Understanding Gen Z: Are We Misreading a New Generation?
A 60-minute session on how older generations read Gen Z, and how Gen Z reads them back: the calls that go unanswered, the Sunday messages left until Monday, the mental health days, the concert tickets, the bhajan nights. Are we seeing a new generation clearly, or through the memory of our own youth? Twelve independent cards; open three or four.
The opening question
What's one thing a younger person does that instantly makes you feel old?
Everyone in the room answers this in one line before any card is opened. Write the answers down; you will come back to them.
The cards
12 ways into the topic
Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.
- 1
Answering The Phone
Your phone rings. It's your aunt. You watch it ring out, then text her: “Saw your call, what's up?”
- 2
Messages After Work Hours
It's Sunday evening. Your boss sends a message on the work group. The new young hire sees it and doesn't reply until Monday morning.
- 3
Taking A Mental Health Day
Your young colleague's relationship has just ended. She asks for a few days off. Your manager rolls his eyes: “In my time, we just came to work.”
- 4
Respecting Your Elders
A relative you barely know walks in. Your mother nudges you to touch his feet. He has never been kind to you.
- 5
Making Polite Small Talk
At a family function, an aunty asks what you're doing these days and when you're getting married. You give one-word answers and look at your phone.
- 6
Spending Versus Saving
You get your first proper salary. Your friends are buying concert tickets and planning a trip abroad. Your father says, “Start saving for a flat.”
- 7
Dating Without Telling Parents
You've been seeing someone for a year. Your friends know. Your cousins know. Your parents think they're just a friend from college.
- 8
Cutting People Off
A friend keeps cancelling and complaining, and you come home drained. Your younger cousin says, “Just cut them off.
- 9
Bhajans In The Club
Just when we decided young people had given up on faith.
- 10
Growing Up On Phones
A family sits at a restaurant. The parents are scrolling. The child has a tablet. Nobody is talking.
- 11
Complaining About Young People
Your grandfather said your father's generation was lazy. Your father says the same about yours. One day you'll probably say it too.
- 12
Struggle Made Us Stronger
The case that the older generations got something right.
The line to leave with
Of all the things you criticise in younger people, which one is something you secretly wish you had been allowed to do at their age?
More boards,more ways in.
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