There’s a huge gap between the experiences of Baby Boomers and Gen Z.

This gap has a lot to do with the advancements in technology and societal norms.

As a boomer, we used to do things that would make a Gen Z shake in their boots. We navigated through our teenage years without smartphones, Internet or social media, and survived!

Here are some things we did as teens that I bet Gen Z wouldn’t last a day doing. Trust me, it’s going to be an eye-opener for the younger generation. Enjoy this trip down memory lane!

1) Handwritten letters

In the era of boomers, instant communication was a distant dream.

We didn’t have smartphones or emails. So, communicating with someone meant writing a letter by hand. Yes, you heard it right. We picked up a pen, wrote down our thoughts on paper, put it in an envelope and mailed it.

There was no delete button or spell check. If we made a mistake, we had to start over.

Every word had to be carefully considered. Every letter was an artwork. And every message took time and effort.

Ask a Gen Z to write a letter today and watch them squirm. It’s not just about the physical act of writing, but also the patience and thoughtfulness that goes into it.

Can you imagine them surviving a day without their instant messaging apps? I highly doubt it!

2) No GPS

Back in my teenage years, we didn’t have the luxury of GPS.

I remember this one time when I was trying to find my friend’s house and all I had was a hand-drawn map and his verbal instructions. I took a wrong turn and ended up lost for a good hour before I found my way.

There were no voices guiding us turn by turn or apps showing us the quickest route. We used physical maps, asked for directions, and often relied on our intuition.

These days, Gen Z wouldn’t even think of stepping out without checking their route on Google Maps. Could they survive a day without it? It’s hard to imagine!

3) Manual household chores

Baby boomers grew up in a time when household chores were done by hand. There were no smart appliances or quick fixes.

Doing laundry meant hand-washing clothes, wringing them out, and hanging them to dry. Vacuum cleaners were a luxury, so we swept and mopped the floors manually. And, cooking? It involved a lot of peeling, chopping, and stirring.

Today’s Gen Z is used to living in smart homes with appliances that do the work for them – washing machines, dishwashers, robotic vacuum cleaners.

In fact, in the US alone, over 14 million robotic vacuum cleaners were sold in 2020. A clear indication of how much we rely on technology for everyday tasks. Could Gen Z survive a day without their beloved gadgets? I think not!

4) Limited entertainment

During our teenage years, entertainment was limited. TV only had a few channels and they all signed off at midnight with the national anthem.

There were no streaming services, no social media, and definitely no video games. Our leisure time was spent playing board games, reading books, or just hanging out with friends.

Today, Gen Z is spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment. They have access to unlimited movies, series, video games, and social media platforms at their fingertips.

Could they survive a day with just a handful of TV channels and no internet? That’s a tough one!

5) Payphones and home phones

Back in the boomer days, staying connected was a whole different ball game. We didn’t have mobile phones that kept us hooked to the world 24/7.

If we were out and needed to make a call, payphones were our only option. And at home, we had landline phones – often shared among all family members.

Remember the rush to answer the phone before anyone else, or the frustration when someone else was hogging the line? Ah, those were the days!

Now, Gen Z wouldn’t last an hour without checking their smartphones. Surviving a day with only payphones and home phones? That would be a real challenge!

6) Physical photos and albums

In our teenage years, every photo was a treasure. We didn’t have the luxury of digital cameras or smartphones to click unlimited pictures.

Every shot on that roll of film mattered. And once developed, those photos went straight into an album, to be cherished forever.

There was something magical about sitting down with family or friends, flipping through photo albums, and reliving those memories. Each picture had a story behind it, a moment captured in time.

Today’s Gen Z clicks thousands of photos, but how many of them truly hold meaning? Could they survive a day where every photo counts and is physically treasured? It would certainly make them appreciate the moments more!

7) The art of patience

Growing up as a boomer, one thing we learned early on was the art of patience. Whether it was waiting for a letter to arrive or for our favorite song to play on the radio, we understood that good things take time.

I recall saving my pocket money to buy a new album. It wasn’t something I could download instantly. I had to wait, save, and then finally make the trip to the record store. The joy of holding that album in my hands made the wait worthwhile.

In today’s world of instant gratification, Gen Z might find it hard to comprehend this level of patience. Could they survive a day without their immediate downloads and deliveries? Now, that would be interesting to see!

8) No online shopping

Back in our day, shopping was an event, not a click. There were no online marketplaces or same-day deliveries.

If we needed something, we’d go to the store, browse through the aisles, and physically pick out what we wanted. And if the store didn’t have it? Well, we’d go to another store or wait until it was back in stock.

Today’s Gen Z can order anything from food to furniture with just a few taps on their phone. Imagine them surviving a day without online shopping or deliveries. It would certainly be a different experience!

9) Face-to-face socializing

The most crucial difference between our generation and Gen Z is how we socialized.

As boomers, our social life revolved around face-to-face interactions. We’d meet at the park, at a friend’s house, or at the local diner. Conversations were real, and so were the connections we made.

In contrast, Gen Z’s socializing largely happens online. They connect with friends through social media and online gaming platforms, often without ever meeting in person.

But nothing can replace the warmth of a real conversation or the joy of shared experiences. Could Gen Z survive a day with only face-to-face socializing? It would certainly make their interactions more meaningful!