How do I deal with OLDER people who are stuck in their OLD ways of doing things?

Question

I am 20 years old and I work with some people my age and some poeple that are about 35 to 40 years older then me.

I find it hard to work efficiently with someone who can't realize that some things are now easier to do. such as,

you can copy and paste directions or print them out, you don't have to write it out manually.

some people find that printing it out is harder to do than write it out. (i have no clue why)

how can i convince someone that it is, in fact, easier?

Answer 1

I know how this is, Older people just dont understand technology because they had no way of doing it in their 'prime' So just repeat it over and over till they understand i suppose :P

Answer 2

The older we get the harder it is to get used to something....nothing personal but would you want someone younger then you comming around and trying to break a 40-50 year old habit?

You must accept that you cant change some people and accepting them as they are is the key to mtual understanding and growth.

However, If you really need to have that person l;earn this and do this just it takes time and patience....when a dog ages for example it takes more repetitions before it learns the trick if ever, puppies take dozens to hundreds, older dogs take thousands to millions....so an elderly person will need more time to adapt and you will needs lots of patience and understanding...im sure if you do it right they will do and learn. Good luck

Answer 3

i know many people like that.

and they're obviously annoying.

just tell them that it's easier in a calm voice.

or ask them if they know it or not

maybe they don't know how to print lol.

hope i helped

Answer 4

Once a person reaches a certain age it becomes hard for them to absorb modern ways of doing things. They've done things their way for so many years that its all they know and they aren't very inclined to change. For example, my grandfather always thought that if you turned on the radio or the air conditioner it would tear up the truck. It was the same with hooking anything up to the tv, other than his satellite dish of course.

The best thing you can do is just let it go. Let them do things their way, it might be the hard way but its easier for them. If you try to change the way they do things they'll probably see you as a condescending brat and not realize that you are just trying to help.  

Answer 5

It isn't easier if you don't know how to do it.  If you cannot be patient and work with them and show them what you are talking about in a way they can comprehend then you won't get anywhere with them.  You are 20 and think you know it all.  They have been doing the job for many years without you.  Of course they don't think you know anything.  That is how things work.  Try some patience and respect.  It will take you farther in the world.

Answer 6

You young skally wag, I shall box your ears.

Answer 7

nothing

Answer 8

Maybe you should slow down a bit, and show some respect and tolerance towards the older person, and not treat them as if they are doddering, out of touch or stupid. Who knows,  you just might learn something from them? Old ways are not always bad you know.

People should not be treated like machinery to be discarded one they past a certain age.  Once you've actually built a friendship and trust with these people, then it will be much easier to be listened to and respected rather than you going in there big high tech guns blazing and putting them down and saying I'm young, I'm hip, therefore MY WAY is better and easier.

Yep, a little diplomacy and respect goes a long way...especially in the workplace.

Answer 9

i think you should just mind your own business and worry about your own work

Answer 10

It is quite hard for older people to take advice from someone as young as you. In fact, the Dummies guide to word processing advises taking on a guru of about nine years old as one's guide, as a gentle hint that it's better to seek guidance from the young than try to muddle through alone. Unless these people are actually holding you up in your work, then perhaps you should let them be. They are, after all, nearing retirement. Otherwise, do you think that management could offer them a training seminar on how to save time and take easy ways round things? They might listen to an outsider where they can't listen to you. Please realise that a lot of pride is at stake here. Quite apart from anything else, not everyone of that age group is able to type, particularly men. They may not admit it, but a word processor is a terrifying object to them!

Answer 11

First of all, you deal with them the same as you would any other person YOUR age - with respect.

True some things are easier now, copy and paste is so much quicker, however, some people remember things better if they WRITE it down rather than copy and paste - so it would really in that situation depend on what the information was needed to do.  I have to say I would much rather copy and paste, but my daughter would rather write it out, I'm always saying "why spend the time?" she says because it's easier for her to connect to the material.  She is YOUNGER than you and she writes it out.

Therefore, in FACT it is not about EASIER, but about what WORKS for that individual.  There may be things you can help your fellow co-workers learn, and if you stop being close-minded about things you may learn something as well.  There is not one right way to do many things in life, just different ways.  All people do not learn the same or perform the same, but many may have the same outcome.

Why is it so important that you change them?  Is it that you are concerned about saving money, time, resources?  The company falling apart?  If you are not the supervisor, I wouldn't let it stress you that much.

Answer 12

Why would you try?  If those people can be efficient in that way, let them be.  They were not educated with a computer in front of them.  Take advantage of the situation and concentrate on learning from the wisdom of their years of experience.  You might be surprised.  Concentrate on what you might learn from them rather than teach them.

Answer 13

respect them and their ways but do stuff your way to and maybe they will follow you if they see you doing it and it is going way quicker they could start to do what you are doing and thank you one day. also if you suggest it to them they may want to try and if you teach them how to do it th way you are

Answer 14

they never change, just switch off and do your own thing.  They just don't realize that the world is changing for the better every day.  Theres no point even arguing with them about new technology.  They learned to do things a certain way years ago ant that's what they're gonna stick with.  They fear that trying any other way will make a younger colleague seem more able and competent. Any thing new is way out of they're comfort zone.

Whats funny is that we're all going to be exactly the same as them in 20 years

Answer 15

you should reapeat what they say

" in  my days we do have tv and we watch it all the time"

Answer 16

The answer is in the question.  They are set in their ways.  You can show them an easier way, but if they're doing something that has worked for them their entire lives...maybe they see no point in learning something new that has the same outcome?  Let them be happy.

Answer 17

You need to let them figure it out in their own time, they have to retrain themselves about something you have grown up on, so although you mean well they can only absorb so much information at a time. Give it a few years and you'll know what I mean.

Answer 18

you should respect them and their ways