Writing Boots

On communication, professional and otherwise.

No, I don’t want to win Old Fart of the Year

10.22.2013 by David Murray // 1 Comment

But really, what are we to do with young people like the Iowa State students sitting behind me last week on the MegaBus to Des Moines, who said "like"—and I would not exaggerate with you—an average of 22 times per minute. I counted the "likes" during 10 separate minutes of their conversation. Their record was 26, in 60 seconds.

How did they do it? "So I was like, I'm trying to get drunk on ten dollars. Like, how do I do that? And like, the bartender was like …"

I really did come close to turning around and addressing them. "Young ladies," I would have begun. "Do you, like, think you can, like, stop talking like that when you're, like, in a job interview? If so, then perhaps you can explain to me why you don't stop talking like that right now?"

Honestly, I am disappointed in myself for not having enough respect for their humanity to confront them. Next time, I swear I'll do it.

Categories // Uncategorized

Comments

  1. jens says

    October 30, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    That was, like, so awesome…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Now Available

An Effort to Understand

Order Now

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE BLOG UPDATES

About

David Murray writes on communication issues.
Read More

 

Categories

  • Baby Boots
  • Communication Philosophy
  • Efforts to Understand
  • Happy Men, and Other Eccentrics
  • Human Politicians
  • Mister Boring
  • Murray Cycle Diaries
  • Old Boots
  • Rambling, At Home and Abroad
  • Sports Stories
  • The Quotable Murr
  • Typewriter Truths
  • Uncategorized
  • Weird Scenes Inside the Archives

Archives

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

  • Preorder An Effort to Understand
  • Sign Up for Blog Updates
  • About David Murray