14 Ridiculous Rules Gen Zers and Millennials Live By | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

14 Ridiculous Rules Gen Zers and Millennials Live By

These 'rules' are self-inflicted; we don't know how they came about, yet we willingly live by them.

366
14 Ridiculous Rules Gen Zers and Millennials Live By

Sitting in the house without much to do has made me think about all the self-imposed rules we've all somehow come to live by. Even though these rules just seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, we follow them without question.

How were we able to distinguish what type of messages these rules send (such as hurtful ones or expressions of interest)? Why do we follow these unwritten rules?

1. Leaving someone on ‘open’ or ‘read’

Playing hard to get is leaving the guy you're into on open the next time he Snaps you. For some reason, ignoring someone makes them notice you more or get their attention.

2. Read receipts

Giphy

Turning on your read receipts adds attitude and power to your conversations. It's like when someone turns on read receipts specifically for their ex so that they know when you're purposely ignoring them. (It's not like I've done this before!)

3. Accepting a follow request but not requesting one back (if you know the person)

If you know the person who requested to follow you, it's definitely a bold move when you don't follow them back. It's crazy how people can assert power over each other from such things.

4. Not immediately opening or replying to a text or Snap

Giphy

You know, you can't open or reply back right away because then it seems like the only thing you're doing is sitting around waiting for them.

5. Phone calling or video chatting only with people you’re close to

You can't just call up someone on the phone unless you've established some type of rapport with them. Texting is the safer option for people you're not too close to. And don't even think about FaceTiming someone you're not already dating or best friends with; that's too weird.

6. Ghosting

Giphy

We've all heard of the ghosting phenomenon; instead of having the decency to reach out to someone directly to let them know you don't want to talk to them anymore, you can (and should) just ignore their messages and act like they don't exist. But, hey, I don't think I've ever actually been ghosted by anyone before, so maybe I can't give my input.

7. The thirst-trap double-standard

If a girl posts a picture in a bikini, people are going to call it a thirst-trap. But if a guy posts a story of himself working out without a shirt on every single day, his buddies are going to praise him. I really didn't want to bring up gender double-standards, but this has always stunned me.

8. Double Snapping

For some reason, it's seen as ~needy~ if you Snap someone again if they haven't replied back to you yet.

9. Sliding into the DMs

Giphy

Apparently, it's socially acceptable for a guy to flirt over DMs, but it's unacceptable for women to do the same. (This didn't stop me the one time I did this, though)

10. Being the first liker/commenter on a post

I don't follow this rule, but I guess some people think it's weird to be the first person to like or comment on a post. I don't care; if I see a bomb picture on my Instagram feed, I'm not going to stop myself from liking it just because I'd be their first notification.

11. Self-promo

Giphy

Social media is just another platform to promote work and inspire others. If someone doesn't support the work you're sharing with the world, they can just skip to the next post on their feed—it's not that hard.

12. Snap streaks

Let's be honest, sending someone a Snap and having them send one back every single day just to say you two have a 'streak' is stupid. Yet, some people lose sleep at night over their streaks and get offended when their streaks are broken.

13. Only taking pictures with your closest friends or the people in your friend group

I can't remember when the switch was flipped and suddenly it was awkward to take a picture with someone you aren't really close to. Vibing with someone when you're out at a club and wanting to take a picture with them to capture the moment? Incomprehensible.

14. Spamming

Giphy

Every girl's been there: a guy you don't even know spams you with likes. Thanks for the likes, but, uh … why? Why is this the procedure for getting someone's attention?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

596
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

1949
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2562
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments