Dear Next Generation: How You React to Challenges Will Determine Who You Are

Dear Next Generation, an advice column from readers to young people. Photo by Shutterstock

Dear next generation,

I would like to tell you to not be afraid to strike up a conversation with an older person. I have worked and volunteered with a lot of young adults who are silent when I’m around them. I'll break the silence by starting a conversation, and then they will suddenly look away from their cell phone or thoughts and perk up, and actually seem surprised—perhaps grateful—that I had spoken to them.