Every generation has its trends, but what was once stylish, high-tech, or cutting-edge doesn’t always age well. While the baby boomer generation loves their own timeless classics, there are a few things they consider cool that make younger generations chuckle.
Using Cash for Everything
Younger generations have fully embraced digital payments, but boomers still love carrying wads of cash. They’ll insist on counting out exact change at the register, even if there’s a long line behind them.
Some even refuse to use credit cards, believing cash is king. Meanwhile, millennials and Gen Z are out here using tap-to-pay without a second thought.
Wearing Socks with Sandals
Nothing screams “boomer style” quite like a pair of socks stuffed into sandals. While it may be practical for avoiding cold feet, it’s definitely not fashionable. Older people, however, proudly rock this look at the grocery store, the mailbox, and even on vacation. They don’t care if it clashes with the rest of their outfit, either.
Ironing Everything, Even T-Shirts
If you’ve ever watched an older person pull out the ironing board for a casual t-shirt, you’ve witnessed this outdated habit firsthand. They refuse to believe wrinkle-free fabrics actually work and will spend extra time making sure every single shirt, pair of jeans, and even their pajamas are perfectly pressed at bedtime.
Calling Instead of Texting
Baby boomers love a good phone call, even when a text would do just fine. If they need to tell you something quick, they’ll dial your number instead of just shooting a message. Worse yet, they’ll leave a long voicemail, even though everyone under 40 knows texts are the way to go.
Young people today dread answering unknown numbers, but boomers will pick up every time, excited for a conversation.
Writing Checks at the Grocery Store
The rest of the world has moved on to debit cards and mobile payments, but some of the older generation still whip out a checkbook in the checkout line. Not only do they write checks, but they take their sweet time filling them out, double-checking every detail.
Younger generations, who can tap a phone and be done in seconds, watch in amazement as this ancient transaction method lives on.
Calling Everything a “Selfie”
Older people know that selfies exist, but they don’t quite understand the definition. If they take any pictures of themselves, even if it’s a blurry shot from across the room, it’s a “selfie.” Group photo with the grandkids? Selfie.
A stranger taking a photo of them on vacation? Still a selfie. No matter how much you explain it, the term “selfie” applies to every photo in their book.
Wearing Bluetooth Earpieces in Public
They love their Bluetooth earpieces so much and will wear them all day long, even when they’re not on a call. They’ll stroll through the grocery store, sit in restaurants, and even have full conversations in public, making everyone wonder if they’re talking to themselves.
Printing Out Directions from MapQuest
GPS apps have made navigation easier than ever, but boomers still trust a good old-fashioned printed map. Some even print out step-by-step directions, highlighting important turns as if Google Maps doesn’t exist.
While younger drivers rely on real-time traffic updates, baby boomers will unfold a massive sheet of paper and try to read directions while driving, all because they “don’t trust technology.”
Complaining About “Kids These Days”
Every generation complains about the younger ones, but they have turned it into an art form. Whether it’s about work ethic, music, or phone addiction, they love reminiscing about “the good old days” and how things were so much better when they were young. Ironically, their parents probably said the same things about them back in the day.
Clipping Coupons from the Newspaper
Digital coupons and promo codes have made saving money easier than ever, but some boomers still prefer clipping paper coupons from the Sunday newspaper. They’ll show up at the checkout with a folder full of cut-out deals, even if they could have saved the same amount with a quick app scan. The commitment to physical coupons is impressive, but also totally unnecessary in the digital age.
Using Facebook Like a Personal Diary
Older people treat Facebook like their own personal journal, posting lengthy updates about everything in their lives. What they ate for breakfast, their thoughts on politics, or a random memory from 1972, no detail is too small.
They also comment on everything, from their cousin’s vacation photos to a brand’s customer service page, often in ALL CAPS, because they “didn’t realize caps lock was on.”
Leaving Voicemails for Everything
Younger generations hate voicemails, but seniors will leave one for even the simplest things. Instead of texting, “Call me when you can,” they’ll leave a two-minute-long voicemail explaining why they’re calling, what they want to talk about, and sometimes even repeating their phone number.
Meanwhile, the person receiving the voicemail just texts back, “What’s up?”
Wearing Fanny Packs Non-Ironically
Fanny packs made a comeback with younger crowds as a joke, but the older generation never stopped wearing them. For them, fanny packs are the ultimate hands-free storage solution, perfect for holding keys, wallets, and even a flip phone. They don’t care if they look outdated because functionality comes first. If it keeps their essentials within reach, it’s staying in the wardrobe.
Still Thinking “LOL” Means “Lots of Love”
Boomers and internet slang don’t always mix well. Some still believe “LOL” stands for “lots of love,” leading to some unintentionally hilarious messages. Telling someone, “LOL, sorry for your loss” or “Thinking of you, LOL” is peak boomer energy. No matter how many times they’re corrected, some refuse to accept that LOL is about laughter, not sympathy.
Having a Landline Phone – And Actually Using It
Most younger people ditched landlines years ago, but boomers still see them as essential. Even if they have a cell phone, they’ll insist on using their home phone for important calls. They even have answering machines, complete with a carefully recorded message, because “you never know when someone might call.”
Wearing “Cool” Graphic T-Shirts from Vacation Destinations
The fashion sense of our elders can range from sad to tragic. Boomers love a good souvenir t-shirt, especially the kind with loud graphics and big, bold lettering. They’ll still be proudly wearing “Myrtle Beach 2005” two decades later, never considering that they might not be as stylish as they once thought. Bonus points if it features a bad pun or a cartoon animal wearing sunglasses.
Calling Every Young Person “Champ” or “Kiddo”
If a boomer calls you “champ” or “kiddo,” congratulations. It means you’ve officially been adopted into their world. It doesn’t matter if you’re 30 years old, they’ll still use these classic nicknames.
While younger folks use first names, seniors love using these friendly yet slightly patronizing terms. It’s all in good fun, even if it makes younger people cringe a little.
Blasting Classic Rock at Full Volume
Older people believe that music should be played LOUD, especially if it’s classic rock. Whether they’re driving, cleaning the house, or hosting a barbecue, you can bet they’ve got The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, or The Eagles cranked up to the max. They’ll passionately argue that today’s music doesn’t compare, and if you ask them to turn it down? Forget it: that’s just not how rock and roll works.