Every generation has its quirks, but watching my adult children navigate the world sometimes feels like observing an entirely different species.

After 35 years in the corporate world and raising three kids who are now millennials themselves, I’ve noticed some behaviors that genuinely perplex those of us born before 1965.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to bash millennials. My own kids fall into this category, and they’re doing just fine.

But there are certain things they do that make me scratch my head and wonder if we’re even speaking the same language anymore.

1. Taking photos of every single meal

Remember when eating was just… eating? Now every brunch, lunch, and dinner becomes a photo shoot.

Last week, I watched a young couple at a restaurant spend ten minutes arranging their plates for the perfect overhead shot while their food got cold.

What happened to just enjoying the moment?

When I was working my way up from claims adjuster, lunch was a quick sandwich at my desk or a chance to talk business with colleagues. Now it’s a production worthy of a magazine spread.

The funny thing is, my daughter does this too. She’ll visit for Sunday dinner and spend five minutes photographing my pot roast before taking a bite.

I asked her once who actually wants to see pictures of her food. Apparently, hundreds of people do.

2. Ghosting instead of having difficult conversations

This one truly baffles me. When did it become acceptable to simply disappear instead of telling someone you’re not interested?

In my 35 years in middle management, I learned that difficult conversations are just part of life.

You face them head on, with respect and honesty. But millennials seem to think vanishing into thin air is a valid communication strategy.

Whether it’s dating, friendships, or even job interviews, ghosting has become normalized. My son once told me he was “ghosted” after three job interviews with a company.

They just stopped responding entirely. In my day, even a rejection letter was standard courtesy.

3. Paying for experiences over things

Here’s something that took me years to understand. Millennials will live in tiny apartments with barely any furniture but spend thousands on music festivals, travel, and “experiences.”

My generation saved for houses, cars, and tangible assets. We wanted something to show for our hard work. But millennials? They’d rather have memories than mortgages.

I’ll admit, after watching my kids travel the world and create incredible memories, I’m starting to see their point.

Maybe there’s something to this whole experience economy after all. Though I still think a good savings account beats a weekend at Coachella.

4. Working from coffee shops

Can someone explain to me how anyone gets work done in a coffee shop? The noise, the distractions, the constant flow of people. Yet millennials seem to thrive in this chaos.

During my insurance career, work happened at work. You had a desk, a phone, and everything you needed in one place.

Now I see young professionals conducting video calls from Starbucks, typing away on laptops while sipping overpriced lattes.

My daughter runs her entire consulting business from various coffee shops around town. She says the energy helps her focus. Meanwhile, I need complete silence just to write a grocery list.

5. Sharing everything online

Why does the internet need to know what you had for breakfast, how you’re feeling at 2 PM, and what your relationship status is every other week?

Privacy used to mean something. Now millennials broadcast their entire lives online, from mental health struggles to family drama. Nothing is off limits.

When I finally joined social media to connect with my teenage grandchildren, I was shocked by what people share.

Career changes, breakups, political views, medical procedures. In my day, these were private matters discussed only with close family and friends.

6. Job hopping like it’s an Olympic sport

Staying at one company for two years is now considered a long tenure. This absolutely blows my mind.

I spent 35 years at the same insurance company, working my way up from claims adjuster.

That was normal. That showed loyalty, dedication, and character. Now? Millennials change jobs faster than I change oil in my car.

They call it “career development” and “expanding their skill set.” I call it impatience.

Though watching my kids negotiate better salaries with each move, maybe they’re onto something my generation missed.

7. Refusing to answer phone calls

You know what the phone app on a smartphone is for? Making phone calls. Yet try calling a millennial and watch them stare at their ringing phone like it’s a live grenade.

They’ll let it go to voicemail, then immediately text you asking what you want. It’s maddening. A two-minute phone call becomes a thirty-minute text conversation.

My son once told me phone calls give him anxiety. Anxiety? From talking? We used to spend hours on the phone.

Now everything has to be scheduled via text first. “Can I call you at 3?” Why not just call at 3?

8. Living with parents well into adulthood

This might be the biggest head-scratcher of all. Moving back home after college used to be temporary and slightly embarrassing. Now it’s a financial strategy.

Millennials live with their parents into their thirties without batting an eye. They call it “smart financial planning” and “saving for a down payment.” We called it failure to launch.

Though given today’s housing prices and student loan debt, I understand the logic. When my youngest moved back home at 28 to save money, I thought it would be for a few months.

Two years later, she had saved enough for a house down payment. Maybe they’re playing the long game better than we did.

Final thoughts

Look, every generation thinks the younger one is doing it wrong. My parents couldn’t understand my generation either.

But after years of observing millennials, including my own children, I’ve realized something important. Different doesn’t mean wrong.

Sure, photographing food seems silly, and ghosting is rude. But millennials are also more open about mental health, more accepting of differences, and often more creative in solving problems than we ever were.

Maybe instead of shaking our heads, we should be taking notes.