Gen X here. There has been huge shift in office culture, and the generational shift from boomers out of it has led to a completely different experience, with the biggest shift being in the decrease in overt misogyny and outbursts of anger. Most of my worst bosses were from this generation, including one individual that would literally start screaming and hitting the wall when something went wrong.

Their generation is marked by a lack of impulse control and a deep inner rage that can often be triggered by trivial inconveniences. They also seem to have a vindictiveness to them that I never really understood, holding grudges far past their expiration date. This is in significant contrast to their parents’ generation, which, for all its problems, always seemed to treat us Gen X folks kindly.

That corresponds with the period people quit smoking so the anecdata may be affected (by people on short fuse because of nicotine withdrawals). An increase of women in the workforce may also be a potential factor (either way).

I’m still convinced most boomers are still contaminated. They still own a lot of stuff filled with lead or were too stubborn to give it up. I’m purposefully breaking my parent’s corningwear when I visit because they are too fucking stubborn to stop using it.

You can almost tell the difference between someone with high lifetime lead exposure and someone without. It’s sad and frustrating.

I’m not THAT old but have worked for long enough to remember smoking offices. Like, people smoking at their desks.

I’ve surely experienced a decline in aggression in my workplaces over my career but think it has more to do with getting better jobs over time. An office is different from a flea market, restaurant, or retail.

No, I noticed the anger grew as computers were introduced.

The city just replaced my lead water lines.

We’ve been drinking straight out of the tap for about 5 years.

No change in my temperament, anger, mood I guess.

Watch the TV series “Mad Men”, it was like this for real…