When I first entered the workforce I remember someone pulling me to the side and used this exact metaphore. Told me there were adults and children and I needed

When I first entered the workforce I remember someone pulling me to the side and used this exact metaphore. Told me there were adults and children and I needed to start treating certain people as adults rather than equals (more or less, I'm paraphrasing, but this was the meaning). I was blown away that anyone actually had that attitude toward others. I was probably 21 I think? I mean, I get it on one level with respect to politics, but screw that.