For millennials who have transcended from being the "cool kids" of Gen Y to becoming the dependable, if slightly creaky, middle-aged workforce, a new generation has found fresh ammunition to poke fun at their predecessors.
It's all about the facial expression known as the "millennial smile." Characterized by a coy purse of lips, a tilted head, and a barely-there grin, this look was once ubiquitous in selfies, social media posts, and even bathroom mirror snaps throughout the 2010s. It was popularized by celebrities like Ben Stiller's iconic "Blue Steel" pose from Zoolander.
However, Gen Z has turned this once-beloved expression into a target for ridicule. They find it laughable that millennials would still be sporting this look in their mid-30s and beyond. The irony is not lost on them; the same generation that championed online presence and social media has become the laughing stock of their own making.
Influencer Jasmine from Texas recently discovered that her Gen Z friends were roasting her for her "millennial smile" in a video post that garnered over 555,000 views. She admitted to doing it before, but was now being made fun of by her peers for still sporting the expression.
The backlash against this facial expression is emblematic of the larger generational dynamic between Gen Z and millennials. While millennials may be perceived as outdated or uncool, many are taking it in stride, with some even embracing their place in history. As one commenter quipped, "They hate us cuz they ain't us!!"
For now, millennials will likely continue to smirk at the camera, even if it means being ridiculed by a younger generation that sees them as relics of the past.
It's all about the facial expression known as the "millennial smile." Characterized by a coy purse of lips, a tilted head, and a barely-there grin, this look was once ubiquitous in selfies, social media posts, and even bathroom mirror snaps throughout the 2010s. It was popularized by celebrities like Ben Stiller's iconic "Blue Steel" pose from Zoolander.
However, Gen Z has turned this once-beloved expression into a target for ridicule. They find it laughable that millennials would still be sporting this look in their mid-30s and beyond. The irony is not lost on them; the same generation that championed online presence and social media has become the laughing stock of their own making.
Influencer Jasmine from Texas recently discovered that her Gen Z friends were roasting her for her "millennial smile" in a video post that garnered over 555,000 views. She admitted to doing it before, but was now being made fun of by her peers for still sporting the expression.
The backlash against this facial expression is emblematic of the larger generational dynamic between Gen Z and millennials. While millennials may be perceived as outdated or uncool, many are taking it in stride, with some even embracing their place in history. As one commenter quipped, "They hate us cuz they ain't us!!"
For now, millennials will likely continue to smirk at the camera, even if it means being ridiculed by a younger generation that sees them as relics of the past.
"The ultimate test of a man is his character under fire." - Theodore Roosevelt 
It's just a facial expression! Like, I get it, they wanna be all edgy and cool, but can't they just poke fun at themselves too? 
Millennials have worked hard to prove we're more than just a bunch of nostalgic weirdos 
I'm good with my smile, even if it's not "cool" anymore 
Gen Z might think they're all fancy and stuff, but at the end of the day, we're still humans, right? 
I guess what I'm saying is, let's just laugh at ourselves and not take it too seriously 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to roast their parents for still rocking that 'millennial smile' in 2025? 
My friends and I would have done the same back in the day... or at least when we were teenagers 
. But now that it's being directed at us by our kids 
.
And let's be real, it's not like they're trying to be cool or anything - they just genuinely seem happy all the time. 
I don't get why Gen Z has to make fun of them for it... can't we all just coexist and have a good laugh at our own expense? 
Gen Z is killing it with this one... I mean, can't they just let us enjoy our own nostalgia without roasting us? The "millennial smile" was already a joke to me - who thought it was a good idea to be so subtle? 
- still stuck in the past but can't seem to hang up 
.
! I mean, I get it, some things never go outta style 
. It's all about context, I guess. The world has changed so much since our younger selves were online 
.
!
! I still do that smile in selfies and I had no clue it was a thing 
. On a more serious note, I think it's kinda funny that Gen Z is roasting us for something we used to love 
. Can I ask though, do you guys still use that "Blue Steel" pose 
. Bring it on, Gen Z! I'll still take my millennial smile over your smize any day 