VIEWPOINT

IDENTIFY WITH GENERATIONS

MILLENNIALS, GEN X-ERS AND BOOMERS! OH MY!

JIM THOMAS
Editorial Director

WITH ALL the media attention focused on the traits that distinguish Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers and Millennials, the editors of OM would like to offer you this challenge: Our in-house editors each belong to a different generation: Shannon (Millennial), Jen (Gen X-er) and I (Boomer). Each editor was assigned a letter (A, B or C) and that letter precedes our answers to each of the questions below. Use your keen knowledge of each generation to see if you can deduce which editor is A, which is B and which is C. You can find the answers at the bottom of the page.

• How many smart devices do you use? A. One. My tablet. B. Three or more. C. Two, smartphone and tablet. (If you count my TV as a smart device, I guess that bumps it to three.)

• What is your preferred form of communication? A. I got into texting about a year ago. B. No preference. C. Text is my default mode.

• What is your favorite work-related perk? A. Working from home. B. Telecommuting. C. Flexible work time.

• Where do you purchase music? A. iTunes. B. With streaming services, who still purchases music? C. iTunes!

• Where are you most likely to purchase business attire? A. Macy’s. B. A sale, online or in-store. C. Boscov’s (a regional department store).

• What has been your most reliable source for product or service referrals? A. Facebook (asking friends). B. Face-to-face. Tone and body language can tell you a lot. C. Check Better Business Bureau for company information; Consumer Reports, etc.

• Which makes you happiest in a doctor’s reception area: friendly staff, short wait time or Wi-Fi access? A. Short wait time. B. Friendly staff. C. Wi-Fi access. I prefer to get something done, short wait or no.

• Your doctor tells you, you have floaters. Where do you find more information about this condition? A. Online. B. First, I ask the doctor right after she says, “Any questions?” C. Google. As they say, if your mother says she loves you, fact check it. OM

Answers: A. Jen (Gen X) B. Jim (Boomer) C. Shannon (Millennial)