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Health and Wellness
PAGE 84
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• Yoga • Xtend Barre ® Workout • Zumba ® • Pilates Reformer Classes • GYROTONIC ® Personal Training • Therapeutic, Sports, Medical, Deep Tissue • Manual Lymph Drainage all massages done by the Elite New Jersey Massage Team FALL SPECIAL $25 OFF Any Class Package or Massage 1 FREE CLASS Call to reserve your space 908.898.0008 18 South Street, 2nd Floor, New Providence, NJ 07974 www.providencehealthandfitness.com Open 7 Days THE MEGA STORE WORLD HELPING YOUNG ADULTS NAVIGATE BIG BUSINESS By: Dr. Michael Osit If you are a regular to this column, you know how often I have commented on how different it is for kids growing up in this high tech, globally accessed digital world as compared to the world you grew up in. But the world has changed in anoth- er way, and our kids are not equiped to deal with it in any way. The corner deli has become the A&P Superstore; the down- town camera store is now an electronics chain with 400 stores nationwide; the fam- ily owned pharmacy is now a CVS in every zip code in the country. And how about this scenario: You need to call your health insurance company to follow up on a medical claim. You dial the “800” number and get a voice- mail providing you with 5 options. You choose option “2” which provides you with 3 more options. You then choose option “1” which asks you for your identifying information. Then, you are put on hold for several minutes, hearing a repeating mes- sage letting you know that someone will be with you momentarily. Next, a recorded message instructs you to provide the date of service into the phone keypad. Finally, a live person speaks and promptly asks you for your identifying information – the same information that you punched in 10 min- utes ago as you went through the prompts. Once again, you are put on hold for sever- al minutes. The customer service individual returns and asks how (s)he can help you. You explain that you are following up on a claim. The claim information is taken – the same information you punched in 20 min- utes ago. Once again, you are put on hold. Four minutes later, the representative comes back on and informs you that you will need to call the El Paso, Texas office and would be happy to provide you with that telephone number. I do not mean to pick on insurance compa- nies. It is just representative of what it is like to deal with many huge companies. The Costco Big Box Store mentality has taken over all industries. Companies are global, huge, and expansive. Even in the medical field, the private practitioner and small group practice are becoming extinct, being bought out by huge hospital corporations and medical groups. Interacting with busi- ness in today’s world has become imper- sonal and by nature of their size, discon- nected from the consumer. So, where am I going with this? In working with teenagers and young adults in their 20’s, I have noticed that they are having trouble navigating the layers and bureau- cracies of big business and employment seeking. I have two concerns with young people regarding this issue. 1. They have grown up in a world where they push a button and instantaneously get what they want. Their immediate gratification muscle is constantly being reinforced through their cell phones, the Internet, and everything being “On- Demand.” They are not being trained to be patient and wait for it. When you grew up and were on line for some- thing, it meant you had to wait your turn. When they are on line it means they get information and gratification instantly. Consequently, their tolerance and patience as a consumer and self advocate can be extremely limited. 2. Parents assume their teen or young col- lege graduate adult knows how to deal with mega-companies and job seeking. Yet, I find that no one has trained them and they tend to be extremely handi- capped when they need a refund or information from a company. I suggest that parents, even parents of 23 year olds, be aware of how their kids are handling specific situations. They need to know things such as: • Get the person’s full name. • Get their extension. • Find out exactly when they will get back to you or the refund check will be sent out. • Don’t assume it will be done as they promise it will be. • Create a reminder in your phone on that date to follow up if what has been promised hasn’t happened. • If HR says someone will be in touch by a certain date after an interview, make sure they are calling the day after that date. As consumers, young adults will need to learn how to navigate through big busi- ness. Depending on their profession, they will undoubtedly need this life skill to be successful, as well. Dr. Osit is a psychologist and author of “Generation Text: Raising Well Adjusted Kids In An Age Of Instant Everything.” He practices in Warren, NJ and can be con- tacted at Dr.Michael.Osit@gmail.com.