11 Things Boomers Love That Make Absolutely No Sense to Millennials
From their inexplicable love for the thumbs-up emoji to a perplexing fascination with lighthouse-themed bathrooms, Baby Boomers and their unique quirks continue to baffle the Millennial generation.
This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no cost to you. As always, I only recommend links I personally use and love!
As we surf through the waves of the digital age, the generational gap between Baby Boomers and Millennials has never been more apparent. From their tech usage to daily habits, some aspects of the Boomer lifestyle can leave Millennials scratching their heads. To explore this fascinating cultural divide, we turned to the world’s largest focus group: the Internet. Millennials were asked to share the things that Baby Boomers are completely obsessed with – things that make literally no sense to the younger crowd.
As we navigate this generational landscape, remember: it’s all in good fun. So let’s take a step back and appreciate our unique differences that make each generation unique.
Embracing the Digital Age: The Thumb’s Up Emoji
For Baby Boomers, the 👍🏼 emoji has become a simple, one-stop solution for expressing positivity, approval, and acknowledgement in the realm of digital communication. For Millennials who grew up in an emoji-filled world, the repetitive use of this single symbol might seem a bit too… well, vanilla. But for Boomers, the trusty thumb offers a comforting and universal symbol that transcends the generational digital divide.
The Cursive Conundrum: Old-school Elegance or Overrated Skill?
When Baby Boomers were in school, cursive writing was a cornerstone of education – a sign of elegance, precision, and sophistication. Today, with computers and digital technology reshaping our communication landscape, Millennials wonder why Boomers are so fixated on this ‘ancient’ skill. But hey, who needs to write in perfect loops and swirls when you can simply voice-command your Smart TV?
Pinch and Zoom: The Art of Digital Inspection
Nothing perplexes Millennials quite like a Boomer’s obsession with zooming in on every digital image they encounter. For the older generation, the ability to explore details in photos is an amazing aspect of technology, something that was unheard of in their era of print photos and slideshows. Millennials, on the other hand, see this as unnecessary scrutiny, creating an unintentional comedy of generation gap.
Voicemail Timekeeping: More Than Just a Message
Baby Boomers, in their voicemails, often feel the need to leave a timestamp, a habit that bewilders many Millennials. This stems from a time when answering machines lacked automatic timekeeping features, and noting the time of a call was part of proper telephone etiquette. So, while Millennials might roll their eyes at this antiquated custom, for Boomers it’s a nostalgic nod to the days when communication was a bit more deliberate.
Carefree Childhoods: The Hose Water and Helmetless Bike Rides
Baby Boomers often romanticize their past, boasting about their childhood days spent biking without helmets and hydrating from garden hoses. This nostalgia might leave Millennials puzzled, who balance their own childhood memories of handheld gaming devices and safer play habits. Is it a longing for simpler times, or a badge of ruggedness? Perhaps a little bit of both.
Sea-themed Sanctuaries: The Lighthouse, Sailboat, and Beach Bathroom Obsession
Why are Boomers so enchanted by sea-inspired bathrooms? This aesthetic offers an escape, a mini seaside vacation every time they step into the shower. Millennials, on the other hand, might favor a more minimalist or eclectic approach, leaving them bemused by the blue, sandy, shell-studded obsession of their predecessors.
Tuned into Politics: Boomers and the 24/7 News Cycle
For Boomers, watching political programs and constant news updates can seem like a civic duty. Their devotion to the 24/7 news cycle often leaves Millennials, who tend to consume news in bite-sized, digital formats, a bit bewildered. It’s like binge-watching, but for current events and policy debates.
Facebook Challenges: The “I Bet You Won’t Share This” Trend
Why are Boomers so fond of these Facebook-sharing challenges? It likely stems from a desire to stay connected and be part of an online community, which can feel elusive in the vast digital landscape. To Millennials, though, this trend might feel a bit spammy and out of touch.
The Early Morning Lawn Ritual
The humming drone of a lawnmower at 8 in the morning? That’s music to a Boomer’s ears. To Millennials, it might seem like an unnecessary early bird ritual. But for Boomers, this chore is not just about maintaining a tidy lawn. It’s a productive, meditative, even therapeutic, start to the day.
Exact Change Enthusiasts: Boomers and their Coin Collections
Older people’s obsession with paying in exact change might puzzle Millennials, especially in our increasingly cashless society. To Boomers, though, it’s a matter of thrift and efficiency. After all, why let those dimes and nickels pile up at home?
Highway Chatter: The Fascination with Driving Routes
Why do older generations love discussing routes and highways? This likely traces back to a time before GPS, when choosing the quickest or most scenic route was a form of skill and local knowledge. To Millennials, who have a myriad of apps for navigation, this can seem like an irrelevant preoccupation. But for Boomers, it’s a nod to their navigational prowess.
12 Things Baby Boomers Know That Younger Generations Don’t
12 Things Baby Boomers Know That Younger Generations Don’t
You Might Be a Jerk if You Have One of These 12 Car Decorations
You Might Be a Jerk if You Have One of These 12 Car Decorations
Aliens Everywhere! Fascinating Theories on What Aliens Could Be
Aliens Everywhere! Fascinating Theories on What Aliens Could Be
