Dealing with young girls and boys

Last night I checked out David Hirst (the most successful living artist - most money earned that is)'s exhibit at White Cube.  I have to admit that I didn't know the guy before, but apparently he is ultra famous. The exhibit was attended by lots of posh looking white people - meaning mostly Europeans that look thin and stylish.  I actually felt like I was entering the set of "Match Point."  Except of course I am no Scarlett Johansson.  Moneyed class definitely has it good.  Live with style and freedom.  It doesn't buy you happiness, but then lack of it doesn't is no better for sure.

Coming back to the main point - young people, especially girls.  I went to an energy get-together in town afterwards and among other young people, met a younger Asian girl.  When I asked if she's from here, she responded adamantly back - do I look like I'm from here?  Well, you look Asian right?  I said.  She's from the States I guess but speak Cantonese (so obviously she has family ties to Hong Kong to say the least), but her pompous behavior and mindless conversation makes me wonder if she has more substance than claiming that she's not from here.

All that fake confidence from the youth.  Another younger guy from the States wanted to network but did so so awkwardly.  They just want to blow themselves up, acting like they are the shit when they are just really quite ordinary and with no real talent, going to lead to nowhere as well.  I began to appreciate my mainland juniors at work, who tend to be more restrained and less flamboyant.

Then today, another young girl I met with who was from a headhunting firm that called me up to see if I would be interested in an asset management role.  I hated responding to her questions. Who are my clients, etc etc.  I felt slightly insulted to be questioned by a younger counterpart assuming a more authoritative role.  They just don't get it.  When when you don't get it, you should be humble and show some respect to those who do.  I'd rather walk away from a job than dealing with those who are the feel-so-sexy-about-myself types.  It's part of the American and young people mentality, to blow up one's self more than you are, to show self-confidence, to respond the standard way to mindless interview questions.  But then that came from the legacy of living in a new and growing country where bravado is rewarded.  Elsewhere around the world, a little bit of tact is needed as you are dealing with a very populated place with complex relationships.  Perhaps a bit more empathy would help.

As to the other young girl, the one who has been circling around my crush at work, I found out today was the secretary of a very senior guy in the company - the one with the ultimate say.  I can see why my crush, being the more savvy person that he is, would want to exploit this relationship and whatever relationship she was born into.