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Generation X

I know I shouldn’t overgeneralize
So I’m not talking about every single one of you.

There’s one thing that shocks me and
I just have to spit it out and get it off my chest.

It boggles my mind and I really want to know
How did you learn to never say thank you?

Is it from being deluged with abundance
Senselessly and shamelessly since birth?

Is it from thinking it’s never enough
Or knowing inside it’s really too much?

You’re deliberately withholding and 
We’re just not getting the memo.

Your silence holds an obvious message
As loud and clear as a slap in the face.

Are you bucking at this nasty habit we have
Of deciding for you what you might want

While we could just filling your pockets
With our abundance of free money?



AP: 2nd place 2020

Submitted on December 21, 2018 for contest LET 'ER RIP #2 sponsored by JOHN LAWLESS

Originally posted on November 17, 2018

Copyright © Line Gauthier | Year Posted 2018

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Gershon Wolf Date: 11/18/2018 1:15:00 PM Interesting -- haven't experienced this at all from the millenials; quite the opposite, in fact... Gen X'ers on the other hand -- they seem more 'entitled' to me than the millenials. Can only go on my own experience here. Nothing scientific...Thought-provoking write! ~ Gershon Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 11/18/2018 3:50:00 PM Dear Gershon, I think you are absolutely correct actually... so much so that I stand corrected and have changed the title of my poem!!! Thanks for straightening me out... If I'm going to complain about a group, the least I should do is get their name right!!!

M. L. Kiser Date: 11/17/2018 11:19:00 PM Now there's a wake-up call; I wonder if anyone will hear it? Well penned. Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 11/17/2018 11:29:00 PM LOL - what an optimistic thought, ML. Refreshing!

Ilene Bauer Date: 11/17/2018 5:02:00 PM you have nailed this on the head, line! i have experienced this quite often and it drives me crazy! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 11/17/2018 6:36:00 PM It is totally mindboggling. I have thought about this for a while and do present my humble conclusion. Thank you for your much appreciated visit and sharing.

Rhona Mcferran Date: 11/17/2018 3:19:00 PM "It boggles my mind and I really want to know/ How did you learn to never say thank you?" This ungrateful behavior is really hard to understand... and while I realize there is a generation-gap, I think you hit on the key phrase- that they 'learned not to say thank you'- as gratitude and appreciation are "taught" behaviors. Login to Reply Rhona Mcferran Date: 11/17/2018 9:18:00 PM Sorry to offend you, my friend- it was quite unintentional! I totally understand your aggravation with the entitled attitudes- I get fed up with that, too... Line Gauthier Date: 11/17/2018 6:39:00 PM Your comment would imply that they were taught their ATTITUDE. Just makes me shudder. Thanks for your visit and comment, Rhona. Grrr!

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 11/17/2018 3:17:00 PM From the time of birth children learn to emulate our actions. There are some millenials who take the tiny seconds to say thank you. My kids and grand kids have been taught to express thanks for any and everything. But I have seen the likes of what your poem conveys Line and it is disturbing. Offering to give your seat to someone senior or holding a door open for a stranger is something my son is passing downto his son. I think you have the right word...feeling 'entitled' and it is sad. A great poem with an important message Line. : )xxoo Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 11/17/2018 3:19:00 PM Thanks for your most appreciated visit and comment, Connie.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 11/17/2018 12:18:00 PM You have nailed it on the head, in this poem. Some of those who feel entitled, are so used to their magic check, they have taught their children that it is better to collect than to do. On the flip side, they never have the feeling of fulfilment the worker bees do, so I feel sorry for them in that way, and for their children who say "I want to just get my check," feeling satisfied with that at eight-years-young. Not everyone! Some are thankful and do say thank you. Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 11/17/2018 1:39:00 PM Thanks for your much appreciated visit and comment, Caren.