Go Tokyo Your Experience
In recent years, the generational gap between young people and middle-aged and older individuals in their use of instant messaging tools has drawn widespread attention from society. This is particularly evident in Japan, where the habitual differences between young people and older generations when using LINE and other chat tools have become a hot topic of discussion.
Today, we will delve into what these generational differences manifest in specific details and what impact this has on social communication.
At first, it was just a dislike for adding a “period” at the end of messages; this small habit difference reveals the subtle feelings young people have towards written expression.
They believe that a period at the end makes the message feel stiff and lacks warmth, causing the recipient to feel an invisible pressure. For young people, the success of communication lies not only in the delivery of information but also in the enjoyment and ease during the transmission process. Therefore, removing the period and even using emojis or spaces as substitutes has become a fashion trend.
As this topic expands, people are beginning to find similar differences in the use of other punctuation marks and emojis. “Exclamation mark” is one such example.
Young people often use ordinary exclamation marks to express surprise or emphasize, in order to remain measured. Meanwhile, many middle-aged and elderly users are accustomed to using the “red exclamation mark”, which is viewed as exaggerated and outdated by younger people.
In their view, the red exclamation mark is not only superfluous but also symbolizes a generation gap, being labeled as “uncle language.”
Regarding the “heart” symbol, generational differences are equally pronounced. As shown by television surveys, younger people tend to prefer the simple white heart to convey goodwill or friendliness, believing this method is both understated and vibrant.
At 1 year old: ‘Adding a red exclamation mark really feels like an older man.’
Middle-aged and older people generally prefer pink hearts, as they see it as a symbol of warmth and love, and are more willing to express strong emotions in communication.
4x years: ‘I think using a red exclamation mark is more energetic…’
The habits of using these symbols reflect the different pursuits of expression among different generations; young people tend to prefer simplicity and clarity, while middle-aged and older individuals favor tradition and specificity. This generational gap is not only evident in the use of words and symbols but also subtly influences communication styles and interpersonal relationships.
From a deeper perspective, this phenomenon may be a typical example of the impact of modern technological development on cultural exchange. With the popularization of digital communication tools, people’s demands for immediacy and brevity in communication are becoming increasingly higher. Rapidly evolving technology is continuously changing our communication habits with each other.
Indeed, it was found that only nearly 20% of those aged “1x years to 2x years” would use a red exclamation mark, while nearly half of those aged “4x years to 5x years” would!
Ultimately, in light of the challenges brought about by this generational gap, we see cultural diversity and the richness of individual expression. Although there are obvious differences in expression habits between young people and older adults, this does not necessarily mean that the gap is insurmountable; rather, it requires more understanding and tolerance.
In a world of diverse communication, we should perhaps focus more on the motivations and emotions behind each form of expression, rather than the superficial symbols themselves.
This is not only a test of individual communication skills but also a challenge for social harmony and coexistence. After all, whether it’s a simple sentence or a complex dialogue, the core is—through communication, achieving mutual understanding and connection.
