'Noises include various buzzer noises instead of yes or no': Office employee expresses bafflement at 'funny noises' made by Gen Z coworkers

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 19, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

The generation divide often seems greatest at work.

The workplace is one of those environments where people who would never usually cross paths get thrown together to interact for eight hours a day, whether they like it or not. While this state of affairs is notorious for causing some friction, it is also a great way to expand your anthropological knowledge if you look at it the right way. Here are a bunch of individuals from walks of life that you may not be exposed to by choice, but they could teach you a thing or two about where they're coming from. It can be as interesting as it is annoying.

One of the most intriguing differences in the average workplace is age. Plenty of offices right now have employees who range from boomers to Gen Z, and it is fair to say that these generations don't always see to eye to eye. However, with the right attitude, a workplace like this can be a good place for people to try and understand those age groups that are older or younger than them. There is no need to be divided and bitter all of the time, not least when there is an opportunity to build bridges.

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  • Three young employees sit at a table with their laptops, laughing together.
    via Brooke Cagle

    Three young employees sit at a table with their laptops, laughing together. Still frame for contextual reference only.

  • People were amused recently when an older employee at a construction planning office shared their bewilderment at the behavior of the older Gen Z employees that they worked with. They approved of their enthusiasm, but couldn't understand why they had a tendency to make a range of noises while communicating between themselves and with others.

    While some insisted that this wasn't just something that Zoomers did, others claimed that the affectation might fall out of fashion soon. Only time will tell.

  • Justin @pleasedontatme ruh roh r/auscorp u/mr-cheesy ⚫ 3h Join Do your Gen Z employees make funny noises? General Discussion My industry is typically 40-60 year olds. It's a construction project management office. Recently I've picked up some 25-30 year olds. They definitely display more energy and more openly enthusiasm, but I've noticed they make funny noises a lot. They also speak in memes a lot and I get them because I use urban dictionary, but the noises they make threw me off. Some noises
    via pleasedontatme

  • It's not a phenomenon exclusive to the Zoomers.

    b wolfe man @bwolfeman In my experience it's the old timers that are making the random nonsensical noises.
    via bwolfeman
  • Joao Martins @Ja1zinhuuuuu We taught our older coworker about aura, rizz and sh like that
    via Ja1zinhuuuuu

  • They are his vulnerable and wild creatures.

    orange_giornogiovanna @kaz_mass_orange The funniest part about this is the fact he's talking as if we're like an animal in a zoo he's caring for and he's worried something's wrong with the animals I'm crying
    via kaz_mass_orange
  • kenia @keni4art in my last two workplaces, we've been meowing at each other when it gets quiet/we're tired of talking
    via keni4art

  • It's a means of self-regulation.

    Chicken shamen @caninetag667 gotta love vocal stimming
    via caninetag667
  • Tiny Frog on A Leaf @Ended_Fate "Do your gen Zs make sounds" reads like some exasperated zoo keeper who just got a new species of animal at work they don't understand past the typical textbook anatomy and diet.
    via Ended_Fate

  • Noise isn't exclusive to young people.

    Mandy7 @pandaluna Fan account My coworker who makes the most funny noises is in her 60s.
    via pandaluna
  • COS @rottenwork1111 Me going "BEEP BEEP" every time I need to get passed someone
    via rottenwork1111

  • Gen Alpha is already horrified.

    henry @leap_dog the hubris to think we are the anticringe generation
    via leap_dog
  • mads nkdenn2 @godlightgrace the boomer mind cannot comprehend the whimsy of the zoomers
    via godlightgrace

  • He's down with the kids.

    The Road Jess Travelled @JessPected "I get them because I use urban dictionary" MUSIC BAND
    via JessPected
  • Mike D @dayton_mike I'm in food service, people of all ages are making weird noises the entire day. The older dudes will be doing classic rock guitar riffs, we have a few people who make animal sounds, people from other countries singing in their language it's everyone.
    via dayton_mike

  • It's a phenomenon everywhere.

    mothmilf @SwanShot my supervisor's post after watching whatever the h I me and my colleague have going on
    via SwanShot
  • Bulwark Shields @Bulwark Shields Look, I squeak when I bump into something. It's' like just the first ow of Yoshi's 'ow' sound.
    via Bulwark_Shields

  • It can be divided into subgenerations.

    Yukiaddiction: Rainbow... @Yukiaddict 25-30 years old aka older genZ have completely distinct it own culture different from Millennials and Younger GenZ Imao.
    via Yukiaddict
  • moth mom @mothymoma gen z knows what it means to have childlike wonder and be pure of heart
    via mothymoma

  • It's kind of freeing.

    'ivy @Kittyfly_ I realized I am the noise making Gen z in my dept. I truly be catching myself just vocalizing
    via Kittyfly
  • frank langdon's daddy is... @wisteriasnroses the replies...oh you guys have no idea how close the millennial-fication of gen z is it's on the horizon every day you guys inch closer and closer to your buzzfeed-millennial era
    via wisteriasnroses

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