The 'Sensitive Young Man' meme utilizes a stock photograph of a young man looking thoughtfully or emotionally moved, often staring into the distance or looking slightly downward with a soulful expression. It rose to prominence as a parody of performative sensitivity and the 'sensitive guy' trope found in early 2010s indie culture. Users often pair the image with captions that describe trivial or humorous situations as if they were deep, soul-crushing experiences. Over time, it has evolved into a versatile template for highlighting the irony of modern emotional expression, often mocking the overly dramatic reactions people have to everyday inconveniences.