Today’s generation has a hard time showing up. It’s one thing to say you’ll be there, it’s a completely different thing to actually commit. There’s always a variety of different excuses you can use, but when you get down to the core of it, why is it that you flake?
Flaked. What an unappealing word, right? It can cut deep too, especially when attached to your name. No one wants to hear that they’re known for “flaking” on another person. That they stood that person up, or left them hanging. It gives you that pit in your stomach that you just can’t shake. So why is it so acceptable for our generation to cancel plans last minute?
According to an article by Mic.com, “Flaking – like the other modern phenomenon, ghosting – is clearly a two-way street. For every ‘Sorry, can’t make it!’ text we receive, we likely send two of our own. Andrea Bonior, a clinical psychologist adds in her interview with Mic.com that, “Technology makes it so much easier to flake out. Since many times plans are made through technology, it somehow doesn’t feel as wrong to just undo them via technology as well. It doesn’t seem as concrete in the first place, as, say, a paper birthday invitation.” Today’s younger generation gets scrutinized for many traits that don’t seem to be accurate, but “flaking” is one that holds its ground to be true. A social network company called, Badoo, conducted a survey that found 43 percent of 18-to 24-year-olds have canceled plans through social media. “It’s infinitely easier and less awkward than having to talk to someone by phone or, worse, tell them in person,” Bonier said. It’s sad that today’s generation uses their phones as a shield to protect them against face-to-face confrontation but more importantly an easy way to get out of commitments.
Mic.comdrives their point home by describing the consequence and meaning behind being the “flaky friend”. “No matter how good the excuse, flakiness, can signal that we no longer care to invest in our friends, which can legitimately impact the relationships. We have the ‘you’re lucky if you see them’ friend, Or the friend was so chronically ‘maybe’ going to attend something that you leave them off the restaurant reservations – even if they’re ‘So gonna be there! Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’”
In today’s world, it’s refreshing to have a friend who says they are going to be there and actually shows up. I know who those friends are to me. You don’t have to worry about them canceling on you last minute or leaving you out to dry. How cool would it be if you were known as that friend? How cool would it be if our generation was known for showing up when we said we would. I know I want to be that friend and I want to be a part of that generation. Don’t you? The only catch is that we are the only ones who can change that. So let’s get to work.
