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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I'm neither gen x or a millennial?

188 replies

Spidder · 28/02/2021 00:35

I know, I know; I shouldn't care. But this is the adult version of poring over your star sign.

Apparently gen x is 1965-1980. Then millennials are 1981_ 1995 , or something.

I was born on the cusp. I don't have much in common with x or mill. Kind of a mix of both really. I thought we were called gen y a few years ago, but now that's been given to those born after 1995.

So, I know I'm bu to care, but aibu to not think I'm x or millennial?

OP posts:
HazeyJaneII · 28/02/2021 09:08

@Marzipanfruit

Who the fuck actually cares or takes any notice of these labels?
The people who want to sell stuff to you!
EekThreek · 28/02/2021 09:09

I was so happy a couple of years ago to discover I am a Xennial (I care, so shoot me 😁) - born late 83.

Describes me perfectly.

Although I do have the side parting of a millennial, and was rather horrified to discover that 28 is ancient, given that I'm 9 years older than that. I should start looking into my retirement flat now I suppose...

KeeefBurtain · 28/02/2021 09:17

I’m an April ‘81 baby and have never felt like I fit in with any of the labels, but am now a proud Xennial thanks to this thread

HeronLanyon · 28/02/2021 09:17

Op - “I thought so too. But apparently gen y is at war with millennial over centre parting and skinny jeans”.

This really really made me laugh.
Then I went online to see exactly where I fit and what I should be at war about with whom. As a late/cusp baby boomer it seems I and others are to blame for pretty much everything have benefited from pretty much everything whilst selling all young generations down the swannee ! Apols everyone.
Partic for free higher education which I will go to my grave thankful for and fighting for.

ThePontiacBandit · 28/02/2021 09:19

I was born in 81 too, I don’t feel like I fit in either category. They generally say Millenials don’t remember life without the internet but obviously us early 80s kids do! There was a great article about this here in the Irish Times. I’m English but what he’s saying applies, there’s a few years that don’t fit into Gen X or Millenial.

Doomsdayiscoming · 28/02/2021 09:34

These labels although created through when you were born, aren’t always representative.

My sister was born in 1984. But she is an absolute boomer.

Original poster
Spidder · 28/02/2021 09:35

OK, I think I misunderstood the gen y/mill thing. I must have mis read.

So I've now found that gen z are also called zoomers. And there's a gen alpha that comes after that! Think it's a bit weird to define a generation before they've even grown up.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spidder · 28/02/2021 09:37

I'm fighting for skinny jeans. Mainly because I did baggy as a teen, then did bootcut. It feels wrong to buy clothes I threw out a few years ago. But I also remember being scathing of skinny jeans when they came out, because they reminded me of stays quo.

OP posts:
lolulop · 28/02/2021 10:02

xennial here & i think it's quite a good group!

BilboBercow · 28/02/2021 10:06

Gen y is millennials. You're referring to gen Z when you talk about centre parting etc

MrsMop1964 · 28/02/2021 10:09

As per my user name, I'm technically a Boomer. I always thought Gen X sounded so cool and I just missed it by a matter of a few months Envy

weebarra · 28/02/2021 10:10

I'm a xennial too, born 77. Makes a lot of sense to me.

weebarra · 28/02/2021 10:11

Although my bloody kids, Gen Alpha, call me a Boomer. No matter how many times I explain!

MasterBeth · 28/02/2021 10:20

If these labels mean anything, they just mean you were born between a pair of dates. Millennials don’t feel or believe or think or experience anything in common. There are as many commonalities across generations as within them.

Ikora · 28/02/2021 10:23

For classification purposes you will be one or the other depending on the actual year of your birth, how you identify with that generation is purely personal. You will fit in to a data set officially.

I am most definitely Gen X by year of birth regardless of how I feel and how many ticks go on the list of assumed Gen X behaviour. Just like the debates about class on here regardless of how individuals feel a social scientist will be still be able to shove you in a box whether you like it or not :) few outliers truly exist in data sets.

Musicalmistress · 28/02/2021 10:23

@weebarra

Although my bloody kids, Gen Alpha, call me a Boomer. No matter how many times I explain!
Our middle one does this too! Whenever we have a different view it's because we're 'boomers' & no amount of explaining we can't possibly be as both born in the 70s (me - end of 78!) changes that!
lolulop · 28/02/2021 10:25

it's cause boomer is considered an attitude by some.

lolulop · 28/02/2021 10:27

My aunt is such a boomer, in age & attitude!

User133847 · 28/02/2021 10:32

@Spidder

I know, I know; I shouldn't care. But this is the adult version of poring over your star sign.

Apparently gen x is 1965-1980. Then millennials are 1981_ 1995 , or something.

I was born on the cusp. I don't have much in common with x or mill. Kind of a mix of both really. I thought we were called gen y a few years ago, but now that's been given to those born after 1995.

So, I know I'm bu to care, but aibu to not think I'm x or millennial?

Yeah, I think early 80s born tend to fall between the two.

The internet/social media blew up in the early 2000's, so if you were born in the early 80's you were an adult by then. If you were born in the early 80's you probably didn't have a mobile phone until you left school.

If you're a millenial born in the 90's you pretty much grew up with the internet, social media, mobile phones etc. That's one big difference.

However, if you were born in the early 80s you become an adult at the turn of the millenium, which is a big difference between your 20's being the 90's.

Gunpowder · 28/02/2021 10:32

Lol that doomsday’s 1984 sister is a boomer at heart! Grin

I was very pleased when my sister told me we were Xiennials and I realised we had a proper label.

Userguaranteed · 28/02/2021 10:32

Each time I hear millennial, I always think the 'Y2K' generation and should be those born between 2000-2009/10 or perhaps those in their teens around that time.

I fften think it should be classified per decade - not sure who classifies this rubbish though but very interesting concept to read.

Ikora · 28/02/2021 10:33

Musicalmistress due to my work, DS has spent his life saying show me the data due to our inter generational tussles. Or the classic did you read that in a journal! Rather than explain just show them an article from a decent source.

purpledagger · 28/02/2021 10:36

Another Xennial here, born in 80. I'm glad I've found my tribe.

alittleprivacy · 28/02/2021 10:37

I'm end of 78 and absolutely identify as Gen X. My cynical attitude, my cultural touchstones, my music tastes, etc. However in all honesty I 100% concede that the absolute number one main reason I identify as Generation X is the Spice Girls Pepsi Generation neXt advert that came out when I was 18.

lockdownalli · 28/02/2021 10:38

I am Gen X and Proud!!

The oldest Millennials are now 40. How old are you OP? I am a bit confused.

My DC are Gen Z and they do seem to see Millennials as very different from them.

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