A lot of people in my generation are annoyed by the fact that no one nowadays goes on dates, no one puts in the effort, and that this generation is the "hook-up" generation. But I'm annoyed about something else. I'm annoyed that this generation plays games. This is the generation of pettiness and neediness.

I don't understand why the "waiting to respond" game even exists. And the sadder part is that I don't understand why I too, play this game! The whole idea behind waiting to respond to a message is so that you don't seem desperate or needy. But why should that mentality even come into question? It's sad how this generation was raised to believe that showing a genuine interest in someone is showing desperation. I know personally, when a guy constantly answers me right away, I get annoyed. Partially because my phone is blowing up, but also because it makes me feel like they were just staring at their phone waiting for my response. It shouldn't be that way. It shouldn't be weird or abnormal for someone to respond right away. That's what keeps a conversation going! People nowadays give messages the "10-minute wait" or however long wait so they don't seem too clingy. They don't want the other person to think that they're obsessed with them. As if having feelings equates to having an obsession. It's sad how people in this generation cannot have a normal conversation because they are afraid of what others will think of them.

I don't understand why people in this generation can't say what they really want to say. People either hold back because they don't want to seem desperate or they are specifically being petty and refusing to open up. People will not say how they honestly feel and it's a problem. We get mad and expect the other person to just magically understand and know what they did wrong. But how could they know if we don't tell them? And how are we even supposed to tell them if we have to wait a certain amount of time until it's socially acceptable to respond back?! Also, when it comes to telling the truth, people avoid it and use excuses. The "I'm not looking for a relationship right now" line, while true sometimes, is actually often "I'm down to date someone but I don't want to date you." Obviously you can't just downright tell someone that you don't want to date him or her, but you don't have to lie! You can say that you're not interested or that you don't feel a connection with them. The fact that we have to lie in order to get out of a situation is sad.

I don't understand why when things end between two people; it always has to be awkward after. This isn't exactly a game... but in a way it is. It's the "avoid all eye-contact" game. I hate this game and I never avoid eye contact. The idea of not even being able to look at someone who I was once so close to is the saddest idea in the world to me. If you're avoiding a bad, regretted hook-up, then by all means keep your head down! But the fact that people try to avoid others who they once cared about deeply is just awful. And it's all because they don't want to have an awkward confrontation! But you shouldn't just ignore the person! That's just my opinion, but I think avoiding eye contact just makes things worse.

I hope that the next generation won't have the games that my generation plays constantly. I hope that the idea of "seeming desperate" goes away and I hope that everyone can just be honest with each other.