France PA

French team worked in the following themes: Research for intergeneration communication, participants experience in the theme and quotes for the book "The Little Prince". 

Strategies for Effective Intergenerational Communication

Top Challenges (each with 27% frequency): Generational differences, respect for experience, and communication style were highlighted most frequently. These themes suggest that individuals find both generational values and differing communication preferences to be significant barriers. Moderate Challenges (each with 18% frequency): Perceptions and stereotypes, finding common interests, and adaptability in communication were mentioned somewhat less but remain essential for smooth communication.

1. Perceptions and Preconceived Notions

  • - Patterns: Many mention that both older and younger generations bring preconceptions that color their communication. For example, younger people often view older people as outdated or "always old," while older generations may see younger people as inexperienced or overly idealistic.
  • - Suggestions: To counter these biases, people suggest approaching each interaction with openness, without allowing stereotypes to overshadow the chance to connect genuinely. Building awareness of these perceptions is the first step to addressing them, as Marisa noted.

2. Generational Differences in Values and Perspectives

  • - Patterns: Generational value systems can differ widely, especially around topics like career ambitions, life pace, and technology. For instance, retired individuals often look back on the past nostalgically, whereas younger people may embrace rapid change or view it with ambivalence. Loralie and Juan Carlos both mention that technology and social media have widened these divides, creating distinct communication styles that add to misunderstanding.
  • - Suggestions: Patience, rephrasing, and relating ideas to each generation's context are emphasized as ways to bridge these gaps. Loralie advises explaining ideas with familiar examples, while Juan Carlos finds active listening crucial to overcoming cultural and technological barriers.

3. Respect and Value for Experience

  • - Patterns: Elena and Marisa note that older generations often expect respect for their experiences and ideas, while younger people feel undervalued or ignored due to their perceived lack of experience. There's a cultural aspect as well, especially in societies where age correlates strongly with respect.
  • - Suggestions: Encouraging mutual respect is vital. Both sides need to recognize that each person has unique insights—Elena recommends that older individuals should try to understand young people's perspectives, while young people should show empathy for older viewpoints.

4. Communication Style and Patience

  • - Patterns: Differences in communication speed, style, and language use are also challenges. Younger people may be more direct and fast-paced in expressing themselves, while older people may take a slower, more reflective approach. Additionally, Maksym highlights that nonverbal communication (like body language) can significantly impact understanding.
  • - Suggestions: To improve understanding, people should adapt their language and pacing. Loralie and Mario both suggest rephrasing ideas for clarity and paying attention to body language to read cues better. Listening actively and checking for understanding can prevent misinterpretations.

5. Finding Common Interests and Building Trust

  • - Patterns: Identifying shared interests is seen as a bridge that can help people connect beyond generational divides. Alla points out that finding "touch points" is crucial, especially in youth work, while Sasha highlights that shared memories or hobbies can bring people closer.
  • - Suggestions: Discovering mutual interests is emphasized as a way to build rapport. Finding small, everyday connections—whether in hobbies, values, or shared memories—facilitates trust and respect.

Summary of Strategies for Improved Communication: 

  •  - Approach each person without preconceived biases. 
  •  - Show patience and adapt language and examples to each generation's context. 
  •  - Build trust through common interests and by focusing on shared values or experiences. 
  •  - Emphasize mutual respect, recognizing the validity of each person's perspective and background. 
  •  - Employ active listening and check for understanding to prevent miscommunication.

Little Prince Quotes

Difficulties in communication of the participants

Each participant stories on their own difficulties on communication between people from different generations and how to deal with them

Alla - It's not refer to all people, but I do feel that retired people are nostalgic about their past, and when they were younger. So, in their opinion, the current world is not as good anymore as it used to be. How to deal with it? Learn from them, their mistakes and see how to improve my file. On the other hand, the younger generation is tempted to be more radical, faster in decision making or the opposite ( passive, not ambitious, not caring about everything) - what to do ? Actually to look for like - minded people who have the potential to grow together. From the point of view, as youth workers find possible common interests, touch points on how to involve those people and build trust.

Marisa- Sometimes I have difficulty communicating with people of a different generation than mine. Luckily, not always. In my case, it is with younger people, since I am older. It seems to me that the problem is that before looking at people and discovering what they have to say, we first apply a "cliché" to them, a preconceived idea that we already have in our heads about them. So, we lose (or delay) the possibility of knowing this person. Young people seem to think that "old people" have always been old, and therefore not able to understand young people ; old people often think that young people are not very intelligent or wise, so they don't bother to really listen to them. I think that each person is different, and whatever the age, each person can make us discover something new, even if there are, of course, greater affinities between people of the same age. It also depends on interests. Sometimes we feel more comfortable with someone of different age who shares the same passions as us, rather than with someone of the same age but with whom we have nothing in common.

Sasha – When I talk with people from older generations, I notice that our experiences bring different perspectives, which can actually make conversations pretty interesting. Sometimes, I'll share new trends or ideas that are part of my life, and they'll respond with their own unique stories and insights. I've realized that showing genuine curiosity about their experiences and asking thoughtful questions often brings us closer. Hearing about what shaped their views can be inspiring, and sharing a common interest or favorite memory always seems to bridge any differences we might have. Those connections make each conversation feel more meaningful and enjoyable.

Loralie - I don't have any difficulties talking with anyone, I pretty much talk to everyone the same way taking into account their age but mostly their maturity. I think the moment I face the most problems when speaking to someone is when the person doesn't really listen or try to understand. It can happen with people of every age, for example older people have a lot of difficulties understanding new things coming from the younger generation and sometimes don't even try anymore. What I suggest to deal with that is : to explain it to them in an easy way, with words and application that they know already, it makes the discussion easier, or just don't talk to someone too stubborn. For the younger people, they don't have as much experience as people older than them so everything is feasible for them making it difficult to explain to them that it can be more difficult than they think, again if you want younger people to understand what you're saying go with easy words that they know and understand and try to put the problems at their level, they might understand better the difficulties, if not let them try they'll understand by themselves.

Juan Carlos - As a 24-year-old Honduran living in France for the past five years and volunteering with Erasmus student organizations, I've encountered various communication challenges between generations. The rapid evolution of technology and social media has created a significant gap in how different age groups interact and share information. Cultural differences, both from my Latino background and my adopted French environment, add another layer of complexity. To bridge these gaps, I've found that patience, active listening, and a willingness to learn from each other are crucial. Embracing diverse perspectives and finding common ground through shared experiences has helped me foster better intergenerational communication in my volunteer work and daily life.

Elena - As a young adult, I notice the difficulties that arise when communicating with different generations. In my culture, and I'm sure in many others, respect for older people is essential. They are always considered to be right, while younger people are seen as lacking the experience needed to have solid opinions that are close to the truth. To me, this is the main reason generational gaps lead to miscommunication—older people do not take younger people seriously. And sometimes, especially with the rapid development of today's society, their ideas can be outdated or even irrelevant in certain situations. I believe the best way to deal with this problem is to understand the other person's point of view. Older generations should strive to be more open-minded and willing to understand and respond to our needs as their descendants. Likewise, we should aim to be more empathetic toward them.

Mario - Such a question…! I am usually in contact with much younger people. But not only, also people of the generation of my parents. I am 43 years old, from Spain and living in Toulouse( France)à. So my communication problems have several dimensions: age, language and culture. What I'd like to do in order to avoid such problems is to try to rephrase the ideas I am trying to share/receive. Ask any little doubt about it. Trying not to interpret too fast and finally I would love to try to be in the 'other's shoes'-> understanding. I think it is the clue to communication! AH yes, I also pay a lot of attention to the body language, up to 80% of the communication( as experts says)

Maksym In my culture, and I'm sure in many others, respect for older people is essential. They are always considered to be right, while younger people are seen as lacking the experience needed to have solid opinions that are close to the truth. To me, this is the main reason generational gaps lead to miscommunication—older people do not take younger people seriously. And sometimes, especially with the rapid development of today's society, their ideas can be outdated or even irrelevant in certain situations.