If you’ve ever used these 13 phrases, don’t be surprised when Gen Z calls you out.
What sounds like everyday conversation to Boomers can come across as tone-deaf to Gen Z. It’s not that younger generations are overly sensitive—it’s that language evolves, and what was once considered harmless can now come off as outdated, dismissive, or even offensive. You might think you’re just making conversation, but to Gen Z, some of these phrases sound out of touch or downright rude.
It’s not about walking on eggshells or policing every word; it’s about understanding how language impacts different generations.
What felt normal in the past might not land the same way today. If you’ve ever said something that made a younger person raise an eyebrow or roll their eyes, this list might explain why.
Some of these phrases will surprise you, but once you see them through a Gen Z lens, you’ll understand the shift.
1. “You need to toughen up.”
Boomers often say this as a way of encouraging resilience, but to Gen Z, it can sound dismissive. Younger generations prioritize mental health in a way previous ones didn’t, and phrases like this can feel like a brush-off rather than actual support. Telling someone to “toughen up” implies that their struggles aren’t valid or that they should just push through instead of addressing the root cause, as suggested at Sick Not Weak.
While Boomers grew up in a time where emotions were often suppressed, Gen Z values open conversations about mental well-being. If someone is struggling, they don’t want to hear that they just need to be stronger—they want understanding, encouragement, or practical advice.
2. “Back in my day…”
Boomers love to reminisce as it reminds you of “the comfort and security of your childhood home,” according to Barry Silverstein in an article on Forbes. When this phrase starts a sentence, Gen Z braces for a lecture. It often comes across as a way to downplay modern struggles, as if life was so much harder back then and young people today have it easy. While Boomers may intend it as a reflection on how things have changed, Gen Z often hears it as a condescending comparison.
Every generation faces its own unique challenges, and implying that today’s problems are less valid doesn’t sit well with younger people. If the goal is to share wisdom or a personal story, skipping this phrase and simply telling the story can make a big difference. Otherwise, it risks sounding like yet another way to dismiss the experiences of younger generations.
3. “No one wants to work anymore.”
Boomers throw this phrase around when they see job openings go unfilled, but Gen Z finds it frustrating and out of touch. The reality is, work culture has changed. Younger generations aren’t rejecting work—they’re rejecting toxic workplaces, low wages, and lack of work-life balance, suggests Tamara Ageeva in her post on Medium. Many Gen Zers are willing to work hard, but they expect fair pay and respect. They’ve also grown up in an era where side hustles, remote jobs, and entrepreneurship are more viable than ever, meaning the traditional 9-to-5 isn’t always the goal.
To them, this phrase dismisses the economic realities they face, including inflation, student debt, and job instability. Instead of saying no one wants to work, Boomers might consider asking why work expectations have shifted—because Gen Z has plenty to say about it.
4. “You’re too young to be tired.”
Boomers might say this jokingly, but to Gen Z, it feels invalidating. Just because someone is young doesn’t mean they aren’t exhausted—physically, mentally, or emotionally. In today’s fast-paced world, stress and burnout don’t discriminate by age. Many young people juggle school, multiple jobs, side hustles, and financial stress, all while navigating a chaotic digital landscape, says Trey Williams for Forbes.
Plus, with mental health awareness at an all-time high, Gen Z recognizes that exhaustion isn’t just about physical labor—it’s about emotional and psychological strain, too. When they hear this phrase, it feels like their struggles are being brushed aside. Instead of questioning their fatigue, offering empathy or simply acknowledging their feelings can go a long way.
5. “That’s just the way it is.”
To Boomers, this phrase might sound like wisdom—an acceptance of life’s unfair realities. To Gen Z, it sounds like an excuse for outdated thinking. Younger generations believe in challenging norms, advocating for change, and questioning why things are the way they are. Whether it’s workplace policies, social justice issues, or financial struggles, they’re not interested in settling for “the way it is” if it doesn’t serve them.
Dismissing concerns with this phrase can feel like shutting down conversation rather than engaging in it. Gen Z would rather explore solutions, rethink systems, and push for progress. If Boomers want to connect with younger people, they might consider swapping this phrase for something more open-minded, like, “That’s how it’s been, but maybe it’s time for a change.”
6. “You’re too sensitive.”
This phrase is a guaranteed way to make Gen Z shut down. Boomers might mean it as a way of saying “Don’t take it personally,” but to younger generations, it seems their feelings are being dismissed. Gen Z has grown up in a time where emotional intelligence is valued, and expressing emotions is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.
When someone calls them “too sensitive,” it feels like an attack rather than encouragement to see things differently. Instead of using this phrase, Boomers might try understanding why something was upsetting. Listening and validating feelings doesn’t mean agreeing—it just means acknowledging someone’s perspective.
7. “You spend too much time on your phone.”
Boomers tend to see screen time as a bad habit, but to Gen Z, their phone is a lifeline. It’s not just about scrolling social media—it’s their connection to friends, work, learning, activism, and entertainment. While excessive screen time can be a real issue, younger generations use technology in ways Boomers never had to.
Rather than criticizing their phone use, asking about what they’re engaging with can lead to more meaningful conversations. After all, Boomers once faced similar criticism for watching too much TV, listening to loud music, or spending hours on the phone with friends. Every generation has its “thing.”
8. “When I was your age, I had a house.”
Gen Z hears this one and rolls their eyes—because they wish it were that easy. The economic landscape has changed dramatically since Boomers were young. Wages haven’t kept up with inflation, housing prices have skyrocketed, and student debt is crushing younger generations.
While Boomers worked hard to afford homes, the reality is that homeownership today requires much more financial struggle. When older generations say this, it often feels like they’re ignoring the financial realities Gen Z faces. Instead of making comparisons, acknowledging how things have changed can help bridge the generational gap.
9. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
This phrase makes Gen Z feel like their opinions don’t matter. While experience does bring wisdom, dismissing younger people’s perspectives just because of their age feels condescending. Gen Z is highly informed—they have access to more knowledge and diverse perspectives than any previous generation.
They don’t like being brushed off simply because they’re young. Instead of shutting down their viewpoints, Boomers could engage in discussion and offer insights without making it seem like they don’t know anything yet.
10. “You don’t know what real stress is.”
Boomers often say this to remind younger generations that life used to be tougher, but to Gen Z, it feels dismissive. Stress isn’t a competition, and just because Boomers had their own struggles doesn’t mean Gen Z’s challenges aren’t valid. Today’s world moves at a relentless pace—rising costs, job instability, digital burnout, and the constant pressure of social media all contribute to a different kind of stress.
Mental health awareness has also evolved, meaning younger generations are more open about their struggles instead of bottling them up. Saying this phrase is minimizing the real anxiety younger people experience. Don’t compare hardships but acknowledge that stress looks different for everyone. This creates a much more productive conversation.
11. “I turned out fine.”
This phrase usually comes up when Gen Z questions outdated parenting methods, mental health stigmas, or past safety standards. Boomers often say it as a defense mechanism—if they made it through childhood without seatbelts, therapy, or open emotional discussions, why should things change now? But Gen Z sees it differently. Just because past generations survived certain experiences doesn’t mean they were ideal.
Saying “I turned out fine” ignores the fact that many people struggled in silence. Instead of shutting down conversations about progress, Boomers might consider asking why certain changes matter to Gen Z. Growth doesn’t mean past generations were “wrong”—it just means we’re learning and improving. The goal is to create a better world, not to dismiss the need for change.
12. “That’s not how we did it back then.”
Boomers use this phrase when they see younger generations doing things differently, whether it’s how they communicate, work, or navigate relationships. To them, it’s a way of expressing nostalgia for the past. But to Gen Z, it often sounds like resistance to progress. Just because something was done a certain way decades ago doesn’t mean it’s still the best approach today.
Technology, social norms, and opportunities have all evolved. Clinging to old methods for the sake of tradition can make Boomers seem unwilling to adapt. Rather than shutting down new ideas with this phrase, engaging in open conversation can bridge the generational gap. Ask why Gen Z does things differently instead of automatically rejecting their ways leads to more understanding.
13. “Kids today have it so easy.”
Boomers grew up in a time of fewer conveniences, no internet, and a different work ethic, so it’s easy to assume Gen Z has it made. But while life may be more convenient in some ways, younger generations face an entirely new set of challenges. Skyrocketing housing prices, crippling student debt, job insecurity, and a world full of constant digital scrutiny make life far from “easy.”
When Boomers say this phrase, it often feels dismissive, as if younger generations don’t have real struggles. Every era has its hardships, and just because today’s challenges look different doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Instead of assuming Gen Z has it easy, asking about their experiences and acknowledging the complexities of modern life can lead to more meaningful, respectful discussions between generations.