There are a lot of great things about boomers that we should all learn to appreciate more. However, there’s no denying that different generations have some very different values and tendencies, so it’s no surprise that millennials aren’t fans of all their antics. This list reveals 17 boomer habits that millennials can’t wait to see the end of.
Obsessive Lawn Care
For a long time, society has viewed a perfectly kept lawn as a sign of discipline, success, and neighborly respect. However, a lot of millennials now see this classic boomer obsession as outdated and less environmentally friendly than letting grass grow more naturally. As noted by the Natural History Museum, longer grass and wilder gardens provide more shelter and food for our local wildlife.
Unannounced Visits
While boomers may find it normal and socially acceptable to show up unannounced, millennials are less likely to be so welcoming. Modern methods of communication make it much easier to ask someone if they can drop by in advance, which is often appreciated by younger generations.
Blind Party Loyalty
Millennials often perceive boomers as being too unconditionally loyal to their chosen political party, seeing this tendency as outdated and unproductive. Instead, they’re more likely to encourage people to research each individual candidate before voting instead of always going with their preferred party.
Cable TV Loyalty
Many boomers swear by sticking with good old-fashioned cable TV rather than newer entertainment alternatives. In contrast, millennials are increasingly viewing streaming services and other options as much more convenient, flexible, and diverse in their offerings. In fact, according to Advanced Television, 8 out of 10 millennials now stream TV shows.
Avoiding Technology
Speaking of the tech divide, a large percentage of boomers prefer to avoid new technologies altogether, instead sticking by their tried-and-true traditional methods. But millennials think they’re really missing out in the process, as many new technologies are great tools for improved efficiency, communication, and quality of life.
Gender Pay Gap
Unfortunately, when boomers were starting out in their careers, they were significantly more likely to encounter unfair gender-based gaps in their pay, even if a man and woman were doing the exact same thing. Millennials have been advocating to end this injustice, promoting gender equality and fairer career opportunities.
Workaholic Culture
Boomers are famous for having a great work ethic and doing what they need to do to take care of their families. However, millennials find that this often comes at a cost, leading to a greater risk of burnout and mental health issues. For this reason, they tend to prefer a more equal work-life balance with more time for rest and relaxation.
Subtle Racism
Boomers were born at a time when racism was still a huge issue in America, so it’s sadly not surprising that some members of the generation still engage in subtle acts of racism. While racism remains a problem in modern society, many millennials are fighting to bring it to an end.
In-person Shopping
As pointed out by Forbes, boomers grew up doing all of their shopping in stores, so it’s no surprise that they’re reluctant to start doing things differently. Millennials, on the other hand, love the convenience, variety, and efficiency of online shopping, finding that it enhances their overall experience.
Preference for Phone Calls
Many boomers much prefer phone calls over other forms of communication, finding them the easiest and most convenient way of doing things. However, many millennials don’t appreciate being called out of the blue, preferring to schedule calls in advance or communicate predominantly through messaging.
Attachment to Paper
Having things down on paper can feel more tangible, solid, and secure to boomers. However, millennials see this attachment to paper as inconvenient, inefficient, and less sustainable than digital alternatives. They also find digital documents easier to manage, access, and sort through.
Physical Newspapers
While we’re on the topic of paper vs. digital media, let’s talk news. Boomers are doing a pretty good job of keeping the newspaper business afloat, finding a sense of comfort and routine in the experience of sitting down with a good old-fashioned paper. On the other hand, millennials tend to see traditional newspapers as inconvenient and cumbersome, preferring to get their news online.
Love for Diamonds
Back in the boomers’ days, diamonds were a girl’s best friend, but that could be about to change for our younger generations. As noted by CNBC, many millennial couples are choosing to skip the diamonds in favor of more affordable and ethical options.
Traditional Banking
Online banking wasn’t even a thing when boomers were in their heyday, so it’s no surprise that many of them are continuing with their regular trips to the bank. By contrast, millennials are increasingly appreciating the modern luxury of doing most of their banking from the comfort of their own homes.
Long Voicemails
While boomers might find phone calls and voicemails the easiest way to communicate what’s on their minds, this can be frustrating for younger generations. Millennials often see long voicemails as unnecessary, inefficient, and outdated compared to a quick email or text message.
Physical Photo Albums
Physical photo albums certainly have a certain charm, nostalgia, and tangible nature, so we can’t blame boomers for wanting to keep them around. However, millennials are now significantly more likely to opt for digital photo-storing options instead, finding them more convenient, accessible, and easier to share with others.
Love for Landlines
According to Starts at 60, many boomers still prefer to use good old-fashioned landlines over mobile phones or other digital alternatives. While they may see this as the easiest and most reliable way to stay in touch, millennials typically see landlines as unnecessary, inefficient, and impractical compared to smartphones.
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