A few weeks ago, I learned that all I do is think about myself, worry about myself, and think that I deserve nothing but the best. I don’t really care about others’ perspectives, nor do care about how I may affect those around me. Basically, I’m rude.

And you’re rude, too.

But to our defense, it’s not our fault… we were just raised that way.

In fact, we’re being labeled the “Generation Me”. And there’s a book all about it, appropriately called, “Generation Me”. On author Jean M. Twenge’s website, she defines Generation Me as anyone born in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s:

Generation Me has never known a world that put duty before self, and believes that the needs of the individual should come first. This is not the same thing as being selfish – it is captured, instead, in the phrases we so often hear: "Be yourself," "Believe in yourself," "You must love yourself before you can love someone else."

These thoughts of mine are the result of watching a documentary on the CBC called, Rude: Where are our manners? The show looked at how society has grown to be accepting of rudeness and the perpetual state that got us here. It also looked at how we can get ourselves out of this mess—but it’s not gonna be easy.

It’s not gonna to be easy because one day we’re going to have to face the reality that we’re not the only individuals on this planet. For some of us, it’s going to be a difficult realization to come to.

The documentary briefly discussed the impact this will have on us when we’re in the workplace. Apparently, the attitudes of some people in Generation Me will not only hinder their performance in the workplace, it may be a barrier keeping them from getting there altogether.

So, are we set up for failure? If we believe that we are entitled to things in life, will we not correctly prepare for the future? If we believe that we are entitled to things in life, will we not prepare ourselves financially for our future? According to the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, the number of students taking on student loans increased 76% between 1996 and 2004, and the average graduate with a bachelor degree owed about $20,000 to all sources. I know that tuition has increased over the years making it more difficult for students to pay for their education, but could we be proactive and properly prepare for that?

Are there any students out there who are in debt because they thought funding your education would have been easier?

Anyways, I should probably get going. I have a lot of stuff to get to. I know I can manage because I’m pretty good at getting things accomplished. I just hope I have time to do it all… I’m very busy…