Man, 34, Has Message for Gen Zers Who Think He's Old

Newsweek

a day ago

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A millennial has gone viral for reminding Gen Z that their elders aren't exactly ancient.
Mike Mancusi (@mikemancusi), 34, and a comedian who works in tech sales from New York City, posted a TikTok that quickly gained traction with viewers. The video, which resonated with both millennials and Gen Zers, stemmed from what Mancusi calls a broader social observation rather than a specific encounter.
"It honestly wasn't any incident or specific interaction I had with an individual. I'm just a comedian and make societal observations," Mancusi told Newsweek.
"I feel like Gen Zers tie a lot of their identity to their youth and look at millennials as the elder wise men, and wise women. And, while I do appreciate that, I'm also just, like, we're only, like, five years from where you are. We're not Gandalf. But also, I'm sure every single generation feels this way about the younger generation. I seriously doubt this is a unique generational relationship," Mancusi added.
In his video, which garnered more than 30,700 likes and over 314,000 views, Mancusi reflects on his experience interacting with people in their early- to mid-twenties. He said he often feels the urge to shake them and shout, "I'm not that far off from you," because there is often a sense of generational arrogance—one he admits he also had at that age.
Mancusi said that people in their early twenties tend to view 34 as a distant, mature stage of life, but in reality: "The only way that you don't become me soon is if you die." He added that life moves quickly, and that realization can be unsettling.
Mancusi said the core of his message comes from personal experience—particularly the shock of how fast time seems to pass after 25. This awareness, he added, can spiral into anxiety about making the most of life, chasing dreams, and the fleeting nature of it all.
Still, he said he wants younger people to take away one thing: "YOU ARE NOT OLD. I'M NOT EVEN OLD." Mancusi warned against rushing into adulthood just because college is over. Instead, he encourages people to pursue passion-driven work, even if it means doing it on the side while holding a job that pays the bills. He added that, without a creative or fulfilling outlet, people risk slowly "crushing" their own spirits as they age.
"I think Gen Zers are mostly just, like, 'Shut up old man,' and millennials are, like, 'Listen to him,'" he said, noting a generational split in how his message is received. Mancusi added that, while he used to be insecure about aging, he has grown to appreciate his 30s, calling the decade fulfilling, despite larger societal issues such as the pandemic and political turmoil.
Mancusi also said there has been a major generational shift in how younger people view work. He added that millennials were the last generation sold on the idea that traditional 9-to-5 jobs equaled stability and success.
A split image of Mike Mancusi explaining his message to Gen Zers—he is not that old.
A split image of Mike Mancusi explaining his message to Gen Zers—he is not that old.
@mikemancusi/@mikemancusi
In contrast, Gen Z appears far more skeptical of corporate structures and more vocal in demanding fair treatment from employers. While millennials often "shrug that kind of stuff off," Gen Zers push back.
Finally, Mancusi stressed the importance of health. He said he wants younger people to know that aging doesn't have to mean physical decline—but only if you start taking care of yourself early. "Take care of it, and you can and will age better," he said, citing meditation, stress reduction, and regular exercise as vital habits. "I'm in my 30s and in the best shape of my life."
Viewers across TikTok quickly jumped into the comments with their own takes.
"Gonna be 37 in August and I was 26 two months ago," wrote one user named Lex.
"Gen Z personality is literally that they're young," posted another.
"One minute you're 27 & two seconds later you're 32," added Amber Brookes.
Others reflected on the generational divide with a mix of amusement and frustration. "As a core millennial when I was early 20s I thought mid 30s was kinda old … but I wasn't obsessed with it," commented a user named Evan.
Another person posted: "Yeah talked with someone who's 25, I'm 32, and they said: your generation will never understand. We 7 years apart!!! We were in same school in the same time."
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