Seeing the laughter of a small child, the jumping of a cat or the mischief of a puppy, we often say – How cute! But for today’s young generation, being cute does not just mean looking beautiful. For them, expressing love to someone, taking care of small things and sending a message reminding someone special is also cute.
According to a report in Daily Star, a new survey has revealed that the meaning of the word ‘cute’ is changing among Gen Z. Now it is being linked not only with beauty but also with happiness, belongingness and emotional connection.
After all, what does it mean to be cute?
2,000 adults were included in this survey. In this, 55 percent of Gen Z believed that the meaning of the word ‘cute’ has changed in the last 10 years. Of these, 37 percent people associate it with their feelings, while for 25 percent, taking care of someone and being sensitive towards others is also a part of being cute.
This means that now it is not enough that a thing or a person just looks good. How he makes you feel also matters. If someone’s small effort brings a smile on your face or makes you feel special, then that too can be cute for you.
What is the difference between the thinking of the old and new generations?
According to the survey, Baby Boomers i.e. people of the older generation mostly associate the word cute with the lovely appearance of something. Of these, 80 percent people associated cute with things that look attractive. At the same time, for 78 percent people, puppies and kittens are cute, while 63 percent people find a smiling child cute.
On the other hand, being cute means something different for Gen Z and Millennials. Among these, 34 percent people consider such things as cute, which give them happiness. The share of those who think like this among Baby Boomers is only 13 percent.
Similarly, 33 percent youth also consider being caring and sensitive towards others as cute. Among the older generation, there are only 10 percent who believe this. At the same time, the share of youth who consider emotional connection with another person as cute is 18 percent, whereas among baby boomers this figure is only 5 percent.
Small loving gestures are also cute
Another interesting thing came to light in the survey. For people below 45 years of age, small gestures expressing love are very important. Among Gen Z and Millennials, 46 percent people admitted that they find someone’s loving behavior cute. At the same time, among people aged between 62 to 80 years, the share of those who believed this was only 12 percent.
Apart from this, sending a message to a friend that reminds him of you is especially liked by the youth. Among Gen Z and Millennials, 36 percent people considered it cute, while among the older generation this figure was 11 percent.
Similarly, hand written notes are special for the youth. 32 percent of the youth considered it cute, while only 8 percent of the baby boomers thought so. At the same time, 30 percent of the youth find it cute when someone sends a loving voice message. Among the older generation, only 8 percent believed this.
These figures show that for today’s young generation, it is very important to make small efforts and show affection in a relationship. Not only expensive gifts or big things, but someone remembering you and taking care of you can also make a relationship special.
Cute things are also a means of happiness
The people included in the survey also told how important cute and heart-warming moments are in their lives. 82 percent people agreed that such moments can easily give them happiness. At the same time, 77 percent people said that it makes even their normal everyday days better.
About 69 percent people agreed that such moments give them solace in difficult times. At the same time, 44 percent people said that the importance of such small happy moments has increased for them compared to five years ago.
Another thing came to light in the survey. 84 percent people feel comfortable in openly liking the cute things of their choice. They are not worried that if they do so, someone will consider them childish.
Apart from this, 41 percent people believe that if the ways of showing kindness and love become more visible in the society, then the world can be better. If people can express their love, affection and playful nature without hesitation, then warmth in relationships can also increase.
Why did the Japanese company conduct this survey?
This research has been done by Japanese company Sanrio, which is known for famous characters like Hello Kitty. The company conducted this survey on the occasion of its ‘Beyond Cute’ program in Paris. Its purpose was to understand how the meaning of being cute is changing for the new generation and how nostalgia, digital culture and shared experiences are bringing people closer to each other.
According to Suzie Reading, well-being expert and chartered psychologist associated with Sanrio, liking cute things does not just mean that they look good. What really matters is how they make us feel. Making space for the small things that bring joy, kindness and emotional connection in everyday life can also be beneficial to our well-being.
Kosuke Hamasaki, Sanrio’s managing executive officer, also said that the company wanted to understand how the meaning of being cute is changing for the new generation and how it is becoming a means of connection between people.
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