Is it a reflection on generational attitudes...

...or is it a reflection on age providing patience?

It took almost 8-1/2 hours to complete the flight that brought me from Paris to Philadelphia (where I then connected to another flight that delivered me to Pittsburgh), and I was struck by how distinctly different the actions were of the primary generations represented on the plane.

My generation (and in this case I'm referring to anyone on the plane who appeared to be in their 20s, 30s or 40s) was far more likely to be up-and-about. Whether we were stretching our legs, standing in the aisles or talking audibly, there was no doubt we were seen and heard.

Then there was the previous generation (and in this case I'm referring to anyone who appeared to be in their 50s or older), which was doing the opposite of what I described in the previous paragraph.

And so it got me to wondering -- was I witnessing a generational or age divide? In other words, does my generation act differently because societal norms have changed? Or is it because age provides a calmness to life that allows one to sit quietly and patiently for multiple hours?

I don't have an immediate answer, but it is thinking about.