Wednesday, Lafayette, Indiana

This week in 1986 actor and Hollywood legend Cary Grant died. Even at 82, Grant radiated elegance and sophisticated style. A classic leading man for three decades, he exuded in real life the confident charm that rivaled his fictionalized onscreen characters. Always dressed to the nines and a smooth talker with a tempered British accent, Cary Grant was an iconic chick magnate.

His roots belied what he would become. Born into a poor family in England his real name was Archibald Leach. He was on his own by the time he was 13-years-old and traveled with a vaudeville cast. He learned to sing, dance and even juggle. When he came to New York he worked as a lifeguard at Coney Island amusement park in Brooklyn. He broke into films in his late twenties and rose steadily to stardom. Interestingly Grant retired from his film career early while still in his early 60’s.

What Does It Mean?

There is little doubt that American culture has become increasingly casual and informal. Anyone attending a wedding these days can see the differences in generations by their dress and decorum. The contrast with previous generations is startling. And on this count, Cary Grant embodied style and class; he stands apart from much modern sensibility.

It’s hard to make a judgement about which of these social norms is to be preferred. It can be argued that the decorum in dress, comportment and behavior of the previous generations emphasizes civility that is sorely missing today. On the other hand the casual openness of today’s society might reinforce a relaxed acceptance of diversity.

What is clear is that, as in many past eras, clashes in styles and norms emphasize the schism between generations that plays out in community and at work. I have heard from numerous senior managers that the impatience and expectations of the younger professional workers coming into their organizations is making it hard to cope. The impatience with older workers is matched by the resistance to mentoring with the young. From Cary Grant to today’s celebrity is the distance we have come as a society. I’m not sure if this has been progress or regress.