Even about the new generation of brave ones

With the danger of forever being put in the corner like an overage teapot, but I’ll say it anyway. Back in the day… we secretly drank Breezers during a break behind a wall, smoked shaggies in the bike shed (due to lack of money), and wobbled from the stool right up to the bar to mercilessly make fools of ourselves.

I just passed thirty. Or well, just, but I lovingly keep myself in check. When I moved to Amsterdam about twelve years ago, I didn’t sleep the first seven nights because I was out and about. I fell asleep on my business management book on Tuesday AND Thursday AND Friday, only went to the trash chute when there were five bags of garbage on my balcony, my culinary masterpieces came from the wok, and we saved the jugs of cheap ass rosé as trophies. I tried a bit here and there, including the diversity among men. That last part until I met my love, of course.

But now, drinking? They don’t do that anymore (did you know you’re not allowed to drink in ‘the vegetable time’?‘. Smoking? Is bad for your health and pathetic. A little joint? No, that changes you too much. Going out until you stumble home via the first bakery or last shawarma place? No, I have to work out at eight. A little dirty fooling around in an alley? Nah, I’d rather wait until it’s a bit more serious. I’m noticing a new movement. The sensible, controlled, healthy, focused person around twenty. And honestly? I’m a bit scared of them, for the simple reason that they seem almost more well-behaved than I was at thirty.

Research confirms what I think: all the numbers are declining. No upward trend to be found in a bit of wild behavior. Science proves that the ‘new’ younger generation is more well-behaved. Apparently, it’s due to social media, because oh dear if you appear hungover on Insta. The safe photo ban among friends when drunk seems to be hanging by a thread. Smoking is just pathetic, so why would you? I must admit it’s quite a good development. But half of the sixteen-year-olds have never even made out. Okay, okay, but you do need to keep experimenting a little, I would almost want to whisper to them.

Perform. Don’t study too long, because you’re borrowing. Struggling to a top position within four years. Those are the reasons you hear. I get it, because I come from the generation where that was all a bit easier. But on Saturday, I was enjoying a bite to eat with a friend. I’ve known her longer than not. Within five minutes, the strong stories flew between the pasta and wine bottle on the table. About do you remember with this and that, and when we were that one night at the bar, and that time I held your hair and vice versa. No jewels for the camera, but definitely for the books.

My point? Live a little, you’ll be happy as an overage teapot. You won’t be talking about that time you went to bed early and that one boy you didn’t hook up with in ten years. Just saying. Okay, overage teapot OUT.