I'm surprised when I get emails at work that start out:

"Hey Dr. X,"

Um, I'm fine with this salutation from friends and family on Facebook. But from a business colleague or patient?

WTF?

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed that younger people will sometimes start a sentence with "so", as in "So, I went to the store and bought bread and milk, and I ran into X ..."

It's like we were talking about this already and they're just picking up where we left off. Not a huge deal, but I find it strange to my baby-boomer ears.

Also have noticed younger people starting sentences off with "I mean..." Often see it on TV during interviews.

The expression WTF? Great pithy expression of your surprise and annoyance, but do you really feel comfortable saying "what the f**k?" even when you say it (text it?)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

How about "That licks the devil's red cock"?

I always find "that sucks" jarring, and my DH says it ALL the time. Our children, who are teens, say it all the time as a result. I loathe it, and don't say it ever. I say, "that's awful" or "that's terrible" or "that's horrible."

I don't understand people who answer their phones when we're in mid conversation?? They are younger than I, and don't think anything of it.

Clothing is what confuses me more. Women wear suits that look extremely casual and well, form-fitting, much moreso than in my day when we were more covered up at the office, and everyone wore skirts most of the time. Leggings were unheard of in the office back then, and now they seem just fine, even in very formal offices. Seems odd to me, and yes, I feel like a dinosaur whenever I wear pantyhose.

I'll go back in my cave now, and read my OED.

Anonymous wrote:What does "that sucks" actually mean?

Well, now it's used casually to mean that something is awful, but when I was a teen in the 80's, if something was really bad, people would say 'that sucks di*k', so that's what I've always thought of when someone says it.

What does "that sucks" actually mean?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

How about:

That's awful.
Oh, too bad!
That stinks.
Horrible!
That's the worst!

Bummer!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

How about:

That's awful.
Oh, too bad!
That stinks.
Horrible!
That's the worst!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

Depending on context:

That's awful
Oh, how awful
What a drag
I'm sorry to hear that

"That's awful" is my go to. "I'm sorry to hear that" is too extreme for most situations and "what a drag" sounds very antiquated.

"That stinks" also works.
DD likes "That rots" and I don't object to that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

Depending on context:

That's awful
Oh, how awful
What a drag
I'm sorry to hear that

"That's awful" is my go to. "I'm sorry to hear that" is too extreme for most situations and "what a drag" sounds very antiquated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

Depending on context:

That's awful
Oh, how awful
What a drag
I'm sorry to hear that

Also, the "no problem" thing has been frequently complained about on DCUM. You all will have to give up on that. It's accepted now.

Anonymous wrote:

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

What should I say instead of "that sucks?" That's awful?

I refrain from saying it around older people now, but I'd like some suggestions for how to reply instead.

Anonymous wrote:

I have a quandary when someone texts me using standard English and full sentences, and I want to reply in kid - text (to me anyway). R U There? ETA?
Is it rude?

Honestly? If you're not 13-19, I think this looks stupid. Like a 40-something woman wearing pigtails to the store. Or a Grandma in an ironic logo T-shirt from Urban Outfitters.

I mean, yes, you can do it and your recipient will know what you are saying. But there's a disconnect there.

guess i nenskpsd to woroj onn; my typfign skills;