As nuclear families become the trend in the establishment of family units in our society today, the interaction between grandparents and grandchildren is reduced. This further widens the generations in a family. The following is an extract of a conversation among teenagers who have had trouble communicating with grandparents whom they do not see often.
“There I was,” Mabel told his friends, Siti and Marian, “Sitting with this ‘ancient’ elderly whom I call ‘Grandmother’. I didn’t know what to say to her! My parents and John had left earlier for his school’s parents-teacher meeting, so I was supposed to keep her company till they returned with dinner. What do you talk about with someone that old?”
“Well, I can understand. I’ve been in similar situations. I can hardly hold up a decent conversation when I see my grandparents at family celebrations or birthday dinners. I mean, what can a 21st century teenager talk about with someone who remembers the Japanese invasion and surrender in World War II?” Siti nodded her head as she gave Mabel a sympathetic look.
Marian shot up her right hand, “This is because we don’t live with our grandparents and are not familiar with them. The elderly do understand us as they have been teenagers like us once. A good way to break the ice is to ask them a question. They have to give a reply and in a matter of time, you have a conversation!”
“But what kind of questions do we ask? We certainly do not want to sound silly or rude,” Mabel quipped as her eyes widened with curiosity.
Marian took a few tips from the fizzy drink she was holding and said, “Most elderly people enjoy talking about the ‘good old days’. Ask about their past, what they dud and where they lived. However, be prepared for some melancholic answers. At that age, they must have had some loved ones whom they’ve lost along the way.”
“On yes, I remember Aunt Fatimah once told us that the elderly do not think of themselves as ‘old’ but just slower in movements and not as agile. It would be quite interesting to ask them the same type of questions you’d ask a friend and hear about their views. There must be some common issues between us,” Siti added, delighted at what she had shared.
“Talking to the elderly isn’t hard once you get started. Start talking, and soon they’ll be telling their friends what a nice young grandchild she had,” Marian encouraged as she stood up and walked to the nearest bin to throw her empty drink can.
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