They mean well—but these habits often reveal the generational gap in values, communication, and worldviews. As someone who grew up with boomer parents, I’ve learned that love and frustration often come in the same sentence.
I adore my parents. They’re kind, hardworking, and built everything they have from scratch. They taught me about resilience, saving money, and never giving up when things get hard. But I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments where their habits drive me—and most younger people—completely crazy.
It’s not that boomers are bad people. In fact, many of their values are admirable. But the world they grew up in simply doesn’t exist anymore. Their ways of thinking, communicating, and even relaxing were shaped in a time before smartphones, mental health awareness, and a gig economy.
That’s where the tension begins. Boomers often act out of love and experience, but to younger generations, their habits can feel outdated or even dismissive. Whether it’s giving constant advice, misunderstanding technology, or refusing to admit they’re wrong, these small behaviors can create a surprising amount of friction.
I’ve seen it firsthand with my own parents—and, honestly, I understand both sides. So let’s talk about the eight things boomers often do that unintentionally annoy younger generations (and what they can do differently to bridge the gap).
1. Giving “unsolicited advice” about everything
Boomers often feel it’s their duty to share the wisdom they’ve collected over decades. Whether it’s about money, parenting, careers, or relationships, their advice often begins with, “You know what you should do…”
While it comes from a place of care, younger generations—who value autonomy—see it as intrusive or condescending. Millennials and Gen Z tend to learn through experience, not hierarchy. When a boomer insists on giving advice before being asked, it can feel like they don’t trust you to figure life out on your own.
My dad once told me, “You’ll thank me later,” after I ignored one of his suggestions. The truth? I did thank him later—but I also would’ve preferred the space to fail first.
2. Treating technology like a nuisance instead of a tool
You’ve probably heard this before: “Why do you need your phone all the time?” or “I don’t understand all this social media nonsense.”
For boomers, technology often symbolizes disconnection from the “real world.” For younger generations, it’s the opposite—it’s how they connect. When boomers complain about phones at the dinner table but then spend half the meal talking about Facebook posts, the irony doesn’t go unnoticed.
It’s not the disdain for technology that annoys people—it’s the refusal to adapt. The world is digital now, and dismissing that reality feels out of touch rather than wise.
3. Using outdated language that unintentionally offends
Boomers grew up in a different cultural landscape, and sometimes they use words or expressions that simply don’t land well today.
It’s not always malicious—most of the time, it’s habit. But when they refer to people or situations in outdated terms, younger generations cringe. It’s not “political correctness gone mad,” as boomers often claim—it’s empathy and evolution.
Younger generations value inclusivity, and when boomers resist that shift, it can feel like they’re clinging to a world that no longer exists. The intent may be harmless, but the impact often isn’t.
4. Assuming hard work automatically leads to success
Boomers grew up in an era where effort was almost always rewarded—where buying a house on a single income was achievable, and job loyalty meant stability.
Today’s world doesn’t work that way. Younger generations often juggle multiple jobs, side hustles, and economic uncertainty that hard work alone can’t solve.
When boomers say, “You just need to work harder,” it can sound dismissive of modern struggles. It’s not that younger generations don’t want to work—it’s that the rules of the game have changed.
I remember telling my parents about housing prices in Singapore and Vietnam. My mom blinked and said, “That can’t be right.” To them, the numbers sound unreal because they come from a different economic universe.
5. Turning every conversation into a nostalgia session
Boomers love reminiscing—and honestly, who can blame them? Their youth was filled with simpler pleasures: real friendships, music that meant something, and no smartphones in sight.
But when every chat about modern life becomes, “Back in my day, things were better,” it gets old fast. Younger people aren’t nostalgic for a world they never lived in. They want empathy for their present, not endless stories about the past.
Nostalgia can be beautiful—but when overused, it can sound like judgment disguised as memory.
6. Equating financial stability with moral superiority
One of the subtler generational divides is how boomers equate money with responsibility, while younger generations see fulfillment as a more holistic goal.
When boomers say things like, “You should have bought a house by now,” or “You’re wasting money on travel,” it reflects a belief that financial choices define maturity.
But the younger generations came of age during recessions, student debt crises, and skyrocketing rent. They’ve learned that wealth doesn’t always equal happiness—and that experiences often matter more than possessions.
My dad once joked, “When are you going to buy a proper house like an adult?” I laughed. For him, property equals security. For me, freedom is the new success.
7. Thinking manners are universal and timeless
Boomers often pride themselves on “good manners.” They say “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.” That’s admirable—but the problem arises when they assume their definition of politeness applies universally.
For example, many boomers think not answering a phone call immediately is rude, while younger generations see unexpected calls as intrusive. Boomers may also see direct communication as disrespectful, while younger people value authenticity over formality.
It’s not that either side is wrong—it’s that social norms evolve. When boomers scold younger people for being “rude” or “lazy” without understanding these shifts, it highlights a generational disconnect, not a moral one.
8. Refusing to admit when they’re wrong
Perhaps the biggest generational tension of all: boomers rarely say, “I was wrong.”
It’s not always pride—it’s conditioning. They grew up in a world where authority (especially parental authority) wasn’t questioned. Admitting fault could be seen as weakness.
But younger generations value emotional honesty. They respect vulnerability over perfection. When boomers double down on being “right,” it shuts down dialogue and breeds quiet resentment.
I’ve learned that my parents soften when they feel heard, not challenged. Sometimes saying, “I understand why you feel that way,” opens more doors than arguing facts ever could.
A deeper truth: It’s not about who’s right—it’s about being understood
Underneath the irritation, there’s affection. Most boomers act the way they do out of love and habit, not arrogance. And most younger people don’t actually want their parents or older relatives to change—they just want them to listen.
When my parents talk about the world “going crazy,” I remind myself that they lived through times that demanded certainty and self-reliance. Our generation, on the other hand, is navigating fluidity and flux.
Neither is better—just different. The bridge between generations isn’t built on blame; it’s built on curiosity.
Final reflection
If you’re from a younger generation, the next time your parents lecture you about “how things used to be,” pause for a moment. Try to hear the care behind the criticism.
And if you’re a boomer reading this, know that your experience is still deeply valuable—but only when shared with humility and openness.
As I often remind myself (and sometimes my parents): love across generations requires patience, humor, and the willingness to admit that maybe, just maybe, we’re all a little bit annoying sometimes.
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