Millennials destroyed society as we know it. According to the press, this menacing generation wreaks havoc across entire industries and the very fabric of society.
Our generation killed casual dining, weddings, families, and every American tradition older generations hold dear.
And we’re not finished.
What Millennials Want to Kill Next
The millennial generation collectively rubs our hands together in greedy anticipation of all the industries we want to destroy next.
Unfortunately, we don’t have nearly as much power to change society as the doom and gloom press makes it seem, but here’s what millennials would want to destroy, if we could.
I may be biased as a millennial, but I don’t disagree with most of it! Do you?
Spam Calls
Millennials never answer the phone for numbers we know. Why on Earth would we answer for unknown callers?
Eventually, as future generations stop using phones in the traditional way, spam calls will stop.
Unfortunately, spammers are adapting with the times. I get nearly as many spam texts as spam calls these days.
Talking on the Phone
It’s not just spam calls on the millennials’ hit list – it’s any phone conversation.
Please don’t call me to ask questions – it’s much easier to answer those in an email. Let’s do a video call if you want to chat. Text me the meet-up details or directions.
I’m sure I’m not the only millennial who feels this way.
Fine China
Older generations adore their fine China and bulky display cabinets.
Millennials don’t want to pay top dollar for dinnerware they’ll never use, so they prefer to buy trendy but affordable plates from big box stores.
“People give China cabinets away for free on Marketplace, etc. No one wants them. I’m Gen X and have my grandmother’s china service. No idea what to do with it,” said one Redditor.
“I just have no room or use for random plates that did nothing but sit on display to be looked at by no one for the past 30 years,” added another.
Millennials may not collect China, but they do have cabinets filled with collectibles. One user aptly compared the younger generation’s collections of Funko pops, anime figurines, and gaming toys to their parents’ fine China obsession.
The Way We Treat Cashiers
American work culture has outdated ideas about how workers should spend their days. Most notably, cashiers nationwide are forced to stand for hours on end while scanning customers’ purchases.
European countries have long gone away with standing cashiers, and one Redditor hopes millennials will force a cultural shift once those who think sitting is lazy are no longer in charge.
As a millennial, I hope we start treating cashiers (and everyone else in the service industry) with dignity. Hopefully, all millennials want to kill disrespect for service workers.
Smoking
Some hope that millennials and Gen Zers will escape the nasty habit. While smoking rates amongst these generations are down in the US, the same isn’t true for the rest of the world.
“Smoking has gone way down in the past 30 years, and I don’t see how it will pick up,” said one user, hailing from the States.
People from different countries shared that smoking seems to be on the rise in their neck of the woods.
“Well, here in Germany, it’s on the rise again,” replied one. “More than 10% more than two years ago, after declining for decades.”
“Anyone who thinks tobacco will go away in the next 10 years has never left North America,” stated another.
The US Redditors also seem to forget that vaping has replaced smoking among young Americans. It may not smell as bad, but it’s just as unhealthy.
Maybe Gen Alpha will save us.
Silverplate
Silverplated silverware and serving trays are going the way of fine China. Millennials don’t value fancy service items like older generations did.
“No one wants to polish that stuff every couple of months,” shared one user.
Others mention that real sterling silver still has value, but the silver plate is a dime a dozen.
Cable TV
Prostock-studio via Shutterstock.com.
The abundance of streaming services available has the millennial generation ditching traditional cable. It’s more expensive than streaming and filled with ads, which many now find distracting.
Millennials were also the first to shift to YouTube rather than traditional television for entertainment. Some only have YouTube.
But as streaming services consolidate and get more expensive, tides may shift again.
Boomer Humor
A popular humor genre amongst boomers is showing disdain for one’s spouse. The nagging wife, the ole ball and chain, and the useless husband are common refrains among older generations, but millennials find that brand of humor off-putting.
“I worked with a guy who was a 25-year veteran in an industry I was just entering,” began one user. “He always brought up the whole ‘life with a wife is misery’ schtick,” they added, saying they didn’t get why it was funny.
“It’s funny because marriage is terrible!” remarked one user.
Millennials don’t want to be trapped in unhealthy marriages. They’d rather get divorced than stay with a spouse they hate.
Attention to Detail for Holiday Traditions
Baby boomers and even Gen Xers put a lot of work into Thanksgiving dinners and other special occasions. Millennials, sadly, can’t seem to be bothered.
“I’ll miss their attention to decor and detail for meals and holidays. I can’t be bothered to go through that routine every year myself, but I notice how much I appreciate it when I visit them,” shared one user, giving an honest assessment of themselves.
Others said it’s not that millennials are lazy, it’s that the generation doesn’t have the same time to dedicate to these traditions.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that current times necessitate a two-income household. The attention to detail and beautifully done home came from one partner being a homemaker and the other earning an income,” shared one user.
This is one that millennials may destroy, but not because they want to. With rising costs of living, they have no choice but to work long hours and don’t have time to create that same magic.
Checks
Millennials prefer debit cards to checks. With the rise in online banking and automated payments, most don’t even know how to write a check.
“I can’t believe in my town we have to pay our property taxes by check, all because of the dinosaur who works there and the mayor who is also a boomer,” replied one user.
Another shared that their mother still pays everything by check, thinking buying stamps and envelopes and dealing with the postal service is more convenient than just paying online.
I can’t remember the last time I wrote a check for anything.
Newspapers
Technology is swiftly making print media obsolete. Why grab a physical paper when you can read the news online with your smartphone?
“I’m old, and I haven’t read a newspaper in 10 years,” replied one user, adding that papers are “only good for covering compost.”
Most publications have adapted. Although they still offer print for those who want it, the big businesses have also moved online.
Hands-On Service
Many millennials refuse to engage with people, only doing so out of absolute necessity. The generation would rather roam a store for hours looking for what they need than ask an associate for help. They prefer online chats and emails to phone calls and watching videos when they want to learn something.
Older generations prefer one-on-one interactions and hands-on service.
“I work in a retail store where most of our customers are older folks. They will walk right past the item they are after to go to the counter, so I can lead them to the thing they’re looking for,” responded one user.
Others mentioned that even boomers love chat options, but the AI isn’t advanced enough to handle most customer questions.
Suits
Older generations dress to impress, but millennials would rather work in comfort.
“Suits have already become a thing of the past at many workstations, and the workstations that still mandate them, such as finance, will abolish suits once the baby boomers have gone,” one user predicted.
Some disagreed, saying they like suits and can see why others would as well.
“A properly fitted suit looks a lot better on most people than most modern casual clothes. They are actually pretty comfortable as well,” shared one user.
“They’ll make a comeback,” added another. “They look too sleek and sexy for them to disappear completely.”
Perfect Homes
Remember how pristine our grandparents’ homes were? I was afraid to even go into the living room for fear of destroying the museum-like quality!
Millennials choose functionality over perfection. We’re not deep cleaning anything twice a week or keeping our couches wrapped in plastic.
But we have valid reasons for killing housekeeping – most of us don’t have the time to do it!
Horrible Chains
Millennials already killed a bunch of horrible chains, but hopefully the trend isn’t over. We’re done spending our money on awful food, terrible service, and lackluster experiences.
Our generation would much rather pay a little more money for a better experience at a local, trendy place than give money to a giant corporation for substandard fare.
It doesn’t help that chains are getting more expensive. We used to be able to justify the mid-food because at least it was cheap. Now, we’d rather eat at home.
Every Generation Destroys Some Trends While Creating New Ones
Such is life. Each new generation scoffs at traditions from their parents while creating new ones of their own. Some of the things millennials are destroying, like smoking, need to go, while we hope we can find ways to keep others, like holiday traditions.
What else do you think millennials want to kill next? Share in the comments, along with your generation!