<p>In thinking about this thread and the similar one in Parents Forum, I realize that sometimes when talking to high school and college students, I’ve felt as if I were attempting to communicate with someone who was very self centered. Why? Because while I was asking questions to learn about their lives, their only contribution to the conversation was to talk about themselves.</p>
<p>Possibly they felt that I was badgering them or prying into their business, but I was just trying to get to know them better while wondering why they didn’t seem to have a shred of interest in my life. Do young people assume that older people have nothing of interest going on in their lives? Do young people think it’s rude to ask an older person about their job, travels, family, aspirations, hobbies or interests in general? </p>
<p>Young people aren’t the only people with plans, dreams and interesting lives. Older people like myself may not volunteer such info about themselves if a young person hasn’t said anything indicating they are interested. However, if the young person asks questions about the older person’s life, the person may be quite happy to talk about themselves, which could lead to a more balanced conversation.</p>