Boomer Habits That Time Forgot (According to Gen Z)

Every generation has its quirks, those little habits that make perfect sense to them but leave everyone else baffled. And while Boomers might shake their heads at Gen Z’s slang and obsession with filming everything, the generational gap definitely works both ways.

Because for all the eye-rolling about “kids these days,” there are plenty of things boomers still do that raise a few eyebrows from Gen Z. From the way they communicate to how they love to iron everything, some of these habits feel like they need leaving behind.

Here are ten things that make perfect sense to boomers, but that have quietly vanished from Gen Z’s world.

1) Networking on Facebook

Boomers love Facebook, using it to connect with family and maintain relationships from the past. It’s where they tag you in a funny meme they noticed, love every single thing their adult kids post, and overshare their latest health update.

Facebook is the digital equivalent of dial-up internet for Gen Z. They’ve long since swapped status updates for Snapchat streaks, and if you try sending them a friend request, prepare for radio silence.

2) Answering the phone immediately

Answering a call is practically Pavlovian for boomers. When it rings, they quickly spring into action. Missing a call used to mean that you might never know who tried to reach you, so the reflex is to pick up immediately. Plus, they value the human interaction.

Gen Z, on the other hand, actively avoid answering phone calls. The unspoken rule is: text first, call later (or better yet, just voice-note). To younger generations, answering a random call feels outdated and inefficient. They can’t understand why their parents pick up just to say they can’t talk right now.

3) Holding onto paperwork for years

There’s something deeply reassuring about a piece of paper to older people. Receipts, bank statements, airline boarding passes, even the warranty for a toaster bought in 2009, it’s all neatly filed (or not so neatly stuffed) away “just in case.” Every household has that drawer!

Gen Z, meanwhile, wouldn’t dream of it. Their boarding passes live in phone wallets, receipts in emails, and any manual they need is on YouTube. Paperwork is clutter, not comfort.

4) Ironing everything in sight

Ironing is a bit of an obsession for most boomers. They press bed sheets, shirts, towels, and even underwear. Wrinkles are practically a crime, and a crisp, perfectly pressed outfit signals self-respect and discipline.

Apart from not really knowing how to iron, Gen Z don’t have the time, and honestly, they don’t need to. Wrinkle-resistant fabrics, steamers, or the dryer do the job just fine.

5) Paying with cash

For Gen Z, paying for lunch or coffee is almost never a matter of struggling to find the right change. Digital wallets just require a tap, scan, and you’re done. Cash feels slow, awkward, and a little stressful.

Boomers, on the other hand, are still loyal to cash. It’s tangible, reliable, and a lot safer than trusting digital systems. Instead of scanning a QR code and splitting the restaurant bill electronically, they’re the ones quietly counting notes and handing over the exact change for the tip.

6) Texting like it’s still 2005

Texting with older relatives can be a cultural minefield. Boomers’ use of emojis can often cause head-scratching for younger generations. The classic “Face with Tears of Joy” emoji has often been misused by boomers in texts like, “Grandad fell in the garden”.

Ellipses are another signature move. Many boomers sprinkle them throughout messages to leave texts trailing off in what they hope is a thoughtful haze.

For young people, boomer texting can be both confusing and amusing. A carefully crafted message with emojis and enthusiasm might be met with a solitary thumbs-up or an “OK.” And then there’s the classic “From, Dad” sign-off at the end of each message.

7) Working 9 to 5

Once upon a time, the 9 to 5 was sacred. When leaving your desk at 5pm on the dot was frowned upon and loyalty was measured in how many years you had been with the company. To boomers, climbing the ladder is a careful and methodical game.

Gen Z treats the office like a dusty museum exhibit. Fixed hours, rigid routines, and daily commutes are relics of another era. They want flexibility, remote options, and careers that bend and pivot. Work-life balance is their mantra.

8) Watching the news on TV

For most boomers, watching the news on TV is almost the same as the ritual of having a cup of tea. Whether it’s BBC, ITV, or Sky News, followed by the local news, this daily habit is comforting, familiar, and trustworthy. It’s not just about staying informed, it’s also crucial in order to see what the weather is doing.

News isn’t something you sit through on a sofa for Gen Z. It’s something you scroll past, swipe through, or catch in five-second clips on YouTube or TikTok. They skip the formalities, curate their updates, and tune in only for what grabs their attention.

9) Eating expired food

Older generations have a knack for seeing past the expiry date on food. They’re convinced that cupboard staples or items at the back of the fridge that have been there for months (even years) are all perfectly fine.

A dodgy jar of pickles? Just scrape off the surface and carry on. Expiry dates are more of a suggestion than a rule.

In contrast, younger people tend to treat anything past the “best before” as radioactive. If it’s even a day out of date, it’s straight in the bin. The idea of scooping off mould or testing an old jar of sauce just makes them feel queasy.

10) Avoiding sick days

Caught a cold? Feeling like death warmed up? Don’t expect a boomer to stay home. They’ll drag themselves into the office, tissues in hand, armed with the classic “keep calm and carry on” mentality, even if everyone else catches their bug.

Gen Z, by contrast, treats illness like the emergency it is. A sniffle is an official excuse to work from home or just rest in bed guilt-free. In fact, a recent survey found that more than half of 18 to 28-year-olds are perfectly happy taking a sick day to actually rest and recover.

Wrapping up

Generational gaps aren’t going anywhere, and why should they. While one side is scrolling the news and ignoring a phone call, the other is happy watching the weather forecast and ironing the bed sheets.

Maybe the trick is to appreciate the quirks, and occasionally have a good laugh at them, without letting them drive us mad.