9 ways boomers treat customer service workers that instantly gives away their age

Ever notice how you can spot someone's generation before they even speak?

Last week at my local coffee shop, I watched a customer demand to speak with "someone in charge" when the barista politely explained they were out of a specific pastry. The way he waved his receipt like a contract, insisted on getting the owner's personal phone number, and repeatedly mentioned he'd been "coming here for years" made it crystal clear which generation he belonged to.

Working in finance taught me to spot patterns, and after years of observing human behavior, I've noticed certain customer service interactions that are dead giveaways for the boomer generation. Not all boomers act this way, of course, but these behaviors have become so characteristic that service workers can often predict someone's age range within minutes.

If you're curious whether your customer service style might be dating you, or you're just interested in understanding generational differences better, let's explore these telltale signs.

1. Demanding to speak with the manager immediately

Remember when "Can I speak to your manager?" wasn't a meme yet?

For many boomers, escalating to management is still the default problem-solving strategy. While younger generations might leave a review online or simply take their business elsewhere, boomers often believe that only managers have real authority to fix problems.

I witnessed this recently when a woman insisted on speaking with the bank manager because the teller couldn't waive a fee. The teller had already explained the policy clearly, but she was convinced the manager would make an exception if she just explained her loyalty to the bank.

The thing is, most customer service workers today are empowered to handle way more than they used to. Demanding a manager often just slows things down and creates unnecessary tension.

2. Refusing to use self-checkout or apps

"I want to talk to a real person!"

Sound familiar? While technology can definitely be frustrating, the complete refusal to even try self-service options is a classic boomer move. They'll wait in a longer line just to avoid the self-checkout, or call to make a reservation instead of using the restaurant's app.

During my transition from finance to writing, I had to embrace a lot of new technology myself. Trust me, I get the resistance. But watching someone refuse to even attempt a touchscreen menu while complaining about slow service? That's when generational differences become obvious.

3. Over-explaining their entire history with the company

"I've been shopping here since 1987..."

Boomers often launch into elaborate backstories about their relationship with a business, as if their customer tenure should grant them special privileges. They'll detail every purchase, every previous visit, and every interaction they've had over the decades.

While loyalty is valuable, most frontline workers simply don't have the power to bend rules based on how long you've been a customer. Plus, in our data-driven world, that information is usually already in the system.

4. Getting upset about policy changes

Nothing reveals age quite like someone saying, "But you used to do it this way!"

Boomers often struggle with policy changes, especially ones that seem less personal or convenient. They remember when returns didn't need receipts, when you could write checks everywhere, and when customer service meant bending over backward for every request.

Having witnessed the 2008 financial crisis firsthand, I saw how quickly institutions changed their policies to survive. Change is constant in business, but boomers often take these shifts personally, as if the company is deliberately trying to inconvenience them.

5. Insisting on cash transactions or writing checks

Picture this: a long line at the grocery store, and someone pulls out their checkbook.

While there's nothing wrong with preferring cash or checks, the insistence on using them even when it clearly inconveniences others is distinctly generational. Boomers often distrust digital payments and will argue with cashiers who inform them about no-cash policies or minimum card amounts.

I once watched a man argue for ten minutes about why he should be able to write a check for a $3 coffee. The barista kept explaining their point-of-sale system couldn't process checks, but he couldn't comprehend why a business would refuse "perfectly good money."

6. Taking customer service interactions personally

When a store is out of stock, when a coupon is expired, when a promotion has ended, boomers often act as if the service worker personally orchestrated these inconveniences.

They'll say things like, "You're just trying to make things difficult" or "You don't want my business." They struggle to separate the employee from the company policy, leading to confrontations that feel weirdly personal.

My analytical background helps me see this pattern clearly: they're not really mad at the nineteen-year-old cashier. They're frustrated by a world that feels increasingly impersonal and automated.

7. Expecting immediate solutions to complex problems

Boomers often expect customer service workers to have the authority and ability to solve any problem on the spot. They don't understand why someone might need to "check with someone" or "look into it and get back to you."

This expectation comes from an era when local businesses had more autonomy and flexibility. Today's corporate structures and standardized policies mean that many decisions require approval from people who aren't even in the building.

The impatience and frustration when told something will take time or require follow-up? Classic generational marker.

8. Making comments about "young people" not knowing how to work

"When I was your age..." or "Young people today don't understand customer service..."

These comments, often made directly to the service worker who's actively helping them, instantly reveal their generation. They'll complain about work ethic while talking to someone working a Sunday shift for minimum wage.

Having worked through my own people-pleasing tendencies from being labeled a "gifted child," I understand how these generational judgments can affect workers. These comments aren't just age reveals; they're often demoralizing to people doing their best in challenging jobs.

9. Refusing to acknowledge service workers as equals

Perhaps the most telling sign is the way some boomers talk down to service workers, using condescending tones or treating them as servants rather than professionals.

They might snap their fingers for attention, talk over explanations, or use phrases like "sweetie" or "young man" in patronizing ways. They often act as if the customer-service relationship is hierarchical rather than transactional.

This behavior stems from a different era's understanding of service roles, but it immediately signals their generation to anyone watching.

Final thoughts

These behaviors aren't necessarily malicious. They often come from a generation that experienced customer service very differently, when personal relationships with local businesses were the norm and "the customer is always right" was gospel.

But here's what I've learned from observing these patterns: respect goes both ways. The workers serving your coffee, scanning your groceries, or answering your calls are professionals doing a job. They're navigating complex systems, dealing with difficult people, and often working for wages that haven't kept up with inflation.

If you recognize yourself in some of these behaviors, consider this an opportunity for growth. After all, how we treat service workers says a lot about who we are, regardless of our generation.