While enjoying a leisurely day at a local coffee shop, I received an unexpected text from a coworker. “Tech issue here, any chance you can stop by?” they inquired.
Despite lacking advanced computer skills, I have become the unofficial tech support at the independent bookstore where I have worked for the last two years. At 24, I am the youngest employee by about three decades, with many colleagues old enough to be my grandparents. This generational gap often leaves me as the go-to person for addressing technology problems.
On this occasion, the issue was a misaligned spreadsheet column used to track upcoming releases, creating chaos in our operations. A few right-clicks and cell copies later, I was celebrated as a hero for resolving the problem.
Initially, I was puzzled and slightly amazed. How could this business operate efficiently with minimal technological integration? However, my interactions with my baby boomer colleagues have reshaped my views on generational differences.
Our workplace differences were noticeable immediately
Madeline Marriott
Upon arriving for each shift, I often find a list of tech-related tasks waiting for me: creating flyers for book clubs, updating our online catalog of new arrivals, and adjusting recommendation sheets with the correct fonts.
My colleagues prefer to handle the analog tasks, such as reorganizing shelves, sweeping floors, and counting change, leaving digital tasks to me. Initially, I attributed their tech challenges to a deliberate reluctance to adapt to societal changes, which I could understand. After all, adjusting to new ways of doing things after decades of routine is no small feat.
However, I’ve come to realize that mastering computer skills is akin to learning a language. While it comes naturally to me as a “native speaker,” I now appreciate the difficulty my older colleagues face in this area.
In training my coworkers, I’ve shifted from focusing on keyboard shortcuts to explaining broader concepts, allowing them to apply what they learn. Though they still rely on me for major digital tasks, they are increasingly capable of tackling smaller tech issues independently.
I didn’t expect their habits at work to become my own
Madeline Marriott
This job isn’t my first encounter with older generations; I spent much of my childhood trailing behind my grandmothers, absorbing their expressions, music tastes, and love for hot tea. My time at the bookstore has further connected me with older women, though I didn’t expect to learn so much from their work habits.
At this independent bookstore, the pace is deliberately slow, a stark contrast to the efficiency-driven workforce I’m accustomed to. Here, tasks and deadlines exist, but the essence lies in taking time, understanding people, and listening — attributes my baby-boomer colleagues embody.
When a customer enters, my colleagues remember details like previous purchases or upcoming trips, not due to extraordinary memory but because they invest deeply in customer interactions, treating recommendations with the reverence they deserve.
The lesson I’ve learned from them is that in our field, building connections is more valuable than mere convenience. It’s not always a race, but my colleagues excel in their approach every time.
