Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) – we’re the forgotten middle child generation. Stuck between the Boomers who raised us and the Millennials trying to replace us. We grew up on MTV, mixtapes, and Aqua Net. Our phones were bricks before they flipped, and if you could text on T9 without looking, you were elite.

We were latchkey kids. We made our own snacks, rode our bikes everywhere, and lived for Friday nights at Blockbuster. We drank from the hose, recorded songs off the radio, and yes — had to actually call someone’s house and ask their parents to talk to them.

And when it came to etiquette, we were raised old-school. “Please” and “thank you” weren’t optional — they were respect. And to me, that’s not old-fashioned. That’s just how it’s done.

Now, I’ve relented to some changing workplace norms. I’ve traded in my work clothes for the comfort and coziness that come with working from home. Long gone are the phone calls to discuss a project; instead, I join a Slack huddle, a Teams call, or something called a Miro board. I’ve embraced it all (well, mostly).

But if every Gen Xer has a hill to die on, here’s mine: don’t let “you’re welcome” disappear.

Why does it matter?

Because “you’re welcome” does what “no problem” and “no worries” never will. It acknowledges someone’s gratitude. It says, I hear you. I did this for you. And I’m glad I could.

“No worries”? Was anyone worried?

“No problem”? Who said there was a problem?

It may seem small, but words shape how we treat each other, especially when interacting with clients. Every time I hear someone respond to a client’s thank you with “no worries,” I feel a pain in my Gen X heart. Like someone just cut a scrunchie in half. Because gratitude deserves respect, not dismissal.

So yes, call me old-fashioned. I’ll own it proudly. Because in a world that’s speeding up and dumbing down our words, keeping “you’re welcome” alive keeps kindness, intention, and respect alive too.

Say it with warmth. Say it with pride. Say it because it matters.

Say it like a Gen Xer who survived rotary phones, dial-up internet, and biting sarcasm – because if we could master all that, we can definitely master keeping “you’re welcome” alive.

Thank you for listening to this Gen Xers’ rant. Now, excuse me while I find my biggest hoop earrings and pop into

Tower Records for old time’s sake.

You’re welcome. 😉

Siobhan Tabor

Siobhan Tabor, Vice President, Account Services

When Siobhan’s not hanging out at the mall for old times’ sake, she’s a strong client advocate who leads multiple teams at MarCom Group. Throughout her career, she’s developed strong relationships built on trust. Her philosophy on leadership is to lead by example and allow the team to be leaders themselves. Siobhan empowers her colleagues to believe in themselves. Life is too short not to love what you’re doing!