18 Things Older Generations Do That Drive Younger People Up the Wall
Older and younger generations often have different views on life. It makes sense, as they grew up in a different time and have a different frame of reference. While both have their own experiences, some beliefs and habits of the older generation can frustrate the younger generation to no end.
As a millennial, I often wonder why older generations see us as slackers. When they claim younger people don’t want to work or that giving up avocado toast and our Starbucks would help us buy a house, it just doesn’t reflect reality.
That said, I’ve listed some habits of older generations that tend to annoy people who are younger.
1. The “Workhorse” Mentality
Boomers love to work, work, and then work some more. In fact, the Tribune Chronicle reports that many boomers continue to work past retirement.
In contrast, my millennial generation, and the ones after, value work-life balance. We don’t live to work; we work to live. We want to spend our lives doing more than just working, and want to enjoy the beauty life has to offer.
2. Don’t Listen to Younger Generations
One attitude some boomers have is that they don’t always take younger people seriously. They claim millennials have a weak work ethic and are emotionally fragile. They dismiss our opinions with, “Been there, done that.”
With that mindset, they don’t see what we’re facing. For instance, many of us can’t buy a house — not because we buy a new Porsche every year, but because of rising house prices, high rental payments, and inflation. It’s better to keep an open mind for a more respectful and harmonious relationship between generations.
3. The “Customer is Always Right” Excuse
Boomers often stick to the idea that “the customer is always right,” a phrase that first appeared in 1893. This kind of thinking can harm employees who are working hard and not for the highest wage, might I add. They don’t continuously want to deal with customers who think they’re always right.
Customers need to take responsibility and remember that service is a privilege, not a right. By showing respect to employees, we can create a healthier, more balanced customer service relationship.
4. Technology Ignorance
Boomers were born in a time without advanced technology. It’s not surprising that most of them find it hard to use the latest features on phones and smart home appliances, especially those using AI.
Boomers just don’t get it and don’t even try to work with it. This resistance creates a divide in the connection between generations because the younger generations use technology a lot to communicate.
5. Shaming “Job-Hopping”
Another thing I find frustrating about the older generation is how some of them shame people for job-hopping. Especially if they don’t know or understand the reasons behind it.
Sadly, some employers don’t pay their workers enough. As a result, we have to seek better opportunities where we are compensated for our efforts. With rising costs for food and other essentials, yes, we like to make ends meet, but it’s more than that. We also want to grow in our careers. If our current company doesn’t provide opportunities for advancement, it makes sense to look for that growth elsewhere.
6. Dropping by Unannounced
Most boomers see surprise visits as friendly and a way to maintain close relationships. I’ve noticed this with my boomer parents. When I was younger, relatives would drop by unannounced. Even though it was unexpected, my parents welcomed them warmly and prepared food.
However, this doesn’t always align with younger generations. With busy work schedules, we appreciate a heads-up before visits, and it’s necessary to plan things in advance.
7. Shaming Young Women
As someone from a younger generation, another habit some boomers tend to have is how they shame younger women. Just last year, boomers made headlines when a reality TV star revealed she was verbally harassed by them at a restaurant.
While everyone is free to share their opinions, it’s important to think before speaking to avoid hurting others’ feelings. We all have our own ways of expressing ourselves, so it may be more healthy to embrace a “live and let live” attitude.
8. Criticizing Younger People for Not Owning Homes
Some boomers tend to judge people who don’t own homes, and I’ve heard this quite a bit. In fact, my mother’s friend asked where I live and how much my mortgage is each month.
I told her the truth: I currently rent a small apartment with my partner. She seemed surprised and said that it would be throwing money away if I kept renting. Well, I’ve heard that before, and I still keep renting. With high housing costs, soaring inflation, and a rising cost of living, younger generations are just trying to survive.
9. Calling Instead of Texting
In this age of constant communication, I prefer messages over calls, and I’m not alone. According to a new study, 9 out of 10 Zoomers prefer to text rather than call. A quarter of them even ignore phone calls.
That’s not surprising as calls can disturb you when you’re in the middle of a workday or something important. It demands immediate attention, while texts allow for more flexibility. I like to think about something before I type it out, which isn’t possible is somebody is on the other line.
10. Normalizing Alcoholism
Some boomers see the signs of alcoholism as comedic rather than serious, which downplays the dangers of alcohol abuse and its effects on families.
According to American Addiction Centers, boomers’ drinking habits are worsening. This calls for people to seriously acknowledge alcohol-related problems and reflecting on their drinking habits.
11. Complaining About Participation Trophies
Boomers rant about millennials and Gen Z being “entitled” because of participation trophies. Well, boomers created them and started the tradition of handing them out to everyone.
It’s unfair to blame younger generations for this trend. Instead of pointing fingers, we should focus on understanding how these practices shape our views on achievements and motivation across generations.
12. Blind Loyalty to Political Parties
As the daughter of boomer parents, I witness their die-hard support for certain political parties. They claim that their favored candidates have done a lot for us.
While that may be true, I can’t ignore my conscience. I know that those same politicians only show up when elections are near, and once in office, their promises seem to vanish. Blind loyalty allows unfit leaders to stay in power, and that cycle needs to change.
13. Obsessive Yard Work
I understand the importance of maintaining your yard; it keeps your outdoor space neat and increases your home’s curb appeal. However, when yard work becomes an obsession, that’s another story.
Boomers love to pour extra effort on their home’s appearance, and they don’t hesitate to show it off. While this isn’t a bad thing, it would be helpful for boomers to recognize that others have different priorities, which may not include spending a lot of time on yard maintenance. It’s less about the yard and more about getting judged for your choices.
14. Victim Blaming
Blaming a victim for what they were wearing or how they acted is harmful. This implies that if someone hadn’t worn something specific, they would have been safe.
In my experience, older people usually want to discuss the details of an assault case. I heard one of them suggest that the victim’s clothing might have been to blame for the attack. There’s even a study that supports that older generations are less likely to believe the victim than younger generations.
15. Back in the Day Stories
I appreciate it when my parents share their “back in the day” stories, but it becomes a bit much when they bring them up too often. Is it just me, or do all millennials with boomer parents feel this way?
I’ve heard these stories dozens of times and I can even tell them as if I’m there with them. As much as I love these stories, hearing them repeatedly makes me want to tune out (though I usually don’t).
16. The “We Went Through It, So Should You” Mentality
Boomers want the younger generation to experience what they went through in the past. My boomer parents always reminded me to watch over our restaurant and help clean it before closing. Looking back, I do appreciate their efforts as they taught me the value of hard work at a young age.
However, times have changed, and what worked for their generation may not be as effective today. We should be open to change and support new ways of doing things instead of wanting younger people to face the same struggles.
17. Judging Non-Traditional Careers
Boomer generations often question non-traditional careers, such as creative and freelance jobs. As a millennial freelancer, I’ve faced situations where I’m asked about my work.
My boomer aunt suggested I return to my finance job after she learned what I do because she thinks it’s more stable. Besides, my freelance job enables me to work from anywhere in the world, which is a type of freedom that I appreciate a lot.
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