Every generation has its quirks, but Boomers tend to struggle the most when it comes to keeping up with modern culture. While some of their habits are harmless, others can be frustrating, outdated, or just downright baffling. Whether it’s their obsession with voicemails, their refusal to understand how job hunting has changed, or their overconfidence in “just asking the manager,” these behaviors can make them seem completely out of touch. Here are the biggest ways Boomers continue to miss the mark when it comes to today’s world.
1. They Still Don’t Grasp Texting, Let Alone Voice Memos
To Boomers, a phone call is the ultimate form of communication. They believe answering immediately shows confidence, maturity, and social skills. But to younger generations, calls feel intrusive—especially when the same information could have been sent in a text. Millennials and Gen Z don’t screen calls out of rudeness; they do it because they weren’t emotionally prepared for a sudden live conversation. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 31% of Americans prefer text messages to phone calls, with an additional 14% saying their preference depends on the situation. This highlights the growing trend towards texting as a preferred communication method.
Instead of accepting that texting is the new norm, Boomers double down. They’ll call again (and again), leave a voicemail, and then send a text saying, “Call me.” Ironically, the easiest way to ensure no one will call back is to demand a return call. If they just embraced the convenience of a simple message, they’d save themselves—and everyone else—a lot of frustration.
2. They Still Ask For The “Manager” Without Realizing The “Karen” Effect
There was a time when demanding to “speak to the manager” actually accomplished something. But in today’s world of corporate policies, digital reviews, and outsourced customer service, managers often have less power than ever. Yet Boomers still expect this tactic to work like a magic spell, instantly solving their complaints. According to customer service expert Brad Cleveland, Boomers are more likely to ask for a manager due to their expectation of hierarchical problem-solving in businesses. This approach, while once effective, is often less impactful in today’s flatter organizational structures and empowered frontline employee environments.
What they don’t realize is that younger generations have mastered the real way to get results: social media. A scathing tweet or a one-star Yelp review carries far more weight than an in-person rant. If Boomers put half as much energy into online complaints as they did into demanding face-to-face confrontations, they’d probably get what they want faster.
3. They Can’t Understand Or Use Emojis
Boomers love emojis, but they use them like they just discovered a secret code. The problem? Many of them have no idea that emoji meanings evolve over time. They still think the crying-laughing emoji is the ultimate sign of humor, oblivious to the fact that younger people see it as outdated and cringe-worthy. According to a study reported by CNN, different generations interpret and use emojis differently, with about 70% of Gen Zers using emojis in ways that differ from their intended meaning. This generational divide in emoji interpretation can lead to miscommunication between age groups.
Then there’s the worst-case scenario: when Boomers unknowingly send emojis with unintended meanings. A simple thumbs-up can come across as passive-aggressive, and the peach and eggplant emojis? Definitely not just about fruit and vegetables. Someone needs to make a Boomer-to-Gen-Z emoji translation guide before more digital misunderstandings happen.
4. They Think Facebook Messages Are The New Email
For some reason, Boomers treat Facebook Messenger like an email inbox from the early 2000s. They send long-winded, multi-paragraph messages filled with unnecessary details, all when a simple text would have sufficed. It’s as if they believe a Facebook message holds more weight than a standard text. According to Adam Aleksic, known as the “etymology nerd,” Baby Boomers developed different informal communication habits due to space constraints in earlier forms of communication like postcards and letters.
Even worse, they don’t understand how overwhelming it is to open a message and see a wall of text. Younger generations are wired for quick, digestible communication. If Boomers could embrace the beauty of brevity, they’d find their messages actually get read instead of ignored.
5. They Don’t Understand Why Young People Don’t Buy Their Own Home
Boomers love to lecture about how they bought their first home at 25, ignoring the fact that wages haven’t kept up with inflation. They don’t seem to grasp that the cost of living has skyrocketed while salaries have remained stagnant. For Millennials and Gen Z, homeownership isn’t just difficult—it’s practically impossible.
Instead of acknowledging how different the financial landscape is, Boomers double down on blaming younger generations. They suggest cutting out lattes and avocado toast, as if skipping brunch will magically make houses affordable again. If they took a closer look at modern economic realities, they might finally understand why younger generations aren’t settling into homeownership like they did.
6. They Still Say “The Twitter” And “The TikTok”
Nothing screams “out of touch” quite like Boomers adding “the” before social media platforms. They talk about “The Facebook” and “The YouTube” like they’re discussing some foreign concept rather than everyday parts of modern life. It’s as if acknowledging these platforms by their actual names is too much effort.
What makes it funnier is that despite struggling to name them correctly, Boomers love social media. They’ll spend hours reading conspiracy theories, arguing in Facebook comment sections, and forwarding outdated memes. If they spent half that time learning how to talk about these platforms, they’d blend in a little better.
7. They Think You Can Walk Into Any Job And Get Hired On The Spot
In their day, applying for a job meant walking into a business, shaking hands with the manager, and leaving with an offer. Now? Most applications disappear into a black hole of online submissions, never to be seen again. But Boomers still push the idea that a “firm handshake” and “showing initiative” will get you hired.
What they don’t realize is that job hunting today is a numbers game. Employers use algorithms to scan résumés before a human ever sees them. Networking and LinkedIn connections matter more than in-person visits. If Boomers want to give career advice, they might need to update their approach first.
8. They Think “Cancel Culture” Is A New Concept
Ask a Boomer about cancel culture, and they’ll act like it’s the downfall of society. They rant about how “nobody can say anything anymore” while conveniently forgetting that their generation invented public boycotts. They refused to shop at stores that offended their values, protested music they didn’t like, and blacklisted entire companies before social media ever existed.
The only real difference? Today’s “cancel culture” happens faster, and younger generations have more power to hold people accountable. Boomers don’t mind boycotts when they align with their own beliefs—they just don’t like it when they’re on the receiving end of one.
9. They Call You Instead Of Just Googling The Question
Boomers love to ask questions they could easily Google. Whether it’s “What time does the store close?” or “How do I reset my password?” they’d rather call you than type five words into a search bar. It’s as if they believe younger people are walking encyclopedias instead of just…using the internet.
What’s even funnier is that they’ll turn around and complain about how much time young people spend on their phones. If they embraced the magic of Google, they wouldn’t have to rely on their kids and grandkids for tech support every time they need a basic answer.
10. They Still Leave Voicemails Like It’s 1999
Nothing strikes fear into a Millennial or Gen Z heart like seeing a voicemail notification. In today’s world, voicemails are unnecessary—text messages exist for a reason. But Boomers still cling to them, leaving long, rambling messages even when a simple “Call me” would have sufficed.
What’s worse is that they expect an immediate callback. In reality, younger generations will let that voicemail sit for days, dreading the thought of listening to it. If Boomers really want their calls answered, they might want to stick to texting like everyone else.
11. They Assume All Influencers Are Unemployed Showoffs
Boomers have a hard time understanding that being an influencer is, for many people, an actual career. To them, if you’re not clocking in at an office or wearing a uniform, it’s not a “real job.” The idea that someone can make a living by posting content, promoting brands, or engaging with an online audience just doesn’t compute.
What they don’t realize is that influencers, content creators, and digital entrepreneurs are running full-fledged businesses. Many of them are making more money than traditional office workers, all while setting their own schedules and building their personal brands. Instead of dismissing the entire industry, Boomers might want to acknowledge that the world has evolved beyond brick-and-mortar jobs. Just because it looks different than what they’re used to doesn’t mean it isn’t real work.
12. They Ask For Directions Instead Of Asking Google Maps
For Boomers, asking for directions was once a crucial survival skill. Whether stopping at a gas station or pulling over to ask a stranger, they relied on verbal instructions to find their way. But in the age of GPS, this method is not only outdated but wildly inefficient.
What’s baffling is that even when they have access to Google Maps, some Boomers still prefer to go the old-fashioned route. They’ll insist on writing down turn-by-turn instructions or memorizing landmarks instead of just using navigation tools. While there’s nothing wrong with nostalgia, stubbornly refusing modern technology just makes life harder. A quick glance at a GPS would save them (and the people they’re pestering for directions) a whole lot of time.
13. They Think Young People Don’t Work Hard Enough
Boomers love to complain that younger generations “don’t want to work anymore,” but in the same breath, they’ll talk about how today’s youth should be holding down two jobs just to get by. The irony is lost on them. They fail to recognize that wages haven’t kept up with inflation, rent prices are out of control, and the traditional American Dream they once knew no longer exists.
Instead of acknowledging the economic realities younger generations face, Boomers assume a lack of effort is the problem. They don’t realize that many Millennials and Gen Z workers are juggling side gigs, freelancing, or working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. The truth is, young people aren’t unwilling to work—many of them are working harder than ever, just for a fraction of the security Boomers had at their age.
