[ad_1]
With every generational change comes a lot of disagreement and incongruence in opinions and thoughts on the future – it’s normal, it’s human nature. The youth grow older, hanging onto the ideas that were innovative and revolutionary during their time, and their children come up with ideas that directly challenge those of their parents. Whether it’s social disagreement or the development of new technology, it’s a normal progression!
However, while there have always been massive changes from one generation to the next – whether we’re talking about the Middle Ages or the 19th century – there’s no doubt about the fact that innovations in technology have been pretty drastic since the time of the Baby Boomers’ prime. Boomers certainly did play a massive role in contributing to tech – from inventing the internet and being part of space exploration – but technology has since changed even more. Most notably, it’s become part of everybody’s daily lives, which is a far cry from what boomers are used to from their youth!
So, we’ve got to be sympathetic when they struggle to keep up. It’s no wonder they get overwhelmed and end up being totally out of touch with technology! But we can help them, and although it can be frustrating, there are several things you can do to make the process easier.
Here are 8 tips for dealing with boomers who are completely out of touch with technology.
1. Be Patient
This ought to be something you carry with you in all spheres of life, but patience goes a long way in dealing with difficult situations – and it may seem trivial, but trying to help a boomer understand technology can be pretty difficult.
Remember, they didn’t grow up with this tech – they’ve had to learn all about it and how to use it as adults, and that’s totally different from growing up with it being the norm. Some things that may seem like second nature to you (like clicking a computer mouse, for instance) may seem super complicated to somebody else.
So, whether you’re trying to understand a question or explain something to a boomer, always be patient. Because, remember – they were young once too, and that means that one day, you’ll be in their shoes!
2. Find Out What They’re Keen on Learning
When it comes to trying to teach a boomer about technology, you’re far more likely to be successful if you’re teaching them about something they’re actually interested in knowing. Don’t just pick a random piece of technology or a concept and then dive right in. Rather, talk to them, find out what they’re interested in or what they think would be beneficial for them to learn, and go from there. You’re far more likely to have a willing student if they’re invested in what they’re learning!
3. Evaluate Their Competency
Before you start teaching a boomer something related to technology, make sure you have a good idea of their competency levels. Because there’s no point in diving right into something like surfing the internet when they don’t even understand how to turn on a computer.
Not only is there no point in doing this, but you also risk making them feel stupid by making things too complicated too quickly.
4. Start Simple
Once you know where they stand, you need to make a judgment call on what you want to start teaching them. And the best thing to do is always start a little more simply than you think necessary. Worst-case scenario, they already know what they’re doing and you just move on to something more complex! And even if that happens, they’ll have a sense of achievement, which is always good for morale.
5. Remember, They Were Young Once Too
Just like you’re young now and they seem old to you, they felt the same way as you do now – in fact, they probably felt just as frustrated with older generations as you do! So, just because they’re not tech-savvy doesn’t mean they’re stupid – it’s just the circle of life.
6. Don’t Force Them to Use Technology They Don’t Necessarily Need
Technology may be a major part of your life and it may make your life a whole lot easier, but that doesn’t mean that everybody else has to use it too. Sure, you can encourage them to use it and try to teach them, but if they’re not keen, then leave it alone. And more importantly, if it’s something they don’t even need, then don’t force them!
7. Respect Their Way of Doing Things
Everybody, and every generation, has a different mindset and a different way of doing things. Just because boomers do things differently from you doesn’t mean one way is necessarily better than the other. So, respect their way of doing things.
8. Be Kind
Last but not least, be kind. Just because a boomer doesn’t know how to use all the latest technology or doesn’t have much interest in it, that doesn’t mean they’re stupid or living in the past. Let them be. If they want to learn, teach them. If you teach them, take it slow and be patient. Most importantly, always remember to be kind.
More from Savoteur
Winter is the season to stay indoors and indulge in a comforting cup of hot cocoa while basking in the warmth of the fireplace. But the inner adventurer in you may be itching for a bit of an escape. Embrace the cold and experience all that winter has to offer with these fun winter experiences you can share with the whole family.
Fill Your Winter Bucket List With These 25 Exciting Adventures and Experiences for the Entire Family
The World’s 25 Most Beautiful Cities To Visit in Your Lifetime
There are over 4,000 cities worldwide, all with distinctive personalities and allure. But amongst them are a few that are particularly enchanting. They have a natural beauty, captivating landmarks, and rise above the rest. Here are the world’s 25 most beautiful cities that should be on your bucket list.
The World’s 25 Most Beautiful Cities To Visit in Your Lifetime
15 of the Scariest Drives in America
If you’re looking to add some thrills to your upcoming road trip, these harrowing drives across America will get your adrenaline pumping, make your heart race, and bring on a case of white knuckles. From haunted roads to sky-high highways and byways carved right into the side of mountains, here are 15 of the scariest drives in America to inspire your next trip.
15 of the Scariest Drives in America
Never Again: Americans Vow to Never Revisit These 11 Tourist Spots Abroad
Imagine you’re on a plane en route to a tourist destination, seeing that there are empty seats. And upon arriving, you notice that you’re quite alone there as well. The plot twist is that you’ve arrived in a place people swore to never visit again.
We don’t want that to happen to you. And maybe that’s why someone asked people on the internet which places they’ll refuse to visit again. Here’s what they have to say.
Never Again: Americans Vow to Never Revisit These 11 Tourist Spots Abroad
The World’s Weirdest Wonders: 12 Unusual Travel Destinations To Add To Your Travel Wishlist
It’s perfectly normal that we’re weirded out by the appearance of some things, and tourist spots are no different. But this time, maybe you can give it a try just by reading about unusual places that turn out to be perfect destinations.
Whether it’s an otherworldly landscape, a quirky cultural tradition, or an intriguing historical site, these offbeat locations offer a refreshing break from the typical tourist spots.
The World’s Weirdest Wonders: 12 Unusual Travel Destinations To Add To Your Travel Wishlist
[ad_2]
Source link