Every generation leaves behind customs, traditions & technologies that were once a major part of their existence as younger generations take over. Similarly, the Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, helped shape contemporary society, but many of their habits—from the way they worked to how they socialized—are becoming outdated. Here are 11 things likely to disappear with the Baby Boomer generation.
Featured Image Credit: Yaroslav Shuraev /Pexels.com.
Union-Dominated Workplaces
The Baby Boomers grew up during a time when labor unions were strong & had power. They fought to protect workers’ rights and secure both fair wages (and benefits). However, today’s workforce is more into working under contracts or freelancing, so these jobs don’t come with conventional benefits. Day by day, we see how union power is weakening as the Boomers leave the workforce.
Mail-In Rebates
Today, we find digital discounts & instant online coupons everywhere, and because of this, companies are phasing out old rebate systems. Soon, I think barcodes & mail-in forms will be a thing of the past.
Traditional Funeral Customs
Boomers generally prefer traditional burial methods, yet younger generations choose cremation along with green burials & eco-friendly options such as biodegradable urns. As views on death change & environmental concerns grow, those big formal funeral services are expected to become less popular.
Door-to-Door Sales
Didn’t you notice that, with shopping online being easier, door-to-door sales are becoming rare? The Baby Boomer generation often saw salespeople knocking on doors to sell their products like encyclopedias & vacuum cleaners. But now, industries like insurance and home security, which used to rely on door-to-door selling, mostly use online platforms.
Extensive Personal Phone Books
While Boomers kept detailed handwritten contact information in thick address books, most people now use digital methods to store their phone numbers. The aging Boomer generation will no longer need physical phone books with contacts because smartphones & cloud storage will take over this function.
TV Guide Magazines
Boomers used printed TV guides to find programming schedules before streaming services became available. While printed TV guides still exist, younger generations rarely use them as they choose to watch on-demand content.
Elaborate China Dishware Sets
The Boomer generation saved special “good china” sets for special occasions, storing them in display cabinets. Younger generations prefer practical dishware for everyday use & aren’t interested in maintaining delicate china sets.
Haggling for Big Purchases
During their time, Boomers were always negotiating prices for cars & appliances (it was so common back then). With fixed online pricing and no-haggle sales models today, younger customers rarely haggle, and the art of negotiating prices is slowly vanishing.
Paper Maps & Printed Directions
Baby Boomers relied on folded maps & printed directions to navigate between locations. Although some people still use them, paper maps have become nearly obsolete thanks to GPS devices & smartphone navigation apps. Future generations will likely never have to deal with unfolding & refolding large road maps.
Handwritten Recipes
Many Baby Boomers stored their family recipes on index cards or in notebooks, which they handed down through generations. Handwritten recipe collections are now rare because cooking websites, along with YouTube tutorials & meal-planning apps, dominate how people find recipes in the modern day.
Patience for Long Customer Service Calls
Older people are accustomed to long hold times during customer service calls, but younger people demand immediate assistance through chatbots & social media platforms. As businesses adjust to evolving consumer patterns, lengthy customer service calls will soon be no more.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
12 Major Reasons Why People Have So Much Hatred For Baby Boomers
Baby Boomers, typically those born between 1946 and 1964, have faced scrutiny and criticism from various quarters. This phenomenon of animosity towards Baby Boomers has multiple roots, ranging from economic factors and cultural shifts to generational conflicts and perceptions of privilege. Exploring these facets can provide insight into the 12 major reasons why some people harbor so much hatred for Baby Boomers.
12 Major Reasons Why People Have So Much Hatred For Baby Boomers
20 Relationship Habits That You Think Are Loving, but Are Actually Dangerously Deceptive
Discover the hidden truths of Relationship Habits That You Think Are Loving but Are Dangerously Deceptive”. This thought-provoking journey challenges our notions of love, empowers us to build healthier bonds, and brings surprising revelations.
20 Relationship Habits That You Think Are Loving, but Are Actually Dangerously Deceptive
The 15 Worst-Selling Cars in America
Not every automobile model captures public attention or meets consumer expectations. The market celebrates top sellers, but some cars struggle to find buyers. High prices, unattractive designs, subpar performance, or failure to stand out in a highly competitive market contribute to poor sales.
In this article, we examine some of the worst-selling cars in America, highlighting cars that may have missed the mark, from once-promising models to niche vehicles that never found an audience.