Why a 22-Year-Old Finds Gen Z Boring: The Appeal of Talking to Boomers

At 22 years old, I fall squarely within Generation Z. My younger brothers and sisters were among the last to be part of this generation, with many being born towards its close. Most of my peers, however, entered the world in the latter half of the 1990s. It’s common for those slightly older than me to act like they belong to the millennial group instead since, as you might have noticed from various news articles about young people today, we're often referred to distinctly. lonely, anxious, lazy and sensitive. The worst generational bracket. And that’s not all.

We grumble about our lack of funds yet avoid climbing the career ladder. We're self-obsessed and fixated on cosmetic treatments. We sip on matcha, write journals compulsively, and follow an all-pistachio diet (coated in chocolate and sourced from Dubai).

While most will agree that many of these stereotypes are unfair and far-fetched, one thing that all generations before us agree on is that we’re boring The most tedious sort, indeed. It’s us who refrain from drinking, always go home early, have minimal sexual activity, and will ultimately conclude the lively outings that the British hold dear.

It’s accurate that many of us find life unexciting, but this dullness isn’t what individuals presume. mostly sober I make sure to be in bed by 9 pm each evening and typically spend my weekends at home in the evenings, yet I wouldn't describe myself as boring. Many of those around my age can be quite repetitive; talking to them feels akin to trying to converse with an unmoving object.

Individuals in their twenties appear incapable of engaging in any form of discussion. Whether I'm observing acquaintances of acquaintances or watching my siblings converse, it becomes clear that we've lost the knack for simple small talk. These conversations often come across as lopsided. The participants may nod along throughout, chuckle occasionally, and fall silent afterward. They contribute nothing further; they lack personal insights. Bring up something about Netflix, and perhaps you'll get some worthwhile suggestions — however, when it comes to topics such as current events, politics, or everyday life discussions, forget about it.

Certainly, it’s crucial to keep in mind we grew up During a worldwide health crisis, I was 17 when Boris Johnson declared that we weren't allowed to venture outside—then pubs, nightclubs, and communal areas stayed shut even after I turned into an adult. Many of us have missed out on significant milestones typically associated with youth due to this situation; numerous young individuals aren’t engaging in the workforce, whether through preference—to stay under their parental roof—or owing to unemployment challenges.

In my job as a journalist, I speak to many people of all ages with interesting stories to tell. It means I know how to have a free-flowing conversation and can expand upon my opinion if asked. A lot of my friends are millennials in their late twenties to early thirties, so I’m not in a Gen Z echochamber. But many people I know my age are still stuck in a childlike loop of wanting others to talk for them.

It’s draining. The art of conversation Going back and forth in conversation simply doesn't happen with them. Even a simple debate seems out of reach; they have no personal views to offer unless it involves reciting something from a popular video or celebrity news. Discussions about books, weekend activities, and amusing stories do not occur at all.

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On the contrary, Baby Boomers appear to excel at developing a distinct personality. My grandmother and her circle of friends from her generation are far more enjoyable company. Their lives brim with fascinating tales and anecdotes about past events. These individuals provide insights into our current world rather than dwelling in an altered digital realm dominated by celebrity culture or idleness. Each has individual perspectives, critically examining society, engaging in debates among themselves, and sharing witty remarks that make conversations around the dining table quite delightful.

I believe much of this boils down to social platforms along with their content US Generation Z members immerse themselves daily in content from platforms like TikTok, which offers an unending stream of brief videos that seem meaningless, fail to impart significant knowledge, yet keep us glued for hours. Despite consuming more material than ever before, we find ourselves with fewer topics worth discussing.

Influencers dictate what we should watch, wear, and even think about, fostering an environment where independent critical thinking, personal hobbies, individual preferences, and self-developed abilities are often sidelined.

Noel Bell, a psychotherapist and representative for the UK Council for Psychotherapy, points out that the issue stems from passive browsing, which negatively impacts mental health and emotional well-being. He explains, "There is an excessive dependence on online exchanges, leading to reduced proficiency in developing interpersonal communication abilities." According to him, older individuals appear more adept at acquiring social skills such as engaging in casual conversation since they did not experience the intense pressure to impress prevalent in some aspects of social media.

Bell adds that social media leads to a sense of "pressure from comparisons" — which means that young individuals, in particular, become hesitant to express their opinions or even seem different from what’s considered normal. This exerts significant influence on many people, affecting not only their self-worth but also their overall confidence and ease in social settings.

For my part, I've spent countless hours scrolling through content online, and when questioned about what I've been up to or what I've seen, I find myself without anything worthwhile to share aloud. Given that this occupies much of our time daily, it's hardly surprising that many of us come across as rather dull.

Therefore, being 22 years old, I would prefer sitting with those who are retired. They will likely amuse me, share some valuable insights, and perhaps even contribute their thoughts on what I express.