Back in the day, we all learned to follow certain manners. These manners showed respect, generosity and regard for others. However, with time, these habits have gotten lost — especially among younger generations such as Gen Z. They were brought up in a world that values ease, speed & informality. Here are 10 good manners that Gen Z no longer follow.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
Writing Thank-You Notes
Handwritten thank-you notes used to be a token of appreciation. It wasn’t just a “thank you” – it was a sign that you were thoughtful enough to find the time during your day to sit down, write, & send a note. It added a personal touch. It also made the recipient feel appreciated. Gen Z are not used to writing on paper. They’re more likely to send a short text, emojis or just a “thanks” message on a group chat.
Addressing Adults Formally
Older generations were taught to use terms like “Mr.” or “Mrs.” when they were addressing adults. It was a sign of respect and recognition for their age. Gen Z, on the other hand, is more casual, and everybody uses first names no matter their age or job. This change shows their respect for equality and a lack of formality. But it can offend those who learned that formal titles were an important part of showing courtesy.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Dressing Up for Special Occasions
Dressing well for church, weddings, family dinners, or even airplanes was once a huge part of respecting the event or people involved. Wearing a suit, dress or polished shoes indicated that you were attentive and serious about the occasion. Gen Z nowadays tends to dress casually and comfortably, even when they have to dress up. Hoodies, sneakers & jeans have now replaced suits or dresses.
Holding Doors Open for Others
Holding the door for someone, especially an elderly person, used to be standard. It was a small act of courtesy and concern for others. There are some Gen Zs out there that still hold doors open but it isn’t very common. Nowadays everyone is on their phones or hurrying – this little kindness often passes without noticing.
Avoiding Phone Use During Meals
We used to sit down for dinner and make contact with the people around us. Phones, TVs or anything else was considered rude because it took the attention away from the group. Today, thanks to the digital era of Gen Z, smartphone checking at mealtimes is virtually the new normal. From checking social media to responding to text messages, the practice is insulting to older generations who consider dinnertimes an occasion for close connection.
Standing Up When Someone Enters the Room
In the past, if someone entered the room – particularly elders or guests of high standing – one stood up as a sign of acknowledgment. It was a sign that you acknowledged their presence and valued them. Gen Z nowadays don’t do it often enough – they will usually just wave and say “hey” without standing up. Such a change could seem careless to those of older generations who see standing as an essential form of good manners.
Sending RSVP Responses
When a friend invited you to an event, an RSVP (yes or no) used to be mandatory. It allowed the host to properly plan and appreciate their labor. Most Zoomers don’t do this. They may assume it’s okay to just show up or not – without confirmation. Sometimes, they will simply forget or feel uneasy making plans ahead of time.
Saying “Excuse Me” When Interrupting
‘Excuse me’ was part of good manners. When you needed to interrupt someone or pass by, they were expressions of consideration. Gen Z tends not to use formal expressions like these – or otherwise doesn’t say anything at all. This isn’t meant as a rude act. But it’s something that happens when someone’s raised with more informal communication modes.
Sending Birthday or Holiday Cards
Sending cards for birthdays, holidays or simply a quick check-in used to be a meaningful tradition. Making the effort to pick out a card, write a note, and mail it showed you thought about the person. Gen Z generally don’t do cards — they use digital communications or social media. These are faster and easier, but not as personal.
Waiting Patiently for Your Turn to Speak
Good manners once meant waiting for someone to finish talking before you added your thoughts. It was about listening to others without interrupting them. In our fast-moving, digital-first world, Gen Z might be more likely to interrupt, specially at casual settings. It isn’t always purposeful — sometimes t’s just excitement or a habit picked up from group chats and fast conversations.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
