OK Boomer! 27 Boomer Habits That Totally Bug Younger People
The gap between Baby Boomers and younger groups like Millennials and Gen Z is often more than just something people talk about-it can cause real frustration. Younger people, used to fast and tech-filled lives, often clash with some Boomer habits that seem old-fashioned or annoying.
According to Pew Research, 93% of Millennials have smartphones, while only 68% of Baby Boomers do, which helps explain why their ideas and views can be so different. If these generational gaps aren’t acknowledged, they can lead to misunderstandings and, ultimately, disconnect between the two groups.
In this article, we’ll look into some of the most frustrating Baby Boomer habits that younger generations simply can’t stand. Can you relate to any of these?
Not Understanding Mental Health Issues
Mental health is talked about more openly and is more important to younger people today. Words like anxiety, depression, and burnout are common in daily talks among Millennials and Gen Z, who want kindness and help.
Older people, like Baby Boomers, often believe in “toughing it out” or “handling things on your own,” which can seem like they don’t take these real problems seriously. This difference can cause frustration and make people feel like they are not understood.
Dismissing Remote Work
With remote work becoming a norm, especially after the pandemic, many younger people see it as a more balanced and productive way to work. Though Baby Boomers, who built their careers in traditional office environments, may view working from home as less efficient or even lazy.
The skepticism around remote work is particularly frustrating for younger generations, who value the flexibility it offers and believe it leads to a better work-life balance. This resistance to change creates tension in workplace dynamics.
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Reluctance to Embrace Technology
Technology comes naturally to Millennials and Gen Z, but many Baby Boomers find it hard to get used to new devices and apps. Younger people are familiar with fast, easy tech tools.
When Boomers have trouble with basic tasks like sending an email or using a phone app, it can cause frustration. The problem gets bigger when Boomers think new technology is not needed or too hard, making the gap between generations clearer.
Using Speakerphone in Public
Baby Boomers often use speakerphone in public places, even when they are walking in a store or sitting in a café. They think it is an easy way to talk, but younger people think it is rude and annoying.
The loud talks disturb the area and make others feel like they have to hear private talks. For Millennials and Gen Z, who like to use headphones or keep phone talks quiet, this habit can cause a lot of irritation.
Overemphasizing Phone Calls Over Texts
For Baby Boomers, phone calls often signify a more personal and sincere way to connect. They see it as a thoughtful gesture, but younger generations, who juggle multiple responsibilities, view it as a time-consuming approach.
Millennials and Gen Z value quick and efficient communication, where a text gets the message across without disrupting their day. The insistence on calls for minor issues can feel intrusive and frustrating.
Obsession with Homeownership
Homeownership was a defining achievement for many Baby Boomers, symbolizing financial stability and success. But Millennials and Gen Z face a different economic reality, with high student debt and skyrocketing housing costs making it harder to afford a home.
Many younger people are opting for renting or choosing minimalist lifestyles, leading to clashes with Boomers who may not understand why homeownership isn’t a top priority anymore. This generational divide can feel like a judgment on their choices.
Disdain for Gig Economy Jobs
Many Baby Boomers think job stability is very important because it helps with steady money over time. Younger people often choose gig jobs like freelancing, ride-sharing, or making online content because these jobs give them freedom and chances that regular jobs might not have.
When Boomers say these jobs are “not real work,” it upsets younger people who are doing well in this new kind of work. This kind of talk can seem like it ignores the hard work and creativity needed for gig jobs.
Unsolicited Advice
Baby Boomers like to give advice based on what they have lived through, often thinking they have faced the same problems and know the best solutions. Younger people sometimes get annoyed because this advice can seem old-fashioned or not fit today’s world.
Even though the advice is meant to help, Millennials and Gen Z deal with different challenges like changing jobs and new technology that Boomers did not face. This advice can seem like it ignores the hard things younger people are dealing with.
Talking About “Hard Work” as the Only Route to Success
Baby Boomers often share stories of how hard work and perseverance were the only paths to success during their time. While this approach was admirable, younger generations see a more nuanced reality today.
Millennials and Gen Z emphasize working smarter, leveraging technology, and finding a balance that maintains mental health. The insistence that hard work alone is enough can feel dismissive of the unique challenges young people face, like rising costs of living and unstable job markets.
Leaving Voicemails
Nothing sends a shiver down the spine of a Millennial or Gen Z quite like a voicemail notification. While Baby Boomers see leaving a voicemail as a thoughtful and thorough way to communicate, younger generations view it as an outdated and cumbersome task.
A quick text or email is often preferred, with voicemails feeling like an unnecessary step that adds extra hassle. The voicemail habit highlights the disconnect in communication preferences between the generations.
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Disregard for Environmental Concerns
Younger generations are passionate about sustainability and making eco-friendly choices, like reducing plastic waste and driving electric cars. While some Baby Boomers are environmentally conscious, there’s a perception that many are less concerned with climate issues.
This lack of urgency on environmental matters frustrates Millennials and Gen Z, who feel a greater responsibility to protect the planet for future generations. When Boomers dismiss these efforts, it can create significant tension.
The Belief That Face-to-Face Communication Is Always Better
For Boomers, talking face-to-face was often thought to be the best way for important talks. Younger people, on the other hand, prefer quick and easy ways to communicate, like video calls, texts, or emails.
Boomers think meeting in person helps build better connections, but younger people believe digital ways can be just as real and often work better with busy schedules.
Wanting to meet in person can sometimes seem like an extra hassle.
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Overuse of Social Media for Family Announcements
Many Baby Boomers have started using social media, but they often do things that make younger people feel uncomfortable.
Sharing personal or family details, tagging others in silly or bad pictures, or talking too much about private stuff is something that bothers Millennials and Gen Z. These younger groups like to keep their online profiles neat and private.
This difference in how people use social media can cause awkward moments and stress between the age groups.
Belief in Staying at One Job Forever
For Baby Boomers, staying with one employer was often viewed as the best way to have financial security and a good career. Younger generations have grown up in a time when changing jobs often is normal, helping them get better pay, benefits, and chances to grow.
The Boomer idea that staying at one company for many years is the only way to succeed seems old-fashioned to Millennials and Gen Z. They care more about moving in their careers and finding personal happiness than staying loyal for a long time. The negative view of changing jobs a lot does not match how work has changed today.
Reliance on Checks and Cash
Baby Boomers grew up in a time when checks and cash were the primary ways to handle payments, but for younger generations, digital wallets, online banking, and contactless payments have become the norm.
Millennials and Gen Z find it frustrating when Boomers insist on using paper checks or cash for transactions that could be completed more quickly and efficiently through digital means. The reluctance to adopt these newer technologies often leads to unnecessary delays and misunderstandings in financial dealings.
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A Preference for Chain Restaurants
Baby Boomers usually like well-known chain restaurants because they know what to get and trust the steady service and menu choices. Younger people, like Millennials and Gen Z, like to visit local restaurants and taste new foods that give a fresh and more personal dining experience.
This difference in food choices can cause some frustration, especially when Boomers don’t want to try new things. For younger people, eating is an adventure, but Boomers often want comfort and things they recognize.
Romanticizing “The Good Old Days”
Baby Boomers often think back to “the good old days,” imagining a time that was easier and nicer. While looking back can feel nice, younger people get annoyed because it ignores the progress made in things like fairness, technology, and understanding mental health.
Millennials and Gen Z view today as full of chances and new ideas, making Boomers’ wish for the past seem disconnected. This difference between generations can cause problems, especially when Boomers ignore the improvements happening now.
Traditional Gender Roles
Many Boomers grew up with strict ideas about gender roles, where men were supposed to earn money and women took care of the home. Millennials and Gen Z are more open to different roles, supporting equal rights and more freedom in both work and life.
The idea that certain jobs or duties must match gender feels old-fashioned and limiting to younger people. This causes frustration and confusion when Boomers stick to these old beliefs.
Overstaying Their Welcome During Visits
Boomers often think long visits show family love and care, but younger people can find surprise or long stays too much. Millennials and Gen Z like having their own space and freedom, so when Boomers stay too long without thinking about limits, it causes stress.
Not knowing about personal space and time can cause problems, as younger people feel their need for privacy and control is ignored.
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Complaining About Younger People’s “Avocado Toast” Spending
One of the most cliché critiques Baby Boomers throw at younger generations is the idea that Millennials and Gen Z waste money on things like avocado toast and fancy coffee.
While Boomers view these purchases as frivolous, younger people see them as small indulgences that bring joy in an otherwise expensive and stressful world.
The focus on these small luxuries overlooks the larger economic struggles younger generations face, such as student debt and the rising cost of living, making these criticisms feel out of touch.
Lack of Digital Literacy
The technological gap between Baby Boomers and younger generations is not just about gadgets. It extends to basic digital literacy as well.
Boomers may struggle with online privacy settings, avoiding phishing scams, or even knowing how to use certain apps, which can be frustrating for Millennials and Gen Z who grew up with this knowledge.
Younger people often find themselves tasked with explaining or troubleshooting these issues for Boomers, which can lead to feelings of impatience and exasperation.
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Resistance to Decluttering
Baby Boomers tend to hold onto things, often out of a sense of practicality or sentimentality, having grown up in a time when saving items “just in case” was common.
As for younger generations, they are increasingly drawn to minimalism, seeing clutter as a source of stress. The reluctance of Boomers to let go of items, especially when it comes to cleaning out family homes or shared spaces, can create tension as Millennials and Gen Z strive for a more streamlined lifestyle.
This clash over the value of possessions often leads to heated discussions.
Thinking That Every Financial Problem Has a Simple Solution
Baby Boomers often don’t realize how hard money problems are for younger generations. They suggest easy ways to save money but don’t fully understand the money issues Millennials and Gen Z deal with.
Higher healthcare bills, student debt, and a shaky job market cause money stress that is much more complicated than just “saving more” or “spending less.” These simple answers can seem like they ignore the real problems young people face today.
Rigid Political and Social Views
Baby Boomers often stick firmly to the political and social ideas they developed many years ago, which can cause conflict with Millennials and Gen Z, who usually have more modern and flexible views.
Younger people usually focus on fairness, acceptance, and adjusting to a fast-changing world, while Boomers might push back against these changes. Not being willing to talk openly or rethink old beliefs can lead to serious gaps between family members and groups.
Overuse of Capital Letters in Texts or Emails
Boomers may not realize that writing in all capital letters in texts or emails comes across as shouting to younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z value text etiquette and often interpret these messages as overly aggressive or awkward.
The lack of understanding around digital communication norms, such as using emojis or avoiding excessive capitalization, creates frustration when Boomers fail to adapt to these unwritten rules.
Traditional Ideas About Privacy
For Baby Boomers, privacy was something fiercely protected, with an emphasis on keeping personal matters away from public scrutiny. Millennials and Gen Z, on the other hand, are more comfortable sharing parts of their lives online through social media.
This difference in attitudes towards privacy often leads to clashes, as Boomers may see younger people’s openness as reckless, while younger generations view it as a natural part of building connections in a digital world.
Overuse of Formalities in Casual Situations
Baby Boomers are used to formal ways, such as dressing nicely for special events or using titles and greetings even in casual talks. Younger people like a more easy and flexible style, where comfort and simple ways matter more than strict rules.
Using too much formal behavior when it is not needed can make talking with Boomers seem stiff and old-fashioned to Millennials and Gen Z.
Bridging the Generational Gap Takes Patience
The actions of older adults often show a time with different money, tech, and social rules.
Things that seem normal to older adults, like using voicemails or liking the past, may seem old or bad to younger people dealing with a changed world. But these actions can be understood.
To connect, it helps to be kind and talk openly. As younger groups want change, health, and tech, it’s key for older adults to listen and change. Also, younger people can gain from knowing why these actions started.
If both sides try, they can find things they agree on and build better bonds even with differences.
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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.
