Time may have moved forward, but some boomers seem to be trapped in a groovy time warp. Whether it’s their undying loyalty to landlines or their suspicion of anything that doesn’t require a paper check, their habits can feel like a living museum exhibit. While nostalgia is one thing, these quirks go beyond sentimentality—they’re a full-blown lifestyle choice. Here’s a look at the strange behaviors that make boomers seem permanently stuck in the 60s.
1. They Leave Long Winded Voicemails
Boomers treat voicemail like it’s the only way to get a message across. Even when a quick text would do, they’ll leave a long, winding message that could’ve been summed up in three words. According to YouMail, voicemail usage has plummeted among younger generations, with many preferring instant messaging instead. But for boomers, there’s something sacred about hearing their own voice play back on an answering machine. It’s a habit that feels like it belongs to a world of rotary phones and switchboards.
What’s even stranger is their obsession with listening to voicemail immediately, as if it’s a time-sensitive telegram. They’ll call back, confused and mildly panicked, if you don’t respond within the hour. And when they leave messages, they often narrate the time and date—even though modern phones do that automatically. It’s an endearing but outdated quirk, making them seem like they’re living in a world where pagers still matter. For the rest of us, voicemail is just digital clutter.
2. They Write Checks Or Pash Cash
While most people tap their phone or swipe a card, boomers are still whipping out their checkbooks. Grocery stores, utility bills, even a cup of coffee—nothing is too small for a handwritten payment. According to Forbes, check usage has dropped dramatically, with digital payments taking over. But for boomers, writing checks is a ritual, a sign of financial responsibility, even if it holds up the entire checkout line.
What’s more, they meticulously balance their checkbooks as if banks don’t already track every transaction online. They’ll spend minutes at the register, pen in hand, confirming numbers while the cashier politely waits. And heaven forbid you suggest an online bill pay system—it’s met with suspicion, as though the internet might misplace their money. To younger generations, it’s a bizarre attachment to a dying form of payment. But to them, it’s just how things are done.
3. They Hoard Paper Documents Like They’re State Secrets
Boomers have a deep distrust of the paperless world. Filing cabinets overflow with decades-old receipts, warranty booklets, and bank statements they refuse to shred. According to Consumer Reports, many older adults feel more secure with physical copies of important documents, despite the convenience of digital storage. It’s a habit rooted in a time when paperwork meant proof, and proof meant security.
The result? Entire rooms filled with paper that may never be needed. They’ll insist that “you never know when you’ll need it,” even if it’s a receipt from a VCR purchase in 1993. Digitizing documents is out of the question, as they don’t trust “the cloud” (which they often refer to with air quotes). Meanwhile, younger generations scan, store, and shred, leaving them baffled at the need for a physical copy of everything. It’s a generational divide in the war on paper clutter.
4. They Watch Cable & Don’t Know How To Stream
While younger people consume news in short bursts on their phones, boomers dedicate entire evenings to cable news. It’s not just background noise—it’s an immersive, hours-long commitment. According to Pew Research, boomers are the most loyal cable news viewers, with younger generations shifting to digital platforms. The news cycle plays like a soap opera, with the same headlines repeated every hour, yet they watch intently as if new information might emerge.
It’s not just about staying informed—it’s about loyalty to a network. Whether it’s CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC, their chosen channel is sacred, and any criticism of it is taken personally. They’ll argue about anchors as if they’re old friends, passionately debating their trustworthiness. Meanwhile, younger viewers get their news in quick hits from Twitter or YouTube and move on with their day. The endless scrolling of headlines is a mystery to boomers, who prefer the steady, familiar rhythm of a nightly broadcast.
5. They Keep The Plastic Cover On Furniture
Some boomers still live in homes where couches are wrapped in plastic, an aesthetic choice that screams “do not sit here.” It’s a relic of a time when furniture was an investment to be preserved for eternity. According to Architectural Digest, this habit stems from mid-century values, where keeping things pristine was a sign of status and responsibility. The irony? No one actually enjoys sitting on a crinkly, plastic-wrapped couch.
It’s not just furniture—sometimes entire rooms are off-limits, reserved for “special occasions” that never seem to arrive. The idea of a “formal living room” is a boomer staple, baffling younger generations who actually use all their living spaces. The result is a house filled with untouched furniture, eternally preserved like a museum exhibit. While younger people embrace cozy, lived-in aesthetics, boomers keep their décor frozen in time. It’s a commitment to preservation that makes their homes feel like they belong in a different decade.
6. They Still Pay For And Use A Landline
There’s something about a landline that boomers just won’t let go of. Even with a smartphone in their pocket, they’ll insist on keeping a home phone “just in case.” They argue that cell phones are unreliable, despite advancements that make dropped calls nearly obsolete. And when it rings, they’ll rush to answer it like it’s an emergency—only to find it’s another spam call about their car’s extended warranty.
What’s even stranger is their commitment to memorizing phone numbers. While younger generations store everything in their contacts, boomers can recall digits with uncanny accuracy. They’ll rattle off phone numbers from 30 years ago as if they were reciting poetry. And let’s not even get started on their refusal to let go of answering machines. Even when no one leaves messages anymore, they keep checking, convinced they might miss something important.
7. They Clip Coupons And Bargain Hunt Like It’s Their Job
Boomers are the undisputed champions of coupon clipping. While younger shoppers rely on digital promo codes or cashback apps, boomers still dedicate hours to scouring Sunday newspapers for the best deals. According to The Wall Street Journal, paper coupon usage has declined drastically, yet many older shoppers refuse to go without their beloved savings clippings.
They carry around bulky coupon organizers, flipping through them at checkout while the line behind them groans. Expired coupons? Doesn’t matter—they’ll still try to use them, often engaging in a lengthy negotiation with the cashier. And heaven forbid a store goes fully digital—boomers see app-exclusive deals as a personal betrayal. For them, the thrill of the deal isn’t just about saving money; it’s a time-honored ritual.
8. They Reshare Questionable Facebook Posts And Chain Emails
If you’ve ever received a forwarded email full of blinking text, excessive punctuation, and a dire warning about something debunked years ago, chances are a boomer sent it. They are the last defenders of the chain email, dutifully passing along outdated hoaxes, urban legends, and feel-good “inspirational” messages. Older internet users are far more likely to spread misinformation via email.
Even when politely told that Snopes debunked their latest warning about a Facebook privacy hoax, they remain unconvinced. They believe anything prefaced with “A friend of mine who knows someone…” and consider anything typed in all caps as gospel. Social media has moved most people past the email-forwarding era, but boomers continue to hit “FWD” like it’s 2003.
9. They Refuse To Use GPS Because They “Know the Roads”
Boomers have an uncanny ability to distrust modern navigation. Despite GPS offering real-time traffic updates and the fastest routes, they insist on taking “the way they’ve always taken.” Older drivers are more likely to rely on memory and printed maps than GPS apps.
Even when they do use a GPS, they’ll argue with it. “This thing doesn’t know what it’s talking about,” they mutter while taking a route that adds 15 minutes to the drive. And don’t even think about suggesting a faster way—they’ll dismiss it with a nostalgic tale about how this was “the only road back in the day.” Meanwhile, younger generations follow Google Maps without question, leaving boomers shaking their heads at their blind trust in technology.
10. They Don’t Trust And Won’t Try Digital Banking
Boomers treat cash like it’s the only true currency. While most people tap their phones or swipe a card, they’ll dig through a wallet stuffed with loose bills and coins. Cash payments have declined significantly, yet boomers still believe in the power of exact change.
They take pride in counting out the precise amount, even if it takes forever at the checkout. If you hand them a credit card reader, they’ll poke at the screen hesitantly, as if it might bite. And don’t even mention Venmo or PayPal—it’s met with skepticism, as though digital transactions exist in some untrustworthy void. To them, handing over a crisp $20 is far more satisfying than any tap-to-pay nonsense.
11. They Print Out Directions And Boarding Passes
Even in the age of smartphones, boomers still print out their MapQuest directions. They don’t trust GPS to always work, so they insist on carrying a stack of printed pages just in case. And if they get lost? Pulling over to ask a stranger is still their go-to move.
It’s not just driving directions—they print out boarding passes, concert tickets, and even email confirmations. Older adults are far less likely to trust digital-only documents. Younger generations embrace the convenience of storing everything on their phone, but boomers feel safer with a hard copy in hand. It’s a battle between trust in technology and the comfort of ink on paper.
12. They Insist On Reading The Physical Newspaper
For boomers, the morning isn’t complete without a physical newspaper spread out across the table. While most people skim news on their phones, they relish the rustle of turning pages. Print newspaper circulation has plummeted, yet older readers remain loyal subscribers.
Even if they have a tablet, they’ll say, “It’s not the same.” They prefer ink-stained fingers and the ability to clip out interesting articles. And if you try to show them an online news site, they’ll complain about “all those pop-ups” and “not knowing where to click.” To them, real news comes in print, delivered to the doorstep, not through a screen.
13. They Check Their Watch, Not Their Phone For The Time
Boomers love their watches. While younger generations rely on their phones for the time, boomers believe in strapping on a proper wristwatch every morning. Sales of traditional watches have declined significantly as smartwatches and phones take over.
Even when they have a smartphone, they’ll still glance at their wrist out of habit. And if you ask why they don’t just check their phone, they’ll scoff at the idea of pulling it out “just for the time.” It’s not just about practicality—it’s a symbol of style and routine, one that refuses to fade despite the digital takeover.
14. They Still Have Their Giant Address Book
Boomers love a good old-fashioned address book. While most people store numbers in their phone, they keep handwritten lists of contacts in a worn-out book, complete with cross-outs and updates in the margins. Digital contact lists have largely replaced physical ones, but older generations still prefer pen and paper.
They’ll flip through the pages with ease, knowing exactly where each name is. And if they lose it? Full-blown panic. Meanwhile, younger generations update contacts instantly, syncing them across devices without a second thought. But boomers trust their handwriting more than any cloud storage—after all, it’s been reliable since 1975.
15. They Mail Birthday And Holiday Cards
Boomers believe birthdays require an actual card—preferably one with a handwritten message inside. While younger generations shoot off a quick “Happy bday!” text, boomers make a trip to the store, carefully selecting a card that matches the recipient’s personality.
According to Hallmark, the majority of greeting card purchases come from older adults, even as digital greetings rise in popularity. For boomers, sending a card shows effort, a tangible token of thoughtfulness. And while the rest of us scramble to remember birthdays thanks to Facebook reminders, boomers have them all memorized, ensuring their cards arrive right on time.
