A generation gap has always existed, but it may be more obvious now than it’s ever been. Boomers clash with younger adults often, and both sides blame the other for practically everything, from eating habits to economic woes. There are some habits that many baby boomers can’t seem to give up, and sometimes it annoys younger generations to no end.
Here are some typical older adult habits that the younger generations see as outdated or even disrespectful. (Though it should perhaps go without saying that these habits don’t apply to all boomers.)
1. Always Calling Instead of Texting
Calling someone requires their immediate attention, whereas a text can be looked at and responded to when the recipient has time. Many younger people prefer texting over calling and voicemails for normal communication (obviously, emergencies and other special circumstances are different).
2. Showing Up to a Home Unannounced
Many people, especially young people, wouldn’t dream of showing up to a friend’s or family member’s home unannounced. Dropping in on someone unexpectedly can cause anxiety (Is the house clean enough? Do I have anything to serve my guests?) and can be seen as not respecting boundaries or space.
3. Eating at Chain Restaurants
We’ve all heard that “Millennials are killing Applebee’s,” and that’s because younger generations don’t understand the appeal of many chain restaurants. In general, boomers seem to love consistency and familiarity when they dine out, which is probably why they often gravitate towards corporate chains. Younger folks often prefer to try new things or support independent restaurants.
4. Dismissing Younger Generations
Different generations should ideally learn from each other’s habits, beliefs, and experiences. But too often, some boomers dismiss younger generations because they’re “lazy” or “entitled.” That’s especially annoying when they’re talking about millennials — some of whom are already in their 40s, so they have plenty of life experiences to back up their views as well.
5. Buying Timeshares
Timeshares are the target of many jokes as a terrible investment that resorts have to sell in high-pressure situations. Somehow, boomers are still using them, and lots of younger people don’t understand why.
Trending on Cheapism
6. Taking the Same Vacations Over and Over
Do the boomers in your life take the same vacations over and over again? Maybe it’s because they own a timeshare, so that’s the only vacation they take every year, or maybe they just love driving across the country in their RV to see Mount Rushmore multiple times. Whatever the reason, it tends to get boring for the younger people they drag along, especially the grandkids.
7. Avoiding Technology
While new technology can be hard to learn, there are some seniors who refuse to even try simple things that might make their lives better, like texting, using the internet, or learning how to take photos with their phone. That can really limit the way they interact with their friends and family just because they might be stubborn about technology.
8. Playing Slot Machines
Of all the ways to gamble, slot machines give the house one of the biggest advantages. Sure, they’re designed to entice people into playing more and losing more money, but understanding why some boomers go to Las Vegas solely to play slots for hours on end is difficult.
Sign up for our newsletter
9. Printing Everything
In the workplace, many people don’t understand why some boomers regularly print out emails and other seemingly unimportant things. It’s a waste of paper and resources.
10. Not Getting Rid of Anything
When some boomers pass away, they’re going to be leaving a huge amount of material things behind. Stuff like collectibles, fancy china no one ever uses, antiques, and, in the worst cases, piles of old magazines and newspapers, will be inherited by their children. It’s a huge burden on family members at a time when they’re going to be dealing with their grief. Some seniors (and younger people) have recognized this and are actively decluttering.
11. ‘Reply All’ on Emails
There’s a lot of internet etiquette that some boomers might not understand because they didn’t grow up using technology. At work, many boomers will use the “reply all” button way too much, sending pointless emails to a huge number of people. It’s rude, unnecessary, and annoys your coworkers.
12. Getting Angry on the Internet
Social media (and probably the comment section of this article — the irony is not lost on us) is filled with boomers being angry about things. Some get very worked up and upset about things they see or read on the internet. Younger generations tend to let things they see on social media roll off their backs, and don’t assume everything they see is true.
13. Dictating What Other People Wear
Many boomers seem to really enjoy dress codes and strict definitions of what kind of clothing is acceptable for whom. That means anything from enforcing jackets required at a country club restaurant to extreme examples like blaming a sexual assault victim because they were wearing a short skirt. Younger generations tend to not care as much what other people are wearing.
14. Thinking Millennials Are Still Children
In the endless boomers versus millennials debate, some boomers seem to still think that millennials are very young, and sometimes refer to them as children. But in reality, the youngest are 28 while the oldest are 43. Many have children of their own.
15. Hoarding Money
As a whole, boomers are the wealthiest generation. Yet they’re also stingy and penny-pinching, leading to many sitting on huge sums of money in the bank. For some younger people, it’s unfathomable, and it seems like a waste to not enjoy your money while you can — or at least give some of it to the less fortunate.
16. Complaining About Neighbors
Nosy neighbors who meddle in everything are the worst, and for some reason many of the biggest offenders seem to be boomers. In general, younger people tend to want to mind their own business, and expect other neighbors to do the same.
17. Eating Meat All the Time
Beef eaters tend to be older and male, and it’s not unusual for a boomer to think a meal isn’t a meal without meat. But plant-based proteins are often cheaper and healthier than meat, and generally are better for the environment as well. Eating lots of meat isn’t a sustainable habit.
18. Turning Everything Political
Not everything in life is or needs to be political. Many people have views on life that aren’t political in nature, but some boomers respond like their political views are being attacked. We all see people on social media who turn the most innocuous posts into a political fight, and man, we’re so sick of it.
