Young people are too sensitive about personal questions

I have an aunt who is more than 70 years old and lives alone in the countryside. She used to spend all day, every day, alone with her two dogs and a cat. Recently she got a smartphone and started to learn to use the internet.

She began calling me every week, asking the same questions, like "What are you doing?" and "Have you had lunch yet?"

I happily answered her every time.

But many of my cousins aren't so courteous. They find her annoying for "asking the same questions again and again." It has come to the point that they've stopped picking up the phone when she called.

When I visited my hometown this Tet, I met my aunt and she also asked me the same questions she does every year, like "How much do you make?" or "When will you get married?" And I happily answered them all.

I am surprised that many young people criticize their elder relatives for asking questions. Some deem the personal questions as impolite prying into their private lives. They are too sensitive and so easily offended.

To start any conversation, two people need to have information about each other and to find some common ground. With elder people in the countryside, the only way they can have that information about young people is to ask.

And what can they ask? They cannot ask the questions they would ask their fellow farmers, like "How was your yield last season?" or "The durian did so well last season, do you plan to chop down your orange orchid to switch to durian?"

American politician Les Brown said that: "Your ability to communicate is an important tool in your pursuit of your goals, whether it is with your family, your co-workers or your clients and customers."

Young people should be more open-minded about personal questions from their elder relatives, and be flexible with their answers so that both sides feel comfortable.