Hi everyone, I’m Mike Staver, this is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question:
Dear Mike, I’m a Millennial, and you clearly are not… So here’s my question. How do I handle the significant stereotypes being thrown at our generation every day? Especially by generations that are not Millennials.
You know, this is a great question. And I feel for ya, because it’s true. I’m a general non-stereotyper anyway, I don’t get stereotypes, they make no sense to me. But people stereotype Baby Boomers too, which you might have noticed I am…
Here’s how you do it. If you hear a stereotype about a Millennial, I think you just go “You know what, not all the time, not everyone.”
That’s what I do every time somebody makes a stereotype about my generation, about speakers, about people with my personality… I say “Not all the time, and not everyone.”
That’s all I say! I’m not a jerk, I don’t try to be difficult, I just say “Not all the time, and not everyone.” And what that tends to do is people go “You’re right, I’m making a generalization.”
I have a step-son that’s a Millennial. And he is probably as atypical as can be. But he has a really cool job, he travels around the world with ultra cool music festivals, shooting video, doing cool work. His passport’s full. But he’s a hard worker, does what he needs to do to make a living, he’s a solid guy. I don’t make generalizations but people do.
So the statement is “Not everyone, and not all the time.” I think that’s the best response.
I hope that was helpful. I’m Mike Staver, this is Mondays with Mike. Take care.
