You know whats Not on Roids, my patience for the new etiquette of Gen Z. We are witnessing a complete collapse of social norms under the guise of politeness, and frankly, it’s exhausting. According to the Annual Review of Psychology, social norms shift as new generations gain influence, but who decided that influence means treating a ringing phone like a live grenade?
Let’s talk about the phone. For Baby Boomers and Gen X, a phone call is a gesture of respect and a sentimental way to connect. But for Gen Z? It’s a psychological thriller. A Uswitch study reveals that roughly a quarter of Gen Zers wont even pick up the phone because they are anxious, especially if the call is unexpected. Imagine that! The horror of a voice from a loved one!
Now, in their infinite wisdom, Gen Z thinks it’s polite to text instead of calling. They believe it’s a courtesy to schedule a phone or video call in advance so they have time to regulate and prepare. Since when did a five-minute chat with your mother require a calendar invite and a mental health warm-up? They call it convenience; we call it an antisocial nightmare.
And dont even get me started on the digital hieroglyphics. To avoid appearing passive-aggressive or sharp, Gen Z peppers every single sentence with emojis. They are terrified of a one-word response or—heaven forbid—a period at the end of a sentence. They think a smiley face clears up a misunderstanding, but to a Boomer, using a cartoon eggplant or a yellow laughing face in a professional email isnt polite—it’s strangely disrespectful and utterly unnecessary. If you have a problem, the solution isnt a heart emoji; its talking face-to-face!
We’ve gone from a world of unannounced visits and spontaneous conversation—actual love languages—to a world where you need a written permit just to hear someones voice. Its not evolving etiquette; its a generational war fought with thumbs and stickers.
