Our young - why no speak?
Having spent over eight years living in China where I was an English teacher, I have now returned to the UK, at least for a while. As I no longer have a home in England, I have had to stay with my daughter and my son. My daughter has two teenage daughters at home and my son one teenage daughter, and it's been really trying, staying with both.What really bothers me is that none of my granddaughters will speak with me, unless I speak with them, not even a hello if I don't say it first. Is it too much to ask, just to have some polite words of greeting or even curiosity about the life I've had? After all, what do they know about China? Shouldn't they even be a tad curious?
When I mention this to others, they just shrug, laugh and say this is how teenagers are but really is this how they should be? Why is it we make excuses for teenagers and yet if they grow into rude or unhelpful adults, we complain bitterly about them? Why are young people not taught about respect for elders and in fact, respect for each other?
Of course, I was young once but I can't remember if I was the same. If I was, then I must have been incorrect and impolite too. Surely we should train the young generation to communicate and then they will become better adults, and the world will be a better place.
BTW Chinese children are far more respectful of older people and their teachers.
Comments (9)
I would ignore the granddaughters. Insisting on talk will make it only worse.
Like keepers said...Maybe you should just ignore them. The more you look at them and pretend to act as if nothing happened by being nice to them..the more they will become distant with you.?
Kids can read you you know?
And they can also feel what their mother's feeling.
If you walk in a room with fear and uncertainty wondering what might happen..or not happen .."will they talk to me or not?"...you're bound to transmit your doubts.
For example, my ex's kids told me when they began experimenting with drugs. They didn't tell their parents, nor did I say a word. There's nothing wrong with smoking weed but one doesn't know where it can lead, so I told them that if they get caught, and get a criminal record, they won't be allowed to travel to many countries in the world. Both stopped immediately and one is working in the US and the other, like you, is teaching young students in China.