Boy, do you know how to make a man feel old, and 35 is not old at all.
I don't think so much they are talking about individuals and their experiences, but the generation in general.
The profs might make references or jokes in their interactions with the students,
this makes for a bit less awkwardness if they know not to make them in the first place.
It helps with connecting with them, and if you "connect",
then you can teach easier.