Every generation has times when something makes them say, “Wait, what?” For baby boomers, modern life seems to move at an incredibly fast pace. From gender-neutral language to people making millions playing video games, there’s a whole list of trends that just don’t make sense to them. If you’ve ever heard a boomer say “back in my day…” — this list is for you. Here are 16 modern trends that remain completely baffling to baby boomers.
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Texting Instead of Calling
Baby Boomers still prefer hearing the phone ring to receiving a “u up?” text message. They cannot understand why people choose to type lengthy messages using their thumbs instead of making a phone call to speak. Boomers become even more puzzled when someone leaves their messages unheard.
Working from Home in Pajamas
Baby Boomers who work from home continue to wake up early and dress professionally before sitting at their desk. The thought of conducting a meeting from your bed while wearing a hoodie and having messy hair? Feels like madness. “Where’s the professionalism?”
Tipping Everyone, Everywhere
At the café, you order a muffin and the screen shows a tipping option of 15%, 20%, or 25%. Boomers are like, “Weren’t tips for waiters?” Now it feels like you’re tipping your barista, the kiosk, and probably the Wi-Fi too.
Making a Living as an Influencer
Boomers invested 40 years of their lives working 9–5 jobs until they reached 65 to retire. How could someone make six figures just from dancing on TikTok or sharing outfits on Instagram? Mind-blowing. “Wait, you make money just by being online?”
Using Gender-Neutral Language
They grew up with he/she and “ladies and gentlemen.” When they hear “they/them” for one person or see someone say “Hi, I’m Alex, and my pronouns are…” it can be confusing — not out of malice, just because it’s new.
Cancel Culture
To Boomers, cancel culture feels extreme. How does one mistake lead to someone being banned from everything? They’re still learning that being “problematic” can end your career.
Minimalist Living
Why wouldn’t you want to own a home with a two-car garage, five sets of dishes, and three junk drawers? Boomers were raised on “more is more,” so the idea of tiny homes and “decluttering your soul” is baffling.
Sharing Every Thought Online
Younger generations reveal every detail of their lives online, from what they eat to their emotional struggles. Boomers advise their kids to keep their personal lives private and not share everything online.
Streaming Instead of Cable
Boomers feel nostalgic about changing TV channels and shouting at the screen when there wasn’t anything to watch. Now it’s Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO… and they can’t figure out which show is on which app. “Why do I need six subscriptions to watch TV?!”
Cashless Everything
Millennials and Gen Z tap their phones to pay and split bills via apps. Boomers are still fishing out exact change or writing checks. “What do you mean you don’t accept cash?”
Redefining Success
Boomers chased job titles, houses, and retirement plans. Young people are chasing fulfillment, side hustles, and remote jobs. “You quit your job because you were stressed? In this economy?”
Wearing Hoodies Everywhere
Boomers dressed up for church, the grocery store, even casual outings. Now people wear joggers to work and Crocs to dinner. Boomers are just wondering, “When did we all give up on pants with zippers?”
Everyone Gets a Trophy
Boomers were taught to win or lose. The modern practice of awarding every child a ribbon simply because they participated? They feel it’s watering down real achievement. “Back in my day, we earned our trophies.”
Online Dating Apps
Swipe right, ghost, repeat. Boomers miss the “accidentally bumped into each other at the bookstore” love story. They don’t trust dating apps — and don’t understand how anyone meets without talking face-to-face.
Talking About Mental Health
Boomers were raised with the mindset to “man up” and “don’t talk about it” which makes open discussions about anxiety, therapy and burnout feel strange to them. But many are starting to get it — slowly but surely.
Rejecting Hustle Culture
The Boomer generation experienced the “rise and grind” mentality throughout their lives. Younger generations establish boundaries, take mental health days off work and quit jobs that fail to meet their needs. For Baby Boomers, this seems like giving up
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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