Recently, the internet has been buzzing with a new term: the ‘millennial pause.’
This phrase, coined by Gen Z, refers to a brief moment of hesitation that millennials often display before speaking when they start recording a video.
While this behavior may seem trivial, it has sparked yet another playful generational debate.
What is the ‘Millennial Pause’?
The ‘millennial pause’ occurs when someone, typically a millennial (born between 1981 and 1996), clicks record on their camera. They then take a brief moment before speaking.
This pause often involves a quick glance to make sure the recording has started, followed by a greeting like “Hey everybody.”
It’s a subtle, almost subconscious habit that many millennials don’t even realize they’re doing.
Gen Z’s take on the ‘Millennial Pause’
Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) has been quick to poke fun at this quirk.
TikTok user Melia (@suprememelia) shared a compilation of celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Scarlett Johansson demonstrating the ‘millennial pause.’
Despite some of them not being millennials, the compilation showcases the phenomenon.
The video received humorous comments from Gen Z, who joked that millennials act as if they need to confirm the camera is on.
This behavior is compared to asking, “Is this thing on?” before starting to speak.
Millennials clap back
However, millennials aren’t taking the jokes lying down.
Many have defended the pause as a practical habit formed during the early days of digital cameras and smartphones. While some sparked discussion about this topic.
One person said: why are we ignoring the “hey honey bunnies”.
A second wrote: The bad thing is most of the aren’t even millennials.
While a third commented: I think it’s because they don’t think that whatever they are about to say is that important/urgent. Gen Z gives more weight to influencer culture.
Another added: I have the “millennial pause” but that’s bc Snapchat cuts the beginning part of my videos and now it’s a habit to wait.
The practical reason behind the Pause
Several millennials have explained that the ‘pause’ often results from the delay in older recording devices. These devices required a moment to start after pressing the record button.
“This is obviously because some cameras to this day will have a delay before recording after you press go,” one person explained. “It was even worse for phones when millennials were growing up.”
Another user elaborated, “I’ve come to realize that it’s because we grew up with recording devices that we had to wait to make sure they were recording.” This makes the ‘millennial pause’ not just a quirky habit but a practical response to the limitations of older technology.
Despite the generational teasing, both millennials and Gen Z have unique habits shaped by their respective technologies.
The ‘millennial pause’ may seem funny to some. It serves as a reminder of how quickly our behaviors adapt to technological advancements.
Whether you’re pausing before speaking or jumping right in mid-sentence, each generation brings its own flavor to the digital world.