Gen X has always been the generation that flew under the radar — too young to be boomers, too old to be millennials, and generally just getting on with things.
However, some of the habits and attitudes that once defined them now seem a little out of sync with the way the world works today. Times have changed, and what was once normal for Gen X can now feel a little… strange, or slightly outdated. These traits that don’t quite fit in the modern world, but they’re fine with that. They were trendsetters in their day, after all.
1. Treating phone calls like they’re still the main way to communicate
Back in the day, if you wanted to talk to someone, you called them. No texting, no voice notes — just straight-up ringing someone’s house and hoping they picked up. Gen X still holds onto that habit, and they’ll happily call instead of sending a message, even for things that don’t need a full conversation.
But in a world where people communicate through WhatsApp, Slack, or even a quick emoji response, getting a random phone call can feel intrusive. While a call might have been the default once, today, it’s often seen as something reserved for emergencies or really catching up, not just confirming plans that could’ve been a two-word text.
2. Being oddly obsessed with personal independence
Gen X grew up with latchkey kid energy — coming home to an empty house, figuring things out on their own, and generally being left to their own devices. That strong sense of independence shaped the way they saw the world, and many still pride themselves on handling everything solo without asking for help.
But modern life leans more toward teamwork, shared experiences, and relying on networks. Younger generations openly ask for advice, share struggles, and prioritise mental health over powering through alone. The idea that needing help is a weakness feels outdated when life is more complicated than ever.
3. Not taking online life as seriously as real life
To Gen X, the internet is still something they lived without for a good chunk of their lives. They tend to see it as separate from reality — social media isn’t “real,” online friendships aren’t the same, and digital spaces aren’t taken as seriously as physical ones.
But the world has definitely changed in the past few decades. Careers are built online, relationships are maintained through apps, and a bad tweet can have real-life consequences. Dismissing the internet as “not real life” feels out of place when so much of modern life happens online.
4. Wearing sunglasses indoors like it’s still the ’90s
There’s something about Gen X and their commitment to wearing sunglasses indoors or even at night. Whether it’s a throwback to their clubbing days, a belief that it makes them look effortlessly cool, or just an unbreakable habit, it’s a look that’s stuck with them.
These days, keeping sunglasses on when you don’t actually need them just seems unnecessary. While it might have screamed confidence in 1996, today it just makes people wonder if you’re hiding a hangover or avoiding eye contact.
5. Being suspicious of people who share too much about their emotions
Gen X grew up in an era where you dealt with things quietly. Therapy wasn’t openly discussed, mental health was a private matter, and oversharing wasn’t a thing. The idea of talking about feelings in public? That was reserved for dramatic moments in movies, not real life.
Younger generations have normalised being open about struggles, discussing mental health, and going to therapy as a normal part of self-care. The old “just tough it out” mindset feels out of sync in a world that values emotional intelligence and open conversations.
6. Taking pride in being unbothered by trends
Gen X is known for their effortlessly cool, too-cool-to-care attitude. They embraced grunge, lived through peak alternative culture, and generally acted like they weren’t trying too hard, even when they totally were.
Of course, in an era where keeping up with trends is part of daily life — whether through TikTok, evolving slang, or constantly changing fashion — it can come across as out of touch. Caring about trends isn’t seen as embarrassing anymore, and rejecting them completely just makes someone look like they’re stuck in time.
7. Refusing to read instructions or watch tutorials
There’s a certain stubbornness that comes with Gen X—if they can figure something out on their own, they will. Whether it’s setting up a new gadget, assembling furniture, or using new software, reading the manual is often seen as a last resort.
Meanwhile, younger generations head straight to YouTube tutorials or Google for quick answers, saving time and frustration. The “I’ll figure it out myself” mentality, while admirable, sometimes just makes things harder than they need to be.
8. Holding onto CDs and DVDs like they’re gold
Even with streaming services offering instant access to everything, Gen X still clings to their physical media collections. Shelves full of CDs, stacks of DVDs, and a lingering love for vinyl, even if they haven’t played them in years.
While there’s nostalgia attached to it, most people have moved on to digital. Lugging around cases of CDs or insisting on playing a DVD instead of just streaming feels like a throwback to a different time.
9. Believing in the power of a firm handshake
Gen X was raised to believe that a strong handshake says everything about a person — confidence, reliability, character. A weak handshake? That was practically an insult. These days, people are more relaxed about greetings. A handshake is still polite, but the obsession with its firmness feels outdated. Fist bumps, casual waves, and even avoiding handshakes altogether have become far more common.
10. Assuming you can just “pop in” unannounced
There was a time when dropping by someone’s house unexpectedly was normal, and maybe even welcome. If you were in the area, you just knocked on a friend’s door and figured they’d be fine with it. Now, showing up without a warning is borderline rude. People expect a heads-up, a text, or at least an invitation. Unplanned visits feel intrusive in a world where schedules are packed, and personal space is valued.
11. Thinking every childhood injury made them stronger
Gen X loves to talk about how they survived a childhood without helmets, seatbelts, or constant supervision. They climbed trees, drank from garden hoses, and walked home alone without a second thought.
While there’s a charm to those stories, acting like every safety measure today is overkill can be a little much. The fact that they survived doesn’t mean their way was better, just that they were lucky.
12. Treating email like the best way to get a fast response
Gen X still sees email as a reliable way to communicate. Need something? Send an email. Following up? Another email. They expect people to check their inboxes like it’s 2005.
But today, email is often the slowest way to reach someone. Messaging apps, quick voice notes, and real-time communication are the norm. Checking email regularly has become more of a work chore than a main way to stay connected.
13. Expecting immediate loyalty to a job
Gen X grew up with the idea that if you worked hard, you’d move up, be rewarded, and eventually retire from the same company. There was an expectation of loyalty to employers, even if the job wasn’t great.
Younger generations have seen that loyalty isn’t always rewarded. Job-hopping is normal, work-life balance is a priority, and staying somewhere just for the sake of stability isn’t the goal anymore. The old-school dedication to a single workplace feels outdated.
14. Thinking “just walk it off” is solid advice
Minor injuries, sickness, stress—Gen X’s default response was often to power through. Complaining wasn’t encouraged, and taking a break was sometimes seen as weak. That mindset doesn’t quite fit today, where self-care, recovery, and rest are prioritised. Ignoring problems doesn’t make them go away, and sometimes, walking it off just doesn’t cut it.
