Dear people,
You write about the millennial generation like it is a plague that needs to be stopped.
Headlines pop up on social media, in newspapers and online questioning millennials ability to simply “do life”.
The New York Times has published articles with the headlines ‘Why are millennials wary of freedom?’, ‘No wonder millennials hate capitalism’, ‘Millennials see paternity leave as priority’, ‘The millennial perspective’ and ‘Generation X needs to save America from millennials’.
The way people write about my generation tells me and all my peers we are inadequate.
I disagree. We are not all the same. At least, I am not.
This is my biggest pet peeve.
I was raised to work hard, to accept no as a reasonable response, to respect authority, to be reliable and to spend money wisely.
Yet you clump us together like we’re are all Cheerios chilling in the same pool of milk.
I say we are not all Cheerios. Some of us are Lucky Charms.
An article by Canadian Grocer last year says, “Lucky Charms has subsequently made millennials a key focus of its marketing efforts … the brand has increased its household penetration in Canada by three per cent over the past four years, including ten per cent growth in under-35 households.”
This is why the Lucky Charms cereal brand is the perfect representation of the millennial generation.
When someone pours themselves a bowl of Lucky Charms, many make straight for the marshmallows.
The little grain bits like Cheerios, which are usually left behind, do not spike interest. This is because the marshmallows are different and tasty.
Of course there are millennials who are like Cheerios but, there are unique millennials. We are the Lucky Charms.
While The New York Times was busy writing about how millennials were too lazy to eat breakfast and clean it up, which later was debunked, some millennials were hard at work.
These millennials have been raised to look different, raised to be colourful and raised to have an impact on the world.
Some were raised by hard working parents or guardians and taught respect.
This is why millennials are not all the same.
“Millennials are just like you and me, only younger. They are smart, savvy consumers who aren’t afraid to let their wallets speak,” says an article by retail experts McMillan Doolittle.
Other generations are interested in statistics proving how millennials are ruining the economy, shutting down businesses and ultimately annoying people.
Some of these are from napkin purchases, cable industry, the housing market and to even family restaurants.
In 2016, The Washington Post says a survey found millennials are not buying napkins. It highlights only 56 per cent of shoppers bought napkins over a six-month time period.
But, 86 per cent of them said they purchased paper towels.
This is not me. I love napkins. Napkins are pretty and beautiful when setting a table.
See, I’m different.
These kind of statistics extend into the job market, education, government and the housing market.
We as millennials also have to constantly put up with your ads and random videos all over social media ridiculing us for all “being the same”.
How can we as millennials shout to the world that we are not all the same?
I don’t know what to do anymore other than just keep on keeping on.
I stay true to myself and keep hustling because your labels make things tough for me, as if the economy was not enough.
Next time you see a millennial trying to make it, think of me.
This is my biggest pet peeve.
Sincerely,
A Lucky Charm.