There’s nothing more cringeworthy than someone who refuses to admit they’re getting older.
However, just because you’re advancing in years doesn’t mean you have to become some fuddy-duddy who’s disconnected from the modern world. If you do any of these things, you’re ageing yourself prematurely. Don’t do it!
1. Refusing to learn new phone features
Some people are determined to keep things simple, sticking to the same three apps and ignoring every system update. They take screenshots of maps instead of just using navigation and let notifications pile up without ever checking them. Thousands of unread emails gather dust in the inbox, and they’ll call instead of texting for the simplest questions.
2. Starting every story with “back in my day”
Bringing up how things worked before smartphones tends to slip into casual conversation, often alongside tales of cheaper coffee and simpler times. There’s always a mention of old movie ticket prices or the “good old days” of memorising phone numbers. Occasionally, dial-up internet even finds its way into the chat.
3. Printing digital tickets
Despite having everything stored on their phone, they still feel the need to carry paper copies. Boarding passes get printed days in advance, and there’s always a folder with printed confirmation emails. Writing down Google Maps directions isn’t out of the question, either, making the printer an essential travel companion.
4. Refusing to try new restaurants
Why explore when you can have the same meal at the same place every week? New food trends get dismissed without a second thought, and familiar chain restaurants are the top choice when visiting a new city. Food delivery apps remain unused, and menus are always checked online before committing to dinner plans.
5. Making loud comments about social media
Comments about TikTok trends or the oddity of posting lunch photos often pop up in conversation. Social media gets labelled a “waste of time,” and there’s always a question about what influencers even do. Phrases like “back in my day, we talked face to face” come out on repeat.
6. Keeping expired coupons just in case
Stacks of paper coupons from years ago sit around “just in case” they’re still valid. They’d rather organise these outdated offers in a drawer than download store apps for digital deals. Occasionally, they’ll even attempt to use expired discounts at checkout, turning the kitchen drawer into a coupon graveyard.
7. Typing with one finger
Every message is carefully typed out, one letter at a time. Voice-to-text features are ignored, and messages are read at arm’s length. Typing often involves a few sound effects, and the phone stays in landscape mode indefinitely.
8. Sharing weather updates on social media
Screenshots of daily temperatures get posted regularly, and friends are warned about incoming rain through group texts. Every social gathering includes a discussion about recent weather, and photos of the thermometer display are a must. Weather apps occupy prime space on the home screen.
9. Avoiding self-checkout lanes
Source: Unsplash Even if there’s a queue, they’d rather wait for a cashier than try self-checkout. Comments about machines “taking jobs” are common, and bagging groceries without help is out of the question. The self-checkout remains an untouched mystery, waiting just a few feet away.
10. Using a phone book
The annual directory sits by the landline, ready for any business lookup or phone call. Instead of checking online, they’ll call for hours or write down business details. Old takeaway menus fill a drawer, and the recycling bin never sees these beloved phone directory.
11. Making comments about today’s music
Listening to modern songs brings up questions about lyrics and complaints about music “lacking real meaning.” New releases rarely make it into playlists, and old albums from decades ago get played on repeat. Streaming services remain unsubscribed, sticking to tried-and-true tracks.
12. Writing cheques at the grocery store
While everyone else taps to pay, out comes the chequebook. Detailed cheque registers are filled out at the counter, and every transaction gets written down manually. Asking for a paper receipt is a must, while the guide for setting up mobile payments goes unread.
13. Taking photos of the TV screen
Instead of searching for show details online, they’ll snap a picture of the screen. Recipes from cooking shows, tech error messages, or movie titles are all captured this way. The screenshot function goes unused, while photos of the TV fill up the gallery.
14. Double-spacing after full stops
Old habits from typewriter days persist, so emails and texts end up with extra spaces. This habit creates noticeable gaps in digital documents, showing a fondness for the typing style of years past.
15. Leaving voicemails for everything
Rather than a quick text, a detailed voicemail is left for even the simplest of questions. The expectation is for return calls, not texts, and they’ll repeat the phone number slowly, twice. The voicemail inbox stays permanently full, with multipart messages running out of time.
16. Forwarding chain emails
Mass emails warning about internet scams or luck-based chain messages make the rounds, with multiple exclamation points added for emphasis. Subject lines filled with “FWD: FWD: FWD” go out to the whole contact list, and the spam folder fills with bounced messages.
