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“It is easy, when you are young, to believe that what you desire is no less than what you deserve,” Jon Krakauer writes in his bestselling book about adventurer Chris McCandless, Into the Wild, “to assume that if you want something badly enough, it is your God-given right to have it.”

And since the rest of us have to interact with them every day, whether it’s at work, in school, or simply in a line at the store, we decided to collect a list of things young people have said that made them seem a little disconnected from reality.

Not to suggest that the new generation is somehow worse than the older ones, but simply to remind ourselves that figuring out the world takes time and requires a bit of patience from everyone around.

Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.

#1

Rows of green cabbage plants growing in a field under natural sunlight, illustrating agriculture and farming techniques.

Told me he wanted to become a farmer because that seemed like a "chill, easy job". I think his only experience was from playing Farmville on his phone.

Anna Tarazevich , User Report

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    #2

    Military helicopter parked on runway during sunset illustrating people calling out younger generation mistakes.

    A 15-year-old told me she wanted to join the army when she was older because she didn't like being told what to do.

    Yousaf Abbasi , Ok-Masterpiece-4716 Report

    #3

    Red shopping bag with sale tags showing 50 and 70 percent discounts, highlighting consumer trends in younger generation behavior.

    I was asked if I wanted the senior discount at 36 years old. Yes, I took it.

    Max Fischer , User Report

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    #4

    Open book resting on floral bedsheets symbolizing people calling out the younger generation through exposed statements

    A teenager once told me, “I don’t understand why you don’t have TikTok.” I explained that I prefer to spend my time reading books, and they responded, “But... Why?” The sheer lack of understanding of alternative interests was pretty out of touch.

    Darcy Lis | Photography & travels , WestCaterpillar6623 Report

    #5

    Hand holding smartphone displaying TikTok app, illustrating younger generation social media trends being called out.

    I’ve worked in education since 2008. The number of kids who literally think they’re going to make it to the NFL, be a TikTok star, etc., is mind-blowing.

    greenwish _ , reddit.com Report

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    #6

    Person writing a math equation on a whiteboard, illustrating people calling out the younger generation's mistakes.

    The 27-year-old parent of a 13-year-old student told me that she was the only one allowed to tell her child what to do, and if her daughter didn't want to do her math homework, then I was not to "punish her with bad grades."

    Vanessa Garcia , tiffy68 Report

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    #7

    Close-up of a couple holding hands, showing wedding rings and highlighting generational differences in relationships.

    A teenage girl told me that she wasn’t worried about her GCSE/exam results because she would just marry a rich man. She wasn’t very happy when I asked her what would happen if she couldn’t find anyone who wanted to marry her.

    Emma Bauso , readlikeanerd Report

    #8

    Fast food meal with two cheeseburgers, crinkle-cut fries, and two soft drinks in a takeaway container representing younger generation trends.

    Little cousin thought fast-food jobs were easy. Then he got one to make his own money. He quit in a week.

    Caleb Oquendo , User Report

    #9

    Historic red brick building with clock tower under clear blue sky, symbolizing people calling out the younger generation.

    I work at a university. A 20-year-old student came to see me to ask if I would be his dissertation supervisor in the next academic year. I said I couldn't, since I would be leaving at the end of the semester (to work at another university). He looked me up and down with dawning realization and said, 'Oh, right, yeah, I guess you are retiring?'.
    I was 35 at the time.

    Pixabay , J8766557 Report

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    #10

    Man with shocked expression, holding face with hands, illustrating people calling out the younger generation’s mistakes.

    I was struggling to pay bills, and a friend was like, "Don't worry, your mom and dad care about you, they'll pay them for you". I told her I wanted to be a self-sufficient adult, and my parents didn't have the money to cover my bills anyway. Her mind was blown.

    JJY Media , Ithelda Report

    #11

    ChatGPT interface showing capabilities and limitations related to people calling out the younger generation phrases.

    That they feel sorry for us, AI does all their homework and reports, we didn't have that. I responded with, "True, but we actually learned things." The kid said, "Why does that matter?"

    Matheus Bertelli , Fickle-Secretary681 Report

    #12

    A stressed young man at his desk overwhelmed by multiple hands exposing stupid things the younger generation said.

    It just blows my mind how many people under 30 complain online about feeling old and used up, or they feel like it’s too late to find another path in life. Apparently, feeling old is something for young people to do. I’m 40+ and feel like my life has just begun.

    User , Historical_Guess2565 Report

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    #13

    A diverse group in a business meeting discussing generational differences as people call out the younger generation.

    ‘You guys need to learn to adapt.’
    A new colleague said to us. DURING a management/staff meeting about her atrocious work ethic.

    RDNE Stock project , 1whoisconcerned Report

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    #14

    Black leather wallet with US dollar bills partially visible on a wooden surface, highlighting money and younger generation concepts.

    Some people think earning $80,000 - $100,000 a year is ‘average’.

    Natasha Chebanoo , beigereige Report

    #15

    Close-up of a smartphone screen showing popular social media apps, highlighting the younger generation's digital communication.

    I told a couple of 18-year-olds that I don't have Instagram. They called me a liar and said if I didn't want to be friends, I should just say so.

    Abdulkadir Emiroğlu , jarboxing Report

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    #16

    Teacher explaining math classwork to younger generation students raising hands in a modern classroom setting

    We had a young guest speaker at work who was there to speak to us about mental health. She advised us that if there was a task that we weren’t up for, we should tell our bosses that we weren’t mentally equipped to complete that task that day.
    For the record, we’re teachers. And her examples were tasks such as lesson planning, grading, and talking to students - the main point of our jobs.

    Max Fischer , IllustriousCabinet11 Report

    #17

    Modern office space with young professionals working on computers, highlighting younger generation in a collaborative environment.

    "You wouldn't have been laid off if you were good at your job. Layoffs don't affect the ones who are good at their work."
    Pipe down, Ashleigh. You just focus on showing up on time before throwing those stones.

    CadoMaestro , forever_29_ish Report

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    #18

    Person reading a book surrounded by open books and a coffee cup, illustrating younger generation expressions and quotes.

    I had to stop using cursive at the last place I worked because most of the staff, who were all under the age of 25, didn't know how to read it.

    Abner Navarro , User Report

    #19

    Close-up of a person receiving a facial injection from a healthcare professional exposing younger generation trends.

    Overheard from 19-year-old coworkers, “I think I’m going to wait to get Botox until I’m old, like 25.” I’m not sure what they think is going to happen in 6 years, but if they lay off the tanning beds and the vapes, they should not need Botox.

    cottonbro studio , censorkip Report

    #20

    Retro flip phone with decorative gems surrounded by makeup items, illustrating younger generation trends and style.

    "You mean phones couldn’t take pictures?"

    cottonbro studio , sentman9 Report

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    #21

    Stack of CDs with colorful covers representing people calling out the younger generation by exposing things they said.

    My 16-year-old niece saw my CD collection and asked why I had so many vintage music discs.

    Brett Jordan , User Report

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    #22

    Smartphone displaying a video app icon next to black wireless earbuds on a light background highlighting younger generation technology use.

    He thought that because I didn't pay to listen to music, I was pirating it, even though I clearly wrote in my post that I watch music videos on YouTube or listen to the radio. He didn't understand that musicians distributing music in that format got their money from advertisers rather than from subscriptions. The whole thing would have been hilarious if it hadn't been so sad. The younger generation thinks the only legit way to consume content is through subscriptions. They have no clue how to be frugal and find free and completely legal means to listen to their music.

    Sanket Mishra , mekat Report

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    #23

    Night view of a small town lit by streetlights surrounded by dark forest, illustrating younger generation exposure theme.

    Comments about why I didn't choose different options in life. I don't think young people today understand how isolated we were in very small rural towns prior to the internet. I grew up in a town with fewer than 2000 people that was almost a two-hour drive from an actual city. Our town library was a collection of books that a lady got together in an old trailer. We didn't have cable TV most of my childhood; we didn't even have consistent TV reception back then. I literally did not understand the world outside that town until I got into the military and left.

    Jonas Thomann , User Report

    #24

    Man in a white shirt holding up his hand in a stop gesture, symbolizing people calling out the younger generation.

    When I was young, I refused a lot of opportunities because I wanted to do a certain job. I was so clouded with my own understanding of how the world worked that I sabotaged myself. I could have easily made good money in my early 20s. But I had this mindset on how I wanted to do things and how I wanted things to happen. I was out of touch.

    Monstera Production , reddit.com Report

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    #25

    Mercury thermometer on fabric surrounded by crumpled tissues, illustrating younger generation being called out and exposed.

    "I don’t care if I get Covid…" Till she did, she regretted it then.

    Polina Tankilevitch , South_Hedgehog_7564 Report

    #26

    Golden Bitcoin coins stacked on a newspaper article discussing best cryptocurrencies to invest in.

    Told me that he will never go to work and will instead make money by investing. I asked where he would get the money for investing a large enough sum to live off of it.

    Alesia Kozik , tommykiddo Report

    #27

    Elderly couple walking hand in hand on sunny sidewalk, symbolizing generational contrast and reflection on younger generation statements.

    You’re old. You don’t need more money. If they only knew.

    RDNE Stock project , jtd0000 Report

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    #28

    Unopened cup spilling uncooked rice grains on a white surface, illustrating careless mistakes by younger generation.

    Almost anything to do with history.
    I once saw a teen tell an Asian person that rice was "pretty new" to the American diet and that "40 years ago" (so, the 1970s), "most Americans would have heard of rice, but very few would have it in their pantries, and most had not tried it".
    Rice. The kid thought rice was a "new, exotic food" in the US... In the 1970s.

    MART PRODUCTION , tunaman808 Report

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    #29

    Young and older people voting at a polling station on vote day, highlighting generational differences and opinions.

    When a young person says they don't vote, I get upset. Everyone should learn about their rights, responsibilities, and how their lives are affected by each level of government. It is more important now than ever to make informed decisions on what you want your future to look like. Around the world, our rights and freedoms are in danger. Young people will be impacted the most by decisions made by the voters in their jurisdiction. They need to be more involved.

    Edmond Dantès , jamaicanadiens Report

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    #30

    Person holding and pointing at financial document, highlighting budget details related to people calling out the younger generation.

    I asked an intern to help me enter data into spreadsheets for an environmental project we had due soon. This was at an environmental consulting firm.
    Them: “I am going to pass on that work task because I don’t see that as something I need to do within the realm of what I plan for my career path.”

    Mikhail Nilov , FlowingNotForcing Report

    #31

    Tropical beach scene with clear blue sky and ocean, symbolizing peace amid discussions of younger generation calling out.

    “What do you mean you don’t have summer off? They make you work during summer?!?”
    Yes, child. Adults don’t get summer break. You know, when you go to the grocery store or the movies all summer? Those people are working. I have to work just like them.
    The child was 17.
    Their mind was blown.

    Yudha Dwiyoko Putra , Low_Effective_6056 Report

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    #32

    Young man in a white turtleneck talking on phone while working on computer, highlighting younger generation conversations.

    I had a new temp tell me he doesn't get why I wouldn't give my social security number on the phone to the power company in the staff break room. He laughed at me and said I was being too paranoid, and no one cares what some government number is.

    Mikhail Nilov , User Report

    #33

    A person pouring steamed milk into a coffee cup creating latte art, illustrating themes about the younger generation.

    It’s not fair that just because he (industrial electrician) went to school and studied gets paid that much more than I (working as a barista).

    Masud Allahverdizade , Slackerwithgoals Report

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    #34

    Smartphone with clear protective case on wooden surface, illustrating younger generation tech trends and popular gadgets.

    When I was a stepmother to a teenage boy and caught him stealing money from us, I got his dad to take his phone away for a period of time. He flipped out before going to school one day and said, “What am I supposed to do in class??” I said, “I don't know, learn? Listen to your own thoughts?” He said, “YOU TRY LISTENING TO YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.”

    Andrey Matveev , potsandpole Report

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    #35

    Close-up of US dollar bills representing money while people are calling out the younger generation exposing stupid things said.

    "Millennials never take responsibility for anything, the housing market, the environment, or the economy. They blame everything on boomers."

    Gaby Lopez , Asherwinny107 Report

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    #36

    Lottery tickets with marked numbers representing common misconceptions of the younger generation exposed online.

    If the lottery system has so much money, why can't they just cut everyone a big check instead of making you pay to play.

    Waldemar Brandt , Nothing-tralala Report

    #37

    Tropical beach with clear blue water and rocky islands under a bright sky, reflecting younger generation discussions.

    "I guess there are poor people in Jamaica, but they are so happy! They're used to being poor. They're not hungry. They can always just eat a coconut!"
    We were both around 19 years old, and I was at a party at her house. We had just met. After we were done talking, I wasn't invited back, which was fine by me!

    Laura The Explaura , No_Goose_7390 Report

    #38

    Record store bins filled with vintage vinyl albums showcasing music genres and artists, highlighting cultural tastes of younger generations.

    I'm always hearing about how life was easier like 30-50 years ago, when it wasn't.

    Mick Haupt , AuggieNorth Report

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    #39

    Person scrolling through Instagram on a smartphone, illustrating younger generation behavior on social media platforms.

    I need to browse Instagram to know what is happening in the world.

    cottonbro studio , reddit.com Report

    #40

    Large historic stone mansion with multiple windows and a green lawn, reflecting architecture people are calling out younger generation.

    Rich people have it harder than poor people because rich people are more "isolated," hence lonelier.

    Jimmy K , Notmuch__1 Report

    #41

    Dental clinic room with modern equipment and tools highlighting people calling out younger generation behaviors.

    "I don't go to the doctor or dentist, so I don't need health insurance," said my 25-year-old stepdaughter when I advised her that, legally, at 26, she'd need to have her own insurance.
    Edit. To give more context. We were talking about therapy, which she wanted to do after a long discussion. But she didn't want to pay for it, and we, her parents, offered to cover what wasn't covered by insurance. She is a grown adult all on her own when she left for college. For the first couple of years of college, she'd have visits for healthcare when she came home until she said she didn't want to go anymore and refused. As a legal adult, I can't control whether she goes for healthcare.

    8pCarlos Morocho , FruityStrawberry3119 Report

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    #42

    White Range Rover Velar parked outdoors near green foliage, illustrating the younger generation trends and attitudes.

    I had a classmate when I was 17 whose father came to collect her from school one day.
    "Oh God, he's come in the Porsche instead of the Range Rover, that's so embarrassing."

    Aryan Prajapati , HelloStranger0325 Report

    #43

    Close-up of a person playing an acoustic guitar, illustrating younger generation trends and expressions being called out.

    “Once I learn guitar, I’ll release a demo and get a recording deal.”

    Quốc Bảo , LiquidSoCrates Report

    #44

    Victorian-style house with red trim and a white SUV parked in front, highlighting generational themes and social observations.

    In college, I had a friend who was looking for apartments near our campus, and she came across multiple listings that were close by and under $1000... While showing me pictures, she said, "Wow, look at this, $800 for this whole house."
    At first, I thought she was joking, because I thought there was no way in h**l she could think that a 4-bedroom, 2-bath, newly built townhouse would be $800.
    I had to hold back my annoyance as I calmly explained to her that these listings were for bedrooms with shared common spaces around the house.
    She looked distraught and disgusted by the fact that people would "lie" on the internet and "lure people in with photos of the entire house, making them believe they could have it all."
    Not the smartest pickle, but she was a nice girl.

    Harrison Haines , Adventurous-Run-5920 Report

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    #45

    Vintage typewriter on wooden desk with framed photos and antique wall art reflecting generational perspectives and exposed sayings.

    "I want to go back to an easier time like the 50s or 80s when things like this didn't exist," ignoring that a lot of people didn't have civil rights spanning those decades.

    Amine İspir , SeeYouInTrees Report

    #46

    Person holding smartphone with Instagram app open, illustrating younger generation and social media behavior.

    Debating at this Christmas party, it was my cousin’s in-laws. My mistake for debating children; I’ll admit to that (they were high schoolers). Anyways, I was stating facts and frustrating them; their epic comeback was “you don’t know anything, how many Instagram and TikTok followers do you have?” So my points were invalid because I have 100ish followers on Instagram, all of whom I know, and they had thousands of followers liking their thirst trap photos.


    Omkar Patyane , User Report

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