“Fabric Softener”: 25 ‘Dead Merchants’ Millennials Personally Brought Down

As an evolving species, it’s normal to obliterate some practices favoured by our predecessors along the way to achieving the status of the apex beings that we aspire to be. This may translate to most of us in the form of not entertaining certain things or ideologies that our parents or generations before us used.  Recently, a Reddit thread sparked an interesting discussion on the subject of industries that millennials may have helped obliterate. Whether it's decorative soap, ironing, or even diamonds, nothing seems safe from the annihilation tactics of Gen Y. Even luxury brands have fallen victim to boycotting, backlash and complete destruction earning the ‘dead merchants’ moniker from millennials who feel they personally helped bring down these behemoths with zero regrets. 

#1

Image source: El_mochilero, Haydn Blackey I’m on a mission to k**l restaurant QR code menus. I’m with the boomers on this one. I want a d**n paper menu!!!

#2

Image source: thebookofswindles, Afif Ramdhasuma Big tobacco. Suck it, death merchants.

#3

Image source: anon, Mike Mozart Chain restaurants. I’m done paying out the wazoo for microwaved meals and premixed drinks. I’ve learned to cook and I’m not a Michelin star chef by any means but I can make way tastier food at home now.

#4

Image source: mrtoddw, Scott Webb I bought my fiancée a lab-grown diamond for her engagement ring. Considering the process for keeping blood diamonds out of the stream is essentially b******t, I'm not going to finance that. Russia controls 35% of the diamonds on the market. I'm not paying for their war in Ukraine.

#5

Image source: gin10do64, RDNE Stock project I refuse to buy fabric softener and my clothes smell and look great.

#6

Image source: joshonekenobi, Mikhail Nilov Hair coloring. I'm keeping the grey.

#7

Image source: mdota1, Waldemar Cemeteries….i do not believe my rotting carcus deserves a permanent piece of earth and to take up space for the next generation.

#8

Image source: BrightNeonGirl, Leonardo Miranda The wedding industry (although I guess this sector is still going somewhat strong). My partner and I eloped and went on a trip to a foreign country for a honeymoon with the saved cash.

#9

Image source: Lonely-Toe9877, Alexas Fotos The cheap pet food industry. Forgive me for not wanting to feed my cat cornmeal and chicken byproduct slop.

#10

Image source: GlassTaco69, Kai Pilger I've had the same batch of clothes for like 15 years does that count?

#11

Image source: PotatoFloats, Yuri Shirota I'm childfree, so the entire toy and baby industry, I guess.

#12

Image source: Aromatic-Elephant110, Ionela Mat Decorative soaps.

#13

Image source: BillyGoat_TTB, Wayne Evans Silverware that's actually silver and not stainless. "Fine china.".

#14

Image source: minnesconsawaiiforni, OPPO Find X5 Pro I feel like as a millennial, we have made a collective personality out of hipster DIYing our whole lives because every single human interaction has been monetized. I brew my own beer, grow my own w**d, garden my vegetables, own my gym equipment, cook my food, build my furniture. I buy cheap plain natural fiber clothing. I drive a company vehicle. I will not be a part of their rat race. I’m getting out dead or alive.

#15

Local florists. I love to buy local when I can, but my local florist charges $60 for 12 small tulips. I can get 15 large tulips from Whole Foods for $14. I hate that. I wish I could afford to buy local. Just can’t. Image source: WaywardSon_1993

#16

Image source: TrekkieElf, Anderson Guerra Makeup. Haven’t bought any in years.

#17

Image source: valotho, Kindel Media Door to door salemen.

#18

Image source: celeriacly, JSB Co. The iron industry — like does any millennial actually iron their clothes? The cursive and signatures industry. Not that there’s an industry for that but I just, forgot cursive, and don’t have a proper signature.

#19

Image source: Unlikely_Pressure391, Andrej Lišakov Movie theatres.Too pricy when streaming and snacks at home are affordable.

#20

Image source: El_mochilero, akshay bajaj “Nice” dishes. We have a decent set of everyday plates and tableware. One year, my in-laws gifted us a set of nice dishes and tableware. They were APPALLED that we gave away our old set and exclusively use the good stuff. We aren’t supposed to use them, apparently. Except like once or twice a year whenever we host Christmas or Thanksgiving or something… which we never host.

#21

Image source: Detlef_Donnerlunte, Gustavo Fring In germany we say "The retail sector is dying" ("Der Einzelhandel stirbt"), meaning people go less and less to stores and buy their stuff local in a shopping or city centre. You know what? I couldn't care less that this part of the retail-industry is dying. You go to an electronics store here and they ask 20€ for a 1.5m HDMI cable. You can get a 5m cable with shipping for 10€.

#22

Image source: jalabar, Kevin Woblick Cable. I was one of the first people I knew who "cut the cord" in the early 2010s. I was in my little hipster phase, thinking i was smarter or more unique watching indie movies and documentaries on Netflix. I uses to be mad judgy when I would hang out at my friend's houses and they'd be watching cable. Now I'm nostalgic for a time where most people would at least be watching the same shows instead of being in their algorithmic content bubbles, or if 2 people happen to be watching the same show, people are on different episodes. Now I find myself watching old broadcasts that have the commercials because I miss that time.

#23

Image source: I_Defy_You1288, Glenn Carstens-Peters The Pay Per View industry.

#24

Image source: PrancingTiger424, RDNE Stock project Greeting cards/bday cards/etc. The only cards I will buy are thank you, retirement, wedding, and sympathy. And only from the dollar store. Cards go into the trash so why pay $5 for one? I have a Cricut so sometimes I’ll make my own cards. I also avoid gift wrap whenever possible. I buy baby shower gifts and wedding gifts and put them in storage totes. Much more practical. .

#25

Image source: Twictim, Martin Péchy Soda! Gave it up January 1st, 2024, and haven’t looked back. No cans, no 2 liters, no convenience store cups. I brew unsweetened tea at home and drink water.