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We often turn to the older generations for guidance—after all, with old age comes wisdom. However, sometimes we might receive some unsolicited advice from them that isn’t helpful at all. In fact, it’s just a whiny complaint about young people and their new-fangled ways.
Maybe it’s due to feeling out of touch with the here-and-now, and desperately trying to cling onto old ways as they slowly slip into the past. Whatever it is, the older generations love to berate the younger ones, so an Ask Reddit thread got people to share the stupidest complaints and “problems” that they’ve heard about millennials.
Bored Panda has collected the most head-scratching and outright idiotic ones that made people say, “you can’t be serious”. Is buying avocado toast really the reason that we’re unable to afford a house in the worst economy since the Great Depression...? I don’t think so.
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#1
Somewhat related-my wife went to a generational differences seminar (ain’t that some PC sounding sh*t?) where they discussed basically how to co-exist with your co-workers decades older or younger than you to work effectively.
The presenter read an article and it said “the current work force fears the incoming generation will enter the work force feeling entitled, demanding a higher wage, with a work life balance.” The presenter then went on to ask “can anyone guess which generation they were referring to?” Pretty much the entire room said “millennials” with much disdain.
The presenter corrected them and said “actually the article I just read was from 1948”.
Turns out people will always hate the incoming generation, forever, guaranteed.
Cathelijne Van 3 years ago
This! History repeats itself. The things I hear my generation (Y) say about their children.. I'm flabbergasted it's like I hear their fathers speak. Examples 'that is not real music they are listening to. They should play outside more'. Dude you literally had a Playstation 1(or Nintendo idk) with mortal combat and you were just glued to the screen for weekends on end...
It seems like every generation seems to hate the ones that succeed them, and it’s always because they haven’t had the same experience as them. There are always rumblings of “back in my day” or “when I was your age” as if their times were vastly superior in every aspect.
But it’s impossible to have the same experiences. Every generation is different, with each having its own history, experiences, and issues that have defined them. No two will be the same.
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#2
I'm always thoroughly annoyed by the "millennials are lazy" complaint that Boomers have. I've been called lazy and a free loader by so many people because I still live at home with my parents.
What they fail to realize is that I'm neither. I live with my parents because I don't have a family of my own yet and my parents would be royally f*cked if I wasn't living there. I make more than my father does. I pay rent. I own and pay the insurance for the car that gets me to work, my father to work, my brother to work, and until recently my SIL to work (she lost her job). It also gets my mom back and forth to wherever she needs to go (groceries, etc) and was responsible for getting my grandmother to her doctors appointments prior to her passing.
I paid to replace the septic tank at our house. I paid for a new refrigerator, stove, washer, and drier when ours died. I paid to have our in shambles bathroom repaired. It's to the point that my parents have offered to put my name on the house as well.
I stay with my family because I don't need to be on my own, and I love my family and don't want to see them struggle financially if I can help it. It just makes sense for us to stay together for now.
For baby boomers, it was growing up in a time of great cultural shifts after WWII—think of the moon landing in 1969, that first small step for a man and one giant leap for humanity. Or the legendary Woodstock festival of the same year, where the mindblowing music of Jimi Hendrix met with psychedelic substances to alter the minds of the youth in another kind of way.
And whilst these were revolutionary times, there were also moments that are hard to comprehend nowadays. The civil rights movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s fought to ensure that people of color could have the same rights as white people in the United States. It was only in 1960 that the first African-American child went to school with her white peers, to the outcry of many in the area.
#3
The one I always found weird was how we are "killing the diamond industry". And why this is so bad.
Are we supposed to feel bad for not supporting one of the most blood-soaked monopolies in the history of the planet, which sells, literally, shiny rocks?
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
For those who aren't familiar with "the Millennials are killing" headlines, here's a good article to start with. It includes the diamond example. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewjosuweit/2017/10/22/5-industries-millennials-are-killing-and-why/
#4
I had an older customer at my restaurant tell me that millenials were ruining customer service, because we’re so laid back we don’t complain enough and pretty soon “the customer is always right” won’t mean anything anymore. So, what you’re saying is that entitled baby boomer snowflakes are dying out and being replaced with chill customers? I’m failing to see the problem here, Linda.
Another difference between baby boomer and millennial values is their attitudes to work. The baby boomer generation is known for staying in the same job, sometimes for decades at a time, compared with millennials.
A 2016 survey completed by Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research asked the baby boomer generation about the amount of time they had spent in their current positions and the factors for it. Approximately 41% had stayed with their company for over two decades and this included 18% who had even stayed for over three decades. The largest reasons being loyalty to the company due to the benefits and benefits they provided.
#5
That we are horribly disrepectful and paranoid to not force our kids to hug/kiss relatives when they say they don't want to. I'm not going to feel guilty for respecting my kids bodily autonomy. You'll get over it. Or you won't. Either way I don't care.
#6
They call you disrespectful when you won't let them disrespect you
Dodo 3 years ago
From tumblr: "Sometimes people use "respect" to mean "treating someone like a person" and sometimes they use "respect" to mean "treating someone like an authority", and sometimes people who are used to being treated like an authority say "if you won't respect me I won't respect you" and they mean "if you won't treat me like an authority I won't treat you like a person"
#7
I was talking to my boss about HQ and the $50,000 prize they were giving out, and he was saying how he'd go on a grand vacation and buy a big shiny car if he won. I told him I'd pay off my school and car loans and start a savings account. He laughed and proceeded to make fun of stupid millennials for not knowing how to handle money...
#8
That we don't buy silver flatware because we're too lazy to polish it, don't want to buy the stupid knick-knacks that they/their parents bought, etc. I work in the antiques field so I hear that a lot. They always quote that statistic that we want to spend our money on experiences rather than things and I fail to see how that is a bad thing.
#9
That we received participation trophies. We didn't ask for them. They were given to us by the very generation complaining about it. Most of us threw them away and thought it was dumb to even hand them out. Why not spend that money on snacks or something? I, for one, would have been happier with orange slices or a cookie rather than a ribbon that basically said "you existed here today!" It's not like we weren't aware we didn't win. We still had to learn good sportsmanship and not be a sore loser or a sore winner.
Then there's the work ethic complaint. I used to work with a guy that would complain about millennials and our desire to feel appreciated at work and how coddled and emotional we were. In the time we worked together, the only person I ever saw throw a temper tantrum or refuse to do something, was him. He would fly off in a rage and break things if something didn't go his way.
#10
"Millennials are too obsessed with phones!"
They're pocket devices that allow me to keep in contact with friends and access any information in the world. F*ck yeah, I'm going to use my phone.
My own mother went on a dinner date last week, took a picture of a couple my age on their phone during their date, and posted their picture on Facebook laughing at millennials. I told her that "maybe they simply enjoy each other's company, and the fact that they're sitting together is nice enough without taking pictures of other couples on a date and insulting them."
Sally Horrocks 3 years ago
And your Mum thought it was OK to take a picture of someone in a restaurant and post it on FB?
#11
The one I will never understand is when they say "Millennials killed job retention and can't stay with a company for more than 3 years." Why would you stay at a company if they have a bad culture, horrible benefits, and low pay? I feel like the older generations just settled because they got comfortable.
#12
That we're "killing" the chain restaurant industry. My boyfriend and I don't eat out that much so, if we are going to spend the money to sit down somewhere and eat, we want to go somewhere that has good, original food. Also, isn't it the industry's fault for not keeping up with their new market?
Sally Horrocks 3 years ago
Boomer here and I totally agree with you about independent restaurants.
#13
Well not quite answering the question, my friends grandma made a comment yesterday about how millennials don't have china because we can't put it in the dishwasher and we don't like to hand wash dishes. I made a comment under my breath about how it's because china is expensive and not worth splurging on.
Or my boss who made a comment about how millennials don't care about money. I've been looking for a new job since.
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
Well, it's true, I don't want to handwash dishes. I'm not a stay-at-home wife, like my grandmas. I work and like to spend my free time doing as much fun stuff as I can. Washing dishes is not part of that.
#14
My dad in the 90s:
"Going to college is one of the most important things you can do. It will open up doors for your future that are otherwise impossible to open."
My dad a few weeks ago:
"These f*ckin' kids think that just because they went to college, they're worth something and they know something. They don't know sh*t and they're no better than anyone else!"
MAKE UP YOUR MIND
#15
Literal conversation I had with a friend once.
I don't understand, if school is so expensive why don't you get a job that will help you pay for it? Everyone's hiring!
Yes, Carol. They're hiring at minimum wage 20 hours a week. That doesn't cover rent, let alone an education.
#16
Avocado toast is the reason we aren't buying houses.
Maybe it's because student loans are already as expensive as a mortgage...?
#17
Not a millennial but Toys R Us / Bain Capital blaming their bankruptcy on millennials not having children is absurd.
#18
My old boss had three sons my age (early-mid twenties at the time) who didn't go to college and just worked part-time jobs and f*cked around all day on their parent's dime. She attributed that to the Millennial generation.
She went on one day about how millennials just can't get out of bed and do work. They are opposed to do anything but play video games all day and get drunk at night with their friends.
I said, "Well, some maybe, but everyone I know is working full time on a career track"
She lost it. Made some vague threats about me being useless and how I should be thankful to have this job based on my abilities. 20 minutes later I was showing her how to copy and paste documents onto a flashdrive for the 10th time.
#19
I think the worst one was a post where an older lady was saying that we were so impolite to say "No problem" when someone says thank you. Instead of saying "You're Welcome".
#20
“Millennials think the world owes them something and are always expecting a handout!” I work in social media for a food company. The only people who message and email us asking for free samples and products are firmly aged 40+.
#21
I am a student dentist. Had a baby boomer patient say that my generation of doctors relied to heavily on technology. This was in response to me looking up their medication on my iPad.
Susie Elle 3 years ago
Next in line: surgeons rely too heavily on sedation when doing their job.
#22
I am personally a fan of the complaints about Millennials being too incompetent to get a job, especially when it's coming from a person who has stubbornly held onto a position well past retirement age with an irrelevant, outdated skill set that would not get them hired if they were searching now. How long am I going to have to contend with superiors who can't figure out Microsoft Office?
#23
Anything that assumes millennials are still children/young teenagers.
#24
They can talk about their struggles, but we're not allowed to talk about ours
#25
The problem with your generation is... "You kids don't know how to get in trouble anymore. When I was your age we'd have someone buy us beer and we'd sneak off to the woods or the lake and have a good time. Someone always got caught of course. Then you'd get grounded and have no tv for a week. Kids just don't do that anymore."
Umm okay but I'm 30.
#26
One I heard from a Vietnam Vet was that we 'never had a mandatory military draft to weed out the weak ones and the whiners' and that 'a war would do us millennials all a little good
#27
I was walking down the hallway at work and overheard "The thing with Millenials is they come and go whenever they want. How are we supposed to schedule a meeting when they refuse to have set hours?" As a Millenial, I still work 8-5 like everyone else in the office. It was oddly specific, but generally incorrect. Maybe he was talking about an intern that's still in school?
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
I'm a Millennial, and I intentionally found a job where I don't have to have set hours. Set hours work for some people. For me, I'm focused on projects. Trust me to get a project done on time, and I will. Always. I'm very good at that. A healthy work/life balance for me is working when I want to or a project needs me to and not working hours when I don't. The 8-5 grind means rush hour traffic, busy work when slow and hectic when busy, really full offices, etc. I'm very happy to focus on projects and work my own schedule to complete them.
#28
Millennial are somehow both too sensitive and over-exposed to lewd and/or violent movies, shows, video games.
Stella Guo 3 years ago
most of my classical music knowledge comes from Bugs Bunny - no reason it can't be both
#29
A coworker from a different department resigned, and a group of managers was trashing the decision, "that generation has no loyalty, just a bunch of lazy millennials." I spoke up and said I was part of that generation, I was in fact a bit younger, and that it was kind of dumb to make generalizations based on age alone. One said something about how the former employee had seniority over me, so it was probably a matter of time for me. I pointed out that I had more seniority than the employee AND that manager combined. She didn't believe me but asked the director later to confirm.
She hopped jobs every three years (and actually was working there when I first started and left for eight years), yet blamed age and perceived laziness, and didn't want to be challenged on her mindset.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
"Hey, I'm resigning cause I've found a new job with double the pay, less stress, pleasant coworkers and I only work 4 days per week." "Yeah, I always knew you were a lazy millennial who would never succeed here because you just haven't got the balls."
#30
That if we don't like the price of college, shut up and go to trade school. Okay, now that everyone's flooding these jobs, now you're gonna whine that these people are terking yer jerbs.
Not to mention that a lot (not all) of trade work environments have a much higher likelihood of sexual harassment.
What do you think ?
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
People should just stop giving attention to these names of the boxes we put people in. Instead of seeing it how it is, rich against poor, we have Millennials against Boomers, White against Black, Hetero against Queer, Cis against Non-cis, Neuro-typicals against Neuro-divergents, etc. The 1% is just trying to play us so we stop paying attention to the fact that some have so much more than the could ever use and most have too little to live of.
shep ona 3 years ago
Absolutely! The whole divisiveness is a tactic by the rich to keep us fighting each other instead of getting together and fighting them. Stop falling for it, people!! The rich are f*****g us and our planet, and nothing else matters.
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Sur Mer 3 years ago (edited)
With articles like this, you are setting people against each other. This is unworthy of this site. It would be inspiring to show what connects us with each other and not to deepen rifts. First you preach tolerance and togetherness, and then you reinforce hackneyed stereotypes to generate clicks.
Tapio Magnussen 3 years ago
You're fully right. By the way, quality of content speaks for itself.
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Izzy Curer 3 years ago (edited)
Millenial here. While these are all pretty infuriating, I do want to point out that there are boomers out there who aren't like this. Generalization can go both ways, and it doesn't help anything.
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
Thank you for saying this. Good thing I read down to here because I was going to write similar.
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Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
People should just stop giving attention to these names of the boxes we put people in. Instead of seeing it how it is, rich against poor, we have Millennials against Boomers, White against Black, Hetero against Queer, Cis against Non-cis, Neuro-typicals against Neuro-divergents, etc. The 1% is just trying to play us so we stop paying attention to the fact that some have so much more than the could ever use and most have too little to live of.
shep ona 3 years ago
Absolutely! The whole divisiveness is a tactic by the rich to keep us fighting each other instead of getting together and fighting them. Stop falling for it, people!! The rich are f*****g us and our planet, and nothing else matters.
Load More Replies... Sur Mer 3 years ago (edited)
With articles like this, you are setting people against each other. This is unworthy of this site. It would be inspiring to show what connects us with each other and not to deepen rifts. First you preach tolerance and togetherness, and then you reinforce hackneyed stereotypes to generate clicks.
Tapio Magnussen 3 years ago
You're fully right. By the way, quality of content speaks for itself.
Load More Replies... Izzy Curer 3 years ago (edited)
Millenial here. While these are all pretty infuriating, I do want to point out that there are boomers out there who aren't like this. Generalization can go both ways, and it doesn't help anything.
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
Thank you for saying this. Good thing I read down to here because I was going to write similar.
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