'Mom, what's my date of birth?': Doctor receptionist calls out Gen Z clients for lack of basic life skills

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 5, 2026 6:35 PM EDT

The kids may not be alright.

Older people have almost always despaired of the younger generation in one way or another. Now that internet culture has amplified everything to do with generational differences, though, things seem to have been taken to another level. First, the millennials got all the judgment for being obsessed with what happened on their phones (never mind the fact that Gen X and Boomers came to be even worse than them in this matter). Then Gen Z promised to be the first fully 'digital native' generation, and we got to see the effects of being raised on brainrot in real time. Now, Gen Alpha is an amplification of that.

We were all just kids once, and no doubt about it, everybody has acted kind of stupid in their time because of their age and lack of experience. However, it is important to show a willingness to learn and grow out of that. While this always comes more easily to some people than others, some are getting worried that the latest generations of teens and young adults are not interested in going in that direction. There is a difference between being inexperienced and just being totally inept.

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  • A woman who worked as a receptionist at an eye doctor complained about the high school age patients that she dealt with. Claiming that they didn't know how to answer simple questions like date of birth or their last name, she painted a picture of Gen Z and Gen Alpha that was pretty bleak. Here's hoping they grow out of it.

  • I'm not exaggerating.

    via kylaj_

  • It could all be a trend.

    JD They think it's cool to be "nonchalant" and "slow"
    via JD

  • Did older generations have to be more competent?

    Josh Eli We weren't allowed to be stupid growing up
    via Josh Eli

  • There's a pretty big difference there.

    n♡ pharmacy tech here- "i'm picking up my moms meds" okay what's the date of birth and first/last name? "mine?" like gtfo rn why would i need your dob
    via n

  • That's crucial information.

    VixtheQueen You forgot them not knowing their parents full names
    via VixtheQueen

  • Older Gen Z want to distance themselves from this.

    nat *: it's gen alpha yall not gen z, sincerely a 25 yo gen z
    via nat

  • It's scary to witness in the wild.

    @brandywine8 I didn't believe people when they were talking about the Gen Z stare and then it happened to me irl. It actually creeped me out. I genuinely hope they get better
    via @brandywine8

  • Treat them to a taste of their own behavior.

    Kendelline Lynn I had a client call and ask for med refills and when I asked which one, they said they didn't know. I said, "call me back when you know" and hung up. Nahhh, if you don't care, neither do I.
    via Kendelline Lynn

  • They aren't sure on the basics.

    Dandy Lion As an optician, I can 100% confirm this is real. They barely know their own names, their birthdays, or the difference between a "pickup" and an "order".
    via Dandy Lion

  • They need to be taught.

    Mandy Schools may need to do like a life skills mandatory class at high school
    via Mandy

  • Are they the worst customers?

    Amber Lyn from someone that works in customer service SHES NOT LYING -
    via Amber Lyn

  • They could be copying their grandparents.

    Me Serenity It's like they're the new boomers...
    via Me Serenity

  • He was not numerate.

    __alexisn I overheard a 19 y/o call his dad to ask for his DOB. His dad said the month, and he goes, No like the number. His dad repeated the month and he goes, no just tell me the numbers. The fact that he didn't know which number went with the month was absolutely diabolical. Like be soooo fr
    via __alexisin

  • It's another kind of emergency.

    Itsbrittanicaaa I work in an ER. This is accurate.
    via Itsbrittanicaaa

  • This isn't a Millennial problem.

    Deely And they have the audacity to come online and make fun of millennials Imao
    via Deely

  • They need to be challenged.

    Chantel Morrigan I forced my kids to do their own banking and appointments from the time they were about 14. Now functioning adults. Make them be uncomfortable friends.
    via Chantel Morrigan

  • Their responsibilities have not come early.

    imjustme875 This generation is different. I literally had my job at 14.
    via imjustme875

  • A security issue waiting to happen.

    Nataa. 03 I had a girl ask me what's the pin to HER debit card...
    via Nataa._03

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adulting the next generation gen z receptionist
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