What % Gen X Are You?

Emily Maggrett

6 Min Quiz

Let's begin with a very Gen X question. Do you like authority figures?

I don't trust them.

They're useful for networking purposes.
"Fight the Power" is my favorite song.

Not only do I like authority figures, I hope to become one someday!

When learning, do you like being shown how to do something or would you rather just figure it out on your own?

Give me a YouTube video and I'm good.

It depends. Some skills are easier to learn when you're shown how to do them, For others, a DIY approach is better.
The only way to learn how to do something is to teach it to yourself.

Why wouldn't you want to learn directly from a knowledgeable instructor?

In your opinion, who is the greatest film director of all time?

Quentin Tarentino

Whit Stillman
Richard Linklater

Alfred Hitchcock

Do you still listen to Weezer?

I sometimes like to blast "In the Garage."

I own "Pinkerton" but haven't listened to it in 10 years.
Every day is a great day for enjoying good ol' Weezer.

Who's Weezer?

Let's say you're given $20,000. Would you rather spend it on starting your own business or on secure investments?

I'd invest some of the money but consider becoming a silent partner in a thriving local business, such as a microbrewery.

I'd put most of the money into secure investments, but I might buy some Bitcoin.
I'd instantly start my own food truck.

I want to retire by 55, so I'd start a Roth IRA.

Is Amanda Palmer cool or annoying?

Pretty cool!

Pretty annoying!
Her husband, Neil Gaiman, is cool.

Who?

When you were a kid, did your parents allow you to disappear for hours after school, or did you have "activities"?

I played soccer on Wednesdays and Saturdays but was otherwise free to roam.

I had activities most days but still found time to play hide-and-seek in the vacant lot near my house.
My parents had no idea what I was up to between the end of the school day and dinner time.

Unsupervised play time isn't safe for kids!

Are you a nihilist?

Have you listened to the news lately? The world is in chaos!

Sometimes I wonder what the real meaning of life is but I try to stay optimistic.
Life is pain.

I don't see the point in being cynical. A good attitude helps you deal with life's challenges.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how dependent on other people are you?

4. I rely on my partner and my best friend for emotional support but am otherwise an individualist.

6. I'm lucky enough to have an extensive support system, but I try not to ask for help too often.
1. I'm a rugged individualist and would rather die than ask for help with my problems.

9. If it wasn't for group chats, I could barely get through the day.

Have you ever owned a beeper?

My mom made me carry one in high school (she was overprotective).

I never had one, but I knew people who did.
My pager used to blow up on the regular.

Are beepers and garage door openers the same thing?

If you were in charge of development at MTV, which bygone show would you bring back?

"The Tom Green Show"

"Beavis and Butthead"
"Yo! MTV Raps"

"Laguna Beach"

Frosted tips or chunky highlights: Did you have them when you were younger?

I had chunky highlights and I really regret them, OK??

My older brother had frosted tips.
I had both (and I think chunky highlights are going to make a comeback).

Ugh, neither!

What's your favorite Winona Ryder movie?

"Edward Scissorhands"

"Reality Bites"
"Heathers"

Um ... "Stranger Things"?

If you could read only one graphic novel for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

"Ghost World"

"Maus"
"Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth"

"Bingo Love"

Would you rather have a hands-on manager or a manager who sets goals then leaves you alone?

I'd prefer to have a mostly hands-off manager who's willing to mentor me when I need it.

I don't want to be micro-managed but it's helpful to receive regular feedback on my work.
Hands-off all the way! I'm not in kindergarten.

I need a hands-on manager who communicates with me clearly and frequently; otherwise, I feel a bit lost.

Of all of these politicians, which one do you loathe the most?

Newt Gingrich

Bill Clinton
George W. Bush

Donald Trump

In the '90s, did you have one of those curvy CD towers?

Yes, and it was hideous.

No, but my parents had one.
I ... still have one, to be honest.

CD tower? Is that like Tower Records?

For your money, who's the funniest comedian in Hollywood?

Zach Galifianakis

Tina Fey
Bob Odenkirk

Pete Davidson

Inspiration time! To which of these quotes do you relate?

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."

"You have to do anything you can think of that gets you excited."
"The time you feel lonely is the time you most need to be by yourself."

"My life is very crazy and busy, but I love it that way."

Do you work to live, or live to work?

I like my job but I love my family.

I'm a workaholic, but I'm trying to find a better work-life balance.
I work to live; I wish I didn't have to work at all.

My job is my passion!

Be honest (and don't try to be cool). Which social network do you use the most?

Twitter

Instagram
Facebook

Snapchat

As a child, which one of these TV shows were you NOT allowed to watch?

"Twin Peaks"

"Saturday Night Live"
"Hill Street Blues"

"Skins"

You're in the market for a new friend. What qualities do you want that person to have? What makes someone interesting?

I like people who think for themselves.

I'll be friends with anyone who likes the same music as I do.
They've got to be different from the herd. No sheeple!

I want friends who are upbeat and agreeable!

Poll: Which of these audio formats provides the highest-quality listening experience?

CDs

Cassette tapes
Vinyl

Digital files

If you could hang out with any fictional heartthrob, which one would you choose?

Jake from "Melrose Place"

Damon Salvatore from "The Vampire Diaries"
Dylan McKay from "Beverly Hills, 90210"

Jughead from "Riverdale"

Is digital technology good for American culture or not?

Digital technology has negatively impacted many subcultures.

Digital technology is helpful for people who are isolated geographically.
Digital technology has ruined most subcultures.

Digital technology helps us all to connect! How could that be bad?

Out of all these rappers, which one has the best flow?

Tupac

Snoop Dogg
Jay Z

Big Boi

In your opinion, which TV series DID NOT need to be rebooted?

"The Bionic Woman"

"The Muppets"
"Heathers"

"American Idol"

How did you prepare for Y2K?

My dad brought up the shortwave radio from the basement but we didn't do anything else.

We bought some bottled water.
We bought canned goods and flashlights.

LOL! What is that?

Which of these '90s hits was totally your theme song?

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve

"Pony" by Ginuwine
"The Concept" by Teenage Fanclub

"Barbie Girl" by Aqua

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Image: Monkey Business Images / Monkey Business / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Most sociologists agree that people born between 1946 and 1964 are baby boomers, people born between 1965 and 1980 are Generation X and people born between 1981 and 1996 are millennials. But is the truth really so cut and dried? Just because you were born in 1976, doesn't mean you're a cynical nihilist who would rather die than be a corporate drone. Similarly, someone born in 1986 is technically a millennial, but if she isn't comfortable with digital technology and thinks avocado toast is gross, is it really fair to lump her in with millennials who were born 10 years later?

In this quiz, we want to help you figure out to which generation you really belong. We're going to ask you about everything from chunky highlights to Zach Galifianakis to your ideal work style. In return for your honest and thoughtful answers, our supercomputer will calculate the exact percentage of Gen X in your personality. Whether you're practically Gus Van Zant or have the exact taste as Gigi Hadid, this quiz will illuminate your true cultural influences.

Are you ready to travel back in time to an era when MTV was good and pagers made you cool? Put on your best plaid shirt and take this quiz!

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