10 Surprising Reasons Why Millennials and Gen Z Are So Different

Millennials and Gen Z may seem close in age, but their views, habits, and attitudes are worlds apart.

Sophia Zapanta
March 13, 2025
4 min read

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Millennials grew up with dial-up internet, while Gen Z was practically born with a smartphone in hand—no wonder they think differently. From career goals to spending habits, these two generations have wildly different takes on life. If you think they’re basically the same, here are 10 reasons that will change your mind.

1. Tech Adoption

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Millennials remember life before smartphones, so they treat technology as a tool, not an extension of themselves. On the other hand, Gen Z was raised in a digital world where everything is instant, leading to shorter attention spans. While Millennials are comfortable with emails and Facebook, Gen Z prefers DMs and TikTok. If a Millennial leaves their phone at home, it’s an inconvenience—if Gen Z does, it’s a crisis.

2. Work Ethic

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Millennials were taught hustle culture is the key to success, often valuing long hours and career growth. However, Gen Z prioritizes mental health and work-life balance, refusing to sacrifice well-being for a paycheck. While Millennials feel guilty for taking a break, Gen Z demands flexibility and remote work as a standard. To Millennials, a 9-to-5 is normal—Gen Z sees it as a relic of the past.

3. Money Mindset

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Millennials entered adulthood during financial crises, making them cautious spenders who focus on experiences over things. Gen Z grew up seeing influencers flaunt luxury, leading them to value aesthetics and brand identity. While Millennials are all about side hustles to save money, Gen Z is more interested in investing and crypto. To a Millennial, financial security means savings; for Gen Z, it means multiple income streams.

4. Communication Style

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Millennials still appreciate a well-crafted email or even a phone call, while Gen Z prefers short, casual messages. If it can’t be said in a meme, emoji, or 10-second voice note, Gen Z isn’t interested. Millennials use proper punctuation, while Gen Z sees a period at the end of a text as passive-aggressive. A Millennial might write, “Sounds good!” while Gen Z will send a thumbs-up emoji.

5. Entertainment Preferences

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Millennials grew up with cable TV and blockbuster movies, making them nostalgic for long-form content. Gen Z, raised on YouTube and TikTok, prefers bite-sized, fast-paced entertainment that gets to the point. While Millennials are still debating which streaming service to commit, Gen Z is already deep into short-form binge culture. A two-hour movie feels long to a Gen Zer, but they’ll watch 200 TikToks in a row without blinking.

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Millennials pioneered online activism, using blogs and Facebook groups to organize and spread awareness. Gen Z, however, takes it further by demanding accountability from brands, influencers, and politicians in real time. While Millennials want to make a difference, and Gen Z expects immediate action and isn’t afraid to call out hypocrisy. For Millennials, activism is a movement, but Gen Z makes it a lifestyle.

7. Shopping Habits

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Millennials were all about the rise of online shopping but still appreciate the occasional in-store experience. Gen Z, raised on same-day shipping and personalized ads, expects convenience above all else. While Millennials enjoy reading reviews before buying, Gen Z will trust an influencer’s 15-second TikTok over a five-star rating. For a Millennial, shopping is about quality; Gen Z cares about hype and brand image.

8. Education and Learning

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Millennials were pressured to get degrees, seeing college as the default path to success. Gen Z, witnessing student debt horror stories, is more open to alternative education like online courses and self-teaching. While Millennials value formal qualifications, Gen Z believes skills and experience matter more. For Millennials, education means a degree, while for Gen Z, it means adaptability.

9. Sense of Humor

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Millennials love witty, sarcastic humor with a mix of nostalgia and pop culture references. Gen Z, on the other hand, thrives on absurdity, irony, and humor that barely makes sense. While Millennials enjoy a good “relatable” meme, Gen Z’s jokes are so niche they require a whole backstory. To Millennials, humor is about cleverness—to Gen Z, it’s about chaos.

10. Views on Authority

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Millennials grew up being told to respect authority, even when they questioned it. Gen Z, however, has no problem challenging systems and calling out outdated rules. While Millennials try to work within the system, Gen Z is more likely to tear it down and start fresh. To Millennials, authority is something to navigate—to Gen Z, it’s something to challenge.