Hashtag Generation Fail

(I’m in a small, quiet bookstore with a friend. We’re about to buy a stack of books when three teenage girls, 16 or 17, come in giggling and talking. I’m slightly irritated when they pick up a book.)

Girl #1: “Oh em gee! What is this book?”

Girl #2: “Who cares? Here, I’ll take one, too.”

(Girl #2 picks up a book. I’m a bit curious at this point, so I peek over my own book.)

Girl #3: “Hurry up, we need to go shopping!”

Girl #1: “Okay, okay! Hashtag calm down!”

(Now Girl #1 pulls out a phone, handing her book to Girl #3. Girls #2 & #3 are holding books and pose with them for a selfie.)

Girls #1, #2, and #3: “Hashtag nerd! Oh em gee!”

(They then put down the books and leave. I look at my friend.)

Me: “Did three girls just come in here, take a selfie with a couple books, and leave?”

Friend: “This generation is so f***ed.”

Store Owner: *woman in her 80s* “Yep.”