I just observed in a musical competition on Russian TV a popular singer in his twenties react with a tantrum and a bout of weeping to the kindest, gentlest, most respectful criticism of his performance by the judges.
“But I tried so hard!” he bawled and ran off the stage.
“Was it something I said?” fussed a 60-year-old judge. “Why is he so upset? I need to go apologize.”
My students are like that, too. Not all but quite a few. And if diplomacy today isn’t working, imagine it being placed in the hands of ultra-sensitive, perennially aggrieved and generationally wounded Millenials.

Leave a comment