There’s no denying it: Every generation has its quirks.

I’ve  heard my share of jabs from folks who are younger—especially those who love to poke fun at some of us “boomers.” 

And you know what? Sometimes they have a point. 

That doesn’t mean we all walk around with outdated mindsets, but there are a few recurring habits I’ve seen my peers (and, admittedly, sometimes even I) slip into. These habits can make those younger than us roll their eyes so hard you’d think they’d pop right out of their heads.

Today, I want to share five of those classic boomer behaviors and break down why they might rub younger folks the wrong way. 

It’s all in good fun—but with a pinch of insight, too, because if we can laugh at ourselves and learn, we might just bridge that generational gap a little faster.

Let’s get right into it.

1. Dismissing new technology 

It’s become almost a running joke: the “boomer” who insists that smartphones are just fancy gadgets for playing games, or that social media is a frivolous time sink. (And let’s not even get started on digital payment apps—why not just use good ol’ cash, right?)

I’ll admit, I used to be skeptical myself. I remember when my grandson first taught me how to do online banking. I practically fought him the entire way, grumbling that I’d never trust my money to a computer screen. 

Yet here I am now, balancing my accounts while I lounge on my couch. Turns out, it’s not so scary.

So why does dismissing technology grate on younger folks? 

Because, for them, technology is woven into almost every aspect of life, from school to work to social interactions. They’re immersed in it, and they tend to see new tech as opportunities rather than annoyances.

2. Telling endless “back in my day” stories

We boomers love to reminisce, don’t we? 

And there’s nothing wrong with a stroll down memory lane—especially if it offers some wisdom or perspective. But when our stories morph into marathon lectures about how everything was tougher (and somehow better) decades ago, younger people’s eyes start to glaze over.

Truth is, times have changed. 

College tuition isn’t what it used to be, nor are job opportunities, housing costs, or the nature of social interaction. 

When we relentlessly compare the present to our heyday, we can come across as dismissive of the challenges younger folks face right now. It’s a bit like saying, “Your problems aren’t real problems because we had it so much harder.”

I’ve mentioned in a previous post that I’m a big believer in lifelong learning. The world doesn’t stand still, and we shouldn’t either. Younger people want to feel like their struggles and innovations are valid. 

By all means, share your stories—just don’t forget to leave room for listening to theirs, too.

3. Assuming one-size-fits-all life paths

Another classic boomer habit is assuming that everyone should follow the same route we did: graduate high school, go to college, work for 40 years at the same company, buy a home, retire with a gold watch, and call it a life. 

That was once the formula for success—and it worked for a lot of us. But the world has shifted.

These days, a young person might juggle multiple gigs, start a freelance business, or travel the globe as a digital nomad. Others might skip college entirely in favor of trade school or jump straight into entrepreneurship. 

And you know what? That’s okay.

If we’re too stuck in our ways to see that different paths can lead to fulfillment, we risk giving stale or even discouraging feedback. 

Younger generations place a high value on flexibility, creative thinking, and work-life balance. By insisting on a single life template, we can appear out of touch—or worse, unsupportive.

4. Downplaying mental health and emotional well-being

This one really is serious. 

I remember a time when talking about feelings, therapy, or mental health was practically taboo. If you were depressed or anxious, you were often told to “snap out of it” or “toughen up.” 

That stoic approach might have been the norm among many of us boomers, but younger generations emphasize mental health care in a much more open, proactive way.

So, when some of us brush off mental health discussions—calling them “soft” or accusing younger folks of being overly sensitive—well, you can imagine how that goes over. 

Younger people see emotional intelligence and self-awareness as strengths, not weaknesses. They prioritize therapy, support systems, and honest communication to navigate modern stresses.

Suggesting young people hide their vulnerabilities or to ignore anxiety and burnout is like asking them to stop growing. We might mean well—perhaps we think we’re encouraging them to be tougher—but in reality, we’re missing an opportunity to connect and to validate their experiences.

5. Insisting on doing everything ‘the old-fashioned way’

Finally but perhaps most importantly, there’s that determination to cling to old methods even when a new approach might be simpler or more efficient. 

Whether it’s refusing to embrace electronic payments, scoffing at virtual events, or ignoring the convenience of online communication tools, some boomers just won’t budge.

Younger folks—who conduct entire job interviews on Zoom, pay their bills via smartphones, and collaborate across continents with a few clicks—can’t help but roll their eyes. 

“But it worked for me for 40 years!” is a common refrain. Sure, it may have worked, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way now.

Ironically, I’ve found that a willingness to experiment with new methods can rejuvenate your brain and keep you young at heart. 

A while ago, I tried a meal-delivery app out of pure curiosity. I didn’t expect to like it, but guess what? It made my grocery runs a little easier during busy weeks. 

It’s not about abandoning what’s comfortable; it’s about acknowledging that new solutions exist and that they might just improve our quality of life.

Parting thoughts

In the end, none of these behaviors make anyone a “bad” person. They’re just habits—some harmless, others a little more grating. 

However, recognizing them can give us a chance to laugh at ourselves, learn, and maybe even spark more meaningful conversations with the younger folks in our lives.

No generation has a monopoly on good ideas, and often, the best solutions come when we put our heads together.

If we can keep an open mind—and maybe drop a habit or two that’s starting to show its age—then hey, we might just surprise the younger crowd (and maybe ourselves in the process).