Ask an Actual Millennial

What exactly constitutes a “millennial” is an endless point of discussion in this office. We’re not talking the anthropological definition — that barrel’s been scraped by every culture site in town (millennials like selfies, millennials like lists, yadda yadda). Our conversation is more technical, and technically, we of the Generation Y crew are millennials. However, I like to think of Generation Y as split into two groups: the Facebook Wave, and the Instagram Wave.

According to the very scientific me, the Facebook Wave is anyone who is currently 23 – 35. We actually remember typing in www.THEfacebook.com and are scared of iPhone software updates. The Instagram Wave begins with whoever’s just been given their first smartphone and caps off at age 22 – they’re who I consider “millennials,” which you can feel free to disagree with in the comments because I’m admittedly an old curmudgeon who tries to throw my own friends off my lawn.

I’d even go so far as to predict that within or below that younger group, more and more micro-generations will be created. For all I know there is a sub-genre of kids age 7 and under who are responsible for programming all of the apps I’m no longer cool enough to know about.

Regardless of where the lines are drawn, it’s always worth peeking into the minds of those who are younger — if not because they practically speak a different language, then definitely because they can teach you a new dance move. With that, meet Franny Keller, our intern/back to school specialist.

Name: Franny

Age: 16, entering 11th grade

1) Shopping: do you prefer online or in store?

It’s pretty equal. I do both, but I always have a shopping cart going on online.

2) Is twerking allowed at school dances?

Oh yes. Twerk-offs are a thing.

3) Do people actually twerk?

Very few can but they do NOT hesitate to try.

4) What’s the next dance move we need to know about?

“The Corn Shuck” — it’s a great way to look cool or deter creepy guys at parties!

5) What are the kids listening to?

Sam Smith is incredible. Also, my friends and I love the app Hype Machine; it has really cool songs and remixes.

5a) On a scale from 1-10 how annoying is it when young adults, only ten years your senior, reference your “generation” as “the kids”?

9.3

6) Your turn for payback since I just called you “kid.” What age seems “old” to you?

28

7) Weirdest vocab word you think is trending?

“Sus.” It means shady or suspicious. Can be used to describe a person, place, or party.

8) Social media network of choice?

Probably Instagram or Snapchat. I Snapchat too often…

9) Who’s your icon?

I’ve been watching a lot of Winona Ryder movies lately. She really inspires me as an actress and I think she’s stunning.

10) Do you wear makeup? What kind?

I like to keep it looking natural: I use under eye concealer, mascara, a little bronzer, sometimes some neutral colored eyeshadows and I put my bronzer in my crease to bring it all together. I always have to tame my crazy eyebrows.

11 ) You know how we’re all freaky-nostalgic about the 80s and 90s? What do you think you’ll be nostalgic about?

Probably Lizzie McGuire and Hannah Montana. So early 2000s.

12) Trend you’ve seen everyone your age wearing?

Chokers, all the teens are wearing them.

13) Thoughts on the word “Millennial”?

It’s all about multi-tasking. I Snapchat, do my homework, and and eat my dinner at the same time. That’s millennial for ya.