Some family members are harder to talk to than others during Christmas lunch, and today I’m thinking specifically about your cool younger cousin. When they were eight you could just ask them which one was their favourite Power Ranger and that would be the topic of conversation for the next hour, but now that doesn’t fly as easily.
There’s a good chance I’m going to Ok Boomer myself here, but after a lot of discussion, here are a couple of topics that should at least get you through until dinner.
Climate Change
Kids are way smarter today than a lot of us were at their age. At thirteen most of my attention was spent on which fluro sunglasses would go best with my new JayJays top, but thirteen year olds today know heaps about the planet and how to protect it. Greta Thunberg is only sixteen, for God’s sake.
Sure, it may not be a cheery topic, but grab a snag and ask how they’re feeling after all the bushfires around the country, and you can at least bond over mutual terror at the thought of the future.
TikTok
It’s like Vine but the videos are longer. Actually do take a look if you get the chance, kids are on there making funny and wholesome videos, and well as giving lessons in racism and making political statements.
Just don’t ask “so… what’s your favourite TikTok” because that is for sure not a cool question.
Give Up
If all else fails, accept that we’re no longer cool youths and ask “how’s school,” even though we all absolutely hated that when we were their age. Or try the Power Ranger question again.