I was vacationing with my family in Branson, MO a few months ago. I took the opportunity to stop at their LCS since the closet one to my home is an hour a way. The owner was one of those older gentlemen that you can't help but like. Anyway, I bought several items from him (at slightly high prices, but I didn't mind) and as I was walking out he said, "Excuse me young man, but how old are you?" I said 35. He said, "O.K. great that's the cutoff, you just made it. Can you wait right there?" I didn't know what to say so I waited while he retrieved a set of miniature presidential sterling silver coins from the Franklin Mint and handed it to me. He said ever month they give away some item to "young numismatist" to try to encourage the growth of the hobby. I politely thanked him and went on my way, however, I found it strange that I, being as old as I am would strike him as a "young numismatist." Any thoughts?
It's all relative. 35 makes you about half the age of the average attendee at the ANA show in Dallas later this week.
That's great for you, but there isn't a chance in hell I'd give freebies to a 35 year old if the purpose was to promote the hobby to the young. On the other hand, it has been my experience that the somewhat younger (than 35) crowd is the most demanding and entitled, so my personal cutoff would probably be somewhere in the mid teens.
I believe my own generation born circa 1982 is unbelieavanly "me" centric. There could be mountains of books written debating the cause and I have my own opinions, but the generation below that (born circa 1995) seems to be equally bad. I taught school for three years, at a private school no less, and there is a reason it was only three years. The entitlement is horrendous and what's worse is that it is not only tolerated, but ENCOUAGED by the parents. (I speak in generalities here, obviously there are exceptions.)
There are some good eggs if you really take the time to look. I’m in high school and although there are A LOT of kids wasting their time on drugs and alcohol, there are still some really great people with bright futures. Please refrain from bunching us all together (I don’t like to associate with the people you mentioned ). Also, I believe you only encountered this “entitlement” because you taught at a private school. Tbh its the parents’ faults for raising such unaware and ignorant children. A word of advice to all the parents out there- don’t under any circumstance give your kid everything they ask for. As much as you may want them to be happy, make them earn things and allow them to become independent and self-aware.
You'll hear no arguments from me, but I will say you're wise beyond your years. Trust me when I tell you we're equally appalled by the actions of such parents, and I would go as far as to include a majority of school administrators as well. The best of intentions, the worst of results.
It's not the partying kids that concern most of us. Hell, I'm guessing many with said concern were the partying kids when young and simply grew out of it like most of us did. It's the entitled little snowflakes who just have to have everything their way, expect everything to be handed to them, and refuse to shoulder the otherworldly burden of ever having to hear an opinion or viewpoint that doesn't happen to fit perfectly with their own. That said, there are certainly good and humble kids today. I don't believe anyone intended to suggest otherwise.
USCoinCollector42, As I stated in the post I know there are exceptions, during my three years teaching I met some of finest young people you would hope to know, one in particular who despite his father owning a large produce distribution house, drove a beat up SUV and had to cut the grass every week. (I wonder if there is a correlation. hint hint). But as I said, generally speaking what I said seems to be true, I have a number of friends who teach/taught in the public school system and they say the same. I'm sure, however, you are one of the good ones.
Being a 60's child I would have traded bought,Sold, Bought Back, traded, About everything I had until I got in my late 20's. However I did start my hat and Jackknife collection in my teen's and still have them. And unlike a brother of mine I never stole the family silver for pot and Gas in 79!
I think it’s a smart dealer that does what he can to keep a numismatic fire burning in a new customer. My favorite dealer makes change for his new customers in old wheats and no date buffalos.
Any younger than 35 and the likely hood of them being sold for something with less longevity is fairly high. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah I know the feeling. Was a top athlete when healthy worked full time a low honor roll student cause I didn’t care and could probably out drink everyone at the keg parties out in the woods. Being hung over was no reason or excuse for not showing up at 6 am the next day. I’m 41 and think the kids today are a bunch of spoiled brats for the most part. I bought my own car (truck actually) for $500 and knew how to fix it when it broke. A rusted out 84 Chevy 1500 4x4 with a 350. And could drive it too 4 speed manual which most kids can’t. Were expecting our first in June and he’s going to be raised old school as neither of us like the computerized modern way
I would disagree with this. My wife teaches at a local public high school and she encounters the same entitlement issues that I saw at my private high school when I was a student. It’s the same everywhere. Not all kids behave that way...but a lot do and it is independent of socio-economic status.
