Perhaps not 'worse' but a sign of the times... I help teach an Academy for our work and one would think these adults would have something to write with when they show up for the four week cycle. Nope. It is so common that opening day materials now include a pen.

To help ensure they understand it is a necessary tool - I carry three on me all the time and DONOT loan any of them out. I have a sleeve pocket on my work shirt for a pen and make it a point to have one there for the entire cycle of training. Sad to say on more than one occasion somebody has to borrow a pen to take the end of week four written exam. The real kicker is 98% of them have a damn phone - I have only seen two without this last year of classes.

Paul -