TikTok Trend Sees Older Employees Recite Gen Z Slang in Cringe-Worthy Videos
A new trend has taken over TikTok, featuring older employees reciting Gen Z slang in an attempt to connect with younger audiences. The trend, which has garnered millions of views, has been met with criticism, with many calling it cringe-worthy and overly reliant on stereotypes.
The trend began with a video from the Northumberland Zoo, where a white-haired employee made a “Gen Z hand heart” gesture with his colleague. The video, which has over 8 million views, is part of a broader trend where Gen Z employees write the script for their company’s social marketing videos.
The videos often feature older employees using internet slang, such as “it’s giving” and “brat summer,” to describe their workplaces or services. The trend has been criticized for implying that Gen Z is foolish and older generations are gullible.
However, some videos have managed to find success by combining historical settings with internet slang. For example, a video from an 880-year-old bed and breakfast featured a woman saying, “See the garden? It’s giving relaxation.” The video received over 11.4 million views and 2.2 million likes.
Despite the criticism, some businesses have found success with the trend. Zoos, in particular, have been praised for their entertaining and engaging videos, which often feature animals and clever uses of internet slang.
The trend has also raised questions about the authenticity of online content. As the trend relies on older employees using Gen Z slang, it has been criticized for being inauthentic and exploitative.
Overall, the trend has sparked debate about the role of internet slang in marketing and the importance of authenticity in online content. While some have found success with the trend, others have criticized it for being cringe-worthy and overly reliant on stereotypes.
