When it comes to any topic, be it manners, fashion, or even the most trivial things like social media and selfies - it seems like Baby Boomers and Millenials are at a perpetual war on opinions. They just don’t see things in the same light, and it makes for some great subject matter on the internet!
You don’t have to go too far to experience it - this generational gap is all too clear at any family dinner in our own homes. We’re not going to take any sides, but this list compiled with Millenials’ posts on what boomers love, is hilarious! We’ll let you decide on the accuracy, although it’s a safe bet to say that many of you will go “spot on!” at most of these insights! But hey, isn’t that what makes those family reunions so full of drama, laughs, and witty banter? At least we think so!
Argue To Agree
Arguments aren’t fun, period! This holds true, especially when you are on the losing side of things, and boomers love to use their trump card in these situations. With some scathing remarks, they brand you as a person who always has to retort in every instance.
Irrespective of age or degrees, everyone must come to terms with the fact that an argument is a learning process for both parties. And it doesn’t matter how good or bad boomers are at arguing; impatience must not be used as a defense mechanism whatsoever!
Why Aren’t You Sleeping
Having a baby might be a rewarding experience for new parents at first, but soon, it becomes challenging to adapt to the stay-on-the-toes lifestyle. After all, no course or tutorial can prepare them for this phase of their life!
A sharp-eyed millennial pointed out that new parents are constantly encouraged and supported by fellow age-group members, whereas the same cannot be said about boomers. The older folks are generally the ones who tend to point out things like lack of sleep, the formation of dark circles, or weight gain instead of being a pillar of support.
Stop Right There
Sharing pieces of advice like ‘don’t burn yourself out’ or ‘don’t take work things too seriously’ might be common for boomers. But little do they know the pressure of working in an environment where ten people are vying for one job!
While there is some amount of truth to the fact that millennials should know their limitations and work accordingly, they don’t want to hear this from the golden-era folks. The main reason is the fact that it is hard to take this from that generation of people who failed to improve the system.
We Smell Double Standards
Teenage is a weird period of a millennial’s life. Maybe it is the hormones, society, or the peer group, but most of them end up in a phase where they don’t know if they should act like adults or kids. It affects their decision-making, and at times, land them in a soup!
While boomers have all the right to tell the kids to mend their ways, they should stop telling them not to act like grown-ups. After all, they belong to a generation which got married at seventeen and had kids at the age of twenty!
It is Espresso, Not Expresso!
Misspelled words like ’cannidate,’ ‘dextop’ and ‘man-naise’ are some of the common incorrect variants of frequently used ones. Now we are not saying that millennials don’t make errors, but they do tend to make an effort.
Take any barista at Starbucks for instance; they try to get every name written on the cup right, no matter which part of the world you are from or how difficult it is. The same cannot be said about boomers, the crop of people who don’t find it important to pronounce the names properly!
Is Somebody In There
There are certain moments when we require the utmost privacy, and most of us expect our fellow beings to be considerate. But when it comes to the older folks, the rule books go for a toss!
A frustrated soul on social media decided that she has had enough and decided to call out all those boomers who were hell-bent on denting her peace of mind. It is obvious that someone is inside the bathroom, so what is the point in rattling the door handle incessantly or asking whether someone was in there!
Time and Tide Come to a Still
While millennials and punctuality are two words that cannot be used in the same sentence, our beloved elders fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. They love packing lunch and heading to the dentist's appointment way earlier than the designated time.
It is helpful when you show up early at the doctor's place, but there are other times when this habit gets annoying. If you are planning to catch a flight, especially red-eye, with a boomer, then god save you from all the pestering and sleepless nights for the next week!
Oh, Not Again
Boomers often accuse the younger lot of wanting everything on a silver platter, but when it comes to their needs and wants, there seems to be no end! It was highlighted by a social media user who pointed out that the older lot assumes that every digital screen they come across is a touch-screen one.
It is a clear indication of how much they rely on technology and their need for an impeccable user experience with every tech gadget they use. And god forbid if one of those screens don’t work, the next millennial they come across will end up listening to a barrage of problems.
No, We Don’t Need More Of Them
After lots of struggle and protests, finally, the world is coming to terms with the fact that single-use plastics are really harmful to the environment. But boomers are among that crop of people who are adamant about incentivizing those who offer them non-biodegradable items.
A case in point is the fact that not only do older people use straws in restaurants and cafes, but they also thank the waiters if they are made of plastic. Now, who wants to volunteer and teach them about the ill-effects of using such materials?
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Our music has become louder and diverse with time, and it makes sense that the previous generation fails to relate to it. But in their usual style, they choose to retort by saying ‘what’s all this noise about’ or ‘I can’t hear myself.’
A social media user pointed out that boomers could address the problem by asking the guilty folks to turn down the volume instead of berating them. Life could be much easier for all of us if there weren’t all the unnecessary comments about the choice of music.
I Tried.
Boomers and millennials are obviously from different timelines, and while they would agree on some concepts, they are at loggerheads on a lot of things. When you want to reach out to someone, and you call them if they're unavailable, then you might be able to or not, leave them a voicemail.
While most people haven't set up their voicemails or they have too many messages, the caller can't leave them one. For boomers, this is a bummer, and they will, in no particular words, let you know via text that your voicemail is full.
Reminder: This Wasn't there In Our Time
The reason why something gets invented is usually simply because it doesn't exist, right? Well, it seems some, especially boomers, have not really wrapped their heads around this simple concept, that they would always remind you about a time before something came into being.
Google has been one of the more prominent products that millennials are frequently reminded about of its creation by boomers, with the point that before the search engine came around, it did not exist. We don't know what to think about that, and maybe we will put Google to fair use and find some answers!
Old-Fashioned Interrogation
In life, we meet people from all walks of life, and when you live in a particular place for a while, it is inevitable to pick up a few words and the dialect from the area. While some accents are more popular and recognizable than the others, it is pretty standard for this to happen.
However, many boomers can't resist trying to guess the specific accent to know where someone comes from originally. As one internet user noticed, this can feel like an interrogation and a tad rude when the whole experience turns into a game of guesses. Not cool.
Let's Wrap This Up
Nowadays, many people have become busier; we all have things to do and places to be, so much so that sometimes we don't have the time to sit down and catch up. One of the most infuriating things that can happen to anyone is when you want to move on with your day, but someone is holding you ransom with a very long phone call.
While we think hanging up is as easy as actually doing it, some people don't even follow through, leaving you quite frustrated. Most boomers say they're letting you go, and half an hour later, you're still talking to them, and it's pretty annoying.
Non-Stick Pages
We all have our pet peeves, and for millennials, we think it is the unhygienic habit of some baby boomers, who, while reading a book or a newspaper, will often lick their fingers before turning a page. In their defense, they say that act is to make sure the pages don't stick together.
It might be the boomer hack that actually works, but many people find it annoying and equally insanitary. This user found it so exasperating that he had to point it out, to the agreement of several users online.
Is That Mine?
Most gadgets, especially smartphones, are all made similar, and they all look alike on the surface. When you get into the details, though, you'll find that many people have customized their phones to what suits them, getting rid of the default ringtones and settings.
In the case of boomers, this is different. They would leave their cell phone settings untouched, and when it rings, they would be the first to ask if it actually is their phone with the default tune. It is quite funny how these folks seem to forget every time they never change a thing on their phones in the first place.
Two Is Better Than One
It's always good to have a spare item if you lose the main one or it gets spoilt. However, boomers have taken this trait to a whole new level, owning several remote controls for just one television screen, making it difficult to keep track of all of them.
In this age where you can have one controller for everything, why the old folk decides to have multiple items is something we might never understand. It's already tricky enough to keep tabs on the remote controls because they very easily end up misplaced. It makes sense to look for it upon disappearance instead of getting a new one altogether.
Shine Bright Like a Diamond and Stay Uncomfortable
Many smartphones are easy to use, and their design favors convenience; one can single-handedly operate them. Boomers seem to have a different idea of how the gadgets work, as they are the only people you would find holding the phone in one hand and using their index finger to scroll down.
Also, have you noticed how bright their screens are? They see that the phone brightness is at the very maximum it can be, and they still do not find it necessary to adjust it to their liking. Quite strange and hilarious, no?
You Definitely Need To
While it is never a good thing to hit out at a particular group for what they like doing and their reasons, this person noticed something about boomers and decided to address it. This user noticed that most boomers brag about never going to and not needing therapy like it is some sort of victory in life.
Many people have had their lives changed after going to therapy, so it isn't a bad thing. Maybe more boomers would try it out and see how helpful it can be instead of judging the rest of humanity for it.
Let's Make Life Complicated, Siri
It's undeniable that technology advancements have made our lives much more manageable, with automated voice helpers like Siri giving you solutions when you talk to her instead of typing. Siri's usage varies, though, as the tech is still evolving, so you might be better off Googling some things.
Boomers have other ideas nonetheless, and they would just ask Siri anything and everything regardless of the inconvenience it might cause the rest of us. To them, maybe the talking lady is easier to use, and any other service provider is nonexistent.
A New Place
If you're a student moving out of your hometown to get an education, you would probably know it is always an excitement to find a new place, even if it is a small studio apartment. After all, it is interesting as you have started something new and transformed a unique business in your home.
Besides, the idea of showing off your new place is not a bad one. But it seems that this social media user had a little trouble with the details. We have to say this that when a boomer asks for a tour of your new yet small apartment, believe us, and it's not a delight!
Looking on The Bright Side
We understand that sometimes a rainy day can be disappointing for various reasons. But as they say, it is good to always look on the bright side because there is nothing that you could do to stop the rain and make the sun come out. So, accepting it appears to be the right choice.
For instance, let us say that you wake up on the weekend and realize that it’s raining cats and dogs. If you are looking for the bright side of it, then ask a boomer about it. We are sure that they would give a very familiar phrase.
Small Talks Millennials Don’t Like
We acknowledge that getting around can be challenging, especially when you visit a place that has not been to before. Well, in that case, it is always a good idea to get some help. But unlike the boomers, the millennials don’t talk about their daily routes in their regular conversations.
On the other hand, the older generation somehow manages to slip it into meaningless idle chatter. Interestingly, it still remains a big question for us; what makes your directions so much interesting? If you know the answer, we would love to know!
Tech and Boomers
In the last few years, we all have witnessed a technological boom. This gives birth to specific generational gaps, most importantly, boomers’ grasp over the new tech items. However, this hardly stops them. It seems that this low user had to take to social media to air her grievances after repeatedly witnessing the same scene.
These days boomers are not worried that they are new to most of the technology. Instead, they are confidently wrong, and while they faced the problem, they were more than happy to hold up the line!
Conspiracy Theories and Controversial Posts
Even though when social media first became a thing, it was mostly the generation Z that got hold of the platforms; these days, most of them have taken on people from different generations. Having said that, it does not mean that almost every generation uses these platforms the same way.
In fact, the cool kids like to share trending stories and popular culture in their age group. But just like this user noticed, boomers are likely to share controversial posts or conspiracy theories and always dare young ones to join them!
Blaming Millennials
Well, if you think about it, this person has raised a valid question because it is worth highlighting how boomers blame millennials for almost everything, including weird views and social media posts. Still, this does not make people from other demographics smarter.
Unlike the old people, who don’t pay much attention to interior design, there are not many generations Z’s members itching to replace their expensive hardwood flooring with a carpet. Yes, many other boomers who came before them did the same! So, it would be fair to say that they need to pay more attention to interior design from now on!
Boomers TV Shows
In this digitalization age, almost every content, whether video or text, has some monetary value. So, most companies these days pay quite a bit of attention to targeting the right audience. That is why shows aimed at boomers are different from those for millennials.
Yet as this user noticed, the most exciting thing is the topic or genre of these shows’ boomers love to watch. Surprisingly, there is the town of television shows that involve aliens and discovering gold for the reason no one may ever find out. We would suggest you watch some of these, who knows, maybe you would love those!
Where are the Blue Whales?
Over the years, there are many things that millennials have changed for good to ensure that people were acting ethically and morally. But it turns out that not everyone is happy about some of the things. Most of the boomers these days are seen complaining about some decisions that were taken for the betterment of this planet.
As this user aptly points out, they are now annoyed that there are no blue whales at SeaWorld, and this step was taken because of the captivity, cruel treatment, and irresponsibility of people.
Never Believe The Internet!
We think that almost everyone agrees that the boomers are usually keen to pass on the advice that is most invaluable to the younger generations. But it is always a treat to listen to their suggestion that they don’t follow themselves. For example, you might have heard many older people telling you not to trust everything you encounter on social media platforms.
While it would have a piece of great advice for many of us, yet the overarching tendency of the boomers to believe every word they read online certainly waters it down!