Things That Make Gen Z Think You’re Ancient
I was born in 1973, which makes me a member of Generation X. My two sons were born 2001 and 2003, which puts them in Gen Z. They think I’m ancient, but that’s fair. It’s how I thought of my parents at one time.
It’s not just the calendar that makes younger people think of their parents as being prehistoric, although that’s certainly part of it. New research shows the age that you’re “over the hill” according to the youngsters is 45. Using the word “youngsters” doesn’t help either. I wish I were 45, but even that’s too old, says Gen Z. In fact, they think that by the time you hit 42, you’re clubbing days are over. That actually sounds right. These days, I prefer to party at Club Backyard.
Then there are the things you do that can earn you a “cringe” comment on a social media post from the younger generation. Prospectus Global commissioned a survey of 2,000 U.K. adults under the age of 30 and here are some of the things they say give older adults away as geezers:
Habits That Prove You’re Old (According To Gen Z)
- You order a Cappuccino
- You watch the news for the weather forecast
- You still have a DVD collection (I do.)
- You ask for a ‘Rachel Cut’ at the hairdressers
- You say ‘funky’
- You still send checks for people’s birthdays
- You call shoes ‘sneakers’ (Yup.)
- You make noises when you sit down (Every time.)
- You wear comfortable shoes (What’s wrong with that?)
- You struggle to work your TV remote
- You plan a second route on a car trip just in case
- You become obsessed with trash day (Well you don’t want to miss it!)
- You still use a gas grill
- You turn the music down when you park the car (It helps!)
- You have never posted a video to social media
- You do not know what a Youtuber is
- You use hashtags incorrectly
- You are still on Facebook (I don’t like the other ones.)
- You worry about not being able to find a parking space
- You ask for your steak well done
- You add salt to your food before tasting it
Those last two actually seem like things that kids do. I think Gen Z is trying to deflect a few of their own quirks. Oh, one last thing… Get off my lawn!
