Millennial Changes: What Some Are Glad They ‘Ended’ or ‘Ruined’

Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, as defined by the Pew Research Center, bear the brunt of a lot of scrutiny. They are faulted for various reasons, from their perceived role in significant economic shifts due to lower home-buying rates to their everyday choices, such as the popularization of avocado toast.

One example of criticism involves millennials allegedly affecting the napkin industry. A study highlighted by the Washington Post found that only 56 percent of respondents had purchased napkins in the previous six months, while 86 percent had bought paper towels.

Between 2012 and 2017, mayonnaise sales experienced a 6.7 percent decline, with a viral article in Philadelphia Magazine attributing this trend to changing tastes among millennials.

While not scientifically validated, a viral Tweet, accumulating over 126,000 retweets and nearly 600,000 likes, suggested that millennials killed off the use of doorbells. Instead, they tend to text the word "here" instead of ringing doorbells.

Now some people are taking to social media to talk about things that they appreciate millennials for influencing or changing. On a Reddit thread, user BigCuppaCoff33 posed the question, “What are you proud of that millennials have actually ‘ended’ or ‘ruined?’”

One person on Reddit had some thoughts about how work is changing nowadays. They're glad there seems to be a shift away from what they perceive as "abusive employer-employee relationships." They claim that this idea was  established by previous generations. "That whole 'loyalty to the workplace' 'work is the most important thing.' Don’t go above and beyond, act your wage and pay me what I’m worth," they wrote.

Another Redditor highlighted a shift in parenting attitudes. They praised millennial dads for making fatherhood trendy and challenging the stereotype of absent fathers. Additionally, the discussion touched on millennials being credited with addressing stigmas. Those related to mental health, depression, and anxiety. Also mentioned is working towards reducing biases against the LGBT+ community.

On a lighter note, some contributors humorously expressed appreciation for what they see as a move away from "crappy" chain restaurants. They specifically mention Hooters. Others expressed relief that millennials are leaning towards a more minimalistic approach. This includes fewer knick-knacks, even when it comes to expensive items like fine China.

Check out the full thread here.

Football fans are gearing up for the upcoming NFL season. Some fans are so passionate that their enthusiasm borders on religious fervor. And yes, they pray for their team.  Beyond their prayers, they also have some superstitions. You know the types: they go barechested in zero degree weather and paint themselves in their favorite team's colors. Their mood for the week depends on if their team won or lost. There are fans and then there devout believers.  Those are the ones who get a bit too superstitious.

You know that person who stays in the same spot throughout an entire game, and when their team gives up possession they change positions? That's who we're talking about. So, when things are going well, they're practically immobile. They won't step away for food or even use the bathroom. Why? Because they can’t risk "messing up the flow." On the other hand, if things are not going as planned, they might wander around the living room persistently in search of a lucky seat where good things could potentially happen. Of course, for some fans, their ritualistic and superstitious behaviors might just be traditions, regardless of whether their team comes out on top or experiences a loss.

From wearing a specific jersey to eating a particular snack, these rituals are believed to bring luck and influence the game. For instance, some fans might have a lucky pre-game routine, like wearing mismatched socks or doing a little victory dance before kickoff. Even food choices play a role, with some fans only eating certain foods while watching the game, like nachos or chicken wings, believing that deviating from this menu might lead to bad luck. It's these quirky and often amusing superstitions that add an extra layer of excitement to the football fan experience.

Take a look at a few of these superstition-filled traditions that football fans have been sharing on Reddit.

For some fans, the belief in "jersey power" is real, relying on their chosen jersey to bring their team to victory. A Reddit user revealed, "I change jerseys every game. Never wear the same one twice in a row." They mentioned that during one season, the Jaguars secured a 3-1 record when following this practice, but experienced a 0-12 record when they didn't.

Some fans unquestionably take their rituals to the extreme. During Vince Young's playing days, a Redditor mentioned that they used to perform a rather unconventional practice of burning a photo of the player. They would attach a picture of his face to a Barbie doll and place it on the grill as part of their ritual.

This particular approach might come across as a bit harsh, yet it seems to show results for this person. Apparently, ignoring their wife and kid during the game is their strategy. "I know it's weird and the results haven't been great, but I'm not going to risk it," they wrote. Priorities, dude!

Some say that dissecting your superstitions like a science can work wonders. A Reddit user shared their approach, saying that if, for some reason, they tune into the game late and the Ravens are in the lead, they turn the game off. "Watching will only swing the game in the opposite direction. It's like the Heisenberg Principle of quantum football mechanics. Intense observation will only change the outcome," they humorously explained. That's dedication!

Having a lucky seat or a designated sweet spot to park yourself during every football game is a ritual many fans swear by. According to one person, during game days, they make a point to occupy the exact same barstool. They mentioned, "Everyone has assigned seats at the bar."

Some hardcore football fans throw hygiene to the wind. A Reddit user opened up about their peculiar belief. If they don't shower right before the game, they're convinced the Eagles will end up on the losing side. They added, "Sometimes if we had a crappy first half, I'll take another shower, for a fresh start."

Luck can take some interesting forms, like the practice of counting things a specific number of times. A person mentioned that on game days, they apply three strokes of deodorant per armpit in support of Russell Wilson. Some people are all about the idea that stuff tends to go down in threes.