Waffles was barking like a mad man from inside the screen door. I looked outside and saw this. I had to share this bit of wildlife. This Javelina walked through a wash on the side of our house to the street with two other family members.
I read a story called “The way you text reveals if you’re a boomer, millennial or Gen Z, tech influencer says” in the NY Post by Ben Cost. Here’s an excerpt:
Fashion, vernacular and musical preferences aren’t the only cultural indicators of age. A digital wizard claims he can tell whether someone’s a boomer, millennial or Generation Z solely based on how they text.
“This is how you can tell someone’s age by how they type on their phone,” declared tech influencer Tyler Morgan in a TikTok clip with more than 2.7 million views.
Typing accurately with both thumbs is a habit that straddles both millennial and Zoomer generations, per the digital detective.
In fact, Morgan declares that people stay at this “thumb tapping” age until their 50s — the threshold for most Gen Xers, born from 1965 to 1980 — after which they start typing with a thumb and index finger.
Here’s the bit about boomers:
Meanwhile, the elder baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — tend to do away with the thumb and just poke the buttons with their pointer digit, per the clip.
“You’re getting up there when you’re doing that,” declared Morgan of the “one finger tap” method.
I’ve also heard that boomers are more formal with their texts and use grammar and punctuation. Once my daughter asked me why I used a period at the end of a text. She informed me that I was coming across as angry or too strong.
Who knew punctuation was dated?
Also, boomers use a ton of emojis! 😅😅😅
How do you text? Do you text like a boomer with your pointer finger or are you a rapid thumb tapper?
You learn something new everyday. Use good grammar when you’re angry. Who knew? Wow, people must think I’m angry all the time! That’s why my friend hasn’t texted me back … now I get it! 🤣🤣🤣
Too funny! Love your emojis too 😂
I use all the punctuations, and follow grammar rules. Guess I’m quite dated 😂🤣
Me too! We’re about the same age.😅
Haha! It shows 😅
😂
I am clearly in the boomer category! One finger and actual words. My thumbs have arthritis but even if they didn’t I could never make them work correctly to text. My daughter (a Gen Xer) uses a finger sweep thing that predicts what she wants to say. It astounds me every time and I just don’t understand it at all. I am not emoji crazy though but I do use happy/sad faces at times 🙂
I am a boomer too and my texting style proves it. I don’t get the finger sweep thing. The texting expert talked about it in the article I linked, but I don’t get it! 😃
It’s definitely predictive tech but it gets things wrong as well. She’s been doing it for so long I think the phone thinks for her- which is scary when you think about it 🙂
Wow! That is scary!!
I just think that it’s a really good reminder of how much our devices are learning about us and who we interact with every time we interact with the device.
It really is. Every time I got to the store, my phone tells me how long it will be to get home. I didn’t ask for that. In fact, how did my phone know I was going home? Because that’s what I normally do.
Who knew punctuation was dated? I knew this from seeing conversations about it on Threads. I like punctuation, it’s like jewelry for your words, so I continue to use it.
I’ve never been big into emojis, but I have a couple of Boomer friends who can’t help themselves!
How do you text? I text like a Boomer and I squint like one too when I try to see the tiny font on a cell phone. Not a big fan of cell phones, truth be told.
I like that thought of jewelry for your words. Well said. My husband is a big emoji user. I wasn’t until recently. I’m also using more explanation notes than I used to! 😅
I resorted long ago to the using the voice/dictation option. Saves a ton of time and a lot of aggravation. A caveat, however—it pays to proofread!
I’ve used the voice dictation through my car. I don’t have the option to proofread while driving. I’ve sent some unintelligible texts!
I can text pretty quickly with my thumbs, but right now with my right arm out of commission, I’ve resorted to dictation. I do use punctuation. And all of the above require proofreading!
Dictation definitely needs proofreading. I’m impressed you could use thumbs for texting. My husband and son both had shoulder surgery, so they had to live with a sling, too. I was nurse to both.
To be fair, I was taught to text by, and mostly only text to, millennials or younger. I’m sure I’ve picked up their habits.
I can see that happening.
Oh…such fun…so much truth. Yes about the absence of punctuation…it nearly drove me mad when I was in my educator role. Still does, truth be told. Thanks for the giggles…and whoa…I’m with Waffles…that javelina is startling! Are you working on a joke…’do you know why the javelina crossed the road?’…😜
I’m glad you enjoyed the texting. Yes, you’re a mind reader about the javelina crossing the road. You should have heard them snorting like pigs. They are actually related to Guinea pigs! But they are dangerous. 😳
I’d be shaking in the corner with Waffles, for sure. 😜
I sent my husband out for photos. I stayed inside holding Waffles.
Okay, then! I’d be huddling with YOU and Waffles! 🥰😜🥰
😅
Wow, Related to Guinea Pigs? That’s interesting!
We found that out from docents at the nature’s preserve across the street. I thought they were related to wild boars.
I have made an effort to stop using a period at the end of a text. I do use my thumbs. I rarely use emojis
I am not able to use my thumbs. Also, when texting my daughter, I skip the period at the end.
I don’t text much but when I do, it’s with my right index finger. And I use punctuation religiously. Does that make me an elder baby boomer? 😆
Yes, I think it does Erin 😉
😆
The texting guru quoted in the article would say yes! 😊
I’m a proud Boomer. Yeah, I only use one finger when I text, but I learned to touch type on a typewriter, and I can use all my fingers on a keyboard without looking at the keys.
I use punctuation in texts, and I don’t worry about how the reader perceives it, because I mostly write to other Boomers who use punctuation, too.
Sincerely yours, (LOL)
H. Earl Paulson
That’s how I type and how I text. I’m a proud boomer too!
OMG! My children are always scolding me for the way I text with my pointer finger! I did not know that was an age thing. Hysterical. I’m such a boomer. I also use punctuation. Oh this is ever so enlightening. Hugs, C
Isn’t it funny? Yes we are boomers texting with our pointer fingers 😅
I will use both thumbs or the left thumb and right index, rarely use emojis, usually do not capitalize and periods are rarity. I am a last year Boomer.
That is fascinating. I am one of the last years too. But I’m a full on boomer texter.
Love the javelina! I’m a two-thumber but I totally punctuate and sometimes start with a salutation. Totally dates me, I’m sure! 🙂
At least you are a two thumber. That makes you young in my eyes! I was so surprised by the javelina 😊
🙂 🙂 🙂
👍🏼
My gosh, a big javelina. Looks almost like a wild boar. I like that my kids are 29 & 31 and they already feel OLD and can’t keep you with GenZ lingo.
My kids are 28 and 31! My son, the oldest, seems much older than his sister. She grew up with social media. He did not.
Well, I am a “Late Boomer “,, I believe and I text like I post. However, I do not do the Emoji thing.
I am a late boomer, too. I didn’t do emojis until the last year or two. My husband is seven years older and I used to laugh at all his emojis.
Yes, I read this article also. I hate that texting has become a thing at work.
That would be annoying!
Yes, but the summer is almost here. It will just continue forward. I am in the last years of work, so here is to the young uns
👍🏼
Pointer finger. Can’t do the thumbs…
Me either!
Well, now I feel young, thank you. I am in my 50s, and I still text with my thumbs. I use punctuation too, though, so I guess I am old. LOL!
You’re not quite a boomer!
I’m a thumber all the way. But you know I spell out words, use proper grammar and punctuation!
I don’t know how you use the thumbs, but you are talented! YAY for proper grammar and punctuation!
I’m afraid I don’t know how NOT to use them! I’m trying to picture the other methods you mentioned and am having trouble with that.🤷♀️
I use my right pointer finger and I’m left handed!
😂 hmmm.
😅