questions

[car10002]

Hi

Questions

1. reasons why hospitality and retail are so short staffed these days: just wondering what other reasons are that the hospitality and retail industry is short staffed these days and that so many people chose to retire or move on and not come back or some younger generations chose to not apply for those jobs after lockdowns.

some people said before that the retirement of baby boomers and transition of gen x and gen y into different jobs and the fewer younger generations interested in those jobs had a lot to do with it, would that be right.

what would be the reasons why baby boomers that used to work in retail and hospitality decided to retire and younger baby boomers retiring earlier than retirement age, can think of some boomers not being far off retirement age and probably didn’t see point going back when they could retire in a few years so just retired early.

what would be reasons why there’s less gen x and gen y (especially 80s gen y) working in hospitality and retail and chose to move onto something else after lockdowns.

reasons that am able to think of is that most realised when they had to close how hard it was and that they can make a similar income in less hours and have a life outside of work and some being ready to move on, would all that be right.

as we may know hospitality and retail is only meant to be a stepping up or a study job or something for money while working towards something else.

what is reasons why younger generations (gen z and probably younger gen y) don’t want to work those jobs or fewer of that generation want to do those types of jobs and will do anything else but them.

a few boomer friends said younger generations don’t to work, also younger gen y and gen z might have seen how hard it was for a gen x or easily gen y brother or sister or friend working in those industries and don’t want to go through that or realised they can make money on tiktok and only fans or similar than working, would all that be true



2. entitlement and greed and prices going up every 5 minutes: what are reasons why prices are going up and that big companies and financial markets are getting greedier.

some people said the reasons why ceos and big companies are getting greedier is because as baby boomers retire leadership is passed onto younger generations who care more about instant results and getting latest and profits than customer service which may cause price increases which has a effect on everyone, would all that be right.

when you say about younger generations taking over ceo leadership what if any particular generation do you mean.

what is reasons why younger generations feel so entitled and care more about instant results than customer service which may explain price increases, a lot of younger generation especially gen z and younger would have gen x or early gen y parents and baby boomer grandparents.

what is reasons why people today sue people for minor issues causing insurance costs to go up and events having to pay more for insurance and the extra red tape, can think of people today feeling entitled and wanting everything instantly and they have to get the money somehow.

would it be younger generations being worst or would it be todays working age (younger gen x older millennials) people.



3. fast food workers being incompetent: what is reasons why fast food workers these days seem incompetent, reasons that am able to think of is that it’s staffed by kids and early 20s and it’s now a different generation of them and this generation doesn’t want to work as baby boomer friends say and if they can take a short cut they will, would all that be right.

what is reasons why fast food workers today doesn’t know how to talk to another person about changing orders and only know the app and what it says, which also may explain why some deals are only avaliable by app and not in person.

some reasons may be that some kids pretty much have to go straight to work from school and straight to bed and start again and are tired, have no problems with kids just trying to get a start.



4. why new things don’t last as long as they used to: what is reasons why things don’t last like they use to and after 5 years or warranty time they’re broken.

reasons that am able to think is that todays manufacturers are probably 70s gen x and younger and they like to upgrade as often as they can and don’t see point making things last more than 5-10 years as that’s about time they like to upgrade and don’t see point if they’re not going to keep something that long.

would all that be right, when younger gen y and gen z is largest population of manufacturers the maximum they’ll make things to last would be about 3 years as that’s about how often they upgrade a phone or laptop, would that also be right.

baby boomers right down to 80s gen y might keep something past the changeover time if it still worked.

this may also explain why things started becoming throw away in early 90s when the 70s gen x started entering work.

what is reasons why manufacturers stop making parts for things after a time and not reproduce on request and it got worse in last 20-30 years, would above reasons and change in generations of manufacturers have anything to do with it.


5. doing work: was wondering how you could go about doing work for people without needing insurance because while am getting there am at same time feeling put off because of costs and the wondering how to afford the capital and costs until work starts to make enough money to cover costs.

only thing that am able to think of is volunteering and charging cost price and ask for small donation which might allow you to work under their insurance.

6. throwaway and online world: what is reasons why things started becoming more online in last 10-15 years, can only think of more 90s gen y and younger being in workforce and wanting convenience and why young generations like to throw things away and always have new.

myself and the grandfather mended things that were past their best that people otherwise would have thrown away.


7. camping friends: how would you find people to go places and camping with, at moment don’t have anyone to go with plus stayed too long in a job that didn’t have a life outside of work.

wouldn’t have to go far plus even when events same distance are on for a couple days you may be able to camp at the event too.

just planning for once the ba all fixed up.

how come people treat jobs and partners and marriages as it equipment where you throw them in bin when they wear out and not try work it out.

[Trendseeker]

I put your questions into ChatGPT, and this is the response:

You've raised several topics, and I’ll try to address them in turn:

### 1. **Short Staffing in Hospitality and Retail**
The shortage of workers in the hospitality and retail sectors has been influenced by several factors, some of which you’ve already noted:

- **Retirement of Baby Boomers**: As the Baby Boomer generation nears retirement age, many have chosen early retirement, especially post-pandemic. Some likely realized they didn’t want to return to low-wage or physically demanding jobs when they were so close to retirement. Economic uncertainty, health concerns, and the desire for a better work-life balance may have contributed to this choice.

- **Generation X and Millennials Transitioning to Other Jobs**: Many in Gen X and older Millennials who worked in hospitality or retail pre-pandemic used lockdowns as a time to reassess their career paths. They may have pursued jobs with better wages, flexibility, or benefits. During the pandemic, some also discovered remote work or freelancing opportunities that allowed them to work fewer hours for similar pay, making these jobs more appealing than traditional retail or hospitality positions.

- **Younger Generations Avoiding Hospitality/Retail Jobs**: Gen Z and younger Millennials might be less attracted to these roles due to perceptions of long hours, low pay, and high stress. These generations also value flexibility and purpose in their careers, and industries like hospitality don’t always offer that. Additionally, younger people are finding alternative ways to make money, like content creation (e.g., TikTok, YouTube) and gig economy jobs (e.g., Uber, DoorDash).

### 2. **Entitlement, Greed, and Rising Prices**
Several factors contribute to rising prices and the perception of corporate greed:

- **Leadership Changes**: As Baby Boomers retire and younger generations move into leadership roles, some people believe these younger leaders focus more on short-term profits, growth, and technology-driven strategies. It’s important to note that this isn’t a generational issue per se; it’s also influenced by the global economy, shareholder expectations, and market competition. However, the younger leaders are often more comfortable with rapid innovation and disruption, which can sometimes result in higher prices or reduced customer service to meet financial targets.

- **Entitlement and Legal/Insurance Costs**: Lawsuits over minor issues have indeed contributed to rising insurance costs. This can be linked to a culture of entitlement or a more litigious society, where people are quicker to take legal action for perceived injustices. Rising insurance costs are passed on to consumers, which affects event planning, business operations, and product pricing.

### 3. **Perceived Incompetence of Fast-Food Workers**
Several reasons could explain why fast-food workers today may seem less competent than before:

- **Younger Workforce**: The fast-food industry often hires younger people, such as high school and college students, many of whom may have less work experience or social skills. These younger workers may struggle with tasks like customer communication because they’ve grown up in a more digital world, relying on apps and screens rather than face-to-face interaction.

- **Automation and Apps**: With the rise of mobile ordering apps, fast-food chains are encouraging customers to place orders through digital means, which can reduce the need for personal interaction. This shift might also contribute to workers relying on technology rather than problem-solving or interpersonal communication.

### 4. **Why Things Don’t Last Like They Used To**
The concept of "planned obsolescence" is a big reason why products don’t seem to last as long. Several factors contribute to this:

- **Shift in Manufacturing Philosophy**: In previous generations, products were built to last because consumers valued durability, and manufacturers competed on quality. Today, with frequent technology upgrades and changes in consumer habits (e.g., regularly replacing phones, computers), manufacturers design products with a shorter lifespan to encourage repeat purchases.

- **Cost Reduction**: Many companies are now more focused on reducing production costs to increase profits. This means using cheaper materials and designing products with a built-in expiry date, so consumers are forced to replace items sooner.

- **Generational Preferences**: Younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, may be more likely to upgrade items regularly (e.g., smartphones, laptops) due to rapid technological advancements. This may reinforce manufacturers’ practices of designing for short-term use.

### 5. **Doing Work Without Insurance**
Working without insurance can be risky, as even minor accidents or mistakes can lead to legal and financial consequences. One option, as you mentioned, is volunteering or working under someone else’s insurance. Another option might be starting small, taking on projects where the risk is minimal, and gradually building up capital until you can afford proper insurance.

### 6. **Throwaway Culture and Online Shift**
The shift to an online, throwaway culture over the past 10-15 years has been driven by several factors:

- **Convenience**: Online shopping and digital platforms offer unmatched convenience. Younger generations, having grown up with the internet, are more likely to prefer this over traditional shopping.

- **Consumerism**: A culture of consumerism, influenced by constant advertising and the rise of fast fashion and quick product cycles, encourages people to constantly buy new things rather than repair or reuse old ones.

- **Technological Advances**: With rapid advances in technology, particularly in smartphones and computers, people feel the need to upgrade frequently to stay current.

### 7. **Finding Camping Friends**
To find people to go camping with, consider joining local outdoor clubs, online meetup groups, or community boards that organize camping trips. Social media platforms and apps like Meetup.com can also help you connect with like-minded people. Additionally, outdoor gear shops sometimes host or promote events for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

### **Jobs, Relationships, and "Throwaway" Mentality**
Modern society sometimes treats jobs and relationships as disposable because of a culture of instant gratification. The rise of dating apps and online job boards makes it easier to move on quickly when something becomes difficult, rather than working through issues. This "convenience culture" can lead to a mindset where people are quicker to discard challenges than to resolve them.

Each of these topics reflects how generational shifts, economic changes, and technological advancements have shaped society's current trends and challenges.