13 things Generation Z would not understand about Plymouth Millennials

If you’re on TikTok, you may already be aware of the rivalry between Millennials and Gen-Z.

Anyone born between 1981 and 1996 is classed as a ‘Millennial’ – while those born after 1997 to 2012 fall under the bracket ‘Generation Z’.

The generation gap became a popular subject on the social media app when one young TikTok user referred to those in the “late 1990s” as “old”. What.

It has since brought up a number of funny ways to find out which generation you belong to.

For example, Gen-Z has been described as those who “ate tide pods”, while Millennials are known for skinny jeans, side partings and the laughing emoji.

While this may sound bizarre, other funny tests have included thinking of a song with ‘shake it’ in it – go on, try it before reading the next line!

PICTURES, GAVIN CRILLY…REPORTER Rob Perkins REF200605scoubidouGC009 Pictured, Amanda Miles, who imports the latest kids craze Scoubidou. Pictured, just some of the many things you can make. (Image: GAVIN CRILLY)

The test says if you thought of Taylor Swift, Shake it Off, you’re a Gen-Z and if you thought of Metro Station’s Shake It, you’re a Millennial.

Another test was thinking of a song with ‘black dress’ in it.

If you thought of 3OH!3’s Don’t Trust Me, you’re a millennial and if you thought of Little Black Dress by One Direction, you’re a Gen-Z.

And if you are born between 1981 and 2012 and didn’t think of any of those songs, perhaps you don’t listen to mainstream music.

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Now we’ve come up with our own things that you will remember if you grew up in Plymouth as a Millennial – and some more generic trends that will take you on a trip down memory lane.

If you can think of any of your own funny memories, let us know in the comments.

Meeting at the Sundial The sundial (Image: Erin Black)

Long before phones were invented, the trusty way to meet up with someone was suggesting the sundial as a meeting spot.

It never failed as ‘whoever got there first’ could stand on the top step and had the perfect view to spot their friend coming from a distance.

You’d then either spend the day walking around the city centre and the Hoe – or perhaps you’d spend the day at Tinside soaking up the sun, feeling like you’d gone on holiday without your parents.

Under 18’s club nights The old Oceana club

There is nothing like the excitement of being 13 and allowed to go to a “night out” at a grown-up club.

Looking back it was more like a school disco as many of us were too shy to socialise with anyone we didn’t actually know.

But at least we got to dress up and use our glittery hair mascara.

Etam Tammy Girl interior

Going into Etam with your mum and being allowed to go upstairs to pick out something from Tammy Girl was the highlight of every 1990s girl’s shopping trip.

Jane Norman Jane Norman bags were the fashion (Image: Eve Hopkinson)

If you ever took your PE kit in a Jane Norman plastic carrier bag, you cannot deny that you are a Millennial.

The rope handles made it seem like the perfect thing to use as a school bag – and many of us would go into Jane Norman to find the cheapest thing, just to get a carrier bag.

Others were more clever and would go in with a broken bag and ask for one to help carry their belongings.

MSN (Image: Publicity Picture)

You’re definitely a Millennial if you remember using MSN on a dial-up network.

Many of us would excitedly log onto the instant messaging network to chat to our friends after school, as well as hoping your crush put your name in their display name.

It was even better when it was in between hearts.

And don’t forget about adding your favourite song lyrics so people knew exactly how you felt.

Groovy Chick everything

If your room wasn’t ceiling-to-floor Groovy Chick, then we bet you know someone who did.

From wallpaper, bedding, towels and stationary, the cool character was on almost everything.

Bebo The front page of the “new Bebo” website (Image: Bebo)

If you’re a Millennial, you may have recently got excited about the news that Bebo was making a comeback.

That excitement may have been followed by fear at the thought of your account resurfacing with those embarrassing photographs with the famous ‘Bebo pose’.

Let’s hope the trend of spending many hours organising your top 16 so your squares said ‘this is my bfff and I luff them’, does not continue.

Infinitive ‘love’? Yes please.

Pay as you go phone The Nokia 7373 flip phone

Do you remember when text messages cost 10p?

Or your mum constantly reminding you to make sure you had enough credit when you went out, so you could call her to let her know you were safe.

But when our credit did run out, we could still play Snake.

Winding tapes back with a pencil Cassette tape (Image: Pixabay)

Now, some of the 1990s babies may not remember this – but if you do then you are definitely a Millennial.

If you were hardcore, you probably destroyed your fingertips whilst trying to rewind the cassette.

And if you don’t know what a cassette tape is, then go and Google it.

Scoobies (Image: Jeff Connell)

Many break times were spent trying to make as many Scoobie chains as possible.

There was always that one person in your class who had mastered the skill and would end up being given the supplies to make all of their friends one.

Limewire

You don’t have to admit that you used the dubious Limewire, which probably infected all of our computers – but we’re sure you’ll have memories of many painstaking hours spent trying to find a non-radio version of a song.

These young-uns don’t know how lucky they have it with multiple different streaming platforms.

Jewelled teeth

If you ever had a jewel stuck to your tooth – you are a Millennial.

Thankfully this trend isn’t nearly as embarrassing as eating a tide pod, but we do truly hope that it never returns.

Charity bands

Now, if you’re a Millennial and didn’t partake in this trend, you probably know someone who did.

It was almost like a competition who could fit the most on their wrist – and some even took it further and covered their whole arm.

If you liked this article, then you may like: Embarrassing trends in the 2000s that make us cringe now.