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Are you tired of the phrase 'OK Boomer' yet? Originating from the exasperation and futility of arguing with people who approach the world's problems from a position of security and privilege, the meme has quickly morphed into a lame conversation killer, mindlessly and derisively parroted by people who disagree with anyone who happens to be older than them.

I blame the online culture of 'savage putdowns,' 'mic-drops' and 'word murders' for this – we have come to believe that the way to 'win' a debate is to flounce out with a particularly biting or amusing insult, at the expense of logic and reason. 'OK Boomer' is not clever, and it's not even funny anymore. It's smug, boring and counterproductive.

This post highlights the generational divide that we face today, as younger people share the out-of-touch advice that they have received from their elders. Because let's face it, the structural inequality, economic insecurity and environmental destruction that Millenials and Gen X'ers have inherited are a direct result of the selfish, greedy neoliberal policies championed by Boomers over the last 30 years.

Understandably, the younger generations are a bit upset at their comparative lack of opportunities and are even more frustrated by the absence of understanding and empathy shown in useless pieces of 'advice' like this. But it works both ways. Whilst Boomers could better educate themselves as to the realities of the modern world, and acknowledge that the kind of lifestyles they enjoyed are excessive, damaging and no longer attractive or attainable; casually dismissing the opinions and life experience of older people with thoughtless phrases like 'OK Boomer' ultimately achieves nothing but more division and even less understanding.

What do you think? How can we better bridge the gaps between generations to have more useful, constructive debates and discussions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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#2

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Bonnie Blue Bird
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of people are putting their heads in the sand on this topic. It's a mystery to me as to why.

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#3

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. Even the pre-boomer generation wouldn't give you that advice. I'm a boomer but my father always told me to follow the money. If you can get more money working elsewhere then don't hang around and move on.

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Vic
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this here is good advice.. And the secret behind a long life is... Just don't die..

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#6

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Alia G.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wholesome :) i hope boomers like her know the whole ok boomer movement isn't targeted at her

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Willem Groenewald
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Making that follow up call makes a big difference. I immigrated, and was applying to tons of jobs online. For weeks I received no replies and no interviews. I then started to call just after each submission. That same day I got two interviews lined up.

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#9

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Alia G.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think that's something healthy to keep in mind, boomers were part of the most intense first wave civil rights movements, they protested against wars, and some learned to overcome their own racism, sexism, and homophobia. "ok boomer" is used to insult boomers who refused to change with the times and continue to act like bigotry is acceptable.

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can’t imagine my hubby concreting whilst wearing a suit and tie. Impractical, unsafe and uncomfortable.

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's reverse that: "If you pay me more I might be willing to work harder."

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Tambot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, if you need something ask. I am starving, could I please have food might be a good start.

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Donna Reynolds
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Learn a trade, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, contractor. Then you’ll be set for life.

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Liam Walsh
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah - until so many people took this advice that we're knee deep in them. I can't get enough work as there are far too many people in my trade and we're all quoting for the same work. Some of the younger ones still live at home and then don't charge a realistic hourly rate as they don't need to as mum and dad still pay for most things and the rest of us don't get the work despite being competitively priced. Even if I end up not making a profit I sometimes can't compete. Phew... Sorry. Feeling a tad bitter about it today. 😒

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Full Name
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the degree, dummy. 17th century Italian breadmaking? No. Law degree? Yes.

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Zoe Farris
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a Boomer and I don't, and didn't believe that. I suspect the oly ones that woudl be set for life woudl be tradies, like Electricians, Macanics, etc.

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Id row
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. Again, this is simply a meme for millennials to whine about when they took out loans to a school they couldn't afford because they were entitled to the whole college experience. Then they graduate with a masters in drama or philosophy because they were told they could be anything they wanted growing up and then realize they actually can't. If you don't come from means, don't go to the expensive college and live on campus. Choose a school you can afford to pay back. Choose a high demand career. My community college and subsequent tech school ran about 35k and I worked two jobs to pay it off. And there was no guarantee of a job afterwards, I never heard that promise from anyone growing up. But kids don't want to do that today. They want the best school, to live in a dorm and no job while going while they saunter into class with their $12 unicorn latte while looking at their thousand dollar iphone. But it's easier to blame someone else than take responsibilities for your actions.

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Whawhawhatsis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know who these boomers are who are giving this epically bad advice, but I'm a boomer and I would NEVER tell a young person that. You have to stick your head pretty deep in the sand to not know what's going on in the world today, whereas all you have to do is open your eyes and you'll see that most of this boomer advice is pure c**p. Go ask advice from people you respect, who pay attention to the world around them, if you want decent advice from ANY generation!

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Sanne H.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's still a good advice, depending on the kind of degree. But the effect does fade when you get older.

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Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

never worked in any generation ever. "Degree" does not equate to work ethic or actual ability on the job. It just means that you've regurgitated information adequately

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Demi Zwaan
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4 years ago

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Yeah, they didn’t mean a degree in liberal arts or other fun, but useless, degree...

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Lynda Momalo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the contrary. Here's just one of dozens and dozens of articles on why corporations LOVE to hire people with liberal arts degrees. https://www.cnbc.com/id/100642178 Liberal Arts means you have learned how to learn, how to communicate, how to synthesize information to draw conclusions, and other sorely needed skills in the business world.

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Monica Patton
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4 years ago

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Still, no need for anyone to be so angry about advice that is given from kindness. Maybe it isn't always the best or true any longer, but it isn't given to harm you.

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Helen Haley
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It reflects an unwillingness to acknowledge that the world has changed which generally leads to an attitude that younger people are somehow more lazy or incompetent, not that circumstances have GREATLY changed since boomers were younger. That effects how they treat others and how they vote. That harms people.

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Bonnie Blue Bird
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4 years ago

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Not sure i understand the anger in this one. Even if you want to do something that doesn't need a degree at least a degree will give you something to fall back on.

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Monday
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it doesn't. You get to drown yourself in student debt to work a minimum wage job you didn't need the degree for and never actually get into the field you studied for since none of the older folks can afford to retire leading to no new job openings (until they die, but then they hire the new grads) in your field. This depends on the country of course but is the problem several generations are facing in my country.

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Janine B.
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not? A lot of companies will appreciate that. Maybe they ask you to leave your job application so they can call you in case they are hiring.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People really fail to grasp the relative decrease in income compared to the increase in cost of living that has happened over the last 50 years. A minimum wage job used to be a living wage. Now you need about three such jobs to stand a chance.

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#20

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John Montgomery
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. Because that's exactly what everyone wants. Zero free time. /full sarcasm.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always start in the mail room... even if there isn't actually a mail room. Just start there anyway.

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Vic
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now here is where a fifth of Whiskey might help..

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#25

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an article out there somewhere, that showed you could pay your way through Harvard on minimum wage with something like an average of four hours work a day, and now you would need to work 72 hours a day to achieve the same (not the exact figures, but something equally crazy).

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Wietse Pot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should follow their own advice. Or is this one of those "Do as I say, don't do as I do" things?

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#32

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Monica Patton
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that is because they paid that Social Security, it is actually their money.

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#34

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Europe this still is true. And also: Why pay 800 euros rent when your mortgage is 600 Euros?

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#35

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Stevie B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not to mention, no one wants to work with a constant nuisance.

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Umgreg Universe
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my GOSH that's basically what my dad always said, but he makes it about school.

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#39

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J. Zingler
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I believe in the horse. The automobile is a temporary appearance - Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, 1916" ;)

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#42

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Isabel Contardo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always get the "when you have children you'll understand". But I don't want children. "When you meet the right man, you'll change your mind". The right man for me won't want children. "Then he'll be gay". Yeah ok, boomer dad.

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#43

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Monday
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well to be fair, save 1/3 of your paycheck is excellent advice....it's just not realistic for most people.

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Mewton’s Third Paw
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has been the most frustrating one for me as a millennial. Great that you had two kids and a cat and a marriage and two cars and a house by age 25. The same generation that told us we were “too young” and wouldn’t take us seriously until we turned 30 and then as SOON as we turned 30, they rub it in our faces that now we are “too old” for some of our problems and we should be further ahead. You treated us as infants until you treated us as middle aged losers. Infuckingfuriating.

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Monday
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unpaid internships are fine when they form part of your education....but once you graduate it's pretty normal to expect payment since you now have the qualification.

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Lynda Momalo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was the standard, say 40 years ago. Now it's about 1/3 of your paycheck.

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#51

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John Montgomery
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood the "it's not a real job". Are you getting paid? Yes. Then it's a job. One could argue if the job is good paying, but it's still demonstrably real.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By advising everyone to get a degree, it renders the degree system pretty worthless in terms of being an advantage.

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J. Zingler
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany it acttually works like that, like - 25% for loud noise and up to - 100% for no heating or no gas = no cooking or no electricity due to a cable fire.

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Andrew Carpenter
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many states offer down payment assistance, Illinois offers $7,500. There is a conventional loan with a 3% down payment not the 20% that everyone wrongly assumes. Source: I'm a millennial Realtor in Chicago.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love lying in bed with a good book, or lying in bed watching Netflix. Somebody tell me how to monetize that already. LOL.

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Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago

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Also: Boomers fought for the recognition of domestic violence being a crime, and not simply a "marital issue". It is BECAUSE of Boomers, that there are now laws in place protecting victims. It is BECAUSE of Boomers that there are things such as domestic violence shelters, and services helping victims. It is BECAUSE of Boomers, that countries now have government support such as Single Parent Pensions, enabling the primary care giver has the financial support to divorce / leave an unhappy / abusive relationship. It is BECAUSE of Boomers, that fascilities like daycare are as widespread as they currently are (yes, they existed in various forms beforehand - but were extremely rare)

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Tiny Dynamine
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only 2 decades? Certain goverments maintain perpetual wars because there's profit to be made out of selling arms and killing people.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lost a lot of boomer relatives when I married a person of color. Their loss.

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Tiny Dynamine
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha! Really?! They'd probably think you were mentally ill and escort you out.

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Unwelcomed Guest
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is kind of true. The award wage that the union negotiated for you is the minimum they have to pay you. When I was a nurse I was often paid above award because they wanted my skills and I asked to be compensated

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Twenty years ago, I would have advised anybody with the inclination to get a degree. I no longer believe it's necessarily of benefit.

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