You try to relate to teens in a “cool way,” often using teen lingo. You sense it is tragic. You might be right.

Teen patrons are not looking for friendship from you; they’re looking for help. They have peers who are their friends. You are very much not their peer. If you try to relate to them by “speaking their language,” and that language is not genuinely yours, you will fail and look like you’re doing just that. And that will be VERY uncool. And if you do it within earshot of other teens, you will embarrass the teen you’re supposed to be helping, and distance those teens who hear you and might have needed you too.

You are there to help them, teach them, show them. You’ve lost that chance. And that, is truly tragic.

 

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