.

Chemotherapy isn't an emergency.
Etc.

Oh, and hospitals can get quite aggressive in collecting bills. The care isn't free.

 

[Texas Proud]

I'm one of them  I was born in 62.  I hope to God that qualifies me as a baby boomer.  I indentify with boomers much better than Xers.

You are a boomer... it is supposed to be till 64...

 

[newellcr]

"As for the old-fangled idea of paying one's dues in a dull job before moving up to something sexier, forget it: 77% of Gen Xers say they'd quit in a minute if offered "increased intellectual stimulation" at a different company. "

Interesting, "Paying one's dues."  Is this important or does the employer just want you to learn your job and how the organization works together?  Some jobs and organizations aren't that tough to learn.  I find it amazing that the 23% aren't swift enough to move out of a dull job! 

Cheers,

Chris

 

[azanon]

If Gen X is those born 1964 - 1977 per this article, and boomers were 1945 - 1960 what are those poor lost souls who were left out of the whole equation??

Boomers are 1945-1964, not 1960.

 

[azanon]

I have found many of these folks seem to lack much of a concept of how a business organization really works.  They seem to think it is a democracy.  It is not.  While the HR folks would like you to think it is; it is not and cannot operate that way.  Wanting it to be so and complaining because your wishes, wants and desires are not taken seriously by the leaders of the organization is seen by them as an insult.  To the "older workers" , it is a fact of life.  If you have not earned the power and position in the organization, you will have very little to say about where it goes or what it does.  The tiny voice whining about the unfairness of the system will be lost in the big picture of the organization.   Lip service is paid to make the whiner feel appreciated but their voice is not heard except as a memory in the leader's mind that this person is still very green and unseasoned in the business.

A lot of times, we dont take "you" seriously either.  Its really hard to take someone serious that cant work simple programs like windows, word and excel.  If you want "our" respect, please take the time to learn how to use modern technology.   I realize it wasnt taught in your school when you were there, but "we're" willing to work for less and can do many things you cant, so maybe listening to us would be good advise.  "You've" lost jobs to "us" for these reasons in the past and will continue to do so, until you use some of that great wisdom you supposedly have to save you from yourself.  Since "you" already supposedly know "everything else", surely "you" have plenty of time on the side to learn these things we already do very well ;-)

In defense of some boomers, I havent always had the problem from them of just getting "lip service". They do listen to me often, and actually take my advise at times, despite often being in a higher positions of authority. Maybe it isnt technically a democracy, but it is going to be a mistake to consistently and unilaterally reject the advise of your inferiors and subordinates.

Azanon

 

[Texas Proud]

I love it when people say money is not a motivator..... just stop paying everybody in the firm and see how many people come to work the next day.... I am not saying it is a big motivator, but it IS what we are working for...

And Azanon.... (and this is not directed at you, or at least I do not think so)... why can the Gen Xers not learn how to write a sentence? Your spelling is horrible, your sentence structure makes no sense. I am amazed you even could graduate from college.

And about working programs. I have seen a number of Xers who can not even use simple formulas, or write a macro. Yes, some of the older farts do not even know how to turn on a computer, but there are many who can run circles around the young kids.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

A lot of times, we dont take "you" seriously either. Its really hard to take someone serious that cant work simple programs like windows, word and excel. If you want "our" respect, please take the time to learn how to use modern technology. I realize it wasnt taught in your school when you were there, but "we're" willing to work for less and can do many things you cant, so maybe listening to us would be good advise. "You've" lost jobs to "us" for these reasons in the past and will continue to do so, until you use some of that great wisdom you supposedly have to save you from yourself. Since "you" already supposedly know "everything else", surely "you" have plenty of time on the side to learn these things we already do very well ;-)

In defense of some boomers, I havent always had the problem from them of just getting "lip service". They do listen to me often, and actually take my advise at times, despite often being in a higher positions of authority. Maybe it isnt technically a democracy, but it is going to be a mistake to consistently and unilaterally reject the advise of your inferiors and subordinates.

I've regularly observed companies replacing boomers with x'ers that were willing to put in twice the hours for half the money. That showed me two things. That people who will work for that long for that little are idiots. And that those companies got exactly what they paid for.

 

[azanon]

I've regularly observed companies replacing boomers with x'ers that were willing to put in twice the hours for half the money. That showed me two things. That people who will work for that long for that little are idiots. And that those companies got exactly what they paid for.

I guess i'll have to let other Gen-X'ers respond to this since I effectively work only about 36 hrs a week (counting leave) and make a great salary.

But if i was guessing, those other Gen-X'ers were just doing what it took to take their jobs, and plan on fixing the salary issue after said company becomes dependant on their unique skills that the boomers didn't have. Your statement nailed the boomer's #1 problem; you guys underestimate us, and now get to bicker about how dumb we are while you're unemployeed and watching soap operas during the day.

Azanon

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I dont underestimate anyone.

I just recognize the long term implications of dropping someone with 20-30 years of experience for someone who will simply work longer or for less. I never had a problem with taking on a 50-something for a job opening. Quite often while the 20-somethings were all ready and willing to work through the weekend to find an answer to something or run some huge project to solve a problem, the 50-something spit out the answer.

Both the very experienced worker and the aggressive hard charging younger worker have their benefits.

I'm also well aware that a lot of folks well OVER estimate their abilities, knowledge and skill. It starts with the indestructible 16 year old that knows everything and needs no help and degrades from there, I think...

Also never watched a soap opera in my life. Sorry.

 

[Andre1969]

Its really hard to take someone serious that cant work simple programs like windows, word and excel. If you want "our" respect, please take the time to learn how to use modern technology.

Hell, don't teach too many of them how to use that stuff...that's what keeps me in a job!

 

[Sheryl]

A lot of times, we dont take "you" seriously either.  Its really hard to take someone serious that cant work simple programs like windows, word and excel.  

It's really hard to take someone seriously when they can't spell, punctuate or put together a grammatically correct sentence.   

 

[eridanus]

Your spelling is horrible, your sentence structure makes no sense.

The above sentence is a run-on.



This "discussion" is silly. Generational gross generalizations? Gimme a break.

 

[lets-retire]

Howard--It's the wait part the is the issue.  I recently torn the cartilage in my ankle.  It is obviously not life threatening.  If I were in the military they would have said here's some motrin. It'll feel better in a couple days.  If not come back.  The end result would be arthritis in my ankle.  As it was, the civilian doctor I went to repaired the tear and fix the other injury (that also would have resulted in arthritis) I spoke of in my previous post.  The initial injury made my ankle joint slightly unstable, contributing to the second injury.  If I had to wait then the cartilage that had torn off would have ground up the healthy cartilage still remaining, resulting in more extensive repair if that was even possible.  At times the wait is a problem in it's self, causing more injury than if timely treatment was provided.

As far as fighting with my insurance company I've had to use it for two surgeries and numerous routine appointments.  There has never been a problem with the routine appointments.  The two surgeries were the one I spoke of for me and one for brain surgery for my wife.  The only arguments I was involved in were with the care providers not wanting to do what the insurance company required to be paid.  The providers kept sending me the bills.  I kept telling them to submit to the insurance company first.  These arguments were normally resolved by going to a senior enough supervisor and telling them the bonehead low level person was not doing what the insurance company required to have the claim processed.

If your friend is spending that much time fighting with the insurance company I'd suggest finding another insurance provider or changing companies.  

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

The providers kept sending me the bills.  I kept telling them to submit to the insurance company first.  These arguments were normally resolved by going to a senior enough supervisor and telling them the bonehead low level person was not doing what the insurance company required to have the claim processed.

Unfortunately, many medical providers don't initially care what an insurance company wants in order to have a claim processed.  The fine print on most medical forms is that the patient is ultimately responsible for any unpaid amount, and that the medical provider is not obligated to bill the insurance company first.  Under such circumstances, patients get bills for months, which naturally go unpaid, thereby affecting their credit rating.  In some cases, the medical provider goes so far as to send the bill out to a collection agency, thereby ruining the patient's credit rating -- all because some "bonehead low level person was not doing what the insurance company required to have the claim processed".

 

[lets-retire]

True. That's why I went up the chain until I found someone who would do what was required to be paid.

 

[Howard]

ltr , hopefully things turned out well for your wife.?

What you say is true, that in a socialised system the wait some times compounds the problem, but the number of Hospitals is limited, the number that do Neuro , Cardio, etc is even more limited, so urgent cases go to the front of the line.

Friends of ours that have worked in the US felt frustrations with all the paperwork involved, especially in charting the patient's bill.

Most enjoyed their experiance but returned for family reasons.

A bit of trivia, Kieffer Sutherland, who acts in 24, is the Grand Son of Tommy Douglas, the man responsible for bringing Medicare into Canada.

 

[Mr._johngalt]

 Its really hard to take someone serious that cant work simple programs like windows, word and excel.  

Azanon

Well, I can do all of that at least. Still can't post a photo though.

JG

 

[Mr._johngalt]

Unfortunately, many medical providers don't initially care what an insurance company wants in order to have a claim processed.  The fine print on most medical forms is that the patient is ultimately responsible for any unpaid amount, and that the medical provider is not obligated to bill the insurance company first.  Under such circumstances, patients get bills for months, which naturally go unpaid, thereby affecting their credit rating.  In some cases, the medical provider goes so far as to send the bill out to a collection agency, thereby ruining the patient's credit rating -- all because some "bonehead low level person was not doing what the insurance company required to have the claim processed".

This is slightly off topic. I've always known that in any transactional dispute/debate,
the one holding onto the cash has the upper hand, negotiationally. Now that I am
no longer a borrower, but instead a lender, I am merciless in using this
device. In other words, I don't worry much about my credit rating. If someone
is treating me badly, I use whatever leverage I can find. It's kind of like saying
"So sue me!" th, I know what you are thinking....................

JG

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

It's kind of like saying "So sue me!"

As a lawyer and a former litigator, I've often used that line in dealing with people who are annoyed at me because I won't let them have their way. Nobody has ever done it.

My father, on the other hand, has been sued a few times, mostly for small amounts that he could have paid, but chose not to based on the principle of the matter. As a dutiful son, I've ghost-written a few of his briefs and discovery responses. I can only imagine the looks on the faces of the ambulance-chaser lawyers who opened the envelopes.

The whole point of my involvement was to make it as expensive as possible for those who chose to press stupid issues. On the other hand, when my father was wrong (and he was occasionally), I didn't hesitate to tell him that he should pay up and be done with it, and he eventually did.

 

[Mr._johngalt]

As a lawyer and a former litigator, I've often used that line in dealing with people who are annoyed at me because I won't let them have their way.  Nobody has ever done it.

My father, on the other hand, has been sued a few times, mostly for small amounts that he could have paid, but chose not to based on the principle of the matter.  As a dutiful son, I've ghost-written a few of his briefs and discovery responses.  I can only imagine the looks on the faces of the ambulance-chaser lawyers who opened the envelopes.

The whole point of my involvement was to make it as expensive as possible for those who chose to press stupid issues.  On the other hand, when my father was wrong (and he was occasionally), I didn't hesitate to tell him that he should pay up and be done with it, and he eventually did.

"paying up" and "being done with it" is very often excellent advice. My "family law"
attorney has saved me a lot of money by being honest and telling me to just pay and
move on. My natural inclinations are not merely win, but to crush my opponents.
Obviously this gets me in hot water and as a result I have spent way too much time
in court.

JG

 

[bow-tie]

I guess i'll have to let other Gen-X'ers respond to this since I effectively work only about 36 hrs a week (counting leave)... Azanon

I work my 40-45hrs and get my work done competently, and then some.

Perhaps someone can shed some light into the "the amount of day in the work vs the amount of work in the day" scenario I perceive at my job.  The people who work all the time, adding little, if any, additional value, are regarded as "more valuable".  Maybe my perception is incorrect, but it plagues me as very counterintuitive.

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

My natural inclinations are not merely win, but to crush my opponents.
Obviously this gets me in hot water and as a result I have spent way too much time
in court.

A wise partner in my old law firm once told me that the key to surviving the stress of being a litigator is not to take anything personally. He told me that's what the client is supposed to do, since it's his money on the line. While I agree with this principle in part, I still like to win and would still get annoyed if I had written what I considered to be a "winning brief" and it was readily apparent from the judge's ruling that he hadn't bothered to read it.

 

[Martha]

I still like to win and would still get annoyed if I had written what I considered to be a "winning brief" and it was readily apparent from the judge's ruling that he hadn't bothered to read it.

Don't I know it. Just makes my blood boil. And then you have to explain it to your client. No wonder I am limiting the bankruptcy litigation I do. Though today I am working on a motion for summary judgment in a bankruptcy case. I have convinced myself I am right. We will see about the judge. This particular judge irritates me to no end. Serious case of robitus.

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

Don't I know it. Just makes my blood boil.  And then you have to  explain it to your client.  No wonder I am limiting the bankruptcy litigation I do.  Though today I am working on a motion for summary judgment in a bankruptcy case.  I have convinced myself I am right.  We will see about the judge.  This particular judge irritates me to no end.  Serious case of robitus. 

On a related note to Martha's posting, I think that Generation X really wants to just be taken seriously.  Although the members of Generation X are now in their late-20s to mid-30s, Boomers still don't seem to treat us like adults in many situations.  Many of us are wise beyond our years, and a lack of gray hair doesn't automatically disqualify us from being right.  Then again, try telling that to the average federal judge...

 

[REWahoo]

Then again, try telling that to the average federal judge...

I think I've identified your problem....