[SoxyMama]

So I wonder what you think - I think I'm being judgemental about capabilities to work together. But that my judgement is justified, so I'm interested in what you think:

Yesterday I rolled up to an outdoor shopping area to park next to a small (micro size car) with about 12 late teens/early young adults hanging around the car. Turns out a girl had parked one tyre over the edge of of the parking bay, but probably with an edge about 10cm off the ground, so basically one tyre was stuck over the edge of it. One tyre was on a flat bit. Half of them were on phones, a few guys were standing around wondering what to do but they all had no idea what to do! I guess I'm thinking it wasn't a biggie, there was enough of them to probably lift the car off it, and so I suggested to put the car in neutral and take the brake off, and for everyone to push it off the edge. They all kind of looked at me dumbfounded, didn't rush over to try lift it in the meantime my 8yo was there trying to lift it and then they all followed suite. It still didn't budge so I suggested to put the car in reverse, turn the ignition on and push it off. It moved with such ease.

But what surprised me is they were on phones asking people what they should do, someone had a jack ready to put under the car (couldn't see how that would work though) and no-one really had the confidence to work together as a team of 12, to push this little micro car out of its one tyre spot. The girl at the wheel who owned the car looked like she was going to faint and someone else had to take over as she didn't even have the confidence to turn the car back on!

I just thought it was weird, it wasn't really hard and I've backed my car into much worse spots. But doesn't it make sense with a group of 12 ish healthy and fit young people, to work together and lift the darn thing out? Isn't it common sense?

So there.... being judgemental but I couldn't help wonder why they couldn't solve the problem on their own.

[steppy]

A situation that is becoming more and more common. Learned helplessness. Their parents did too much for them and so did their schools.

Yes, you are judging but judgement is a wonderful human capacity nobody should be ashamed of. Are you being mean because your judgement was negative. Um, no. A bunch of young adults having little to no capacity to think or act for themselves is something that is unlikely to generate positive thoughts.

This post has been edited by steppy: 24/12/2012, 10:33 AM

[galba]

I don't know - I'm quite reassured that they didn't want to do anything that may damage the car in any way. Perhaps most of them didn't drive and so were not confident about moving the car.

[kadoodle]

Kids these days - such wimps!

Maybe it's for the best though - on the last day of year 12, my DH and his mates put their English teacher's mini moke in the canteen.

[BadCat]

I can't quite picture the parking situation you're describing. But yes, I would think if it was that easily fixed then they really should have been able to figure it out themselves.

It's a product of a society where 10 year olds aren't allowed to use a toaster and 16 year olds aren't allowed to stay home alone.



Ah, the old days Kadoodle. My year 10 class put the science teacher's mini sideways between two trees. Poor bugger had no way of getting it out until the guys came back to lift it for him.

[Swahili]

Meh, some people just have no idea with that sort of thing. There's nothing wrong with that.

[Bluemakede]

I think it's becoming the norm. My sister and I are often left dumbfounded at the lack of common sense shown by her 16 year old when it comes to problem solving, and just seeing things in general. Not even caused by my sister molly coddling her to much either, she's very much use your brains and get stuck in and get things done, and tried to pass that on to the kids, her daughter acts like she'll break something if she moves to fast, and as for using her brain, yeah no.

[FuzzyMum]

Personally I wouldn't be quick to volunteer trying to lift a car, but then I have a back injury which I guess makes me a wimp I suppose.

[steppy]

Personally I wouldn't be quick to volunteer trying to lift a car, but then I have a back injury which I guess makes me a wimp I suppose.

Luckily, nobody was making this about you.

[SoxyMama]

Meh, some people just have no idea with that sort of thing. There's nothing wrong with that.

I guess I can't quite believe though in a group of 12 ish, with half of them guys, one couldn't step in and bring the group together to solve the problem!

PP you know how some parking spots have a parking bay in the middle of two sides of parks, it was that middle section. But it was hollow inside (ie didn't have trees or plants etc). So one tyre got stuck in that bit, the other tyre was on flat ground. She'd just driven too far forward and got one tyre stuck over the edge.