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calibrator · 08-11-2025, 01:17 PM

I agree about the purchasing power of the Gen Zs today.

I work with 3 20-22 year olds in a 6 man shop. They make decent money if they have decent skills (up to $30+/hour). When I was their age in '72, I was a Teamster making $10+/hour, and thought I was well paid. Everyone here has Conservative, American Family values, so the conversation is often blunt and to the point. If you don't have a good sense of humor, and can take a joke (that goes both ways), this is NOT the place for you.

One thing I DO notice is that they have little if any grasp of history, especially when it comes to "Americana" type things like music, movies, TV shows, comic characters, especially world history like WWII, Korea, Viet Nam.

Growing up since '53 in my case, I was exposed to more of a GUN Culture through TV series/movies that revolved around WWII type guns on both sides of the conflict. And of course fell in love with them. Then came shows like "Man From U.N.C.L.E." that highlighted guns like Lugers, Broomhandles, P38, MP40s. Those images leave a lasting imprint on a young mind. And as such are things you aspire to one day own for yourself.

https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/The_Man_f....E._-_Season_1

$$$ do play a LARGE part in a collectors preference. When I was 21 you could buy great collector quality Lugers for $400-$500. I passed on them because I could buy a NIB Colt MK4 Series 70 for $175, and did.

Also, the guys I work with aren't drawn to the classic Muscle Cars or Hot Rods, They prefer 20 year old BMWs and Mercedes with manual trans and a wheel package. Definitely different cultural influences shaping their choices.

08-11-2025, 01:17 PM	#7
calibrator User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cave Creek Posts: 340 Thanks: 67 Thanked 271 Times in 108 Posts	I agree about the purchasing power of the Gen Zs today. I work with 3 20-22 year olds in a 6 man shop. They make decent money if they have decent skills (up to $30+/hour). When I was their age in '72, I was a Teamster making $10+/hour, and thought I was well paid. Everyone here has Conservative, American Family values, so the conversation is often blunt and to the point. If you don't have a good sense of humor, and can take a joke (that goes both ways), this is NOT the place for you. One thing I DO notice is that they have little if any grasp of history, especially when it comes to "Americana" type things like music, movies, TV shows, comic characters, especially world history like WWII, Korea, Viet Nam. Growing up since '53 in my case, I was exposed to more of a GUN Culture through TV series/movies that revolved around WWII type guns on both sides of the conflict. And of course fell in love with them. Then came shows like "Man From U.N.C.L.E." that highlighted guns like Lugers, Broomhandles, P38, MP40s. Those images leave a lasting imprint on a young mind. And as such are things you aspire to one day own for yourself. https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/The_Man_f....E._-_Season_1 $$$ do play a LARGE part in a collectors preference. When I was 21 you could buy great collector quality Lugers for $400-$500. I passed on them because I could buy a NIB Colt MK4 Series 70 for $175, and did. Also, the guys I work with aren't drawn to the classic Muscle Cars or Hot Rods, They prefer 20 year old BMWs and Mercedes with manual trans and a wheel package. Definitely different cultural influences shaping their choices.