Recently on a private railway train home via subway from Takebashi, past 9 p.m. A mother boarded carrying a boy of 3–4, tired and nearly asleep—she looked worn out. But the woman in her early 20s (Ms. A) in the seat ahead had her eyes closed (sleeping? unclear). Next to her, a man also in his early 20s (Mr. B) was glued to his phone with earphones, oblivious; farther off, a high-school-to-college-age woman (Ms. C) sat too far to notice. I tapped Mr. B's arm (he couldn't hear) and said, "Why not give up your seat?" He looked annoyed but stood and offered it to the mother.
"Good, good," I thought smugly—until Mr. B asked me, "Why me?" (｀ω´) Not quietly—normal volume, maybe so others would hear (later I wondered if he meant to expose my "wrongdoing"). I didn't catch it at first; he repeated, "Why did you tell me to stand?" (｀ω´) I said, "Because you're a man." (･w･) He pressed: "Why because I'm a man?" In my head: "You seriously don't get it?!" ( ﾟдﾟ) Out loud: "You looked the most energetic." (´⌒｀) He pointed at Ms. C: "She looks more energetic." (｀ω´) I nearly snapped: "Then you should've refused." (`Д´) He went quiet. Eyes truly (･д･) went dot-like. Ms. A seemed to be with Mr. B and just smirked through our exchange. I couldn't read others' reactions, but I felt for the apologetic mother.
Complaints that youth are incomprehensible are timeless—I recalled old labels like "new humans." At home my wife said, "That was on TV." I watched the recording: Fuji TV Wed. 9 p.m. "Honma de kka!?"—experts explain surprising facts about everything, guided by Sanma Akashiya's wit (Kato-Pan appears too).
In the Feb 5 episode, marketing commentator Ushikubo Megumi explained the "yutori-education generation's" oddities.
She said the "yutori generation" is now 17–25/26 (Mr. B fits exactly). To older salarymen, they can't grasp workplace common sense—e.g., canceling long-scheduled company drinks for dates without guilt; some cite "tofu in the fridge expires today"—said dead seriously. Thinking of Mr. B, I kept watching. This cohort's "what they want at the company/workplace
" top 5 (photo upper right)—#3 "fair evaluation and treatment." Example: a new hire assigned a sunny desk complained,
"Only I get sunburned" (photo lower right). Not rare—some firms draw seats by lottery daily. "Jee jee jee!!" Another guest: they "demand reasons"—abstract ones like "because you're new" won't do.
Ah—so that's Mr. B. It has to be "fair." "Young men should yield seats" doesn't count.
But why does "yutori education" produce this? The show didn't say. Cram-school → study only → no social skills—maybe. Yet the relaxed, often academically criticized yutori cohort didn't pick up manners either. Maybe not yutori but parenting—wait, that's my generation.
It's only variety TV—not "Close-up Gendai"; expecting full answers is unfair?!
Later the same episode, on "healing," covered seat-yielding: givers heal more than receivers (photo left). Volunteering too—"doing good → self-esteem up → healed." I wish Mr. B understood. (^ω^)