Millennials may be the largest generation in America, but Gen Z’s fast-changing culture is leaving them scrambling to keep up.
In 2024, Millennials comprised approximately 21.8% of the American population, representing the largest generation. Gen Z trailed closely behind with about 20.8%, according to Statista. As a millennial myself, I have a younger Gen Z cousin who always gives me the impression of living in a different world.
Each time we hang out together, it’s as though I’m translating a secret code, half in phrases that I know and half in freshly unfamiliar slang. They’ll whip out TikTok references out of the blue halfway through a conversation, yet I’m still boasting that I finally figured out Instagram Reels.
Sometimes it’s hilarious, other times I feel like I aged 30 years just trying to keep up with whatever new trend they’ve decided is “cringe” now. So, from one slightly-confused millennial to another, let’s address all the things Gen Z does that leave us scratching our heads (and occasionally googling in secret).
Constantly recording everything
Millennials remember when you could attend a concert and actually enjoy it without half of the attendees holding up their phones. Gen Z, though? They’ll record every shot, every song, every costume change. 95% of Gen Z users in the United States use a smartphone, and nearly 46% are online almost constantly, as per SimpleBeen’s Gen Z Statistics report.
For millennials, however, it’s confusing because it’s as if nobody’s “in the moment” anymore. Ironically, Gen Z actually feels more FOMO than millennials; maybe that’s why there’s so much insistence on documenting.
Their slang feels like decoding a puzzle
Millennials thought they were the authorities on slang, with phrases like “YOLO” and “on fleek.” Then came Gen Z with words such as “rizz,” “bet,” and “it’s giving,” and all of a sudden, a dictionary becomes necessary for anyone over 30. Even worse, the slang is evolving so rapidly that you can’t even keep up before it becomes outdated.
A 2023 comparative study published in the International Journal of Science and Research Archive found that millennials also struggle to grasp Gen Z’s internet slang, especially more recent word coining. Truthfully, it’s exhausting, but also kinda cool.
Their bold fashion choices
Low-rise jeans, baggy everything, and combining patterns that would make a millennial fashion expert weep, it’s all in Gen Z’s fashion genome. Millennials are groaning at the comeback of Y2K trends they vowed they’d never witness again.
Do you remember butterfly clips? Gen Z wears them as if they invented them yesterday. But here’s the twist: Gen Z actually spends less on clothing in total than millennials did when they were the same age. Perhaps they’re more discerning about style than we give them credit for.
Choosing TikTok over Google
If a millennial needs to know how to fix a faucet, they’re likely to turn to Google or YouTube. Gen Z? TikTok immediately.
It blows the minds of millennials. According to Google’s internal metrics, nearly 40% of Gen Z (18–24) now use TikTok or Instagram instead of Google Search or Maps to find something like a place to grab a bite. It feels strange to trust bite-sized vids instead of rigorously screened web results. But that is how Gen Z rolls.
Their unique food choices
Pickle-flavored everything, cream cheese-coated Hot Cheetos, and sushi burritos—Gen Z food trends can really puzzle millennials. While millennials fixated on avocado toast and cold brew, Gen Z continues to push boundaries.
Delivery apps even claim that Gen Z is more likely to try trendy fusion foods than millennials. It’s both fun and baffling to watch food rules change in one evening. Occasionally, millennials simply wish for their plain latte again.
Their casual relationship with jobs
Millennials grew up in the “hustle harder” culture, so seeing Gen Z set boundaries in the office feels a little weird. Gen Z is not afraid to job-hop; in fact, 38% of Gen Z employees report that they plan to quit their jobs in the next year.
Millennials, on the other hand, were taught to cling to stability regardless. It’s confusing, but also kind of admirable. Gen Z simply won’t allow work to control their lives.
Their obsession with nostalgia, they didn’t live through
Gen Z is obsessed with the ’90s and early 2000s, the actual decade millennials grew up in. They’re sporting band shirts of bands they’ve never heard and carrying flip phones as a fashion statement.
It’s confusing for millennials because they remember these things being old or nerdy. Somehow, though, Gen Z makes it trendy again. Déjà vu with a stylish touch.
Their comfort with oversharing online
Gen Z adults are heavier users of social media than Millennials, with 48% reporting more than two hours a day compared to 42% of Millennials. Millennials, on the other hand, are more likely to report using social media less, with 58% using it for fewer than two hours a day compared to 51% of Gen Z, CivicScience reports.
Millennials carefully curated their Facebook photo galleries and MySpace Top 8 profiles. Gen Z, however, is posting every thought, emotion, and experience on TikTok and Instagram stories.
It’s disorienting for millennials who grew up with a heightened awareness of “stranger danger” online. Gen Zers are twice as likely as millennials to post vulnerable or unfiltered content. It’s nice… but also slightly jarring.
Their choice of communication
Millennials were hooked on texting. Gen Z? FaceTiming, voice notes, and even check-ins on BeReal. It leaves millennials puzzled. Why not just type it out?
Gen Z appreciates that kind of “present” and “authentic” communication. Millennials simply take some time to catch up with that level of constant connectedness.
Their approach to dating
Millennials had Tinder. Gen Z has Hinge, Bumble, Raya, and the entire galaxy of dating apps. What really confounds millennials is that dating has become so casual, with Gen Z so obsessed with situationships rather than commitment.
Statistics show that only 19% of Gen Z are actually interested in marriage, compared to 27% of Millennials. In addition, 47% of Gen Z consider marriage to be outdated. For millennials, raised on the creed of looking for “the one,” it feels as if the rules have been entirely reversed.
Their political confidence
Gen Z is not hesitant to speak up about issues, whether climate change, social justice, or their own mental health. Millennials are sometimes intimidated because they were raised to “keep the peace.”
Gen Z is arguably the most politically active young generation in decades. Although millennials are supportive of these movements, they can’t help but feel Gen Z is bolder about disagreement. It’s confusing, but perhaps also encouraging.
Their love for Crocs and “ugly” fashion
Millennials went the extra mile to look put-together; even gym attire had to be cute. Gen Z, however, fully embraces Crocs, baggy pants, and bucket hats as if they were designer wear. It confuses millennials because for years, they danced around those “not cool” items.
However, the facts are clear: Crocs reported a record revenue of $4.1 billion in 2024, with credit largely attributed to Gen Z’s adoption of comfort, customization, and ironic style. Perhaps comfort truly does prevail over style.
Their unique sense of humor
Millennials grew up reciting “The Office” or “Mean Girls.” Gen Z humor is hectic, absurd, and full of memes that are like jokes from a different planet. A stand-up piece about a frog eating cereal can have them in hysterics, while the millennials sit staring.
Gen Z enjoys breakneck, surreal humor over the tried-and-true punchline joke. Millennials may never fully get it, but at least they can laugh at themselves trying.
Their relationship with money
Millennials are focused on buying a home, retirement accounts, or at least trying to do so. Gen Z is more interested in financial independence, including experiences, side hustles, and investments like cryptocurrency.
It’s also confusing to millennials, given that many of them are still burdened by student loan debt. Gen Z is more likely than prior generations to utilize budgeting applications like YNAB (You Need a Budget), Mint, PocketGuard, and Empower to track spending, save money, and pay off debt. They’re practical in ways that merely seem different.
Their approach to education and learning
Millennials did the traditional thing: college, degree, and hope it all pays off. Gen Z is rewriting that rulebook by defying the idea of expensive degrees. A large number are choosing online certification, vocational colleges, or skipping college altogether.
Since 2010, enrollment at U.S. colleges has declined by about 2 million students, or 10–15%. The drop is particularly precipitous among 18–24-year-olds, with 1.2 million fewer enrolled in 2022 than in 2011, according to Pew Research. For millennials who were brought up believing college was the only option, it’s like a complete paradigm shift.
Key takeaways
Tech & Communication Shifts. Gen Z prefers TikTok to Google, voice notes to texts, and constant online recording/sharing, leaving millennials behind in the dark ages as digital trends develop fast.
Culture & Lifestyle Differences. With zany humor, bold fashion (including Crocs and Y2K revival), and quirky food trends, Gen Z is embracing comfort, experimentation, and nostalgia on a level that mystifies millennials.
Work, Money & Education Mindset. Unlike the millennial “hustle” generation, Gen Z sets boundaries at work, questions the value of a college education, embraces side hustles, and spends in different ways, valuing flexibility over traditional milestones.
Social & Personal Values. Gen Z speaks out on politics, is comfortable with vulnerability, and is open to nontraditional dating arrangements, which sets them apart from millennials raised on more traditional norms.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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