Comments on: What Mad Men Tells Us About Why Millennials Feel Special http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/ Marketing to Millennials Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:48:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Frank http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-786 Frank Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:56:22 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-786 I am EXACTLY in the same age cohort as Sally, so her story, and her experience of life around her, is of great interest to me. Her biggest challenge, though, is not Don and Betty's parenting style. Don is a really messed up, damaged human being. Betty is struggling to deal with it - but is starting to get a blue. Her deep shock at seeing his stash of documents in last night's episode was a turning point (and really well acted, by the way). <br>My parents were somewhere between and distant and smothering. They did a fine job raising 5 kids as best they could. Where they screwed up, it was because of their own individual issues, not because of their parental style. I am EXACTLY in the same age cohort as Sally, so her story, and her experience of life around her, is of great interest to me. Her biggest challenge, though, is not Don and Betty's parenting style. Don is a really messed up, damaged human being. Betty is struggling to deal with it – but is starting to get a blue. Her deep shock at seeing his stash of documents in last night's episode was a turning point (and really well acted, by the way).
My parents were somewhere between and distant and smothering. They did a fine job raising 5 kids as best they could. Where they screwed up, it was because of their own individual issues, not because of their parental style.

]]> By: Frank http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-554 Frank Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:56:22 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-554 I am EXACTLY in the same age cohort as Sally, so her story, and her experience of life around her, is of great interest to me. Her biggest challenge, though, is not Don and Betty's parenting style. Don is a really messed up, damaged human being. Betty is struggling to deal with it - but is starting to get a blue. Her deep shock at seeing his stash of documents in last night's episode was a turning point (and really well acted, by the way). <br>My parents were somewhere between and distant and smothering. They did a fine job raising 5 kids as best they could. Where they screwed up, it was because of their own individual issues, not because of their parental style. I am EXACTLY in the same age cohort as Sally, so her story, and her experience of life around her, is of great interest to me. Her biggest challenge, though, is not Don and Betty's parenting style. Don is a really messed up, damaged human being. Betty is struggling to deal with it – but is starting to get a blue. Her deep shock at seeing his stash of documents in last night's episode was a turning point (and really well acted, by the way).
My parents were somewhere between and distant and smothering. They did a fine job raising 5 kids as best they could. Where they screwed up, it was because of their own individual issues, not because of their parental style.

]]> By: Jillian C. York http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-516 Jillian C. York Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:37:22 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-516 I find this really helpful for understanding why I, an actual millennial (1982) don't understand a lot of the hullabaloo made about my generation. I'm somewhere in the middle - my parents attended most of my concerts, but weren't involved like a lot of my friends' parents. They weren't in the PTA, they both had jobs, and I was one of the only latchkey kids I knew. I grew up knowing I'd have to pay for at least part of college, and when I did go, my parents didn't "helicopter" or expect perfection. They didn't really want to advise me in picking a major, because they felt it should be up to me. I am thankful to be the exception to a generation that I deem pretty obnoxious. I find this really helpful for understanding why I, an actual millennial (1982) don’t understand a lot of the hullabaloo made about my generation. I’m somewhere in the middle – my parents attended most of my concerts, but weren’t involved like a lot of my friends’ parents. They weren’t in the PTA, they both had jobs, and I was one of the only latchkey kids I knew. I grew up knowing I’d have to pay for at least part of college, and when I did go, my parents didn’t “helicopter” or expect perfection. They didn’t really want to advise me in picking a major, because they felt it should be up to me.

I am thankful to be the exception to a generation that I deem pretty obnoxious.

]]> By: Jillian C. York http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 Jillian C. York Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:37:00 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-1415 I find this really helpful for understanding why I, an actual millennial (1982) don't understand a lot of the hullabaloo made about my generation. I'm somewhere in the middle - my parents attended most of my concerts, but weren't involved like a lot of my friends' parents. They weren't in the PTA, they both had jobs, and I was one of the only latchkey kids I knew. I grew up knowing I'd have to pay for at least part of college, and when I did go, my parents didn't "helicopter" or expect perfection. They didn't really want to advise me in picking a major, because they felt it should be up to me. I am thankful to be the exception to a generation that I deem pretty obnoxious. I find this really helpful for understanding why I, an actual millennial (1982) don’t understand a lot of the hullabaloo made about my generation. I’m somewhere in the middle – my parents attended most of my concerts, but weren’t involved like a lot of my friends’ parents. They weren’t in the PTA, they both had jobs, and I was one of the only latchkey kids I knew. I grew up knowing I’d have to pay for at least part of college, and when I did go, my parents didn’t “helicopter” or expect perfection. They didn’t really want to advise me in picking a major, because they felt it should be up to me.

I am thankful to be the exception to a generation that I deem pretty obnoxious.

]]> By: Ron http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-504 Ron Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:50:41 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-504 http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1467756# Research has 'heard' you!! http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1467756#

Research has ‘heard’ you!!

]]> By: Ron http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-1414 Ron Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:50:00 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-1414 http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1467756# Research has 'heard' you!! http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1467756#

Research has ‘heard’ you!!

]]> By: Carri Bugbee http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-503 Carri Bugbee Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:15:09 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-503 Carol, this is so interesting. When I see Betty Draper on Mad Men treat Sally with complete lack of concern or obvious annoyance for behaving like a child, I always laugh with recognition. I think my dad’s favorite phrase was “you kids go play in the freeway.” He was only halfway joking. While I grew up about 10 years later than Sally, kids were still intended to “be seen and not heard.” This was true of nearly all my friends as well. In fact, I can only think of one or two exceptions (those kids’ parents were always chaperones). We’ve often joked about this as adults (yes, I’m still friends with people I went to grade school with): how weird it is that our parents didn’t attend our choir performances, plays or basketball games much of the time. Help with homework? My parents didn’t look at report cards or know what classes I was taking. Once in awhile they might ask “How’s school?” and I’d respond with “Fine. I’m getting A’s.” Perhaps most telling, participating in extra-curricular activities was perceived as a pain in the ass by parents. That meant they’d have to drive you to and from events – at least until you were old enough to drive yourself or hitch a ride with a friend. You had to REALLY want it to persuade them this would be a worthwhile use of their time. And then your pitch had better be good. Yet, there was no stigma attached to this as kids. That’s just the way it was. I even remember wondering if my dad would attend my high school graduation (he did). Of course, back then nobody celebrated “graduation” from kindergarten, grammar school or jr. high. You simply looked forward to the adventure of high school while dreading the anticipated hazing (which was mostly unchecked) at the same time. That said, having a much younger sister and many younger cousins, I saw how that changed even in the few years after I left home – as you stated – hoping never to move back. Your post brings up a lot of thought-provoking insights for working with millenials. I think of myself as a real softie, but I don’t have much patience for employees or contractors who need a lot of hand-holding. Perhaps I’ll need to cultivate that to work with the Gen-Y set. Thus far, I've worked mostly with "oldsters" like myself. :-) @CarriBugbee Carol, this is so interesting. When I see Betty Draper on Mad Men treat Sally with complete lack of concern or obvious annoyance for behaving like a child, I always laugh with recognition. I think my dad’s favorite phrase was “you kids go play in the freeway.” He was only halfway joking.

While I grew up about 10 years later than Sally, kids were still intended to “be seen and not heard.” This was true of nearly all my friends as well. In fact, I can only think of one or two exceptions (those kids’ parents were always chaperones).

We’ve often joked about this as adults (yes, I’m still friends with people I went to grade school with): how weird it is that our parents didn’t attend our choir performances, plays or basketball games much of the time. Help with homework? My parents didn’t look at report cards or know what classes I was taking. Once in awhile they might ask “How’s school?” and I’d respond with “Fine. I’m getting A’s.” Perhaps most telling, participating in extra-curricular activities was perceived as a pain in the ass by parents. That meant they’d have to drive you to and from events – at least until you were old enough to drive yourself or hitch a ride with a friend. You had to REALLY want it to persuade them this would be a worthwhile use of their time. And then your pitch had better be good.

Yet, there was no stigma attached to this as kids. That’s just the way it was. I even remember wondering if my dad would attend my high school graduation (he did). Of course, back then nobody celebrated “graduation” from kindergarten, grammar school or jr. high. You simply looked forward to the adventure of high school while dreading the anticipated hazing (which was mostly unchecked) at the same time.

That said, having a much younger sister and many younger cousins, I saw how that changed even in the few years after I left home – as you stated – hoping never to move back.

Your post brings up a lot of thought-provoking insights for working with millenials. I think of myself as a real softie, but I don’t have much patience for employees or contractors who need a lot of hand-holding. Perhaps I’ll need to cultivate that to work with the Gen-Y set. Thus far, I’ve worked mostly with “oldsters” like myself. :-)

@CarriBugbee

]]> By: Carri Bugbee http://millennialmarketing.com/2009/10/why-millennials-feel-special/comment-page-1/#comment-1413 Carri Bugbee Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:15:00 +0000 http://millennialmarketing.com/?p=831#comment-1413 Carol, this is so interesting. When I see Betty Draper on Mad Men treat Sally with complete lack of concern or obvious annoyance for behaving like a child, I always laugh with recognition. I think my dad’s favorite phrase was “you kids go play in the freeway.” He was only halfway joking. While I grew up about 10 years later than Sally, kids were still intended to “be seen and not heard.” This was true of nearly all my friends as well. In fact, I can only think of one or two exceptions (those kids’ parents were always chaperones). We’ve often joked about this as adults (yes, I’m still friends with people I went to grade school with): how weird it is that our parents didn’t attend our choir performances, plays or basketball games much of the time. Help with homework? My parents didn’t look at report cards or know what classes I was taking. Once in awhile they might ask “How’s school?” and I’d respond with “Fine. I’m getting A’s.” Perhaps most telling, participating in extra-curricular activities was perceived as a pain in the ass by parents. That meant they’d have to drive you to and from events – at least until you were old enough to drive yourself or hitch a ride with a friend. You had to REALLY want it to persuade them this would be a worthwhile use of their time. And then your pitch had better be good. Yet, there was no stigma attached to this as kids. That’s just the way it was. I even remember wondering if my dad would attend my high school graduation (he did). Of course, back then nobody celebrated “graduation” from kindergarten, grammar school or jr. high. You simply looked forward to the adventure of high school while dreading the anticipated hazing (which was mostly unchecked) at the same time. That said, having a much younger sister and many younger cousins, I saw how that changed even in the few years after I left home – as you stated – hoping never to move back. Your post brings up a lot of thought-provoking insights for working with millenials. I think of myself as a real softie, but I don’t have much patience for employees or contractors who need a lot of hand-holding. Perhaps I’ll need to cultivate that to work with the Gen-Y set. Thus far, I've worked mostly with "oldsters" like myself. :-) @CarriBugbee Carol, this is so interesting. When I see Betty Draper on Mad Men treat Sally with complete lack of concern or obvious annoyance for behaving like a child, I always laugh with recognition. I think my dad’s favorite phrase was “you kids go play in the freeway.” He was only halfway joking.

While I grew up about 10 years later than Sally, kids were still intended to “be seen and not heard.” This was true of nearly all my friends as well. In fact, I can only think of one or two exceptions (those kids’ parents were always chaperones).

We’ve often joked about this as adults (yes, I’m still friends with people I went to grade school with): how weird it is that our parents didn’t attend our choir performances, plays or basketball games much of the time. Help with homework? My parents didn’t look at report cards or know what classes I was taking. Once in awhile they might ask “How’s school?” and I’d respond with “Fine. I’m getting A’s.” Perhaps most telling, participating in extra-curricular activities was perceived as a pain in the ass by parents. That meant they’d have to drive you to and from events – at least until you were old enough to drive yourself or hitch a ride with a friend. You had to REALLY want it to persuade them this would be a worthwhile use of their time. And then your pitch had better be good.

Yet, there was no stigma attached to this as kids. That’s just the way it was. I even remember wondering if my dad would attend my high school graduation (he did). Of course, back then nobody celebrated “graduation” from kindergarten, grammar school or jr. high. You simply looked forward to the adventure of high school while dreading the anticipated hazing (which was mostly unchecked) at the same time.

That said, having a much younger sister and many younger cousins, I saw how that changed even in the few years after I left home – as you stated – hoping never to move back.

Your post brings up a lot of thought-provoking insights for working with millenials. I think of myself as a real softie, but I don’t have much patience for employees or contractors who need a lot of hand-holding. Perhaps I’ll need to cultivate that to work with the Gen-Y set. Thus far, I’ve worked mostly with “oldsters” like myself. :-)

@CarriBugbee

]]>