GenZ vs Retro: How things have changed!

Why don’t you match the vibe with all of us?

This is quite an obvious question a 19-year-old kiddo would ask his grandparents or vice versa. Due to the differences in cultural upbringings of certain generations, there has been a massive gap between the ideologies and the way of living between these two types of people — the 21st century born hip hopping stylish GenZs and the 60s born old-fashioned yet simple and cute Retros. Let’s visualise how things have changed from the Retro time to the current era.

The gap between Gen Z and Retro is as wide as the Thar Desert.

Gen Z, born into a world of WiFi and emojis, thrives on the latest gadgets and instant everything. Their lives buzz with the constant pings of smartphones, social media, and a never-ending stream of virtual interactions. Their world resides on the fact that they can connect with their lovey-doves in a single click. Meanwhile, the Retro generation savours the simple pleasures of face-to-face conversations, cassette tapes, and the lost art of writing letters by hand. Their patience and calmness levels are excessively higher than those who stood in the queues of banks during the 2016 demonetisation!

The cultural differences between the two are the points that stand out. Music, which once connected the soul to the body and the mind to their whispering tongue, has now transformed into digital beats and catchy grooves. Gen Z grooves to the beats of EDM and hip-hop as they go clubbing until “Aunty Police bula legi!”. At the same time, Retro holds on to the timeless melodies of classic Bollywood songs and soulful ghazals, probably humming “Lag Ja Gale” in the shower. According to them, no electric beat or autotune can beat Kishore Kumar and his sweet voice!

The form of Entertainment has evolved from cosy group gatherings to solo me-time. Gen Z is about binge-watching Netflix, marathon gaming sessions, and scrolling through endless viral memes and reels. Meanwhile, the Retro people find comfort in watching Doordarshan classics, enjoying drive-in theatres, and curling up with a good book — yes, the kind with actual pages.

The common factor between the two extremes is that Their mood still depends on how well their favourite cricketer plays or how beautiful their favourite actor/actress looks today! Don’t we agree?

Regarding love and relationships, it’s like comparing a Bollywood masala film to a traditional arranged marriage. Gen Z navigates the muddled waters of online dating, swiping left and right in search of spending nights together on apps like Tinder, believing more in casual relations. Retro folks cherish the sanctity of old-school romance, with handwritten love letters and serenades under the moonlit sky — basically waiting for their perfect “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge” moment in real life!

More purity, affection and stability are what matters to the Retros.

In the professional world, the contrast continues. Gen Z is about the hustle, chasing flexibility and autonomy through freelance gigs and digital startups. They go berserk about money. Retro, valuing stability and a monthly pakka paycheck, tends to stick with traditional careers, often staying loyal to one employer for decades — and probably still using a fax machine!

Yet, amidst all these quirky comparisons lies a deeper truth. Each generation has its own quirks and perks, shaped by the spirit of its time. Gen Z is adaptable and innovative, while Retro brings authenticity and a sense of nostalgia to the table. Ultimately, it’s how happy we are that defines which style of living suits us more!