Every generation has its quirks, and boomers are no exception to that rule. As much as we love our parents, we can’t deny that there are certain old-fashioned habits they can be absolutely stubborn about, and it can drive us up the wall.

Why bother with landlines when we have cell phones? Or writing checks when online banking exists? It’s really a love-hate relationship that we have with these age-old habits.

In this article, I’m going to lay out seven classic boomer ways which, as charming as they might be, can sometimes test my patience. Now, don’t get me wrong, I treasure my boomer parents. However, witnessing them stick so tenaciously to these habits… well, let’s say it makes for some interesting discussions.

1) Snail mail over email

Call it nostalgia or just a preference, but our boomer parents seem to have a borderline obsession with the good old postal service.

Sending an email is undoubtedly faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly, but try convincing a boomer of that! I’ve tried, believe me.

“Why waste paper when you can send an email?” I’d argue, only to be met with a smiling, “There’s something special about receiving a letter in the mail.”

I get it, there’s a certain charm associated with the traditional way of sending and receiving letters, but in this digital age, it can sometimes be extremely frustrating! Especially when a simple click can deliver the message instantly.

Don’t even get me started on how much more difficult it makes keeping track of bills, important documents, and even birthdays or anniversaries. So yes, the struggle is real, making “snail mail” the first habit on my list of boomer ways that drives me slightly crazy.

2) Driving everywhere

The next one on my list is the perpetual preference for driving. Uber, trains, buses… they all play second fiddle to the all-mighty car.

Just last week, we had a family dinner a few blocks away from our home. It would have been a nice, short walk. However, my boomer parents insisted on driving, even when we had a clear, starlit night and the distance was barely a fifteen minutes stroll.

“We’ve always taken the car, why walk now?” Mom argued when I suggested we leave the car keys at home and enjoy the beautiful evening on foot.

Don’t get me wrong, I see the value in driving long distances or when you’re in a rush. But for every short trip in town? Just like their refusal to hop on the email train, their over-reliance on driving strikes me as another outdated habit hard to fathom. Sure it may seem convenient to them, but at times, it feels like we’re missing out on the little things, like a refreshing evening walk under the stars. So grab your walking shoes, because this is one boomer habit I’d love to see fade into the rear view mirror!

3) Using a physical map

In this splendid era of technology, where finding locations is as easy as asking Siri or Google, our boomer parents still stand tall with their trusty old maps – the physical ones, that you need to unfold and refold with a mastery that can only come with years of practice.

Now, while there’s no denying the delight in tracing a route with your finger and the sense of navigation you achieve, studies have shown using a GPS-based system results in less driving errors and reduces the chance of accidents.

While it may seem charmingly outdated, the insistence on using a physical map over a GPS can prove to be more than just frustrating. Perhaps it’s time we convinced our beloved boomer parents that some changes, like accepting tech assistance for directions, can be for the better. And might spare us a few “you’ve taken the wrong turn” arguments on family road trips.

4) Landline reliance

Despite living in the mobile phone era, many boomers remain stubbornly attached to their landlines – and my parents fall squarely into that category.

Granted, the landline was the only means of telecommunication for the longest time. But in an age where we’re used to receiving text messages and video calls any time, anywhere, the notion of waiting around to get a call at home seems a little… antiquated.

And yet, Mom and Dad still insist on having it. My attempts to explain that a mobile phone serves all the same functions (and more!) don’t seem to make a difference. The landline, it seems, is here to stay – at least in my parents’ home. As much as I love them, I can’t help but cringe at the unnecessary complexity it adds to communication these days. I mean, who still leaves voice messages on an answering machine? Apparently, boomer parents do!

5) Writing checks

Ah, the ancient art of check-writing; another die-hard habit my boomer parents refuse to let go. Honestly, seeing them whip out their checkbook in this day and age is a visual that never ceases to amuse and, somewhat, agitate me.

I remember last Christmas when I had to pay Dad back for a joint gift we bought for Mom. I offered to transfer the money on the spot through a mobile banking app. But no. Dad insisted I write him a check.

“Why complicate things with all these apps?” he’d ask, completely ignoring my point that writing a check and then going to the bank to deposit it was the actual complicated process. As I wrote the check, I felt an odd mix of nostalgia and annoyance; a bizarre reminder of an era rapidly slipping away… and for good reason.

So while respecting the charm of tradition, I secretly hope to usher my parents into the world of electronic transactions. It’s definitely less charming, but so much more convenient. And, hopefully, Christmas gifting funding can be just slightly less of an ordeal next time.

6) Listening to the radio

In a world that seems to be at our fingertips, with apps for every conceivable need or whim, it’s baffling to see my parents staunchly sticking to the radio for their music and news fix.

“Alexa can play your songs too,” I’d pointed out one evening as Dad fiddled with the radio dial, trying to tune in his favorite classic rock station. His answer? A dismissive wave of the hand and something about the “magic of catching a song just as it starts playing”.

I get it; serendipitously discovering a favorite song on the radio has a certain mystical charm to it. But sometimes, as I sit there listening to the same repeated commercials, I can’t help but wonder at the simplicity and convenience that comes with evoking Siri or Alexa, or tapping on Spotify or Apple Music.

Needless to say, despite the occasional charm, the radio fixation often seems more exasperating than enchanting. But then again, there’s no accounting for what gives us joy, right? Even if it involves the crackly voices of long-winded radio DJs.

7) Reluctance to use online shopping

Perhaps the most bewildering of my boomer parents’ habits is their unwavering skepticism towards online shopping. Despite its convenience and the undeniable time it saves, they’re still reluctant to embrace digital marketplaces.

Their reasons are varied, from concerns about credit card safety to the inability to see or touch the product before buying. And while these are valid points, it’s the times I’ve had to rush to a crowded mall to get an item – that we could have easily ordered online – that really stings.

In the digital age where we’re well-equipped to fight fraud and evaluate product quality without seeing it physically, brick-and-mortar shopping seems cumbersome and time-consuming. Yet, my parents’ loyalty to physical stores remains undiminished.

So there it is, the last old-fashioned habit that drives me nuts – the reluctance to indulge in the wonders and convenience of online shopping. A habit that, with a bit of patience and proof, I believe can be modified for the better. The mall should be an option, not a necessity.

Final thoughts: It’s about respect and understanding

Differences between generations often stem from various societal shifts and technological advancements that have taken place during their respective eras.

Our boomer parents were nurtured in a time far different than ours – a time where technological breakthroughs we take for granted were non-existent. Their habits, molded by their experience, provide a unique outlook, a different way of life, and a sense of charm that is often rare to find in our fast-paced digital world.

While these habits may seem frustrating or outdated to us, they provide a sense of familiarity and comfort to our parents. Perhaps it’s not just about persuading them to change but rather about us learning to appreciate their ways, while gently introducing them to ours.

Sure, it’s exasperating at times, but it also offers a unique space for conversation, understanding, and shared experiences. So before I sigh at the next check written, or grumble about the radio commercials, I’ll try to remember that it’s these differences that make the generational fabric so beautifully diverse. It’s a two-way road, made smoother with respect, understanding, and a bit of patience. Isn’t that what love is, after all?