Gen Z has some interesting observations about millennials, and many of them are brutally honest, but also painfully accurate. We asked Gen Zers to share their thoughts with us on the topic, and below are some observations about millennials that are both brutal and painfully accurate.
1) They’re always on their phones
GenZ think that Millennials are always on their phones. They’re not wrong about this one. A study from earlier this year found that 86% of 18-29 year olds check their phones within 15 minutes of waking up and 43% have their phone right next to them while they sleep. In comparison, only 42% of 30-49 year olds and 26% of 50-64 year old do the same thing. There’s a problem with alcohol: One big observation is that most members of GenZ drink alcohol less than millennials. Only 56 percent of 12th graders in 2015 said they drank alcohol in the last month, says Dr. Wartella, compared to 82 percent in 1991. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with choosing not to drink alcohol or doing so infrequently, it has a direct correlation with an increase in binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks at a time) which can lead to health risks like liver cirrhosis and cardiac arrest
2) They’re entitled
I think the first observation is that they’re entitled. If there’s one thing that I’ve noticed about millennials, it’s that they have a sense of entitlement and think it’s more important to be happy than to do something for other people. They want things immediately, even if it means having no money. The second observation is that they’re always on their phone. One of the biggest reasons I see them on their phones is because they don’t want to interact with anyone in person because then they might actually have to work for something or build a relationship or just be social with other people. Instead, they text or post on Snapchat or Instagram, which are all really one-sided interactions with not much going back and forth between two people.
3) They’re obsessed with social media
Gen Z have had more exposure to social media than other generations. They are on Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter from a young age. They live their lives out in public and have no qualms about sharing. It’s also a form of self-expression for them that allows them to show the world what they like, who they are and what they believe in. Because of this, it’s easy to see why so many of them find millennials’ overuse of social media baffling or even irritating.
4) They’re always talking about themselves
It’s not hard to tell that millennials are self-centered. They’re always going on and on about themselves, with little regard for what you think. When they do ask you a question, it’s most likely to be so they can talk about themselves again. The worst part is, this generation has become accustomed to hearing all their thoughts spoken aloud. It may seem like they’re really listening to you when in reality, they’re just waiting for their turn to talk again.
5) They’re always taking selfies
Gen Z is constantly taking selfies. It’s not uncommon to see them on Instagram, Snapchat, or even Facebook with the front-facing camera. In addition to their usage of social media platforms, they’re also using video chat apps like Skype and FaceTime more than millennials are. It’s partly because they were raised with technology and have been exposed to it much earlier in life than we were; it’s also because they’re incredibly technologically savvy and are comfortable with new technology. The use of these technological advances has led them to be more expressive than previous generations as well.
6) They’re always doing things for the ‘gram
It’s no secret that millennials are obsessed with social media. We know this because there is a constant stream of information and articles about it, but the truth is, we’re not the only ones who have noticed. Generation Z (those born in 1995 or later) has been taking note of our digitally-obsessed ways and they don’t seem too pleased by it. These observations are both brutal and painfully accurate.
7) They’re always wearing athleisure
The millennial generation is often criticized for being lazy and entitled, but there’s one thing that millennials are actually really good at: athleisure. They’re always wearing athleisure. I’m not kidding when I say that they wear it 24/7, 365 days a year! In fact, if you go on any social media platform and look up pictures of millennials (especially on Instagram), you’ll see that the majority of them are wearing leggings. The worst part is they wear them with ugly white sneakers. They think they’re so cool when they wear their Nike’s with black socks…literally no one in their age group cares about these small details like this anymore!
8) They love avocado toast
One of the most popular things that millennials enjoy is avocado toast. As a generation that grew up on this fruit, it’s no surprise they know how to make a deliciously healthy breakfast. What is surprising is the amount of money they’re willing to spend just for this food item. The average cost of avocado toast in 2016 was around $8, and it has only increased in popularity since then. This statistic is the perfect example of how millennials are spending too much time and money on indulgences instead of necessities, such as retirement or paying off student loans.
