14 Post-Pandemic Changes That Boomers Can’t Stand

14 Post-Pandemic Changes That Boomers Can’t Stand

The pandemic reshaped the world in ways few could have imagined, leaving lasting impacts on nearly every facet of life. While some changes brought convenience and innovation, they also marked the end of many traditions Boomers hold dear. For a generation that grew up with face-to-face connections, handwritten notes, and the stability of well-defined routines, adjusting to this “new normal” hasn’t been easy. From subtle shifts in daily interactions to monumental changes in how we work and socialize, here are 14 post-pandemic transformations that seem to irk Boomers the most—and why these shifts hit a nerve.

1. The Vanishing Office Culture

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To Boomers, the office wasn’t just a workplace—it was the heart of professional and social life. The pandemic’s shift to remote work may have saved commutes and increased flexibility, but it also dismantled the camaraderie and structure that came with shared office spaces. Coffee breaks, water cooler chats, and even those tedious in-person meetings offered a sense of connection that Zoom simply can’t replicate. For Boomers, “working from home” often feels more isolating than liberating and they’re not wrong. The New York Post reports 25 per cent of remote workers feel less social than ever. And let’s be honest—hearing about “digital nomad lifestyles” doesn’t exactly sit well with a generation that associates professionalism with showing up, dressed for success, every day.

2. QR Code Menus: A Technological Headache

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Remember the days of flipping through a physical menu, asking the server for recommendations, and making your choice without needing tech support? Boomers do, and they miss it dearly. Post-pandemic dining often involves scanning a QR code with your phone, navigating a tiny digital menu, and hoping the Wi-Fi doesn’t cut out mid-scroll. For Boomers who may not be as tech-savvy, this new system feels more like a chore than an innovation. Many find it frustrating, impersonal, and yet another reminder of how quickly the world is leaving their analog comforts behind.

3. Customer Service Going Fully Digital

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Once upon a time, customer service meant walking into a store and getting help from a friendly associate. Now? It’s endless chatbots, automated phone trees, and email replies that take days—if they come at all. Boomers, who value real human interaction, find this shift deeply frustrating. Whether it’s troubleshooting a tech issue or returning a faulty product, the lack of personal connection leaves them feeling ignored and undervalued. For them, the phrase “press 1 for more options is enough to drive them crazy.

4. The Decline of Cash

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The pandemic accelerated the shift to contactless payments, leaving cash—once the universal medium of exchange—on the sidelines. For Boomers, this transition is bittersweet. Cash represents security, simplicity, and independence. They don’t want to fumble with payment apps or worry about whether the card reader will work. They’re not the only ones rightfully worried about this either, according to The Times, the decline of cash has finance and tech experts worried, too. And let’s not even get started on splitting the bill when everyone insists on using five different digital wallets. The disappearance of cash feels like the erasure of a familiar and reliable system they’ve trusted their whole lives.

5. Socializing Through Screens

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Virtual happy hours, Zoom birthdays, and online game nights might be second nature to younger generations, but for Boomers, they’re no substitute for real-life interactions. The pandemic forced people to socialize digitally, and while it was a necessary adaptation, Boomers miss the warmth of face-to-face connections. But with the rise of what The New York Post dubs as ‘solo-aging’, this is something that’s becoming harder and harder. Still, they long for the nuances of body language, the spontaneity of shared laughter, and the comfort of physical presence—all things a screen just can’t replicate. To them, virtual socializing feels more like a stopgap than a genuine way to connect.

6. The Rise of Self-Checkout

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Self-checkout lanes promise speed and convenience, but for many Boomers, they deliver frustration instead. Navigating temperamental scanners, deciphering unclear prompts, and dealing with error messages like “unexpected item in the bagging area” can turn a quick shopping trip into an ordeal. Beyond the technical annoyances, there’s also a sense of loss: the friendly chat with a cashier, the human touch that made errands feel less robotic. To Boomers, self-checkout symbolizes the growing replacement of people with machines, and they’re really not fans of this trend.

7. Endless Debates Over Masks

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The pandemic turned masks into a lightning rod for debate, and for many Boomers, the ongoing arguments are exhausting. Whether they were mask advocates or skeptics, most Boomers are ready to leave this divisive topic behind. The constant back-and-forth over mask rules, etiquette, and effectiveness has become a source of frustration, overshadowing the more pressing issues of rebuilding a post-pandemic world. To them, it feels like society is stuck in an argument they’re eager to move past.

8. The Everything-Delivered Lifestyle

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From groceries to gourmet meals, the pandemic normalized having everything delivered to your doorstep. While younger generations appreciate the convenience, Boomers often see it as a loss of tradition and routine. For them, grocery shopping isn’t just an errand—it’s an experience. Choosing their own produce, chatting with the butcher, and running into neighbors in the aisles are small but meaningful rituals. Relying on an app to do the job feels impersonal and disconnected, not to mention prone to errors like bruised apples or forgotten items.

9. Casual Workwear Taking Over

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Remember when dressing for work meant crisp shirts, polished shoes, and a tie or blazer? Boomers do, and they’re baffled by the rise of ultra-casual workwear. Hoodies on Zoom calls, pajama pants during meetings—where’s the professionalism? For a generation taught that how you dress reflects your respect for others (and yourself), the blurring of home and office attire feels like a step too far. While they understand the appeal of comfort, they can’t help but see this trend as the erosion of workplace standards.

10. Travel Becoming a Nightmare

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Post-pandemic travel has become a gauntlet of overcrowded airports, canceled flights, and jaw-dropping ticket prices. For Boomers, who remember when flying felt like a privilege rather than a hassle, the current state of travel is disheartening. The romance of air travel—dressing up for the flight, enjoying real meals on board, and being treated like a valued customer—has been replaced with cramped seats, long lines, and constant delays. It’s enough to make them rethink their wanderlust altogether.

11. “Sorry, We’re Short-Staffed” Becoming the Norm

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If Boomers had a dollar for every time they heard “Sorry, we’re short-staffed,” they’d probably never need to hear it again. While they sympathize with the challenges businesses face, the frequent use of this phrase has become a point of frustration. Long wait times, reduced hours, and diminished service standards feel like a far cry from the efficiency and reliability they grew up expecting. For Boomers, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a symbol of a world that feels increasingly unsteady.

12. The Subscription Overload

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Streaming platforms, meal kits, fitness apps—even toothbrushes now come with subscription models. For Boomers, this trend is baffling. They grew up buying things outright, and the idea of paying monthly for services they may or may not use feels excessive and wasteful. Whether it’s juggling passwords or realizing they’ve been paying for a streaming service they haven’t watched in months, the subscription overload feels like a financial and mental drain they’d rather avoid.

13. The Death of the Handshake

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For Boomers, a firm handshake was more than a greeting—it was a symbol of trust, respect, and connection. The pandemic put handshakes on pause, replacing them with fist bumps, elbow taps, or no contact at all. While younger generations might see these alternatives as practical, Boomers feel like they’ve lost a meaningful gesture that’s been central to their culture. It’s not just about the handshake itself—it’s about what it represents: authenticity and human connection.

14. Always Being “On”

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Remote work and the rise of digital tools have blurred the boundaries between personal and professional life, creating a world where people are expected to be reachable 24/7. For Boomers, who remember the days when work ended at 5 PM and Sundays were sacred, this “always-on” culture feels exhausting. They long for the balance and predictability of a time when downtime was respected, and people weren’t tethered to their phones or laptops around the clock.

This content was created by a real person with the assistance of AI.

Georgia is a passionate story-teller and accomplished lifestyle journalist originally from Australia, now based in New York City. She writes lifestyle content for Bolde Media, publishers of Bolde, Star Candy and Earth Animals.