Boomers often get a hard time for their apparently odd and outdated habits, but honestly, most of the things they do aren’t exclusive to their generation.
In fact, plenty of these so-called “boomer” behaviours have crept into other generations, whether we like to admit it or not. While younger people love to joke about old-school tech skills, rigid routines, or sticking to “the good old days,” the truth is, plenty of millennials, Gen Zers, and even Gen Alpha are guilty of doing these things too. Here are some of the more stereotypical “boomer” behaviours that apply pretty much across the board.
1. Complaining that music just isn’t what it used to be
Every generation does this. Boomers claim nothing compares to The Beatles or Fleetwood Mac, while millennials insist that early 2000s pop was the last great era of music, and we’ll never have another Britney Spears. Meanwhile, Gen Z is already nostalgic for the 2010s and saying things like, “Music was better when Rihanna was still releasing albums.” It turns out, everyone eventually reaches a point where they believe their era of music was the golden age. It’s not that modern music is bad, it’s just that people get emotionally attached to the songs they grew up with. Give it another 10 years, and Gen Z will probably be moaning that today’s music just doesn’t compare to early Billie Eilish.
2. Saying, “Back in my day, we didn’t need all this technology”
Boomers love to remind younger generations that they survived without smartphones, GPS, or Google. But let’s be honest, millennials now find themselves saying, “Back in my day, we didn’t have TikTok, and we were fine!” And Gen Z is already complaining that Gen Alpha is glued to tablets before they can even walk. At some point, everyone starts looking at the latest tech and thinking, “Do we really need this?” The irony? The same people who say they don’t need technology are often the first to panic when their Wi-Fi goes down.
3. Refusing to throw out perfectly good containers
Ask any boomer why they have 15 empty ice cream tubs in the cupboard, and they’ll tell you, “It’s a perfectly good container!” But millennials and Gen Z are no different — they just hoard takeaway boxes, Amazon packaging, and glass jars “just in case.” Saving containers for future use isn’t a boomer habit, it’s just practical. The only difference is that younger generations call it “eco-friendly” and “zero waste” instead of admitting they’re turning into their parents.
4. Preferring to talk on the phone instead of texting
Boomers love a good phone call, but plenty of younger people are just as guilty, especially when they realise texting back and forth for half an hour could have been solved in a two-minute conversation. Millennials who once mocked phone calls now find themselves calling their mates instead of sending long voice notes. Even Gen Z, known for hating phone calls, has started realising that sometimes it’s just easier to pick up the phone and get things sorted.
5. Talking about the price of everything
“I remember when petrol was 50p a litre!” is a classic boomer line, but to be fair, millennials and Gen Z complain about prices just as much. The difference? Instead of reminiscing about cheap petrol, younger generations rant about £7 pints, insane house prices, and how Freddos used to be 10p. No matter your age, there’s something oddly satisfying about pointing out how expensive things have become. It’s a universal habit at this point, not just a boomer one.
6. Writing everything down instead of using apps
Boomers might carry notebooks and address books, but plenty of younger people still swear by old-school planners, sticky notes, and physical to-do lists. Some things just feel more official when they’re written down. Even Gen Z, raised in the digital era, loves a good bullet journal. So while boomers may take pride in their handwritten grocery lists, younger generations are out here buying £30 planners to write their tasks in pastel-coloured gel pens.
7. Getting irrationally angry at bad driving
Whether it’s boomers moaning about “idiots who don’t indicate” or millennials raging about drivers who block cycle lanes, road rage is truly a multi-generational experience. Even Gen Z, who were supposed to be the chill, anxiety-ridden generation, have started angrily tweeting about how no one knows how to merge properly. As long as there are cars on the road, people of all ages will continue complaining about bad drivers. It’s just human nature.
8. Keeping things “just in case”
Boomers keep old cables, spare buttons, and decades-old instruction manuals in case they ever come in handy. But younger generations do the exact same thing, just with a different selection of clutter. Millennials hoard old iPhone boxes and half-broken chargers, while Gen Z keeps random clothing tags, tote bags, and skincare samples they’ll never use. No matter the generation, the logic is the same: “You never know when you might need it!”
9. Talking to strangers in public
Boomers love a good chat with a stranger, whether it’s the cashier at Tesco or the person next to them on the bus. But younger generations are warming up to this too, especially after spending years glued to screens and realising how rare in-person interactions have become. These days, even millennials and Gen Z are finding joy in random conversations. Maybe boomers were onto something when they said small talk wasn’t so bad after all.
10. Sticking with what they know instead of trying something new
Boomers are known for refusing to switch to newer brands or styles, but younger generations do this too. Millennials still wear the same trainers they loved in 2010, and Gen Z has brought back Y2K fashion instead of embracing new trends. Sticking to what feels familiar isn’t a boomer habit, it’s just a comfort thing. At the end of the day, everyone has their go-to brands, songs, and TV shows they refuse to let go of.
11. Watching the news and getting annoyed
Boomers are famous for shouting at the TV when the news comes on, but honestly, millennials and Gen Z doom-scroll through Twitter and get just as wound up. The only difference is the platform. At this point, it doesn’t matter how you consume the news — print, TV, or social media — it’s almost guaranteed to leave you irritated. The frustration is universal.
12. Sending unnecessary emails instead of just messaging
Boomers love an email when a simple text would do, but guess what? So do most people who work in an office. If you’ve ever received an email that could have been a two-second chat, you’ve experienced the digital version of boomer over-communication. Even Gen Z, supposedly the most tech-savvy generation, falls into this trap at work. The difference is, they complain about it in group chats afterward.
13. Telling people to “put on a proper coat”
Boomers love telling younger people they’ll “catch their death” if they don’t dress warmly enough. But give it time — everyone eventually starts valuing a good coat. Millennials are already obsessed with warm layers, and Gen Z has made massive scarves and puffer jackets fashionable. At some point, every generation realises that warmth is more important than looking cool. It’s just a matter of time before the next group starts nagging the younger ones about wearing sensible shoes too.
14. Saying “kids these days” as if they weren’t exactly the same
Boomers love moaning about the younger generations, but guess what? Millennials are already complaining about Gen Z, and Gen Z is starting to grumble about Gen Alpha. It turns out, every generation thinks the ones after them are softer, lazier, or missing out on “the real world.” But the reality? Each generation just experiences life differently, and eventually, we all become the ones shaking our heads at “kids these days.”
