What went wrong with Gen Z? Why do they talk like this?
This was posted on the Teacher subreddit. So much about this post baffles me. We don’t know if the author is a man or a woman, but from posting history, is about 25 years old.
Why is this on a forum for teachers? This is a “dating a coworker” scenario, not a teaching, school or education topic. Does the poster have no friends with whom this could be discussed?
YUP! So I’ve found solace in forming connections with my colleagues. Recently, I’ve been bonding with another teacher over after-school work drinks, where we’ve both been able to vent about our experiences, students admin, and support each other through the ups and downs of our jobs. However, as we’ve spent more time together, I’ve started to develop feelings for her.
Many posts from young teachers are fraught and dramatic. Who says, “found solace in forming connections”? A normal person might say, “I’m getting to know my colleagues”. Better yet, leave it out as it isn’t relevant.
That could all be replaced with, “I am developing a crush on a colleague”.
Now, I’m faced with the question: what should I do about it? I understand I could just be trauma bonding with someone and maybe that’s why I’m catching feelings.
“Trauma bonding”? “Catching feelings”?
How in the hell would a bunch of anonymous online strangers know if this is a rebound crush or something more?
I’m thinking probably the best move is to wait for one of us to leave the school before we either make a move. But should I wait that long?
This person is a full-time teacher. I moved around more than most, and was at Normandy for eight years and seventeen years at North Royalton. Who waits years before dating? Younger teachers seem so frightened of violating social norms. Maybe the #MeToo movement shook them up.
The post ends with:
I also know a lot of teachers date/marry other teachers did y’all meet at the same school or what? Just need some advice.
This person doesn’t mention social anxiety or being neuro-divergent, which Gen Z brings up at every opportunity. The person sounds normal, except we doubt that the person has dated, has good friends to talk with or was ever in danger of a sexual encounter.
The topic of this post is unusual, but the word choices and writing style is pretty typical. It’s strange.
