Communication is Key

When I was growing up, having a female-female orientation was a matter of derision from others. I was an IT. Later I found out I was gay, then I found out after marriage to a woman, I had a wife. Shortly thereafter, I found out I was some letter in the LBGTQ++ alphabet. Then after she passed away, I was a widow. What kind of widow? Is there a special vocabulary of which I have no knowledge, some letter of the alphabet that is supposed to describe me?

Many of us, mature women and men, have issues with communication. Our language is unknown to younger people and ours is unknown to them. It is not just language. It is tradition and everyday living.

An example of these generational differences, which was a great enjoyment to us in our day, was gaming.

I came in contact with a younger woman, who was “hunting.” Still in grief from my wife passing away, I wasn't, but she was personable and seemed to have a good sense of humor. So I decided to game her.

There are many rules of gaming, strict rules which are well understood by my generation. The game is a compliment, an honor. There is a great deal of thought and effort in enacting a game. There is to be respect. It is to be fun.

Needless to say, my game with this young woman backfired and required an explanation. There was embarrassment on my part. There were work consequences on her part. Upon examination of how such a fun game could result in such a mess, I finally realized she had no understanding of the rules of the game. I had not even considered the possibility that she wouldn’t know the game.

This just reiterates the communication voids between generations, and the impatience that results not only with us, but with these younger people, as well. Many sort of excuse this by calling us Granny and rolling their eyes.

It is difficult to refrain from becoming impatient or angry, when, in effect, we are not understood either.

We can’t game this new generation. We can’t even communicate with them. The rules of life have changed. Communication may unite, or divide, those with whom we come into contact.

How am I going to re-enter life, when I speak a different language?

Let me know if you have been in a game and the consequences you encountered. I care.

Sincerely,

Lynn Brooke

Contemplation: Games should be fun. Are yours?

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Photo Credit: © 2023 Rachel Gareau