Lisa O
Boomers aren’t trying to be quirky—they’re just doing things the way they always have. But to younger generations raised on smartphones, apps, and instant everything, some Boomer habits come off as a little… puzzling. Here are 30 everyday things Boomers still do that leave Millennials and Gen Z scratching their heads.
Write Checks at the Grocery Store
While most people tap cards or phones, Boomers pull out a checkbook. It’s not just habit—it feels more secure and responsible to them. But to the cashier and the growing line behind them, it feels like time travel to a slower, more paper-filled era.
Leave Voicemails Instead of Texting
To Boomers, voicemails are personal and thoughtful. They grew up with answering machines, and leaving a message feels polite. But younger people often see voicemail as outdated and time-consuming, wondering why you didn’t just send a quick text with the same information in half the time.
Use Ellipses in Text Messages… Constantly
Boomers love ellipses to soften a message or show a pause in thought. But to younger folks, it can feel ominous or passive-aggressive. “Sounds good…” doesn’t come across as casual—it sounds like something’s wrong. It’s a tiny dot trilogy with very different interpretations.
Carry Cash Everywhere
Digital wallets? Not for everyone. Boomers like having real money on hand. It feels more tangible, more controlled. They tuck cash into envelopes, wallets, or coat pockets—just in case. On the other hand, younger people often live cashless lives and find the attachment to bills and coins unnecessary.
Read the Newspaper in Print
Boomers still enjoy the feel of newsprint, flipping pages over coffee, and reading the headlines in order. To them, it’s a relaxing routine. But to digital natives, paying for a bulky stack of paper when the same info is online seems inefficient, even a little wasteful.
Forward Chain Emails
Whether it’s a prayer, a life tip, or a joke from 2003, Boomers love forwarding email chains to friends and family. They see it as staying in touch. Millennials and Gen Z often just groan when another “FWD: FWD: FWD:” shows up in their inbox.
Answer Unknown Phone Numbers
If the phone rings, Boomers pick up. To them, it could be someone important. Younger generations? If it’s not in their contacts, it goes straight to voicemail. They assume it’s spam or, worse, a scam call from “your car’s extended warranty.”
Print Out Directions Before Driving
Despite GPS and real-time traffic apps, some Boomers still print directions from their computer. They trust a paper backup in case their phone dies or they lose signal. Meanwhile, younger folks rely on Google Maps for everything—including bathroom breaks and fast-food detours.
Talk Loudly on a Speakerphone in Public
Whether in line at the pharmacy or walking through Target, Boomers sometimes treat their phone like a walkie-talkie. It’s more comfortable for them, but others hear every word of the conversation and cringe. Privacy, it seems, is a generational concept.
Subscribe to Magazines by Mail
Boomers still look forward to flipping through a glossy magazine on the porch or in the living room. They appreciate the curated content and photos. But to digital natives, physical magazines feel like clutter—and the internet already gives them more content than they could ever read.
Hang On to Decades-Old Appliances
If it still works, why replace it? Boomers love their vintage blenders, microwaves, and slow cookers. They were built to last, and that matters. Younger people might opt for sleek upgrades, but Boomers value durability over aesthetics or smart features.
Use Landline Phones
Yes, some Boomers still have landlines. They see them as more reliable, especially in emergencies. While younger generations have gone fully mobile, the idea of a “home phone” brings comfort and a touch of structure to daily life.
Send Birthday Cards in the Mail
A text or social media post won’t cut it. Boomers head to the card aisle, pick one with just the right message, and drop it in the mailbox. It’s thoughtful and personal. But for younger people, it seems like a lot of effort for something that will end up in the trash.
Watch Network TV Live
Boomers still tune in at a set time to watch their favorite shows—commercials and all. The idea of “appointment television” feels nostalgic and familiar. But younger viewers prefer streaming everything, anytime, anywhere, with the option to binge or skip ads altogether.
Use Fax Machines
For many Boomers, faxing documents is still part of doing business. It feels official and reliable. But to younger generations, fax machines seem like something out of a museum—why not just email a PDF and be done with it?
Buy CDs and DVDs
Streaming might be convenient, but Boomers like owning a physical copy of what they pay for. Whether it’s music, movies, or TV shows, they appreciate the permanence and tangibility of CDs and DVDs. To younger folks, it just takes up space—why bother when it’s all online?
Cut Out Coupons from Newspapers
Boomers still grab the scissors on Sunday morning and clip deals from flyers and inserts. It’s a ritual, not just a money-saver. While younger generations use apps and promo codes, Boomers enjoy the satisfaction of a real paper coupon and the sense that they’re shopping smart.
Decorate With Doilies and Lace
Boomers often hold onto traditional décor—crocheted doilies, lace tablecloths, floral curtains. It reminds them of family homes and earlier times. To younger people, it can feel like visiting a great-aunt’s house. But to Boomers, these pieces represent warmth, care, and craftsmanship that mass-market minimalism can’t match.
Refer to the Internet as “The Web”
“You can find it on the web” is a phrase still used by many Boomers. While it’s not incorrect, it sounds dated to anyone under 40. It’s a subtle clue to when they first started going online—back when dial-up tones were still echoing through the house.
Keep a Paper Address Book
Boomers often write down friends’ phone numbers, addresses, and birthdays in a little book. It’s something they can flip through, update with a pen, and keep by the phone. To younger generations who sync everything to the cloud, it’s charmingly analog—but not very efficient.
Save Every Receipt ‘Just in Case’
Boomers keep receipts for nearly every purchase, often filed away or tucked into a drawer. It’s about proof, records, and readiness in case of returns. Younger people rely on email receipts or bank statements, and view the pile of paper as unnecessary clutter.
Use Checks to Pay Bills by Mail
Auto-pay is the norm for many now, but Boomers still mail checks for bills, subscriptions, and even taxes. They like the control and clarity of writing it out and watching it clear. It’s slower, but it feels more personal—and more trustworthy to them.
Watch The Weather Channel All Day
Instead of checking the forecast on an app, Boomers often leave The Weather Channel running in the background. It’s informative, comforting, and reliable. To younger people, it’s unnecessary noise—you can just ask your phone, “Will it rain today?”
Send Holiday Letters With Family Updates
Once a year, Boomers send cheerful letters updating friends and relatives on everything from vacations to graduations to new grandkids. It’s a tradition rooted in connection and storytelling. Younger folks find it outdated—but Boomers see it as a way to keep long-distance bonds alive.
Refer to Celebrities From the Past Like They’re Still Household Names
Boomers might casually drop names like Johnny Carson, Dinah Shore, or Burt Reynolds in conversation, assuming everyone still knows who they are. To younger people, those names might as well be history trivia—but Boomers still talk about them like they just left the stage.
Stick to the Same Hairstyle for Decades
Whether it’s a side part, bouffant, or perm, many Boomers find a style they like and keep it for life. It’s reliable, familiar, and part of their identity. Meanwhile, younger generations often experiment with trends, cuts, and colors that change with every season or mood.
Ask Store Clerks for Help Instead of Googling
Rather than pulling out a phone to compare prices or find product info, Boomers walk up and ask someone in the store. They value human help and think it’s faster. Younger people, by contrast, often avoid interaction and trust the internet first.
Use Phrases That Sound Like Time Capsules
Boomers drop expressions like “hanging up the phone,” “don’t touch that dial,” or “burning the midnight oil.” To them, it’s just how they talk. But to younger folks, it sounds charmingly outdated—like language frozen in time from another era.
Read Instruction Manuals Cover to Cover
When Boomers buy something new, they actually read the manual. Younger people often toss it aside and figure it out through YouTube or trial and error. For Boomers, manuals represent order, clarity, and the proper way to do things.
Complain About How Loud Restaurants Are
To Boomers, background noise should be exactly that—background. When they can’t hear their dinner companion, it’s a problem. Younger folks are more used to busy, buzzing spaces. But Boomers still believe good conversation deserves a little peace and quiet—and maybe even a cloth napkin.
