8 things Boomer dads still do in public that Gen Z finds wildly unnecessary

There’s something endlessly fascinating about the generational gap, especially when it plays out in public.

Boomer dads, in particular, have their own set of rituals. Some are charming, others... well, a little baffling.

They’re the masters of “why are you doing that here?” behavior, not because they want attention, but because they genuinely think they’re doing things the right way.

To Gen Z, who grew up in a world of instant feedback, minimal effort, and seamless tech, these habits can seem inefficient or even absurd.

But underneath it all is a deep cultural story, one about how different generations define value, connection, and control.

Let’s break down eight of those “why are you like this?” habits that Boomer dads just can’t quit.

1) Holding up the line to argue about a coupon

We’ve all seen it. The line is ten people deep, everyone’s half-scrolling TikTok, half-mentally screaming, and there’s one dad at the register insisting that his expired coupon should still work because “it was valid yesterday.”

To him, this isn’t about the coupon. It’s about principle. He grew up in a world where every dollar mattered, and where standing your ground meant you weren’t getting taken advantage of.

But to Gen Z? It’s unnecessary stress. They’re used to systems that work: QR codes, auto discounts, apps that do the math. The idea of publicly debating over $1.50 feels like bad ROI for your emotional energy.

I once watched a guy at Trader Joe’s spend five minutes arguing about a discount on almond butter. I admired the commitment, the man had passion. But I also silently promised myself I’d never become that person.

It’s not that Gen Z doesn’t care about saving money. They just care more about saving time.

2) Making phone calls in speaker mode

Why is this one universal? It’s like a genetic trait passed down with the lawn mower.

You’ll be in an airport or café, and suddenly, a conversation blasts into the air: “Yeah, Linda, I told him if he wants the truck, he’s gotta pay cash.”

For Boomer dads, speaker mode equals convenience. Two hands free, no fuss. Maybe even a little bit of pride in projecting confidence.

For Gen Z, though, it’s the auditory equivalent of chewing ice. They’ve mastered silent communication: texts, DMs, voice notes, all private, all discreet. Talking loudly in public feels almost like breaking a social contract.

I noticed this cultural divide vividly when I was in Seoul. Subways were silent. Everyone was on their phones, but no one talked. Privacy wasn’t just preferred, it was expected. It made me realize how much of our public communication is shaped by what we think attention says about us. Boomer dads don’t mind it. Gen Z avoids it like it’s contagious.

3) Wearing Bluetooth earpieces like it’s still 2007

There’s something iconic about the single-ear Bluetooth headset.

You can spot it from across a parking lot, blinking blue, slightly crooked, forever paired to a flip phone that no longer exists.

For Boomer dads, this was peak innovation. It meant freedom. It meant multitasking before multitasking was cool.

But for Gen Z, who grew up with AirPods and noise cancellation, the old-school earpiece just screams corporate dad energy. It’s tech cosplay from another era.

I remember a guy at my local farmers market wearing one, buying kale and narrating his every move into the mic. He looked like he was closing a deal with NASA.

The funny thing? The function hasn’t changed. It’s still wireless, still practical. The difference is aesthetic, and Gen Z cares deeply about aesthetic. To them, tech isn’t just about what it does. It’s about how it looks doing it.

4) Making small talk with strangers (everywhere)

This is the one I actually find kind of sweet.

Boomer dads can strike up a conversation anywhere. The cashier, the valet, the random guy next to them at the car wash. There’s a warmth in that, a social ease that feels almost nostalgic now.

But to Gen Z, it’s often seen as unnecessary social labor. They value connection, yes, but only with intent. Random chatter about gas prices or the weather feels like a waste of bandwidth.

There’s a subtle psychology here. Older generations found comfort in community and routine, in knowing the people who worked at their local store. It gave them a sense of belonging.

Gen Z, on the other hand, finds belonging online, where connection is curated and intentional. They’d rather have one deep Discord conversation than five surface-level chats in line at Starbucks.

When I traveled through Japan a few years back, I learned that silence can actually be a form of respect. You don’t fill the air just because you can. Maybe that’s part of the Gen Z mindset, connection doesn’t need to be constant to be meaningful.

5) Printing things that don’t need to be printed

Boarding passes. Movie tickets. Restaurant reservations. Directions to Target.

Boomer dads print everything. Often in duplicate. Sometimes in color.

It’s not about being old-fashioned, it’s about control. Having a physical copy means nothing can go wrong. No Wi-Fi outage, no dead phone, no digital failure. Paper equals peace of mind.

To Gen Z, though, this feels like a storage nightmare. Why carry paper when your phone can do everything (and doesn’t need refilling ink cartridges)?

I once watched my dad pull out a three-page printed email chain to prove he’d confirmed a dinner reservation. The host blinked twice and said, “We have you in the system.” He nodded, satisfied, and tucked the pages back into a manila folder.

It’s over-preparation disguised as order. But it’s rooted in something real, the anxiety of a world where things weren’t always backed up in the cloud.

Still, maybe the planet would appreciate it if we let that one go.

6) Giving loud, unsolicited life advice

Ah yes, the public pep talk.

Boomer dads love a teachable moment, and they have no issue delivering it at full volume.

They’ll tell a server how to get ahead in life, or offer a cashier a story about how things used to be. It’s part mentorship, part monologue.

The intention is rarely bad. It’s usually about passing on wisdom, affirming their own life experience, or just filling space in a way that feels meaningful.

But to Gen Z, it’s unsolicited and unnecessary. They grew up with YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and Reddit threads, a million sources of advice, all accessible, all optional. So when someone publicly lectures them, it feels outdated.

There’s also a shift in how authority is perceived. For Boomer dads, experience equals authority. For Gen Z, context equals authority. Advice hits differently when it’s relevant and respectful, not just loud.

Still, there’s a strange comfort in their predictability. You always know a “when I was your age” speech is just around the corner.

7) Overdressing for casual outings

You’ve probably seen it, the guy in a tucked-in polo and leather belt at the grocery store. Maybe even a spritz of cologne for good measure.

Boomer dads dress like they might run into someone important, even at Home Depot.

To Gen Z, who worships effortless style and minimalist comfort, this level of prep feels like overkill. They’ve mastered the “I just threw this on” aesthetic that somehow still looks good.

But here’s the thing: for older generations, dressing up was a sign of respect. You didn’t just go places, you presented yourself. Your clothes said, “I care how I show up in the world.”

My dad once changed clothes just to drive me to the airport. When I asked why, he said, “You never know who you’ll meet.” At the time I laughed. Now, I kind of get it.

It’s not vanity. It’s pride. And while the modern world celebrates casual authenticity, there’s something quietly dignified about still putting in that effort.

8) Taking credit for technology they don’t really understand

This one never gets old.

A Boomer dad successfully sets up Wi-Fi or pairs a Bluetooth speaker and suddenly becomes the household tech god.

He’ll say things like, “I’m basically an engineer now,” or “The router just needed a little common sense.”

Meanwhile, you know he spent an hour watching a YouTube tutorial filmed by a 19-year-old.

To Gen Z, who learned to troubleshoot before they learned to drive, this performance feels unnecessary, like celebrating after using a microwave. But honestly? There’s something endearing about it.

They didn’t grow up in the digital world, they migrated into it. Every successful tech moment feels like conquering a new continent.

And maybe we should let them have that win. Because one day, when AI fully takes over, we might all sound like them, bragging about how we “figured out” how to reboot our smart fridge.

The bottom line

Every generation has its quirks. Boomer dads just happen to perform theirs in public.

They’re not doing it to annoy anyone. They’re doing what’s familiar, what once worked, what still feels right. Their world was built on scarcity, structure, and showing up. Gen Z’s world runs on abundance, adaptability, and ease.

To one group, effort equals care. To the other, efficiency equals intelligence.

What’s “wildly unnecessary” to one generation might just be “deeply meaningful” to another.

So the next time you see a dad loudly on speakerphone, dressed to the nines, clutching a paper boarding pass like a sacred text, maybe smile instead of cringe.

It’s not just a generational quirk. It’s a reminder of where we came from, how far we’ve evolved, and how much of human behavior is still just us trying to make sense of a world that keeps changing faster than we do.