The 'millennial pause' phenomenon is leaving Gen-Z in stitches after they realize how common it is
Topics: Social Media, TikTok, Reddit, Technology
Emily Brown
Featured Image Credit: AzmanJaka/pixelfit/Getty Images
Topics: Social Media, TikTok, Reddit, Technology
Hit record on the camera, wait until you know it's recording, and start talking.
Sounds like a pretty reasonable way to start a video, don't you think? But it turns out that one simple aspect of that series of actions is all it takes to prove that you're getting old.
There are all sorts of ways that generations define themselves from one another, from complaining about work ethic to indulging in iced coffees, scoffing at skinny jeans to knowing every single TikTok dance off by heart.
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Some of the differences are more obvious than others, and one that a lot of millennials might have missed is what's come to be known as 'the millennial pause'.
Obviously millennials didn't name it themselves - the term has come from Gen Z pointing out our 'mistakes' - but either way it's caused quite a stir.
The 'millennial pause' is used in relation to recording a video, and it's all about how conscious you are that the video is actually recording before you start performing for the camera.
After all, you wouldn't want to film the whole thing only to realize the start had been cut off, would you?
It seems sensible to me to make sure those seconds start ticking away before actually getting started, but it turns out that's a sign of age.
Apparently Gen Z don't have any hesitation, and if they did they'd probably cut the video to make sure there was no dead air.
The phenomenon is so common that it even has its own Wikipedia page, where it's defined as 'a pause in speaking at the start of some videos, especially in short-form content and on social media apps such as TikTok'.
One Reddit user drew attention to the habit when they posted about the millennial pause on the 'Today I Learned' subreddit, and Reddit users have admitted it's definitely a thing.
One joked: "I thought you were supposed to say 'is this thing on' or 'is it recording' then acting [sic] awkward for 5 seconds."
Another simply added: "Gotta make sure it started!"
However, one Reddit user hit back: "I know millennials get made fun of, but this is SO much better than the Gen Z style of videos where they always seem surprised that someone (themselves) started videoing them halfway through their sentence."
All I can say is, Gen Z better not come crying when they film a 'storytime' video and realize the first two seconds were cut off.