Opinion: Don’t let advancing tech age you

I was checking in at the airport when I noticed a fellow struggling at the kiosk next to me. To no one in particular (but loud enough for me and a dozen others to hear) he started complaining about the automated check-in process.

“What’s wrong with talking to people? How are we supposed to figure out how to get on the dad-gummed plane?”

He was in his 60s, perhaps, and looked pretty fit and clear minded. Maybe he was just venting, but if you know me at all, you know that I don’t suffer fools.

Though it was none of my business, I approached him.

“What’s wrong with you? There are very simple instructions on the screen. With pictures! You take your credit card and slide it in the slot. You can do this, right?”

Luckily, he didn’t pop me in the nose. Instead, he laughed, and said, “I just miss the good old days when people talked to one another.”

Pressing my luck, I replied, “We can talk to one another. You and I are doing so right now. Sometimes technology speeds up mundane processes so we are free and clear to do other things. Fair enough? My concern is that you are a fairly young fellow and you are going to miss out on lots of great things if you make airline-kiosk levels of technology beyond your ken.”

I figured since he said “dad-gummed,” I could match him in the old-timey lingo department.

I, too, grew up with a single telephone landline and a rotary phone. I existed before pagers and faxes and smartphones. However, I’m not going backwards, and I encourage you to embrace technology, too. Old people don’t try new things. I’ve become sensitive to this because I’m noticing such behavior in very young people. You are acting old if:

• you take pride in not being on social media;

• you don’t know how to download a PDF;

• your phone flips open; and

• you complain at an airport kiosk about the complicated automated system.

There is a veritable universe of tools and information online. You can learn how to grow your business or plan a vacation. You can shop. You can structure a fitness routine. You can watch movies and play cool games. You can communicate with family and friends. You can take and store pictures, and create family movies. You can write and publish a book.

 You can get directions to anywhere in the world. You can access literally any tech manual you may need in the field. You can learn and grow and contribute in fast, easy and free ways. Don’t limit yourself and miss out on the massive opportunities available to us in this amazing time.

Here are three tips for embracing technology like a teenager.

1. If you have a flip phone, get thee to an electronics store and buy a sexy, new smartphone. Sign up for the free class that goes with it.

2. Stop complaining about how much time kids today spend on their phones. Texting, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope, Blab, Tumbler, Twitter and a million other apps are angling for our attention. If you want to stay in touch with your kids and grandkids, ask them which way works best to communicate with them. Then, use it.

3. Ignore the bad stuff. The Internet is a wonderful resource, just don’t click on or fuss about the things you don’t like.

Sure, you may feel awkward with new technology. As soon as you get your arms around one piece, it changes. Embrace it anyway. It will keep us young.

Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant offering profit-building tips, trending business blogs and online workshops at EllenRohr.com. Her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@ellenrohr.com.