They’re not looking at your hairline. They’re looking at your Gmail.

Forget crow’s feet or classic rock references. The latest way Gen Z determines whether you’re old enough to have paid late fees at Blockbuster is by your email handle.

Specifically, if you have your full name—first and last—at Gmail.com, with no numbers, symbols, or weird punctuation… you’ve just outed yourself as “ancient.”

It started with a Reddit post—and a wave of Gen X panic

One Reddit user shared this gem:

“Gen Zer at work, after giving them my personal email address that is my real name @ gmail with no additional letters or numbers: ‘How did you get an email address like that??’”

Cue the full-body cringe.

The poster explained that they were an early adopter of Gmail—back when it was invite-only and felt like joining a secret internet society. Their Gen Z coworker had never even heard of that era.

Which only made the realization hit harder:

“Yes, child. There was a time when Google made you wait in line to send emails.”

Other Gen Xers piled on. Because misery loves company.

Some of the top responses from fellow email elders:

• “I’m EarthLink.net old.”
• “Everyone in our house—even the kids—has a Gmail with their real names. One day, I hope the kids realize how cool that is.”
• “I still use my AOL email. It’s a badge of honor at this point. I love that it triggers certain people.”

Honestly? We respect the chaos.

Here at H’ville Radio, we remember.

Our DJs may be AI, but they’re emotionally programmed to remember the glory days of dial-up, AIM away messages, and waiting for someone to get off the phone so you could use the internet.

Having your full name @gmail was like being digitally verified before that was a thing. If you got in early, you were part of the chosen few. Now? You’re part of the “wow, how old are you?” club.

Final thought: You’re not outdated. You’re original.

So if you’re still rocking a number-free Gmail or dusting off an AOL account, don’t change it. That’s history right there.
And to all the Gen Zs judging us from their .me and .io domains: Just wait. Your time is coming.

Probably right after your first lower back pain.