Every generation has its own music, right? Or at least that's what all kids claim — heaven forbid they are interested in something their parents liked. So each generation follows as a unit. Each generation can tell different "When I was your age, Skipper …" stories to their grandchildren.

But then there are also different subsets within each generation, which basically follow the different genres of music, and people are classified based on their music taste. The question, "Can I see your iPod?" is more like, "Can I see your music collection so I can size you up?"

And, as far as I can tell, it has always been like that. Forget what the technology is. Records, tapes, CDs, MP3 players: They're all the same when it comes to inter- and intra-generational division.

Some people will judge you based on if you listen to the "in" music. Others will judge you if you don't. Everyone has his or her own music taste, so there's no way you can win with everybody.

But what about those people who don't have a constant genre they listen to? Or who don't know all the lyrics to every new song on the radio all the time? I can tell you right now that I certainly am not up to date with all the new songs that the "hit" radio stations play. And I'm even more clueless when it comes to "alternative" music.

"I cannot believe you don't know who this artist is!" or "How can you not know this song?" are questions that I get all the time. The fact is, I just don't follow music. Sure, I like it, and if I hear a song I like I may go on iTunes and purchase it. But more often than not, I don't keep up with all the new songs. I couldn't tell you who sings the No. 1 single of the week, and I won't know how to spell the latest rapper's unconventionally configured name.

It's not as if I don't listen to music. I have an iPod, although it only has a fraction of the number of songs my friends' iPods have. I like listening to music — it simply isn't an area of pop culture I could win any trivia games on.

When people see what's on my iPod, the remarks I often get are something along the lines of, "Wow, this doesn't strike me as something you'd listen to." And for the most part, they're right. The largest percentage of my music comes from the CDs my friends made for me, or soundtracks to TV shows I really like.

None of the music I have is a result of searching to find what songs or genres fit my taste the best. It's kind of just a hit-or-miss deal: I may initially like some of the music my friends give me, I may not. Either way I'll end up liking it just from listening to it so many times.

Because of this, I really couldn't tell you what kind of music I like, or what kind I listen to. Forget definitions and divisions: I like what I like, and that's the best definition I can give you.