233Kviews
50 Funny And Relatable Gen X Posts Other Generations Probably Won’t Understand
Isn't it fascinating how we've divided the human timeline into these quirky categories? We've got the silent heroes, the booming boomers, the effortlessly cool Gen X, the tech-savvy millennials, the Zoom-loving Gen Z, and hey there, Gen Alpha, you're next in line. But right now, let's turn the spotlight on you, you awesome Gen X'ers – the original latchkey kids, the masters of retro-cool. Born in 1965–1980, you know all too well about neon clothes, jelly bracelets, stirrup leggings, pay phones, big hair, and strawberry shortcake...
From the cosmic dust of the '60s to the neon glow of the '80s, the r/GenX subreddit captures the essence of what it was like to grow up and live in this era. We've curated our favorite posts from the group, so grab your VHS tapes, dust off your Pogs collection, and get ready for a journey through the era of neon fanny packs, grunge anthems, and a world where the only social network that mattered was the one you actually attended in person.
This post may include affiliate links.
I Feel Like As A Gen-Xer, This Resonates With Me
Remember when Cindy Brady said that by the time she got the attic room, it would be the year 2000? It seemed so far away.
The Gen X'ers, now comfortably middle-aged, could tell us a lot about life and how it used to be. Today's trends, including music, fashion, and TV shows, often take cues from the vibrant '70s and '80s. A lively Reddit group, r/GenX boasts 98.1k members and is a hotspot for sharing nostalgic and funny content from that era.
Trying To Think Of A Clever Caption, But I Can’t Top This
The Best Part Of Getting A New Cassette
Besides the fun things we associate with the '70s and '80s, there was much more to it. Gen X was the first generation with both parents working outside the home, but childcare options were limited at that time. Known as the "Latchkey Kids," Xers grew up preparing meals and maintaining the household after school. This often led to a feeling of being overlooked, with Baby Boomers soaking up the limelight.
Seems Just About Right For Us
This Sums Up The Genx Music-Purchasing Experience
I Feel Like Gen X Is The Only Generation To Just Embrace This Reality
A recent article in the New York Times defines Gen X this way: "A relatively small cohort sandwiched between baby boomers and millennials, this demographic consisting of Americans born between 1965 and 1980 seemed to dominate the cultural conversation for only a brief stretch of the 1990s, when Seattle seemed like the music capital of the universe and ‘Gen X' served as shorthand for all things edgy and cool."
Sit, Ubu, Sit. Good Dog. Does Anyone Remember This?
What Are Your Thoughts On This? Accurate?
I Can’t Disagree
Yes. Well, I'm actually named after a wolf in an Adopt A Wolf WWF kit from the early 90s, but this tweet... is literally my childhood. XD My dad gave me my first Stephen King book when I was 11 (The Waste Lands, The Dark Tower's 3rd book... yes my dad gave me the THIRD book in the series first for some reason) and King has been my favorite author since. I absolutely assign a lot of my weirdness to reading King books at a young age XD
Load More Replies...
V. C. Andrews for me. Equally messed up at those preteen years. Flowers in the attic.
That is one of the most messed-up book series I have ever read. Maybe even *the* most messed-up.
Load More Replies...
Mine was Salem's Lot. I mean, it's nothing but Dracula set in modern times, but when you're 14, obsessed with horror, and spending the night at your grandparents' house out in the middle of nowhere, reading that particular book on a binge night isn't ideal. The next day, I, the atheist, spent $15 I didn't have on a cross necklace.
Pet Sematary was mine. Had nightmares for weeks after reading it
Load More Replies...
Very young when I read that, loved it even though it was wicked scary and freaky
Load More Replies...
My mom let me start reading them at 10. Is that too young? Asking for a friend
Mine was either The Eyes of the Dragon or The Stand (didn't finish the latter because of an illustration that freaked me out). Christine was also an early read, which is probably why I get somewhat paranoid when the same headlights tail me for too long in the dark ;)
My mom watched “jaws” when she was 7 and it scarred her for life 😶
i saw the first Piranha movie when i was about 10 i think. Not a good plan.
Load More Replies...
I'm only 13 but I've read and absolutely loved over 20 Stephen king books
I'm pretty sure my first Stephen King book was "Carrie," which I read in 7th grade. I remember the school principal saw me with it, and asked if my mom knew I was reading it. He told me if I was going to read it at school, I had to bring in a note from her giving me permission; guess he wanted to make sure I wasn't reading a "forbidden book" behind his back. Of course she obliged, having never in her life told us kids we couldn't read any book we wanted to.
Mine was Carrie too. I sneaked it out of my Dad's bookshelf.
Load More Replies...
I was late in getting into Stephen King but I did read James Herbert far too young and that's why I am the way I am. (For those who don't know him, he was a British horror writer)
Life. That' why we are the way we are. Life was way scarier than Stephen King. Plus I like Poe the best.
12. I was twelve when I had to figure out the euphemism “beef stroganoff” thanks to Mr. King.
My first was Carrie, sometime in the late 70's, I was 10, have been reading King for over 40 years.
My parents took me to see The Texas Chainsaw Massacre at the drive-in when I was 5. Then as it was starting, they told me it was a true story. Parenting was very different in the 70's. I also read a lot of Stephen King as a kid.
My mom watched this with me when I was in elementary. Yikes! Absolutely would not do to my child.
Load More Replies...
we are this way because we live a real life. not a social media fantasy
I read "it" when I was 12. I was so scared that I hid the book in the closet and locked it up during night. Everything jus to prevent that Pennywise would come out of that book to get me. I'm Gen X.
Heeeeeere's Johnny! Still can't completely close a door so I can see what's coming.
i was 14 i think. Is that too young? Pet sematary. oh and then The Stand. Hooked for life :-)
I read "It" in '86 or '87. I was 8. I still don't like storm drains.
When our cat died, my older sisters told me Pet Sematary was a self-help book for kids...
Have to laugh... true to form my older cousin (a teen) was more concerned about me borrowing her Stephen King books to read while my parents were blissfully ignorant
I started reading Stephen King in 1974 when Carrie came out. I was a little older, however, 17.
Eyes of the Dragon in early middle school. Completely nothing like his other books but I loved it. I was obsessed with it for awhile. I had read a couple other if his books before and loved them but this one stuck with me for ages.
For me it was John Irving. I read him a year or so before I read Night Shift. I was waaaay too young for any of it..
I prove that hypothesis. My bedroom as a kid was in our partly unfinished basement an as such I could hear when parents were coming to make sure I was in bed, lights off. In reality I was, naturally, READING and often Stephen King. Once their footsteps passed back through the kitchen, off snapped my light until they went away, then lather, rinse, READ!
Absolutely. Slept with a cross for a month after reading Salems Lot when I was 12.
I still have every Stephen King book from my childhood and probably up until '93.
Pet Sematary was it for me. I read The Dead Zone at a much younger age, but it didn't creep me out. I've never even seen the Pet Sematary movie.
I'll do y'all one better: I gave a book report in Catholic grammar school at 9 years old, on.....Flowers in the Attic!
ooh i did read a short story compilation by him when i was like, 7. and cujo when i was around 12.
Mine was Salem's Lot and I remember the movie with the Dukes of Hazard guy.
Got a glimpse of the Salems Lot movie way, way too early. That left a mark that persisted for years....
Let's see I starting reading Stephen King at the age of 9... 😆
Why yes, I did read my first Stephen King at 10 and my first Clive Barker at 12, but really, it all started around 9, when I read my first John Saul, lololololololololololololol... What? Yes, I've been in therapy for decades now. What of it?
I can only speak for myself, but: so true. (True story: My preferance for Stephen King when I was 16 led my mom to make a therapist appointment for me.)
did that in high-chool. polished of IT in only 6 hours...damn long bus trips :P
My mom made me watch Beetlejuice when I was ten because I liked (and still do now) creepy things. She said she watched it as a child and it scared the living s**t out of her, I was just completely unfazed.
This is exactly what happened to me. I read The Shining at 10 years old and have never recovered.
I watched 50's horror movies before going to bed since I was about 10, but reading Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man really, really terrified me!
Read a book? Gen X? No. But watched a horror movie way too young, yes.
I just got a Salem’s Lot tattoo for just that reason. Terrified me as a kid but I love all things “scary” to normal people
Not Stephen King, but I found my mom’s copy of Howard Stern’s autobiography and totally read it. I was definitely too young but it was a bit of rebellion on my part
Ah ah being an avid reader led me to some books that were waaaay too inappropriate for my age. I read Atonement by McEwan in 5th grade just because I was on vacation and I had already read all the books I had taken with me the first week. And for me it was Misery, by the way.
Not me. I am 63 and have never read a Stephen King book nor seen a movie based on his books. I am very proud of that fact.
They were the first to experience widespread cable television access as they grew up. In 1981, MTV, the 24/7 music video channel, arrived, capturing the hearts of countless Gen Xers and earning them the moniker "MTV Generation."
Just Had To Leave This Here. Had No Choice In Fact
How Everyone Else Thinks The 80s Looked Like vs. Reality
Saved by the Bell set vs Home aka What we wanted vs What we got!!!
"Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner!"
Gen Xers grew up during a time of significant events. They faced the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, leading to a focus on safe sex. They witnessed history unfold with the end of the Cold War, marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. They saw both the triumph of the first successful space shuttle flight in 1981 and the tragedy of the Challenger explosion five years later. Gen Xers lived through the U.S. government's anti-drug efforts, epitomized by the "just say no" campaign, and they also navigated the energy crises of the '70s and '80s.
Who Else Grew Up Learning To Question Authority From This Character?
Has Happened More Than Once!!!!! Especially About 9/11
How Very
Gen Xers are known for being resourceful and independent due to their latchkey upbringing. They value a work-life balance, having seen their parents' work demands affect family time. Their cynicism can be attributed to the economic and societal challenges they faced during their childhood and early adulthood.
I Suspect We Can All Relate To This
Why am I in tears from laughing so hard over this? Really, I don't understand Gen Z speak.
What Would Some Of Our Disproven Facts Be?
1. Bees are NOT led by a Queen. The hive’s workers are an organization which makes collective decisions. If the Queen ain’t pulling her weight she’ll be defenestrated and replaced. 2. Bermuda Triangle: total crock. 3. Sugar is better than fat in a diet. Lies. 4. You can literally eat five ham sandwiches in a pool and never cramp. Forget the 30-minute wait to swim after meals. 5. Words sometimes DO hurt more than sticks and stones. Shall I go on… wow 🤪
My God... We Suffered... Suffered So Much
Now, aged 43 to 58, the "Coolest Generation" finds joy in simple activities like trips to Costco or Target, cozy Friday nights in, excitement over a new shower or lawnmower, and even crafting jelly from hand-picked crabapples.
Does Anyone Else Still Do This?
I used to, but I can't think of any drink that uses those in the UK now.
Stuck In The Middle With You
Ok, Stuck in the Middle did NOT mix well with the M*A*S*H* theme or Enigma
Oh, Ain't This The Truth
Yep,we were right to be cynical about everything.
To offer a point of reference and comparison with Gen X, we've gathered information about the next two generations. The revolution was influenced by millennials, also known as Generation Y. Born between 1982 and 1994, they're digital natives, seamlessly incorporating technology into their daily routines. They moved from an analog to a digital world. Unlike earlier generations, millennials face intense competition due to the economic crisis, prompting them to strive for better qualifications. Unlike their Generation X parents, they're ambitious and determined to achieve their goals.
Who Had A Car Stereo That Had A Removeable Faceplate?
This Is Only Going To Get Worse
Retirement For Generation X
Generation Z, aged 8 to 23, will be the leaders in the future. They're also called centennials, born between 1995 and 2010, and came into the world with tablets and smartphones. Who are they? They're the Internet generation, it's part of them – in their homes, education, and how they socialize. Finding jobs might be even harder for them than for Generation Y. They're tech-savvy but might prioritize screens over people. Yet, they use the Internet for social causes. They expect instant results due to their digital lives and are influenced by YouTubers. They can multitask but have shorter attention spans. As consumers, they're independent and demanding, and their future jobs might not exist yet.
Yes We Turned Out Just Fine
Klinger, Dame Edna, Rocky Horror, Bugs Bunny, Freddy Mercury (I wanna break free), Monty Python, Bosom Buddies, Some like it hot, Tootsie, Divine, Boy George, Marilyn, and a little later, To Wong Fu thanks for everything, Priscilla Queen of the desert, Mrs Doubtfire, Birdcage, - why is cross dressing such an issue now?
So... Umm... There's That
Only Genx Has This Specialized Skill
Now that's not true. I'm à boomer, with millenial kids, and I was the one who knew how!
Continue scrolling for a dose of nostalgia and fun from the Gen X era – the generation that gave us leg warmers and the modern smartphone. Upvote your favorite ones and drop a comment on the ones that resonated with you the most.
The Blockbuster Strikes Back
Little Bit Of Truth To This. My Mind Is Still 30, But My Body Says Nice Try
From the age of six, I babysat my older brother after school because I was the responsible one. He was nine.
Phil Basically Raised A Generation
There was a period of about 6 months in around 1985 when it was Phil Collins or Philip Bailey and no-one else
We Ate King Dongs And Listened To Gregorian Chants. What A Time To Be Alive
Oh dear. Enigma Sadeness will now be stuck in my head all night. Grrrrrr 😂
Not A Gen Xer, But The Ones I Know Are Exactly Like This
This Place Was A Friday Night Out
Don't forget the refillable pitcher of soda and the red glasses.
My Daughter Found My Old Walkman, So I Left Her A Note
You Can Add Driving During The Day In Any Season, Really
Who All Laid On One Of These Bad Boys As A Kid?
It’s Not Even Funny. It’s A Big Source Of My Stress
Hilarity On A Level That Never Gets Old
This Post Is To All The Genx's With Uncommon Names And The Bitter Sting Of The Gift Shop Keychains
I Learned Opera From A Cross Dressing Rabbit
The Domain (large public open space in the city of Sydney), 1980s. 'Opera at the Domain'. Orchestra start playing Wagner. A low, but very distinct murmuring from the crowd: 'Kill the rabbit, kill the rabbit...'.
What Was Your "Must See" Movie You Shared With Younger Generations?
Omg Fashion Plates!! Who Else Played With These?
Yes We Did. F**king Gop Idiots
Peak Genx - Riding Your Bike Down The Middle Of The Street, Standing On The Banana Seat, No Helmet
This Post Needs To Be 25 Characters But I Think The Fella Below Said Enough
Most Accurate Description Of Growing Up Gen X
Just remember, kids. If it all kicks off, there's fück all you can do about it, so don't waste your time worrying.
Who Had School In A Portable?
Some Humor Needs No Explanation
That feathered hair. That slightly leathery skin that only comes from a decade of sunbathing and cigarettes. Those were the days.
X'ers Were Scrappy Little Hooligans
I Thought This Sub Would Appreciate This Cosplay From Superman (1978)
Note: this post originally had 104 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
When I was growing up my dad and uncle used to listen to the oldies from the 50s and 60s (in the 80s). I never understood why they didn't listen to current music. Now, in 2023, I listen to Classic Rock from the 70s to the late 80's early 90's, and I get it.
Okay so what exactly is the brith year span for gen x/gen z/millennial bs anyway?
Listen there, genXers, older millennials with baby boomer parents remember all of these and then some. I am hear to say, we are standing right beside you, like MJ would sign “🎶 You are not alone 🎶 I am here with you !” I don’t understand genZ either, but they aren’t our kids man, we did not raise genZ, we be raising the Alphas… so who raised the genZ ? Ain’t it genX ?!
As a Boomer, when Gen X talks about things they did that younger generations didn't, I sometimes think Gen X was just the tail end of the Boomers. Or is it that my generation didn't think of themselves as finished? We've been here for all of this. It's part of our lives.
Yesterday on Reddit, I had someone insult me with "boomer", claiming that we all come to conclusions from incomplete facts. (To be fair, she was right about the last part.) I pointed out I was not a boomer. She says, "Gen Xers are not better than boomers." I said, "I never said they were." She says, "You're just more ironic with worse taste in music." It was the argument form of the game Twister. My back hurts now.
As I'm technically a Boomer (1961), is it weird that I relate to all of these?
As a millennial, I love how genx are now like boomers and think they're so special and unique as if MOST of millennials didn't grow up with all of these same things. I know I did and I was born in December 86. Millennials age too! We're not 20 anymore! We're 27-42!!!!!!! Grow up you old weirdos.
I'm technically a first year millennial, born late 1981, but can definitely relate to all of these posts in one way or another. Grew up with all the same trends, movies, games, technology, furniture haha. Great article, always love the ones that pull on the nostalgia strings. Good job, Panda!
As the tail end of Boomers in 1964, I see how this resonates now and with my confused children from 1992 to 2002 birth years. LOL
As a 1964 Boomer - I do recall this all in my "formative years" and having my own kids from 1992 to 2002 - I see where the confusion comes from. LOL
That time when you as an african realise you are actually american.
When I was growing up my dad and uncle used to listen to the oldies from the 50s and 60s (in the 80s). I never understood why they didn't listen to current music. Now, in 2023, I listen to Classic Rock from the 70s to the late 80's early 90's, and I get it.
Okay so what exactly is the brith year span for gen x/gen z/millennial bs anyway?
Listen there, genXers, older millennials with baby boomer parents remember all of these and then some. I am hear to say, we are standing right beside you, like MJ would sign “🎶 You are not alone 🎶 I am here with you !” I don’t understand genZ either, but they aren’t our kids man, we did not raise genZ, we be raising the Alphas… so who raised the genZ ? Ain’t it genX ?!
As a Boomer, when Gen X talks about things they did that younger generations didn't, I sometimes think Gen X was just the tail end of the Boomers. Or is it that my generation didn't think of themselves as finished? We've been here for all of this. It's part of our lives.
Yesterday on Reddit, I had someone insult me with "boomer", claiming that we all come to conclusions from incomplete facts. (To be fair, she was right about the last part.) I pointed out I was not a boomer. She says, "Gen Xers are not better than boomers." I said, "I never said they were." She says, "You're just more ironic with worse taste in music." It was the argument form of the game Twister. My back hurts now.
As I'm technically a Boomer (1961), is it weird that I relate to all of these?
As a millennial, I love how genx are now like boomers and think they're so special and unique as if MOST of millennials didn't grow up with all of these same things. I know I did and I was born in December 86. Millennials age too! We're not 20 anymore! We're 27-42!!!!!!! Grow up you old weirdos.
I'm technically a first year millennial, born late 1981, but can definitely relate to all of these posts in one way or another. Grew up with all the same trends, movies, games, technology, furniture haha. Great article, always love the ones that pull on the nostalgia strings. Good job, Panda!
As the tail end of Boomers in 1964, I see how this resonates now and with my confused children from 1992 to 2002 birth years. LOL
As a 1964 Boomer - I do recall this all in my "formative years" and having my own kids from 1992 to 2002 - I see where the confusion comes from. LOL
That time when you as an african realise you are actually american.
