50 Hilariously Relatable Memes That Describe Gen X Life Better Than Words Ever Could

Each generation tends to think that its taste in music, art, and culture, as well as its attitudes and values, are ‘just right’ while those that came before and after them got it a tad wrong. But it’s completely natural to think like that and feelnostalgicfor the ‘good old days’ when the world around you continues to shift and change in unpredictable ways. Everyone does it.If you want to take a trip down memory late or see what the world looked like before,Bored Pandahas collected some of the most relatable and nostalgic posts andmemesabout life as a member of Generation X. Scroll down to enjoy the pics, compiled from all over the internet, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that you enjoyed the most!Bored Panda reached out toGlenn Geher, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz and apublished author, for his thoughts on generational divides. He shed some light on how older and younger generations can find common ground despite their differences, as well as how to stay adaptable in the modern world. You’ll find our full interview with Dr. Geher below!This post may includeaffiliate links.

If you want to take a trip down memory late or see what the world looked like before,Bored Pandahas collected some of the most relatable and nostalgic posts andmemesabout life as a member of Generation X. Scroll down to enjoy the pics, compiled from all over the internet, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that you enjoyed the most!

Bored Panda reached out toGlenn Geher, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz and apublished author, for his thoughts on generational divides. He shed some light on how older and younger generations can find common ground despite their differences, as well as how to stay adaptable in the modern world. You’ll find our full interview with Dr. Geher below!

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Man drinking coffee, highlighting funny Gen X post comparing work habits of different generations.

Gen X nostalgia with paper dolls and vintage outfits, evoking childhood memories.

Gen X colorful fabric wallet evokes nostalgia with humorous text above.

According toDr. Geher, people in one generation not fully understanding members of another generation is “an age-old human issue.” This has become especially relevant in the last several thousand years due to very fast advances in technology.“I will hear members of my parents' generation talk about ’45s' versus ‘LPs.’ Members of my kids' generation talk about Spotify and ‘streaming,’ and members of my own generation talk about what a game-changer CD technology was when it first came out,” the professor told Bored Panda via email.“Members of different generations also often use different slang terms,” he said. As an example, he noted that his son used the term ‘booling’ recently, which is similar to ‘chilling’ or ‘hanging out.’ It’s a reminder that staying up to date with slang terms is very important for communicating with others.

“I will hear members of my parents' generation talk about ’45s' versus ‘LPs.’ Members of my kids' generation talk about Spotify and ‘streaming,’ and members of my own generation talk about what a game-changer CD technology was when it first came out,” the professor told Bored Panda via email.

“Members of different generations also often use different slang terms,” he said. As an example, he noted that his son used the term ‘booling’ recently, which is similar to ‘chilling’ or ‘hanging out.’ It’s a reminder that staying up to date with slang terms is very important for communicating with others.

Vintage Gen X car door with retro design and hefty weight, recalling nostalgic automotive features.

Bag with scattered notes, showcasing Gen X humor and nostalgia.

California license plate with humorous Gen X reference, “My name is Inigo Montoya” tagline.

“There is also a strong tendency for people to think that their generation is somehow comprised of more enlightened people than is true of prior generations. This also seems to be something of a constant in the human experience,“Dr. Gehersaid, adding that finding common ground is often the key to bringing people from different generations together.

“Inter-generational gatherings, as found at holidays, for example, have that same potential. For instance, this year, I played a game of backyard American football with a bunch of 20-somethings. While I may not have been the star, I think I held my own and it was definitely a bonding experience,” Dr. Geher opened up to Bored Panda. “We still text around photos from this epic game to this day.”

Gen X humor meme with vintage corded phone and funny text about calling a crush.

Gen X kids with bikes and humor about not wearing helmets in the past.

Colorful winter boots with text referencing Gen X childhood experiences in snowy weather.

The key is to facilitate open-mindedness. “If people think that someone from some other generation just ‘doesn’t get it,’ and is unwavering in this belief, inter-generational relations are likely to be strained. The good thing is that open-mindedness is one of the basic human traits that seem to have a large environmental component—meaning that one’s level of open-mindedness (and the ability to develop a genuine understanding of others) can change based on time and experience. In other words, people can actually become more open-minded with effort and time,“Dr. Geherexplained.

Gen X nostalgia: a catalog page with circled children’s books and a humorous caption about wanting too many books.

Vintage Gen X toy medical kit with stethoscope, syringe, and play tools arranged neatly in a yellow case.

Vintage fan with blue blades on a table, representing nostalgic Gen X humor.

According to the professor, it can definitely be a challenge to stay flexible and adaptable in the modern world.Dr. Geherrevealed that he also personally finds it difficult when he has to learn a new piece of software for work, even if it is ultimately something that can make his job easier. It’s a sentiment that we and most other people share! Learning new things is hard.

“For people from my generation, Generation X, the key is being open to the possibility that novel technologies, art, and ideas may well have merit and utility. I don’t play much in the way of video games, but I used to play Atari quite a bit as a kid,” he said.

Retro rotary phone index with vintage wood panel, capturing classic Gen X humor and nostalgia.

Vintage portrait with funny Gen X text about attractiveness and sarcasm.

1986 calendar with illustrations of birds and flowers, capturing a nostalgic Gen X vibe.

After Gen X come Generation Y (people born from 1981 to 1996, also known as millennials),Generation Z(Americans born from 1997 to 2012, who are known as Gen Z or, colloquially, ‘zoomers’), and Generation Alpha (anyone born between the early 2010s and the mid-2020s).

Red checkered bindle on stick, a nostalgic Gen X reference from a funny post.

Gen X humor text: “Me: I’m still young. My bones: no the f*** we not."

“Gen X humor shirt with ‘Sciatica’ in metal band style, depicting spine and nerves in vibrant red."

Naturally, there are small disagreements abouthow toclassify generations and if these classifications are even needed in the first place.For example, some researchers and online communities take a broader approach and argue thatGeneration Xrefers to anyone born between 1961 and 1981. And if you’re looking atothercountries besides the US, the generational timeframes will look very different.

Naturally, there are small disagreements abouthow toclassify generations and if these classifications are even needed in the first place.

For example, some researchers and online communities take a broader approach and argue thatGeneration Xrefers to anyone born between 1961 and 1981. And if you’re looking atothercountries besides the US, the generational timeframes will look very different.

Fiber optic decoration on a shelf with a water bottle, embodying typical Gen X nostalgia items.

Vintage painting with speech bubbles highlighting funny Gen X humor about TikTok and a watch.

Gen X humor meme showing aging rock fan’s reaction to Iron Maiden at 17 and 50 years old, comparing enthusiasm levels.

Statista reports that around 66 million Americans are members of Gen X. In 2021, they numbered around 65.8 million people, and it’s estimated that this will drop to 63.9 million in 2028.

The reality isn’t so straightforward, though. It’s far more nuanced.

Text about forging your parents' signature in school, a common Gen X experience.

Retro Honeywell thermostat; Gen X nostalgia with temperature dial and beige color, reminiscent of childhood memories.

Old rotary phone with tangled cord evokes Gen X nostalgia.

Gen X humor: a vintage popcorn maker with an orange lid, captioned “I’m this old”.

Gen X humor meme with a puppet character, conveying humor from a Gen X perspective difficult for other generations to grasp.

Elderly women in a humorous “Where’s the Beef?” Wendy’s ad, highlighting funny Gen X humor.

Nostalgia marketing is a big driver in business, no matter what generation you’re from. It’s a popular way to sell products (from clothes and toys to technology andfooditems) that were popular two to three decades ago. The BBC reports that consumers tend tospend moremoney on brands that evoke nostalgia.“You don’t have to dig through an attic. Content from the last few decades, and even before, is everywhere and so easily remixed,” says the executive strategy director at Brooklyn-based branding firm Red Antler, Liz Juusol. In other words, anything and everything can become content for nostalgia products and content because it’s so easily accessible these days.

“You don’t have to dig through an attic. Content from the last few decades, and even before, is everywhere and so easily remixed,” says the executive strategy director at Brooklyn-based branding firm Red Antler, Liz Juusol. In other words, anything and everything can become content for nostalgia products and content because it’s so easily accessible these days.

Hiring sign humor for Gen X on a porch with a white truck in the foreground.

Gen X humor: Two puppet characters in casual outfits, showcasing retro styles distinct to their generation.

Gen X nostalgia: a white bowl with vintage floral pattern, reminiscent of childhood memories.

On theotherhand, Krystine Batcho, a professor at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, notes that nostalgia may be less linked to timing and more related to people’s feelings about the difference between the present and the past.If you feel like something’s missing, you can feel nostalgic, no matter if that thing disappeared “two months ago, two years ago, or 50 years ago.”What generation are you a member of? What would you say perfectly defines your generation? What are your attitudes towardothergens? Do we have any members of Gen X reading this today?We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you think about the posts featured here today, and tell us what you miss the most about the past.

If you feel like something’s missing, you can feel nostalgic, no matter if that thing disappeared “two months ago, two years ago, or 50 years ago.”

What generation are you a member of? What would you say perfectly defines your generation? What are your attitudes towardothergens? Do we have any members of Gen X reading this today?

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you think about the posts featured here today, and tell us what you miss the most about the past.

Gen X humor: a can of Hawaiian Punch with a vintage can opener.