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There have been more than 60 years of change between the oldest baby Boomer and the youngest member of Gen Z. Considering this, their obvious and sometimes divisive differences become less surprising. However, such a fact doesn’t take away their humble right to poke fun at each other once in a while.

That’s why the digital world is full of memes that friendly mock the quirks and oddities of these generations. Bored Panda scoured the web and curated a list of some of the best ones. All you have to do is scroll down and enjoy!

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with a leading expert on Generation Z, Corey Seemiller, PhD, who kindly agreed to answer some questions about these age groups.

#1

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Manana Man
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just did the best I could to raise my kids. Build a society? New flash: there was one already in place when I got here.

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    #2

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    Rayne OfSalt
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actual GenX: Life doesn't remember that I exist and has definitely not given me any lemons. Pass the booze.

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    From innocent memes to Boomers ruining the economy to Gen Z being addicted to technology, generational stereotypes have become so common they have become clichés. Bored Panda reached out to a leading expert on Generation Z, Corey Seemiller, PhD, to learn more about the topic.

    She explains that they are, to some extent, based on reality. “Either someone has a unique experience and makes a claim about a group of people, which catches like wildfire, particularly in the era of social media, or there is enough validation that something is true to some extent.

    For example, many in the GI Generation who grew up during the Depression held onto hoarding tendencies even well after they aged out of an era of scarcity. There was enough truth in that assertion that it became a well-known characteristic of those in the GI Generation.”

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    #6

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    Passerby
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wrong. You start with a debt, possibly crippling one.

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    Seemiller mentions that while characterizing different age groups is common, it’s often counterproductive. She said that assigning particular traits to a group of people fails to acknowledge the importance of outside factors that might help recognize why they're struggling. Let’s take the articles that say Gen Z quits when things get hard, for instance. 

    “First, not all Gen Zers quit when things get hard. Look at all the athletes, entrepreneurs, and everyday kids who persist beyond any obstacles thrown their way," explains Seemiller.

    "Second, if a large number of Gen Zers are prone to quitting, what factors might be leading to that? For example, in the job market…is it to take another higher-paying job because the economy is tough and they can’t make ends meet? Is it to have a better work-life balance and tend to their mental health needs, which we know are high? There is always more to the story than just the observable behavior.”

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    #7

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    Jrog
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Telly Savalas, the beloved poster child of the boomer generation. Smoker who could not quit for his dear life. Heavy drinker and alleged sex addict. Self styled "world class gambler" who lost millions at the blackjack table. Married a girl 35 years his younger. Discharged from the Army after training without a single day of active service (and went on to pretend to be a veteran), but landed on a cushy government job quickly achieving the title of executive director. Showed up to a random audition in place of a friend and got the job thrown at him.

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    #8

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    Geoffrey Scott
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would GLADLY give up the 5x appreciation of my house in order for those younger to afford what I have. Tell me how to slap the s*** out of the market? I did NOT close a door, it was slammed behind me.

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    #9

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    Isabella
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What about those who went though 1st World War, spanish flu and 2nd World War?

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    If we looked even closer at the data, we would see that to succeed in this day and age, we need to consider a lot of additional factors like rising wealth inequality, stagnant salaries, and the need for more advanced and expensive education to compete in the labor market. The “delayed adulthood” that many young people experience is not related to their personalities but rather to external aspects like high housing costs. 

    #10

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    Another example where stereotyping becomes counterproductive is our concern over climate change. Many people assume that younger generations are the most worried about this issue and are the ones leading movements against global warming. However, after Bobby Duffy, author of The Generation Myth: Why When You’re Born Matters Less Than You Think, analyzed public opinion, he found that anxiety about the climate crisis is rising among all age groups, with little difference between them.

    #13

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    Jack Burton
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some boomer got house AND regular vacations while working as mailman, waitress, teacher, nurse... try that know 😅

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    #15

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    Lee Justice
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whose fùckjng job was it to teach apostrophes because they failed dismally

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    In addition, he revealed that while younger-generation activism brings attention to this problem, Boomers are more likely to change their behavior to help the planet. This means that generational stereotypes of “selfish” older generations and caring Gen Z can be misleading. It also puts our faith in younger generations, hoping they’ll solve this global issue rather than encouraging all of us to step in and help.

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    #16

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    Surenu
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, there is a lot of hateful content on the internet. But you can choose to watch hedgehogs taking a bath instead, and quite frankly, I recommend it.

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    #17

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    Jakobi
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How I feel in every conversation with older people than me. (There I fixed it, don't look at me I know I can't spell 😭)

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    #18

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    UncleJohn3000
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Words I've actually spoken - "Yes, dad, the mouse. No, I still don't know why they called it that, move the mouse so the cursor is over the Save button, and left click the mouse. Press the left mouse button. Yes, the wheel is neat. Have you left clicked? Go ahead and left click. Yes, on the button we're discussing. Ok, go to the Start button and let's reboot. No, I don't know why you have to press Start to shut it down. Yes, I agree it's incongruent now left click on the Start button please. Try the other left mouse button. I didn't name the Start button, can you click on it please? ..."

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    Instead of stereotyping, looking at data and trends in a group of people and trying to understand them can be very informative. Seemiller suggests that this is extremely useful, particularly in working environments. 

    “For example, many Gen Xers were latch-key kids growing up—not all, but a lot. And those who weren’t still came of age in an era when this was a trend. 

    Knowing that many Gen Xers prefer hands-off leadership and autonomy at work (as evidenced by research) can give a supervisor a starting point to better understand the expectations of their employee. However, having a conversation about one’s individual needs and preferences is also essential," she says.

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    #21

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    AgingBull
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Need the slide of the billionaires laughing saying lmao we have all the money it's great

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    Duffy proposes that we need to stop blaming young people for something that's out of their control. However, the older generations often fail to see how much the world has changed since they were young adults, not recognizing that the opportunities they had no longer exist.

    Instead, it might seem easier to rely on our subjective opinions and overgeneralize the young. However, Duffy writes, “It’s vital that we resist the lure of these simple answers, as they are likely to distract us from taking necessary action.

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    #23

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    Biofish23
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1981 here, I really don't feel like gen x or a millennial. Oregon trail gen sounds good.

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    #24

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    Tempest
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haha that’s me! I’m early Gen Z and am absolutely not interested (or knowledgeable) on most of the late Gen Z/Gen alpha trends! I refused to become part of the TikTok world. And don’t even get me started on all the weird words these kids keep making up! I’m with millennials and the rest of them on that 😅

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    Meanwhile, Seemiller encourages us to appreciate generational differences, leveraging each other’s strengths. “For example, if a Millennial needs a lot of feedback, it’s important that no matter who supervises them, they provide feedback. We have to meet each other where they are,” she says.

    #25

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    Jack Burton
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a person born in early 80's i'm quite amazed by Gen Z teenagers, they just know the world is f****d and they want to enjoy what they can. I like them.

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    She signs off by saying that people can take advantage of their differences and learn something from them. “Younger generations can learn a lot from Boomers as well as they can learn a lot from their younger colleagues/friends/family members who can provide an alternative to instinctual decision-making by offering more data-driven solutions. Thus, between the two, the best idea might emerge.”

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    #29

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    Porribix
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we call them mobile phones so i guess we are free and mobile...bad luck america

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    #30

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    Jack Burton
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are some 2000 years old writing complaining about young people so i guess it's a human thing.

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    #31

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    MaximumKarmaSaint
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In case the joke isn't understood: Based on the popular meme: "Press F to pay respects".

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    #33

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    Bit odd innit
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I’m being so fr we’re all gonna be killed by climate change or something lol

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    #35

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    Rayne OfSalt
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wut? GenX ain't yelling at any kid. We're too busy and too apathetic for that.

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    Note: this post originally had 56 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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