Let people enjoy what they like

When I was a teenager, I went to see Anthrax play live at Sheffield City Hall. I distinctly remember someone telling me that my music tastes would mellow as I got older. I shrugged - either my tastes would change, or they wouldn’t. I didn’t really care, nor could I see why it mattered.

I recently turned 55, and one of my presents was tickets to see The Big Four Tribute Band at Eleven, a local live music venue. They played songs by Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica. It was a great night.

The person who said that to teenage me said it with a definite air of superiority. I honestly think they thought that as I got older and wiser I’d come to see that I was wrong about the music that I liked.

I have a request. Please don’t tell people that their music tastes will mellow as they get older. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. It doesn’t matter either way. But most especially, don’t tell them (or imply) that they are wrong to like it. Just let them enjoy what they like. You might not like it, and that’s OK too.