If you have kids moving into their teens you figure it out fast.

They start speaking an entirely different language.

As you grown into an adult you follow your peer group and friends through whatever social life, maybe going to places like bars or events that keep up with music trends. You all like the new banger from whoever that shows up on the playlist or New Year’s Eve party. You talk about new series, what entertainer is in concert or on social media, you still remain connected to trends.

But at some point life intrudes, work starts wearing, maybe start a family, and you have less time for these excursions. Crowded, noisy, expensive bars get way less attractive and maybe you have a couple favorite chill spots that play music you like. You’ve got your playlists set. Your streaming music is “bestof” a decade a lot of the time. This is where diversion starts, you choose the familiar over seeking out the new and exciting. But you don’t really notice, you got shit to do.

But eventually you do. Younger coworkers start talking about entertainment and people more and more often you don’t know. They start using phrases and slang you have to figure out. And like I said, if you have kids, you’re gonna have to learn 6-7, gyatt, and the most irritating - the repurposing of words and symbols you already knew. # is number or pound, not just hashtag you illiterate heathens. Maybe your closet, too. You’ve now had the same jacket for 15 years, among many other pieces of clothing that have lasted; jeans, shirts, pullovers, whatever. That’s ok, why keep buying new throwaway fashion? They’re still good to wear.

So now you listen to “old” music, maybe some of your clothes are old enough to vote, and you spend time on Urban Dictionary or KnowYourMeme so you don’t feel lost when younger people sart talking about pretty much anything.

That’s when you know.