To say shoot me now if I ever refer to myself as Gen x

You seem weirdly uptight about this OP.

PP have explained how it’s useful. I’m Gen X which means I grew up without the internet. I was trying to explain to some teens the other day what the differences were and they were astounded. I don’t think they had ever really stopped to consider what life was like 😂😂

As a society, we use cultural frames of reference all the time. And it’s almost reverse ageism tbh. If I’m talking to a fellow Gen X or Boomer and need to refer to something in the past then I might not have to explain in detail as they were there and also lived through it. A younger person may need more context or explanation. To use a random example, a Gen Z/Millenial may not appreciate that when you had dial-up internet, you couldn’t use the phone at the same time. Films, fashion, lifestyle, news - there are lots of frames of reference that we share with people of a similar age.

I wouldn’t introduce myself as Gen X at an event but I’m aware that’s my age grouping and I’m happy to use the description when it’s relevant.

It's interesting to see the similarities and differences between generations. I'm another late Gen X who had an analogue childhood and digital working life.

However, if this came about during introductions, such as "I'm Jane, I work in the Finance Team and I'm a Millennial", then agree it's totally unnecessary and a bit cringe.

(Just realised Millennials aren't called Jane, they're called Gemma or Natalie).

I have no problem with naming the brackets of generations in this way. It is very interesting to observe how having formative and young years in different cultural context can shape whole generations and their trend towards certain attitudes, political ideas etc etc.

For example, Millennials (1981-1996) are thought to be exceptionally unique (or, I should say, have the most exceptionally unique influences shaping them) compared to other generations throughout all of known human history, because, due to where they landed on either side of digitisation, they are they first generation to have had a significantly different experience to their parents. Whereas even other generation, though of course they had differences, the differences weren't so impactful and long-reaching. Before and after Millennials, almost all people will experience mostly the same general life as their parents before them.

The Greatest and Silent Generations are especially interesting too.

I just admit I don't really understand what it all means. Not that I've looked into it really.

Exactly. For example, when developing training materials, if your intended audience is mostly Gen Z/Millennials, then videos might be the best method as they are typically very comfortable learning from videos due to the technology and culture that was prevalent when they were in education.
On the other hand, Boomers tend to typically prefer written materials and having training delivered in a classroom environment rather than being self-led.

It seems to have really become a focus in the last decade to say which generation you are. Social media has fuelled a rise in it and people make skits acting out different generations vs each other. It does seem strange to introduce yourself with your generation though as if it sums up part of who you are. For context Gen X were born 1965-1980. Millenials were born 1981-1996. Boomers were 1946-1964. Gen Z were born 1997-2012 Alphas were born after this and some say Beta is born from 2025 or 2026. Gen X get the best rep out of all the current generations and as a Millenial, my gen get blamed for making businesses close.😆

Well it captures a generation, rather than a specific age.

This can be useful for many reasons, marketing, product design, communications, all sorts!

I feel you're either being deliberately obtuse or you really dont get it, which would place you in most likely the boomer era. Less technically minded.

I mean, Google it if you want the full research papers. People can give their own interpretation here but if you want sociological essays do your own research 🤣.

I agree, maybe thats because we must be around the same age 😘

And as for relevance in a work context - hmmm I can think of a few examples where it would be useful in the same way as having an insight into your personality and motivations can be useful.

So I'm a late GenX (analogue childhood but mostly digital working life) I know how to change toner in a photocopier, dial up a fax and how to use treasury tags but can also turn my hand to most computer based tasks. I'm strongly Green in my personality so will strive to see everyone's point of view and try and reach consensus. And I'm and introvert who presents as an extrovert in a work context.

I think it is probably useful for my team and close colleagues to know those things and I like to know the same about them - not compulsory but it does allow us to adapt to strengths and fill in gaps

I wouldn’t use it about myself or anyone else but I think it is to do with the culture you were born into etc. the baby boom after World War 2 or the technology-led period we’re in now

Again Reality Bites (which I loved) characters very much drawn from Douglas Copeland Gen X playbook

As someone said the Boomers were the generation born after the war.

Gen X, were mostly defined and called that commonly as a result of the Douglas Copeland book. A generation of people a bit aimless, working in dead end jobs and with rising technological changes all around.

Geriatric Millennials are in the weird place of being a press shorthand for 'young' still yet also in our mid 40s and decidedly middle aged!

Are you actually asking?
Because social generations seem to have emerged as a concept from mannheim's essay "the problem of generations" and has been used fairly widely in demography.
Growing up I think I first heard about it when there was a film described as a gen x film called reality bites, in the mid nineties.

People ascribing personality traits onto people from particular generations based on social media discourse is a bit newer though. But it does make a difference whether e.g. you grew up with easy access to the Internet.

So in terms of the event you attended, was it explained why you were asked to add what Gen you’re from? What was the event about?

I find the labels useful, and fascinating. I (late X/Xennial) was brought up on the cusp of the analogue/digital changeover, at the end of the Cold War etc. My Gen Z kids were brought up in a post 9/11, internet age. The generational labels are useful in this context.

Because it’s an indicator of eg tech fluency