Millennial shares a list of everything she's learned from Gen Z over the summer: 'They're hustlers'

Generational gaps are not all that easy to fill. It takes a certain amount of effort to get accustomed to new ways of thinking and systems. Most millennials and boomers may not understand the unique vocabulary or lifestyle changes Gen Z goes by. One millennial in her thirties took upon herself to learn about the world from Gen Z's eyes and shared everything she learned with the rest of the world. Working with a 19-year-old college junior this summer has given Mississippi mom and author Bailey Henry, who is the author of "Having a Baby & Other Things I'm Bad At," did an unexpected crash course in Gen Z terminology. "I’m a millennial, I’m in my 30s, it is what it is," Henry says in a video clip on TikTok garnering around 1.6 million views. "But I still feel youngish most days." However, this summer while working with a Gen Z, she was reminded of her age and realized she has a lot to learn and catch up on. 

"I’m a millennial, I’m in my 30s, it is what it is," Henry—who goes by @bailshenry on TikTok—says in a video clip that garnered around 1.6 million views. "But I still feel youngish most days." However, this summer while working with a Gen Z, she was reminded of her age and realized she has a lot to learn and catch up on.  Henry takes out a printed list she's prepared and begins, "First thing's first: DH Gate," before stating that she was unaware that such a thing even existed. DHGate.com, a Chinese-run wholesale website, is "commonly used to buy fake goods" from well-known brands like Nike and Rolex, claims Urban Dictionary. It's popular among Gen Z.

She continues by describing the most recent shoe fashions among Gen Z, in particular the "great divide" between the "Golden Goose girlies" and the "Air Force 1 girlies." Gen Z girls now visit clubs wearing casual, comfortable trainers and typically belong to one of two groups: GG or AF1. "Those are shoes, obviously," Henry explains. "Because you don’t wear heels anymore to the bar. So, 2008 me would have really appreciated that."

Although she doesn't fully understand the significance of a lot of things and is comfortable living under a rock, she continues sharing her list. "Alex Earle and Sofia Richie are very important." What else is important, she notes, are commonly used terms such as 'sus,' 'mid' and 'felt.' 'Sus', she says, stands for suspicious. Henry uses the phrase "the vibe is so 'mid'" here as an example before defining "mid" as "mediocre," which often denotes that something is less than amazing. She is now aware of the existence of "Eskimo sisters," two friends who had separate hookups with the same person.

Another thing Henry has learned is that "Snapchat is everything," which is why you now ask for someone's Snap at a bar rather than their phone number. She is surprised to see how viral her video went and created a part two of the same. She explains that dating is harder for Gen Z because of how apps like Snapchat have made it ironically more difficult to communicate and flirt.

She also explains how Gen Z isn't going through the greatest time in the economy and so it focuses on hustling and taking care of themselves. They also aren't keen on wearing open-toed shoes as it is apparently a sign of vulnerability, which she says she finds strange yet cute. She adds that Gen Z feels sad how they aren't as close to their parents or have strong familial relationships as she has.

Other millennials were also enlightened by this knowledge and resonated with her. "Not me pausing the TikTok to google everything mentioned," commented @lbeannn04. "I'm in college as a 33-year-old. I feel like an undercover millennial," wrote @tashamarieschoen. "We wore heels to high school. The pain we endured. FOR WHAT?!" added @hereandnowww.