The publication YourTango has gathered habits of young people that often become a cause for intergenerational disputes. The authors note that what older people sometimes call "laziness" or spoiled behavior may hide completely different reasons. ### 1. Phone Always in Hand One of the main complaints is the almost continuous presence of smartphones. Young people communicate, watch videos, read news, work, shop, and entertain themselves using one device. The habit of using the phone before bed looks particularly alarming. Long scrolling through feeds can take away time from proper rest. However, the boundary between generations is gradually blurring: older people are also increasingly mastering smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and other gadgets. ### 2. "Me First": Caring About One's Own State Young people talk much more freely about their psychological state, emotional burnout, and the need for rest. If a person feels they need a break, they are more often willing to refuse additional responsibilities or take a day off. For many older generation representatives, such an approach is unfamiliar. They were raised with the notion that difficulties should be endured, and personal experiences should not interfere with work. Young people, on the other hand, often perceive self-care not as a weakness but as a necessary condition for a normal life. ### 3. Not Answering Calls Another habit that can drive older people crazy is ignoring phone calls. For a generation that once waited for their turn at the only home phone, a call was the main way to quickly contact someone. Today, many young people prefer messages: they allow for a response when convenient and provide a preview of the conversation's topic. According to the data presented in the material, about a quarter of people aged 18–34 may not answer calls at all, and many prefer a text message to a call. ### 4. Constant Need for Approval Likes, comments, view counts, and followers have created a new system of social approval. Reactions to a photo, clothing, trip, or even dinner can now be seen almost instantly. The authors of the material note that young people may depend more on external validation of their significance. But the reason may not only lie in social media. Certain aspects of upbringing and a higher level of parental involvement in children's lives may also play a role. ### 5. Unwillingness to Live "As It Should Be" Getting an education, finding a stable job, starting a family, buying a home, and staying in one place for decades is a familiar life scheme for many older generation representatives. Modern youth are much more willing to question such rules. Young people change professions, experiment with their appearance, get tattoos, postpone marriage and children, and choose unconventional career paths. What seems like freedom of choice to some, others perceive as a rejection of proven life guidelines. ### 6. Photographing Literally Everything Breakfast, gym, new purchases, walks, vacations, concerts—almost any event can end up on social media. Older generations sometimes find the desire to constantly document one’s life excessive. However, the wish to leave a record of oneself arose long before Instagram and TikTok. People have been creating portraits, diaries, and family albums for centuries—the technology has primarily changed. ### 7. Avoiding Unpleasant Situations The older generation often takes pride in their ability to "grin and bear it." Young people more often ask themselves another question: why stay in a situation that constantly causes discomfort? They more easily end unpleasant communication, set personal boundaries, or leave jobs that seem unbearable. The authors of the material link this feature to the increased anxiety of young people due to uncertainty about the future. Economic instability and a lack of clear prospects may influence their attitude toward stress. ### 8. Wanting Everything Immediately A movie starts with one click, food arrives at the door, purchases are delivered in a matter of hours, and answers to almost any question can be found in seconds. It’s no surprise that waiting is becoming less and less familiar. For members of a generation that sent letters by regular mail, waited weeks for orders, and climbed the career ladder for years, such impatience may seem like spoiled behavior. But young people simply grew up in a world where speed has become the norm. ### 9. Seeking Answers on the Internet Rather Than in Books Why go to the library and flip through an encyclopedia when the needed information can be found in seconds? The younger generation is used to turning to search engines, apps, and digital assistants for almost any reason. This sometimes worries older people: they believe that the availability of ready answers may reduce the desire to understand issues independently. However, the problem lies not so much in the internet itself, but in the ability to verify found information, compare sources, and distinguish reliable information from dubious. ### Who Is Right? Probably, no one completely. Many habits that annoy the older generation today are a consequence of the environment in which young people grew up. Smartphones have changed communication, delivery services have altered the perception of time, social media have transformed self-presentation, and new ideas about psychological well-being have changed attitudes toward work and personal boundaries. And it is quite possible that in a few decades, today’s 20–30-year-olds will look at the habits of the next generation with the same bewilderment.
