5 Best Tips for Cross-Generational Communication
Ever tried showing an Instagram reel to your parents, only for them to go, “Huh, funny meh?” Or they hit you with a million questions (at that point, it’s not even funny anymore 😔). On the flip side, have you ever had a chat with someone younger and realised you had no idea what they were talking about? Cross-generational communication can get tricky. But if you do it right, the experience can be rewarding, and you may even get a friend for life!
That’s exactly what we aimed for at our newest Mind The Gap intergenerational event series, where we partnered with NTUC & NYC to bring together Gen Zs, Millennials & Gen Xs to meet and connect. At our final session, we were joined by Gen Z undergraduates from the NUS College of Alice and Peter Tan, where they shared stories, laughs and bonded with people of ages up to 50 years old. Drawing from the students’ reflections from the event, we picked out five practical tips that will help you connect across generations!
1. The Power of Non-Verbal Communication
Our first tip is simple: Just be present!
“Looking out for or listening to others’ reactions as the conversation progresses is a form of non-verbal communication, which is less felt online. Such reactions are important when meeting new people, as we can pick up information that they might be shy or unknowingly express.” - Gen Z Participant
Successful conversations aren't just about what is said. Eye contact, smiling, and open body language can make interactions feel warmer and more engaging. Even simple things like nodding or asking follow-up questions can make the other person feel heard!
“During the intergenerational section, some non-verbal cues that I noticed were smiling, making good eye contact and sitting comfortably in their chairs, instead of crossing their arms, and this conveyed a feeling of warmth and openness.” - Gen Z Participant
“Certain verbal & non-verbal cues such as maintaining eye contact with others, smiling and having a relaxed posture contribute to positive interactions.” - Gen Z Participant
“Non-verbal cues were equally important. Many participants leaned in slightly when listening, made eye contact, nodded, and used expressive hand gestures, indicating engagement and interest. For instance, I initially felt hesitant to speak, but others' encouraging body language, such as direct eye contact and affirming smiles, reassured me and boosted my confidence.” - Gen Z Participant
Friendzone’s Tip: Non-verbal cues such as eye contact, smiling, and open body language can bridge gaps and foster better understanding, especially when it comes to intergenerational interactions.
2. Finding Common Ground
One of the easiest ways to connect with new people of different ages is by finding common ground — be it via shared experiences, interests, or even cultural references. Whether it’s a life stage, a place you grew up in, or a viral trend, these small connections act as bridges across generations.
At Friendzone events, we’ve seen firsthand how participants use relatable touchpoints to ease into conversations. Some find connection through location or place — when participants discover they live near someone or studied in the same school previously, they can quickly bond over familiar landmarks, food spots, and experiences unique to these places.
“The icebreaker, where we were grouped by our neighbourhoods, effectively opened conversations about shared experiences regardless of age. This setup prevented us from sticking to our own age group and instead fostered connections over common ground.” – Gen Z Participant
For younger participants, pop culture references like TikToks, memes, and slang serve as quick icebreakers, and help conversations flow naturally.
“Gen Z participants often reference TikToks and memes in daily conversations, as they form an easy conversation starter or common background, with most people of a similar background able to recognise them. This allows conversations to flow more smoothly, easing the initial awkwardness and letting participants form bonds quickly during the event.” – Gen Z Participant
At the same time, these digital trends also become a point of curiosity for older attendees, creating opportunities for cross-generational learning and exchange.
“An older lady asked the younger participants about the definition of some new Gen Alpha slang she heard at the school she teaches at.” – Gen Z Participant
But common ground isn’t just about entertainment or shared cultural knowledge — it can also stem from deeper life experiences. We’ve seen participants bond over navigating similar challenges, such as career transitions, personal growth, or even lessons learned at different stages of life.
“To get over the initial awkwardness when meeting new people, participants usually start by saying something relatable, like their current stages of life first, such as any recent job changes, what they are studying, etc.” – Gen Z Participant
And while you might wonder how to stay in touch with someone from a different generation — especially if you use different social media platforms — you might be surprised at unexpected common ground. Participants often discover shared digital spaces like LinkedIn, which is used across generations and provides a platform for continued connection.
Friendzone’s Tip: Focus on common experiences and topics to connect across generational lines, such as shared locations, life stages, or experiences.
3. Navigating Digital Culture Differences
One of the biggest and most significant cultural differences in the modern era is the rise of digital technology. The older generations grew up in a time when the internet didn’t even exist, while for younger folks, it’s impossible to imagine life without it. Naturally, this changes how we navigate and communicate with the world around us.
“The event also highlighted how digital behaviors are integrated into real-life conversations. For instance, younger participants frequently used online slang like “slay,” which led to engaging intergenerational discussions.” - Gen Z Participant
“Naturally, as we pick up slang online, we tend to use it offline. In one of our breakout groups, a participant from my generation used the word “fire,” leaving an older participant confused.” - Gen Z Participant
Photo from cottonbro studio on Pexels
And it’s not just about slang — even the platforms we use, the kind of content we consume, and the topics we gravitate towards in conversation tend to differ.
“In the first discussion group, where I interacted with young people, digital trends and social media were common themes. In contrast, in the second group with intergenerational participants, the focus shifted to work behavior and professional experiences.” - Gen Z Participant
However, while digital trends can sometimes highlight generational gaps, they can also serve as bridges for connection.
“Digital platforms and the trends that arise from them were often leveraged on as conversation starters during the event.” - Gen Z Participant
“Friendzone also encouraged participants to exchange social media handles, to maintain friendships made and expand networks beyond this event. This showed that digital platforms can be useful in sustaining intergenerational relationships due to shared accessibility.” - Gen Z Participant
At the end of the day, whether online or in person, conversations all have the same core purpose: to exchange stories and perspectives!
“Online and offline conversations are similar in a way that facilitates the exchange of ideas, which are shaped by cultural norms, social context, and personal backgrounds. It was observed that although most of the participants tried to speak more formally, the younger participants still used digital slang when speaking. It was, however, most likely unintentional, as I made the same mistake.” - Gen Z Participant
Friendzone’s Tip: Be mindful of digital slang and trends when communicating with other generations, because what’s familiar to you might be confusing to them! At the same time, digital tools can be a great way to keep in touch after the event and continue having meaningful conversations across generations.
4. Being Open-Minded and Respectful to Different Perspectives
As we grow older, most will feel their social circle shrinking or becoming stagnant. We tend to stick and settle into familiar routines, seeing the same people and engaging in similar conversations. While this can be comforting, we might not even realise how much it limits us to staying within our own "bubble", surrounded by people who share similar views, interests, and backgrounds.
“At times, I feel trapped within a "filter bubble" in university, and the event provided me with much-needed perspectives beyond my immediate environment.” - Gen Z Participant
“As I paused to reflect and come up with an answer, I realized that despite living in an age where digital technology makes interaction effortless, I still tend to stay within my own social bubble, mainly connecting with peers of my age.” - Gen Z Participant
When you step out of your comfort zone, it challenges you to engage with people you might not normally interact with and to listen to stories that differ from your own. Yes, it can be scary at first! But these moments of discomfort often lead to the most meaningful insights and connections, and maybe even lead you to something new 👀
“During the discussion, my group explored the question, ‘What does success mean to you at the age of 20?’ The younger participants were not shy in sharing our individual take on this question and the struggles we face in trying to achieve these definition of success. For the older participants, the question led to a reflective discussion about their life journey thus far.” - Gen Z Participant
“However, I am very much inspired by speaking to the elders in my group. As both of them recently underwent major career switches, it was interesting to pick their brains regarding why they did it and what were their main push and pull factors.” - Gen Z Participant
There are many things we can learn from each other, as seen from the insights :-) Topics can range from lighthearted ones like choosing jobs to deeper questions, such as the definition of success and how they have reached those goals. Being open-minded allows you as a participant to explore new perspectives and hear stories you might not experience yourself!
“During the event, I noticed rather than the younger generation using online slang, it was surprisingly the older age groups that tried to integrate slang into conversations. This includes terms such as Gen-Alpha and TikTok trends regarding gentle parenting. This challenged my initial assumption about not being able to relate to older people due to different interests.” - Gen Z Participant
As you can see from the experience shared above, the other generation may surprise you 😉
“Many shared personal stories of how meaningful conversations had shaped their perspectives, reinforcing the idea that small efforts can lead to impactful connections. This reflection deepened my appreciation for the event’s core message — that bridging generational gaps is not about eliminating differences, but about embracing them with curiosity and understanding.” - Gen Z Participant
“We need not change the other generations’ mindset to match ours because there is no need to do so. Our experiences shaped who we are and the difference in generational mindset is simply because of the different experiences we have been through. Even though different generations have our differences, we can all come to a common ground and learn from each other while respecting each other’s boundaries.” - Gen Z Participant
It’s not about agreeing with everything the other person says, but simply being open-minded to new perspectives!
Friendzone’s Tip: Stay open-minded and respectful when learning from others' life experiences, and understand that each generation brings unique strengths to the table.
5. Overcoming Initial Awkwardness and Using Vulnerability to Foster Deeper Connections
Lastly, we know it’s awkward in the initial stages — even for us at the Friendzone team! Despite all the events we attend, we still have butterflies before each one, because we never know exactly who we’ll meet or what experiences we’ll have.
The key is to remember that this awkwardness is completely natural and WILL happen to everyone.
“I think in person, the feeling of awkwardness at the beginning of the conversation is apparent, and people are more cautious of their words and actions to avoid saying anything that may come across as offensive since it is the first time meeting them with no knowledge about their background at all. Participants navigated initial awkwardness by building on each other’s responses to make them feel understood.” - Gen Z Participant
“In the mixed-age groups, I noticed younger participants seemed a lot more reserved, which could be due to the common teaching of respecting elders here in Singapore. However, as conversations progressed and many realised that those of different age groups were not as different from themselves as they initially thought, conversations began to flow more naturally.” - Gen Z Participant
Once you realise this, be open to letting your guard down and embrace vulnerability. Remember, everyone is there with the same nerves, and by taking the first step, you can help break the ice for others too.
“Some participants also showed a side of vulnerability, which fostered deeper conversations.” - Gen Z Participant
"A major breakthrough for me during the event was realising that vulnerability can help dissolve the barriers between people. Once we started sharing more personal stories, the conversations became more meaningful.” - Gen Z Participant
After you realise this, it’s not about trying to get rid of the feeling of awkwardness; it’s just about accepting it, but forging forward with the courage to be vulnerable regardless!
Friendzone’s Final Tip: Be patient with both yourself and others during those first awkward moments, and gradually build rapport by engaging actively and showing genuine interest in others’ stories. By being willing to open up and be vulnerable, you’re inviting others to do the same and you can foster deeper conversations!
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At the end of the day, good conversations aren’t about knowing all the right words. They’re about being open to new perspectives and truly listening. Now that you’ve read their experiences and learned from our tips, go try it out for yourself! You might just walk away with a new friend… or at least a great story to tell!
