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3 reasons Gen X is the only generation that gets forgotten again and again and again

Gen X doesn't have nearly as much conflict as the other generations have with each other. There's a reason for that.

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Three Gen Xers pose for a photos

Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, is also referred to as the "middle child" generation. And like most middle children, they are easily forgotten about and overlooked. It's a sentiment that many Gen X'ers can relate to.

In an online community of Gen X'ers, one member named @BizarroMax opened up about a story he recently heard from a leadership expert during a recent leadership conference. The expert humorously discussed the "generational strife" between Boomers, Millennials, and Zoomers, making a hilarious point about why Gen X seems to be frequently forgotten about. The post went viral among Gen X'ers who feel 'seen' by her expert take.

@BizarroMax shared the three reasons why Gen X is ignored according to the leadership expert. "Gen X, I didn’t forget you, even if the rest of the world has. But I have no advice for you. For a few reasons. First, you don’t need it. You are the most independent and self-sufficient generation in the history of mankind and there is literally nothing I can teach you," she said.

Gen X, Generation X, forgotten generation, middle child generation, latchkey kids, leadership, generational differences, viral post, workplace culture, zombie apocalypse A group of Gen Xers hang outCanva

The expert continued with two more reasons. "Second, even if I did have something to tell you, you wouldn’t care. Third, the reason we ignore you is because the rest of us are all terrified of you. If the zombie apocalypse ever happens, we are all hiding behind you. Somehow, you’ll know what to do.”

Many fellow Gen X'ers agreed. In the comments section, member @Sirenista_D wrote, "We wouldn't 'know' what to do but we def are the 'figure it out' crew," and member MNConcerto replied, "Because we had to. Damn we were left alone nobody helped us figure it out or problem solve, we had to do it. You got yourself into this mess, now get yourself out."

Gen X, Generation X, forgotten generation, middle child generation, latchkey kids, leadership, generational differences, viral post, workplace culture, zombie apocalypse YouTube

Others leaned into the comedic nature of the expert's observation about Gen X: "My body already hurts for no reason. You fight the zombies," member @fohktor wrote, to which fellow member @DocMcCracken humorously responded, "Zombie apocalypse? I've seen enough movies, not worth the hanging around in the after suffering, just get it over quick, I'm tired already and I just woke up."

Some poked fun at their generation's independent ways: "Gen X doesn't do 'leadership conferences'," @corneliusvanhouten wrote, followed by @Chalice_Ink's reply, "We might go, but we don’t pay attention." Member @Efficient_Weather_13 also commented, "I’ll go, but I’m gonna complain the whole time," to which member @Current-Anybody9331replied, "And make it awkward for anyone who talks to me."

According to Michele M. Kroll, Ph.D., a University of New Hampshire Older Adult Health & Well-Being Field Specialist, Gen X is often called the "forgotten generation" as well as the "latchkey" generation, "as they were often left unsupervised at home or after school until their parents came home from work. This was due to increased numbers of dual income households and parental divorce," she wrote in her article, "Generation X... "The Forgotten Generation". Dr. Kroll notes that this instilled independence and resilience, adding that "the sandwich generation causes additional stress by juggling many responsibilities from caregiving of children to aging parents."

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Despite these challenges, Dr. Kroll adds that Gen Xers are "notably satisfied with their life, health and career." And another member of the Gen X community, @Sensitive-Question42, summed it up perfectly: "God I’m so happy that this is my generation. I love being overlooked (not being sarcastic or ironic either, surprisingly for us). I just like being left to my own devices and working things out for myself."

This article originally appeared earlier this year. It has been updated.

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Gen Xers spill hair care secrets on how they achieved perfectly feathered perms in the 80s

"The girls kept cans of Aqua Net in their lockers and every time the bell would ring they’d rush to re-apply."

Images via Reddit/DefinitionPast3694, ClickAmericana

Gen Xers share how they acheived their voluminous hair in the 1980s.

If there is one thing Gen X will go down in history for, it's their *amazing* hairstyles. From feathered perms to voluminous blowouts, hairstyles from the 1980s remains iconic to this day. And those styles may be making a comeback.

Over on Reddit, Gen Xers are sharing all of their hair care secrets from back in the day. From styling secrets to products, they are spilling it all after a member of a younger generation posed the question: "Hey Gen X! How did you guys get your hair to look like this back in the 80’s?"

The question was posed with a few follow-ups for Gen Xers. "I really want to get my hair styled and cut like this but I don’t know how I can. I’m guessing you guys got a feathered haircut and a perm and brushed it out and teased it? Do tell!"

@jenxwrites

80s Hair. Aqua Net made a lot of money back in the day. #80s #80shair #genx #genxkid #80sstyle #1980s

Their biggest secret? Aqua Net hairspray. "Aqua Net White," one commented. Another added, "Aquanet purple may she rest in peace. So had my hair feathered never permed. I would take my bangs and curl them up reg curling iron and spray the heck out of it while cooking. Release and brush. When it looks perfect more hairspray to keep it from moving even in a hurricane."

Another Gen Xer shared their memory of Aqua Net. "The girls kept cans of Aqua Net in their lockers and every time the bell would ring they’d rush to re-apply, the halls of my middle school smelled like a beauty parlor," they wrote.

Another Gen Xer shared that her go-to was Finesse. "God I remember those days. I got in and out of the locker room as fast as possible because I was always choking to death on fumes. I was lucky, I had naturally curly hair with a lot of volume. I used Finesse conditioner and brushed my hair with my head upside down until it fluffed out too much, then would brush it back with my head rightside up to shape it. I hated hairspray because it made my hair crunchy and gross to touch. My boyfriend once remarked on it, 'Hey, I love your hair b/c I can touch it and not break my fingers!' LOL."

Another agreed, commenting, "Sometimes you need a little Finesse, sometimes you need a LOT!!" A fellow Gen Xer shared, "I LOVED Finesse! It smelled SO good."

80s, 80s hair, 80s hairstyles, 1980s, 1980s hair Beauty Looking GIF Giphy

Another popular product brand was Paul Mitchell. "Rich town girls had Paul Mitchell," one Gen Xer commented. "I remember in middle school that we all wanted Paul Mitchell because the cool girls used that."

Other Gen Xers preferred Rave. "Rave in the pump bottle kept mine extra-crispy," one Gen Xer wrote. Another quipped, "Yes, that was my brand of choice in 1980 something. You spray it underneath and kinda scrunch it up with your hands. My hair is wavy so it wasn't too hard for me. Mousse products also helped thicken and expand it. The Rave shellacked it and it stayed as high as Long Island. These pics could easily have been my friends, lol. Pair with crazy prints and acid wash jeans and some giant dangle earrings!"

1980s, 80s hair, 80s hairstyles, big hair, perm 80S Hair Flip GIF Giphy

Besides products, Gen Xers revealed the secrets to their styling, which highlighted the use of perms. "Step 1- perm. Step 2- mousse, lots of it. Don't be shy. Step 3- blow dry, scrunching curls. Step 4- curling iron, set on HELL, for the top. Step 5- hair combs to pull the sides back. Step 6- hair spray the side hair that's pulled back, the styleable type spray. Step 7- use pick to fluff top, and sides. Step 8- rat sides with pick. Step 9- apply bullet proof hair spray to set in concrete," one wrote.

Another spilled, "A curling iron on the top, a hair pick (not a brush) to fluff it out, and a lot of hairspray at all stages. If you get a perm, don't do the top, depending on your hair texture. The top needs to be shorter, and the curls go horizontally (not down - straight across the top of your head), everything goes backwards except for your bangs, which get curled under. Spray spray spray, then use the pick to fluff. Then more spraying. Hell, we used to watch smoke rise from our heads as we sprayed our hair while the curling iron was still in it. Don't recommend. For extra authenticity, do all of this while smoking a Marlboro light. Don't recommend that, either, if only for the fire hazard. I have an aversion to hair tools now to the point where I rarely even blow dry my hair anymore."

80s, 1980s hair, hairspray, 80s hairspray, 1980s hairspray 1980s tv GIF by absurdnoise Giphy

The blowout technique was also key. "Flip your head upside down and max heat blow dry while scrunching curls with mousse. More volume that way!" one shared.

One Gen Xer summarized the glory of 80s hair perfectly: "The higher the hair, the closer to God."

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For Gen Z, the Oasis reunion tour is creating a rare emotional bond with older generations

How the Gallagher brothers became an unlikely symbol of hope and joy.

Courtesy Big Brother Recordings

Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher wrap the U.S. leg of their reunion tour with two concerts at the Rose Bowl.

Something happened while Oasis was broken up. In the 16 years since the British rock icons famously imploded during a backstage fight in Paris, their fanbase quietly grew — or, in this case, grew up. At the Oasis Live ‘25 reunion tour, which has sold out stadiums in both the United Kingdom and North America, the crowd has been a surprising mix of equally enthusiastic older and younger fans.

Jack Dione, 24, was eight years old when Oasis broke up in 2009. “I was just a little kid, but I listened to them all the time,” he told Upworthy. “I was not going to miss seeing them when they came to the Rose Bowl, to L.A.”

“They’re like our Beatles,” added a teary-eyed Emma Mackenzie, who was 13 when the Gallagher brothers called it quits. “For us, this is like the Beatles getting back together.”

Oasis, fans, Gen Z, Millennial, Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, Pasadena Best friends Emma Mackenzie and Alena Brophy share an emotional moment during Oasis concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.Photo by Denise Quan

Ironically, Noel Gallagher was soundly lambasted for daring to proclaim that his band was “bigger than the Beatles” in 1996, following the worldwide success of Oasis’ first two albums, Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory. Nearly three decades later, their Manchester-bred brashness and unapologetic swagger is still polarizing.

“Liam thinks he’s a gift from God. They are cocky sons of bitches, and I love that about them,” says Tim Plumley, a music industry executive who has not worked with Oasis, but has worked with members of the Beatles — who were also known for complicated interpersonal dynamics.

When tickets for Oasis Live ‘25 went on sale last year, Las Vegas oddsmakers gave the Gallagher brothers a 4/1 chance of making it through the end of their scheduled dates. Fans were more than willing to take the gamble. The North American leg of their tour reportedly sold out in less than one hour.

Oasismania exploded on social media and spilled onto the streets, with branded bucket hats, T-shirts and soccer jerseys spotted with increasing frequency on people from 17 to 70. Oasis pop-up shops appeared overnight in select cities. The Hollywood location alone drew 600 customers per day, according to a security guard. Among the merch offerings: Oasis baby onesies, replicas of Liam’s signature parka, and a retro Adidas tracksuit that hits a sweet spot between “then” and “now,” just like the band has managed to do. Liam was even spotted on an L.A. hiking trail wearing shorts and posing with fans — one of whom was clad, of course, in Oasis gear.

When all is said and done, the Live ‘25 tour is expected to bring in upwards of $1 billion in revenue at the completion of its 41 dates — more, if the reunion is extended.

“In terms of marketing, it was a blow-out,” says Plumley. “There’s a whole generation that never got to see them, and they’ve achieved this mythical-like status, so it’s a much bigger audience than they could ever play previously.”

Todd Nakamine, a fan since the ‘90s, traveled to London to see a pair of reunion shows (one on his birthday) before seeing them two more times in his L.A. hometown. He believes Oasis was the right band, at the right moment, to engineer a comeback for guitar-driven music. “Everybody’s been saying rock and roll has kind of died, and we need a rock and roll band, and we need rock stars. And they are rock stars,” he told Upworthy. “For our age, it’s very nostalgic.”

Melissa Dragich was one of the band’s publicists at Epic Records from 1996-2002. She attended one of the L.A. shows at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with her 19-year-old son, Jack Cordero. Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect. The stage was illuminated by a brilliant full moon, and the night was balmy. At least a dozen friends were dotted around the stadium. “It brings us back to that happy time, when we were all in our 20s and just starting our lives,” Dragich says. “I played Oasis for my kids because I worked with them, but they’re also a band I really enjoy. And once my son knew he was going, he immersed himself in the albums, and he fell in love with them.”

“I think it was the best concert I’ve been to,” says Cordero. “Even better than Green Day.”

Oasis, family, tour, Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, son, daughter 'Oasis Live '25' is a family affair for Jack Cordero, Melissa Dragich, Jamie Jones and Joie Jones.Courtesy Melissa Dragich

One young girl named Sam sobbed her way through the show in the front row. Noel dedicated “Don’t Look Back in Anger” to her, which made her sob even more.

A number of celebrities attended the concerts in L.A., including Leonardo DiCaprio, Kristen Stewart, Sofia Vergara, Noah Cyrus, Mark Zuckerberg and Paul McCartney — the latter caught shooting video on his phone in the audience, and responding “Fabulous!” when paparazzi asked him about the show as he left the venue.

122K views · 5.7K reactions | Paul McCartney filming Oasis. The biggest bands you can think of are Oasis fans. 🇺🇸#oasis #liamgallagher #noelgallagher #oasislive25 #oasislive | Realty Rocker www.facebook.com

It’s been a cruel summer in Los Angeles, with the city on edge due to ICE raids, protests, and the rising cost of life in an urban area. The Rose Bowl itself lies a scant mile from the Altadena neighborhood where 7,500 structures burned to the ground and 19 people lost their lives in January’s Eaton fire.

But for two glorious nights at the Rose Bowl, people put aside their worries and their differences, and joined in a multi-generational sing-along led by two brothers who finally learned how to get along — and, as a bonus, were endorsed by a Beatle.

Yes, it was about nostalgia.

“Oasis brings us back to how we felt in the ‘90s, which was so different from how the world is now,” says Dragich.

For Cordero, it was also about the joy of community and shared experience, even if — or especially if — you’re a teenager who attended the Oasis concert with your mom.

“It’s probably best summed up by one of the songs they performed called ‘Some Might Say,’” he concludes. “We need to listen to the lyrics: ‘Some might say we will find a brighter day.’”

Oasis just might be the reunion we never knew we needed — but we’re sure glad it happened.

Even Liam Gallagher seemed moved, telling the crowd in his own irascible way, "I wanna thank you, man...for sticking with us over the years. We must be be a f****** nightmare to support and follow, and we appreciate it, gettin' to play these beautiful stadiums in front of all you beautiful people. Champagne Supernova. Look after yourselves. Take care."

And with that, they were on their way to their next destination, Mexico City, for their final tour stop. Or is it? Maybe they, like us, don't want the feeling to end.

Oasis, concert, tour, generations, Los Angeles, Rose Bowl, fireworks Oasis caps a triumphant U.S. reunion tour with fireworks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CACourtesy Big Brother Recordings

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Man critiques hairstyles from his 1988 high school yearbook and they are beyond epic

Life may have been simpler, but the hairstyles were not.

Courtesy of @weirdpaulp/TikTok

"Weird Paul" shares his senior yearbook from 1988.

In many ways, the 1980s were the best of times and the worst of times for those of us who lived through it. The freedom in having a free-range childhood and the sense of living in a slower, simpler time makes some Gen Xers nostalgic for that decade. The hideous fashion choices and ridonkulous hairstyles? Not so much.

A man who goes by Weird Paul on TikTok shared photos from his 1988 senior yearbook, highlighting the sky-high hairstyles that were "in" at the time, and you can practically smell the Aqua Net coming through the screen. The feathered sides. The bangs curled both up and under and the rest teased to the heavens. The Flock of Seagulls inspiration. The oh-so-mighty mullet.

If youngsters want to know what the 80s looked like, this is it, in all its unrivaled glory:

@weirdpaulp

look at this 80s hair in my 1988 high school yearbook! #80shair #80shairstyle #1980shair #genx #80smemories #hairtok #creatorsearchinsights


As a woman who came of age in this era, allow me to share how much time and effort these young ladies' hairstyles took to create. No joke about the Aqua Net—the amount of hairspray it took to make these styles stay in place is probably what created the hole in the ozone layer.

If you were unlucky enough to have straight hair that wouldn't stay curled no matter what you tried, there was simply no hope for you. You either had to get a perm (which I did), spend most of your precious free time curling and teasing and spraying your hair, or wait out the era looking like a total dweeb (straight hair was soooo 70s, and everything from the 70s was totally unhip in the 80s; might as well have been wearing orange and brown bell bottoms—the horror!).

What we don't see in these headshots are the clothing trends of the 80s—the pegged jeans, the legwarmers, the neon colors, the shoulder pads (OMG why???), the jelly shoes, the acid wash, and more. It's been hilarious to see what elements of 80s fashion have come back around and what has stayed relegated to the past.

80s, fashion, 1980s, trends, history 80S Dancing GIF Giphy

The revival of the fanny pack has been a delightfully practical surprise (we wouldn't have been caught dead with one in the late 90s). The high-waisted "mom jeans" coming into style felt super weird, but a lot of women seem to have appreciated it. Unfortunately, it appears the shoulder-padded "power suit" is trying to worm its way back into our lives (no, thank you), but we'll see if it sticks.

Thankfully, the 80s hairdos seem to have remained in the vault so far (with the exception of the mullet in some circles, which is frankly a bit baffling). It's hard to imagine ever wanting to put that much effort and product into our hair ever again, but who knows?

@fayequeenan

Replying to @Shaolynne1 sorry I don’t have aqua net or a perm🤭 my previous video was just my interpretation and not me saying this is how people actually styled their hair in the 80s #80shair #bangs #fringe

But just in case anyone gets any hair-brained ideas, let's walk through the process of creating a big 80s hairdo for someone with straight hair (yes, I'm bound and determined to keep 80s hair back in the 80s—there may or may not be some hair trauma involved here).

A young woman was trying to recreate an 80s 'do and struggling with it, so an elder who rocked that hair in her younger years, despite having long, straight hair, stepped in with a tutorial. If this doesn't put you off of wanting an 80s hair comeback, I don't know what will. The dirty hair. The teasing/backcombing/ratting/whatever you want to call it. The aerosol hairspray being shellacked with a hair dryer. It wasn't pleasant, it wasn't worth it, and it never will be.

@shamanisis

Hi @Rachel OCool I just had to share my secrets to big 80s hair for people with shiny, straight hair! Enjou! #stitch #80s #80shair #80shairtutorial #incomingstitch #humor #funny

For Halloween? Knock yourself out. But on behalf of myself and countless other Gen X youths who struggled through the big hair era, I'm begging y'all, do not bring it back. Some things belong in the past, and the glory of 80s hair is one of them.

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