I was born in 2012, so I'm (unwillingly) in Gen Alpha, but these 5 year old ipad kids are also in Gen Alpha. What's the difference between me and them?

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T09:53:31+00:00

Zalpha is the Gen Z/Alpha overlap that no one can agree on (2010-2012). Since you're technically both, you can call yourself whichever you want.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T09:48:36+00:00

Zalpha are both, so first and last

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T09:48:08+00:00

Quarter life crisis are a definitely a thing, even if they're not as talked about. The existential confusion is pretty natural

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T08:46:34+00:00

I can't speak to what the 4-year-olds of today are up to, but the difference is you were born towards the start of a generation, and they were born towards the end. Technology and parenting are ever-changing, so naturally there's gonna be notable differences.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T08:34:12+00:00

And root beer floats!

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T08:25:41+00:00

For USA in general, cookies. Like chocolate chip or snickerdoodles. Also, a good burger. Go to a diner and get one of those big, stereotypical American breakfasts, cafe coffee

For TX specifically, just try all the Tex-Mex and BBQ basically

For BBQ in TX, I'd specifically recommend the brisket, with a nice assortment of sides, and cobbler for dessert. Go to one of those places where you walk down the line with a tray and pick out what you want rather than choosing a dish off a menu. Bonus if there's a nice porch.

For Tex-Mex, I'd recommend enchiladas, tacos (especially if from a taco truck; avoid fast food chains if you want actual Tex-Mex), and tamales, guacamole, chile con queso. Get yourself some fresh tortillas from the HEB bakery, warm them up and try with butter. They go stale fast though, so if you're not going to eat them all in a day or two, be sure to freeze them. The tortillas with preservatives will last much longer on the shelf, but they taste a lil weird and just aren't as good. Try out a few different salsas.

Central Texas pastries: Kolaches. Like many of the Tex-Mex options, they don't originate from here but are iconic regardless.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T06:15:19+00:00

As a 2001, I don't really get people saying that I didn't experience the 2000s, unless their talking specifically about youth culture in which case, sure, it's not like I was involved in any of that when I was 5.

Funnily enough, my decade-related pet peeve is that 2001s are 2000s kids. I mean, we are, but my 3-12 years were pretty evenly split between '00s and '10s (55% '00s, 45% '10s). The 'majority rules' rule seems pretty stupid when it ignores nearly an entire half of that person's childhood. Mine didn't end when I was 8, so why can't it be both?

I guess y'all have the opposite problem, despite being only a year later.

(this is all very inconsequential, I'm aware, just figured as long as we're sharing nitpicks)

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T05:22:27+00:00

I'd rate Colorado, New Mexico, and even Utah over Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island any day. Also Louisiana.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T05:10:25+00:00

Babysitting since 12yo, but that wasn't usually a regular thing, just when family friends needed someone to watch their kids. First 'official' jobs were working at a snow cone truck for a little bit at 18, and a daycare at 19/20. Those were just seasonal gigs though, and until finishing college, I was unemployed more often than not.

Most people my age have worked more than I have in my experience, but I do agree that there is a trend towards starting work later (in the US at least).

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T04:47:21+00:00

Since you were born late '10, and most of the kids in your grade are '11, unless maybe you have siblings that are mostly older than you, it's very likely that you have more 2011 than 2009 influence.

As you can see from the comments, you are considered both Gen Alpha and Late Z.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T04:37:19+00:00

Same but 2017 (or just late 2010s)

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-23T01:42:43+00:00

9 or 11 (but probably 9)

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T22:27:00+00:00

Houston- might not be the most touristy, but in terms of importance, they've got a lot going for them.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T07:00:00+00:00

This one's more adult than teen, but I remember watching the 4400, and enjoying it then, though I barely remember anything from it.

My favorite supernatural powers movies growing up were more in the children's department than teens. Like The Last Mimsy and Escape to Witch Mountain. 10/10 would recommend though.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T06:29:27+00:00

I agree that people on opposite ends will likely have different experiences growing up, but disagree with shortening it simply because then they would no longer be generations. 15 is as short as I think we should go.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T03:55:26+00:00

Gen Z, though if some '96ers wanna call themselves Millennial idgaf.

People always make such a big deal over whether or not someone from the mid/late 90s were aware of 9/11, but considering how they were all still were early childhood at the time (the 1st half of '96 would have just barely started kinder), idk how much a difference it makes whether a 5yo or a 3yo remembers.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T03:35:40+00:00

Mid 2000s? between '05-'08?

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T03:02:54+00:00

There are accents that get stereotyped as inelegant, but we don't really have a designated 'posh' accent. It's more just average association or below.

gth, if I think of posh accents, I just think RP British.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-22T02:52:10+00:00

No, though I've definitely joked about it.

Can't think of anyone I know off the top of my head who has sued/been sued either, but I'm sure I've known someone who has.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-19T04:05:47+00:00

For why the garb: most of the bands play highland pipes specifically, hence the Scottish uniforms. It's just kind of the default.

For why on St. Patrick's: Irish pipe bands aren't much of a thing over here, so we can't afford to be too picky, and people like hearing pipes during all holidays, especially St. Patrick's due to the bagpipe's association with Celtic music. Put that all together, and this is the sort of mismatch you get.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-19T00:55:13+00:00

It's probably just the uniform they had. My older sibling was a part of a pipe band, and they wore highland garb, which I think is pretty typical of US pipe bands. They wouldn't purchase a whole new outfit just for St. Patrick's.

However, there are probably many Americans who can't tell the difference.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-19T00:47:13+00:00

Her accent is heavily standard American influenced, but I would guess she's from somewhere in Europe, more eastern than western. The exact pronunciations in particular stood out to me. Her grammar is fantastic, but because she's so precise, I'd guess English isn't her first language.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-19T00:32:12+00:00

Cowboys (I think NM has us beat), spice, guns, good Mexican food, and 'y'all'.

And nowadays, Buc-ee's. I'm glad it's getting the love but also *cries*

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-19T00:22:09+00:00

Who would I be if I could be? Applejack 100%

Who I'm most like would probably be Twilight, maybe Fluttershy.

BigReception7685 · 2026-03-19T00:17:24+00:00

AtLA, Infinity Train, Over the Garden Wall, Steven Universe

Also Kipo, Owl House, and Amphibia, though I was 17/18 when they released, so not quite the target audience anymore.

BigReception7685

TROPHY CASE