Top 10: What is a word or phrase that you dislike hearing from adults?

Bareerah Hameed, 13, Pooi To Middle School: “You are older”. I’m sure all elder siblings can relate to not liking this phrase. Being older doesn’t always mean that I have to give something up just because my younger brother or sister likes it more. Growing up, I’ve heard this phrase so many times that I’d be rich if someone offered me a dollar for each time my parents have said this. Being older as a child doesn’t instantly make me mature; I’m still just a child, so why do I have to give up on some things?

Nicole Chan Cheuk-ying, 14, Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School: I dislike it when adults say, “It’s for your own good” to impose their opinions on us. Experience doesn’t automatically make their viewpoint superior. We have our own thoughts and styles. Is it beneficial to emotionally manipulate us with this phrase? I don’t think so. It is also important to respect our perspectives instead of passing judgement.

Venus Hsiao Yingran, 14, STFA Leung Kau Kiu College: I hate it when my mum says, “I’m fine.” Sometimes, when I’m feeling down, my mum will ask me, “What’s wrong?” and pat my back. But whenever I want to comfort her, she says, “I’m fine”. If she can comfort me, then why can’t I? Perhaps she thinks only parents can take care of kids. I think it doesn’t matter if it is a parent or a child; we need to take care of each other.

Kelly Chan Sze-tung, 16, Kowloon True Light School: “I know you better than anyone else,” or “I can tell how you feel”. While it may have seemed comforting at first, it can also make us feel self-conscious about our actions. As we grow older, we experience more complex emotions that are hard to describe. Our parents may still believe that they can read us like a book, but we know it is not always the case. Every person reacts differently to a situation, and what worked for one child may not work for another. It’s important for parents to remember that, instead of making assumptions and offer guidance and support to their children. As grown-ups, the best way is to use your experience to provide advice, but ultimately, you should trust your children to know themselves better than anyone else.

Top 10: What is something people say is easy but never really is?

Dora Huang Ling-yuet, 12, Pui Kiu College: “I’m doing this for your own good”. When parents say this, it does nothing but neglect our opinions and desires. It does not make them seem more caring or considerate of our future. In fact, it makes them seem controlling and unreasonable, suggesting that we should follow their command. Adults who say this do not understand how we think or feel about it. It would be much better if they stopped saying this and instead had a meaningful conversation with us.

Lucas Li Cheuk-nam, 14, TWGHs Li Ka Shing College: “It’s not that hard” is a phrase often used to downplay the challenges I face as a student. When adults use the phrase, it minimises the effort and dedication required to excel academically. Adults sometimes also complain about how I am not good at a particular activity that they can do well. But they should understand that everyone’s situation is different.

Hailey Cheung Hei-yiu, 11, Holy Angels Canossian School: “I told you so”. This phrase is often used condescendingly by adults to make someone feel like they were wrong or foolish for not listening to their advice. It implies that the adult knew better all along, and the person should have known better than not to follow their guidance. It can come across as dismissive and unsupportive and make the person feel belittled and discouraged.

Peony Poon Ching-lam, 13, Sha Tin Methodist College: I dislike hearing adults say, “You are still too young to do it”. Adults don’t allow us to do many things and think that most things we do are wrong. I believe it is possible to do things in a good way even though we are not adults. They should trust us and give us a chance to try and improve.

Top 10: What is the weirdest name of a place you’ve heard of?

Shemyong Tamang, 12, Maryknoll Fathers’ School: “Do your homework”. While it is important to prioritise academic tasks, this phrase can sometimes feel condescending or dismissive of other interests and activities. Encouraging a balanced approach to learning and allowing for personal growth is more effective in fostering a well-rounded individual.

Charis Chan, 14, Malvern College Hong Kong: It is definitely when they use the term “faster”. I understand that adults sometimes get frustrated when we don’t complete things as quickly as they want, but their demanding and bossy tone annoys me a lot. I think we can agree that we aren’t able to complete things at a high efficiency at all times, but we mostly do get tasks completed at the end of the day. Adults shouting and moaning “faster” not only fails at helping the situation but distracts me and get me worked up on how they get impatient so quickly.