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I'm so tired of strangers assuming I don't know anything about computers...
I am in my late 60s and worked with computers as long ago as the 1980s. Whenever the subject of a computer comes up or the internet with a total stranger they never give me any credit for being knowledgeable with computers. Today I was attending a physical therapy session, and someone asked me if I know anything about websites at all. I was really amazed. I reply that I worked with computers in the 80s. I realize that maybe some people may not mean anything by it, but I'm getting so tired of people assuming that I know nothing about computers and even nothing about cell phones. I'm still young and attractive and I don't understand the reason for this. It is not like computers just came up on the scene 6 months ago. What do you think of this?
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Looking young and attractive has no bearing on whether some one assumes you know anything about computers. People no longer think about when computers came about. My ex and I had a Commodore 64 when those were finally available. I was the generation when computers were just being introduced into the work place and switching over from typing a whole form letter to just changing the date, addressee and such. I am 63 but retired early so I don't get that at work and most of people I hang with now are 50s and older so I don't get ever. About the only thing asked is if I have an email address. I am the oldest of 3 girls and my sisters know less than me, because neither was in office work where they had to switch and learn. The world has changed a lot. For example, especially with the younger folk, they are expecting to be asked which pronouns they prefer if they are transgender, of if you innocently use a pronoun they don't like and they inform you of their pronouns. And the pronouns one wishes is very specific, others will answer to anything and it doesn't matter to them. I can't remember which person I call what when there are several. To me, this is all new stuff I need to learn when its not hardwired in at a younger age and memory is not as reliable short term. I have not heard of many training courses at jobs, through friends, that have trained people to simply ask this upfront. There is no training as well on how to learn if an older appearing person is one of those generations who were much older when computers first came out, approaching retirement and seeing no need to learn like my sisters. I can't email them as they haven't learned how to use email. That's one of the first things I learned. I think in most cases, a younger person doesn't mean to offend an older person by wording things awkwardly. Computers have been around a long time as you mention. I got married in 78 and a few years later we were working on getting our first home computer. I was 22 or 23 when we got something you could only play games on but in a couple years our jobs were putting them in. So there were many people older than me just learning. From someone in their 20s to someone in their 60s, that about forty years. I just don't let in bother me cus people who were around when something was new are just not going to know they came on the scene. Like my kids, if I hadn't told them, they assumed as kids and teens that cell phones has always been around and pc's too. In fact what I find hilarious is that kids can figure out how to run a complicated cell phone when they can't figure out what to do with a rotary phone, so if you need a good laugh after someone asks if you know anything about computers, watch some you tube videos about teens trying to figure out how to use a rotary phone. My favorite is grandma instructing them to call their mom from her place and to use that phone, pointing to the rotary and saying she would not help, and they had to figure it out themselves. So simple and yet they couldn't do it. You can just change your perspective and not let it bother you. I always use humor if it can help the situation but tone of voice and lots of genuine smiles are a must also. If someone did ask me if I knew anything about computers, I would explain yes, and that I have been using them since they appeared in the 80s. Then maybe ask if they know how to use a rotary phone. Some don't even know what they are called, let alone see one in real life, other than on old black and white shows or movies. When they answer No, then I giggle and clap my hands and say, 'then I still know more than you do." And then follow with a smile and laugh and sometimes I will even bat my eyes even to a female to just look funny.
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