As a reminder, Millennials are people born roughly between 1984 and 1996 (it can vary a bit depending on the studies), and Generation Z are those born between 1997 and 2010. And even if there There will always be people to challenge this distribution, there are still quite a few differences between these two generations. It feels good when Generation Z looks at us Millennials and thinks we’re already old-fashioned. We didn’t think we were already old, and yet we do old stuff.
1. Use gifs
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We Millennials, when we discovered gifs, we were like crazy. We abused it for years and we continue to use it because it’s still fun and really practical to get certain messages across. But, in the eyes of Generation Z, there’s nothing more old-fashioned than gifs. When they see us sharing it, they feel like we’re trying to be cool and it makes them really uncomfortable.
2. Say “lol”
Many of us have already stopped using that good old “lol”, but we are never safe from dropping a little from time to time in a conversation. Still, there’s no better way to sound like a grandfather in the minds of Gen Z. When they see us say “lol,” they feel like they’re rubbing shoulders with a dinosaur, no more, no less. .
3. Criticize autotune in rap
When we say that PNL and Jul is not “real music” because they use autotune to the fullest, while adding that IAM, that was “real rap”, well we pass for old people. Moreover, when we say “all the way to the balloons”, there we seem to be ancestors.
4. Be nostalgic for the 90s
Admit it, it’s very tempting to remind everyone that we are proud to be born in the 90s or to have grown up there. However, the 90s are already far away, and there is nothing crazier than throwing “it was better before” all the time.
5. Thinking that Tiktok is crap
Yes, the explosion of Tiktok was unexpected, and yes, there is a lot of shit on Tiktok (like the sexualization of minors which is a very very big problem). But putting it all in the same basket and forgetting that there’s also plenty of super original content on Tiktok that gives a new impetus to video creation, it’s a thing of yeuv.
6. Spending time on Facebook
In “our time”, not having Facebook was exceptional, even completely weird. Today, Generation Z doesn’t give a damn about Facebook. Even if most have an account, it is rather Tiktok or even Insta and Twitter that are popular. Facebook is a bit dusty.
7. Use WhatsApp instead of Snapchat
Even if we find that WhatsApp is 1000 times more practical, don’t try to understand: it’s old-fashioned. So if you want to become friends with a Gen Z, ask them for their Snap instead.
8. Make fun of astrology
To say that astrology is bogus, when you have a rational mind, it’s normal. And it’s even more tempting to do so when we see that Generation Z is fully into astro. However, who knows why, it makes us look like old people. Old fools, even.
9. Thinking that liking Harry Potter is a personality trait
Harry Potter, it is THE book of our generation. He came out when we were old enough to read and he smashed everything in his path. So it’s tempting to identify with him and make a big deal of it, but it’s still an old thing in the eyes of Gen Z. Especially since JK Rowling has made a few transphobic outings. So immediately hide your old Deathly Hallows tattoo.
10. Making jokes about drinking too much wine / being an alcoholic
No, alcohol is no longer popular among Gen Z. Good, by the way. But all of a sudden, all our jokes about big drunks and our underlying alcoholism gradually join the graveyard of humor.
11. Repost tweets on Insta / Tiktok on Twitter
We would never have imagined being big nerds doing that, and yet. Everything must stay in its place.
12. Make fun of K-pop
When a Millennial walks into a debate over BTS who is better than Blackpink and tries to troll everyone by explaining that K-pop is crap, he immediately proves he’s old. Just because you don’t understand a style doesn’t mean it sucks.
13. Being a fan of FRIENDS
And on this point we can only agree with Gen Z since it is an overrated series which has aged quite badly. Oops, sorry.
14. Say “who is it?” as soon as we talk about a new artist
For some Millennials, it has almost become a sport: as soon as an article talks about an artist listened to by people younger than them, they feel obliged to comment ” Who is it ? » to troll. Because, if they really wanted to know who the artist was, they could easily do a Google search. But no, they prefer to show the whole world that they are old, intolerant and contemptuous.
15. Try to emulate Gen Z
After a while, we have to accept being old fashioned ringardos. Anyway, one day Generation Z will also be old in the eyes of the next. It is the cycle of life. At worst, we can always hate Boomers to feel young.