10 Malaysians Share: The Most Important Things All Millennials Need To Know

Image: Fackförbundet ST

Millennials have been called many things: they're entitled, they want a reward for showing up, they're job hoppers.

The truth is, these perceptions are not entirely true. They grew up in an era where they can get anything and everything they want with just a press of a button. Hungry? Just order food using FoodPanda. Too lazy to go grocery shopping? Have them delivered to you instead. Want someone to pick up their laundry? There's probably an app for that as well.

Living in a world where everything is made easier for them, it's no wonder the older generations think they don't work hard enough. But having said that, there are certain things in life that millennials should at least know, or learn how to do.

To help you guys out, we spoke to ten Malaysians who shared with us some words of wisdom for the new generation:

1.    Know What You’re Getting Into With Credit Cards

‘Credit cards are a staple in the modern-day economy. And it has so much appeal to us millennials: buy what you want, when you want – even if you don’t really have the money. More and more millennials are falling into the financial burden that credit cards entail. What’s important to know is that credit cards often charge exorbitant interest rates. So, I wouldn’t suggest using them unless it’s an emergency.

If you MUST use your credit card, try paying it off as soon as you can (at most, in two payments). Never fall for the trap of paying the minimum amount, as you’ll probably end up paying an insane amount of interest. Instead, use debit cards so that you’d only be using money you have – definitely a smarter financial habit.

However, credit cards are not all that bad; they help provide credit trail and in turn, helps your credit rating, which can be useful when it comes to securing financial loans from banks; that is, if you pay on time, of course!’ -    Reuben, 30, Solution Architect

2.    Know Your Worth (Especially If You’re A Freelancer)

‘More and more of today’s generation are seeking jobs as freelancers. I’ve been a freelance designer and artist for two years now. When I was just starting out – barely out of school – I priced my work at low rates, to give myself room to make a few ‘rookie mistakes’; and maybe because I didn’t yet trust in my work. Soon, I realised that did more harm than good.

After paying rent, getting around and buying supplies, I found myself having instant noodle dinners more often than I’d like to admit! Being one ‘starving artist’ out of thousands, you aren’t only taking jobs by means of price competition, but by reducing your value as an artist .

You don’t want your clients to use the infamous ‘but I can usually get this done cheaper’ line on you. Freelancing is tricky, but my advice is that it is crucial to know the market rate of the jobs you do, know your worth and price accordingly.

If you’re afraid of making mistakes or even if you’re not too sure of what your work is worth just yet, press on and make the best work you can, then ask your client for feedback. In fact, ask everyone for feedback. Be humble; make up for where you mess up, but take credit where it’s due. As long as you keep this, you’ll be worth what you’re paid.’ -   Nat, 22, Freelance Designer

3.    Know Your Flock

‘Having a large group of friends may seem like great fun when you’re younger. It might look quite awesome to have your Facebook (or back in my day, Friendster) wall constantly updated with tagged photos of you at parties and social events. But as you grow older – and hopefully a little wiser – you tend to realise that there are more important things than posting pictures and having as many friends as one can have.

I’ve realised that I would much rather spend my time after work, at home in my PJs watching Netflix; or at most, enjoying a couple of drinks with a few friends. Having to entertain more than three friends at once now seems more like a chore than an enjoyment. So, as often as ‘quality over quantity’ is overused, I can’t stress enough on how that is, indeed, very true.

Start investing in friendships with real people who truly care. Spend more time with people you really love. Because when life hits you hard, only a handful of people will be there to pick you up.’ -    David, 30, Project Manager

4.    Know How To Be Socially Aware

‘I often get asked: ‘Why do you have to be so politically correct all the time?’ The term ‘politically correct’ is a buzzword that has been stigmatised to come with negative connotations, when all it means is to be a decent human being with compassion, kindness and empathy. 

You’re never too young to learn what’s going on in the news – the latest technological releases, happenings and events – so what difference is it when it comes to social issues such as racism, gender equality and LGBT issues? Millennials should be more aware of such issues, especially with the increasing usage of social media.

My suggestion is to educate yourself on social issues and listen to the voices that are speaking out against oppressive systems. Instead of speaking over them, amplify their voices. Listen, read, learn and read some more.

Racial slurs like the ‘n-word’ are thrown around for fun, rape jokes are laughed at and cultural appropriation is so apparent. If you’re guilty of these things, it’s best to read up. It’s never too late to right what is wrong; it’s never too late to learn. If you have made mistakes in the past (which we all do), apologise, learn from them and grow.

There is no shame in admitting you were wrong; no shame in bettering yourself. I believe that everyone is entitled to their informed opinion – highly stressing on ‘informed’. So if you choose to be ignorant and not educate yourself, your opinion and argument may as well be kept to yourself.’ -    Elia, 21, Industrial Design Student

5.    Know How To Be Alone

‘We’ve seen a thousand Facebook and Tumblr posts on being yourself and being who you are, but how many of us actually live by these words? Being products of Gen Y, we are exposed to so much. It isn’t easy to not succumb to the pressure of being accepted, or being liked. When we see our friends do drugs, we feel as if we have to, as well. When they’re out till late, so are we. Because if we don’t do as the rest do, we will simply be left out and shunned by our ‘friends’.

Millennials need to realise that that isn’t true. The fact is, we do not need friends like that around us. We do not need to conform. We do not need to feel like we have to do something we don’t want to. During our lifetime, we will make friends and we will lose them – it’s inevitable. Millennials are so afraid of losing the people they already have and aren’t willing to go through the trouble of making new ones.

We need to learn how to be alone before wanting to be with someone else. If we cannot be truly comfortable with who we are and what we do, who are we to say that we need someone else in our lives?’ -    Blake, 26, Head of iFlix Trailers

6.    Know How To Prepare A Proper Meal

‘I believe all millennials should learn how to cook and not just depend on someone else – be it at home or at a restaurant – to prepare food for us. Knowing how to cook (instant noodles doesn’t count) is so important; not only because it is cheaper, it is also much healthier. Sure, you can go to a Chinese shop for RM5 chap fan, or have a plate of super delicious and super affordable Maggi Goreng at the mamak stall. But you don’t know how the food was prepared.

Were the vegetables washed? How much salt did they use? Are the ingredients fresh? You’ll never know! Unless you want your kidneys to die on you – which they most likely will, if you constantly eat out – learn how to make food for yourself (as often as you can, at least)!  -    Stephania, 24, PR Assistant

7.    Know How To Be Chivalrous

‘Chivalry is dead. That’s a phrase we’ve heard one too many times. In this modern era, I would say it’s quite true that chivalry almost does not exist anymore. When smartphones and apps like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp weren’t around, we used to give hand-written notes and letters to our crushes and girlfriends. We gave them cards on special occasions. We called them on our landlines or big, chunky phones when we missed them. Sending them flowers on a special day was something we looked forward to doing.

These days, almost everything is virtual – greetings and messages are done via Facebook and Whatsapp. Everything is becoming increasingly easy to do, and when things get easy, little effort is required; actions that were meant to be meaningful are not appreciated anymore, and they are taken for granted.

We, millennial men, have got to change this. Stop looking at your phone when your loved one is right in front of you. Appreciate her presence. Spend quality time with her. Talk, smile and laugh with her – leave your phone aside. Don’t let chivalry die on us. Be chivalrous so that men, too, can be chivalrous in the next generation. As the saying goes, ‘manners maketh man’. -    Melvin, 32, Engineer

8.    Know How To Gain Real-Life Experience

‘I have been working since I was 15. Recently, I went back to studying, and I noticed how some of my peers were so caught up with projects and assignments, as if those were the deciding factor for our future. Sure, graduating with flying colours is good on you – but does that say anything about how you will be as an employee? Not really.

What I learn in my lectures – although valuable – doesn’t at all compare to what I’ve learned through handling multiple accounts in the industry. I’m not saying that I’m better than everyone, or that I know the most, but millennials need to realise that investing in a part-time job, or an internship, is so much more worthwhile than stressing over an essay or a PowerPoint presentation.

Just knowing the written instructions to something is never as useful as actually attempting to do it. So, while being book-smart is good, gaining actual, real-life experience is equally important. -    Arvind, 22, Marketing & Advertising Student

9.    Know What Makes You Happy

‘As millennials, we have gotten many of our priorities mixed up. Life, above all, is about achieving happiness. It is is not all about studying, being the top in class, graduating with a 4.0 CGPA and getting the best or most well-paying job. True happiness doesn’t lie in material possessions, neither does it lie in money.

To be happy, we first have to know ourselves well enough. Are we loving ourselves enough or do we constantly put ourselves down? What are our passions and joys in life? Another key to being happy, as I personally strongly believe in, lies in helping others.

There’s a saying that says ‘if you want happiness for an hour, take a nap; if you want happiness for a day, go fishing; if you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune; but if you want happiness for a lifetimes, help someone.’' -    Helena, 29, Lab Technician

10.    Know How To Be Financially Literate

‘Spoiler alert: adulting is hard. And if we’re being completely honest, I feel like there should be a trigger warning when you start living off your own paychecks and managing your finances. There are three main aspects of personal finance: how much you earn, how much you spend and how much you save. It’s important to remember that you don’t get to take home every single penny of your salary!

Most large-sized employers have retirement plans for their employees, and 11% of your salary gets put away into a separate account for when you grow older. You have to deal with income tax as well.

After all of that’s settled, you’ll have to think about how much you spend. Accommodation, food and transport can be a big hit on your earnings if you’re splurging everyday – so don’t! When it comes to savings, though, if you’re not quite the investor, you can always put your excess money in a fixed deposit account, which has a higher interest rate, and you’ll get more returns!’ -    Mel, 24, Consultant

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