A constant subject of recent conversations with friends is the difference in attitude between ourselves, our children and grandchildren
Before Google, There Was Mum! – A Journey Through the Generations
Born between 1946 – 1964, you’re officially a BABY BOOMER! And not just any Baby Boomer — you’re one of the generation that grew up without Google, mobile phones, health and safety warnings on absolutely everything, or the need to photograph your dinner before eating it!
Here’s a light-hearted look at your generation and those that followed, right up to 2000. Perfect for a bit of nostalgia and a few laughs!
1946–1964
1. Baby Boomers — The Original Survivors
The wonderful qualities:
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Resilient, resourceful, loyal and fiercely independent.
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You can fix things rather than immediately replace them.
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You know the value of money, because you remember when a pound actually bought something.
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You can hold a conversation without looking at a screen.
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You believe fresh air cures most things, and a nice cup of tea cures the rest.
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You remember when being grounded meant you couldn’t go OUT, rather than having your Wi-Fi switched off.
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You know that Google isn’t the only source of knowledge. There’s also asking someone who actually knows!
The little quirks: You occasionally say “In my day…” and are genuinely horrified by the price of a coffee. You own carrier bags full of other carrier bags, and you still think some things are “perfectly good” after 30 years.
Superpower: Surviving without technology, while now being perfectly capable of using it to complain about technology!
1965–1980
2. Generation X — The Forgotten Middle Children
Their wonderful qualities:
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Independent, adaptable, practical and wonderfully sarcastic.
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Grew up with very little parental supervision and somehow survived.
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Masters of entertaining themselves without a screen.
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Remember life before the internet AND adapted to life with it.
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Know how to use a cassette tape and a pencil together.
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Have a healthy suspicion of anything described as “life-changing”.
Their little quirks: They don’t particularly want to attend your team-building event, join your WhatsApp group or discuss their feelings in a circle.
Superpower: Can programme a video recorder, troubleshoot a laptop and ignore 47 notifications without feeling guilty.
1981–1996
3. Millennials (Generation Y) — The Optimistic Overthinkers
Their wonderful qualities:
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Creative, ambitious, socially aware and adaptable.
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Pioneers of social media and digital communication.
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Value experiences, friendships and a healthy work-life balance.
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Comfortable challenging outdated traditions.
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Excellent at researching absolutely everything before making a decision.
Their little quirks: They will spend £5 on a fancy coffee, then wonder why they can’t afford a house. They have 27 browser tabs open and at least three podcasts about improving their lives.
Superpower: Can turn an ordinary weekend into a curated experience, complete with photos, hashtags and an inspirational quote.
1997–2012
4. Generation Z — The Digital Natives
Motto: “Wait… you actually PHONE people?”
Their wonderful qualities:
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Tech-savvy, entrepreneurial, creative and socially conscious.
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Quick to learn and unafraid to question the status quo.
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Passionate about individuality, inclusion and mental wellbeing.
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Brilliant at finding information in seconds.
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More willing to challenge the idea that work should take over your life.
Their little quirks: They can edit a professional-looking video in 30 seconds but may regard a phone call to book a dentist appointment as a major emotional event. They communicate in memes, abbreviations and expressions that leave Baby Boomers utterly baffled.
Superpower: Can build an online business from their bedroom but might need a tutorial to address an envelope.
And a quick round up..
| Generation | Greatest strength | Greatest mystery |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | Common sense and resilience | Why does everything need an app? |
| Gen X | Independence and sarcasm | Why won’t everyone leave them alone? |
| Millennials | Creativity and adaptability | Where did all their money go? |
| Gen Z | Digital wizardry | Why would anyone answer a phone? |
Of course, these are playful stereotypes rather than scientific personality profiles, and generation boundaries vary slightly depending on the source.
A final word for the Baby Boomers…
(as I am one of them and I know a great number of my readers are)
You’re from the generation that went from black-and-white television to artificial intelligence, from telephone boxes to smartphones, from vinyl records to streaming music.
You’ve witnessed an extraordinary amount of change, adapted to it all, and still know that sometimes the best entertainment is a good laugh with friends over a cup of tea (or something a little stronger!).
And let’s face it — your generation didn’t need an app to tell you how many steps you’d walked. You’d been out all day and your mother had no idea where you were and couldn’t track you on Find My Friends either
Ah simpler times