Life doesn’t stop being annoying when you get older. The difference is simply that you’ve dealt with all sorts of systems enough times that they don’t annoy you as much anymore, and a lot of everyday things in America run on processes that never went away. That’s why boomers tend to go through them without much stress. Here are nine everyday situations where boomers stay calm, and Gen Z falls apart.
The car rental with zero modern features
You might find that, sometimes, you end up renting a car that feels as though it missed a decade or two of technology. It has no screen or phone pairing, not even touch panels. But it’s something boomers take in their stride because they’re used to simple vehicles that lack modern technology.
Driving in an older style of car is no big deal for them. Yet Gen Z often gets quite irritated in the same situation because they’re not sure how to deal with a car that has no built-in navigation features or obvious dashboard icons. Even changing the radio station feels like guesswork for them.
The coin-only parking meter
There’s always that one parking meter that doesn’t take cards, forcing you to use cash instead. It’s no issue for boomers because they often carry quarters or other coins around with them. They simply pay & move on. However, Gen Z becomes frustrated because they’d rather pay using an app, as they think it’s much more convenient.
That’s not to say that they can’t use coins to pay. But watching the timer count down while trying to find some loose change in your car is hardly anyone’s idea of fun. It’s no wonder the younger generation feels so stressed out afterwards.
The appliance that needs a reset
You won’t see many boomers panicking when something freezes at home. They’ll simply flip a breaker & unplug the device, then wait a few minutes for it to reset. It’s practically muscle memory for them. But Gen Z usually gets stuck once the app stops loading or the smart controls quit responding since they’re not used to devices that lack on-screen prompts.
It can be a real challenge for them to dig up a paper manual or work out how they should approach the problem. Don’t be surprised when the whole issue becomes a guessing game. They’re not able to perform quick resets.
Being asked to explain something without visual aids
It’s easy for boomers to begin talking immediately whenever somebody asks them for some help. Sure, it may not be perfect, but they’re still able to walk through the situations & adjust what they’re saying out loud. Gen Z can’t really do that. They hesitate when they don’t have something to point to, like an image or a shared screen.
It makes explaining something purely using words feel a little uncomfortable for them, since they have no visual backup to rely on. What makes it worse is when Gen Z needs to explain things right on the first try. It’s practically impossible.
Having to remember exact details
Try asking a boomer for a phone number or address, and you’ll find that they’re able to give the answer right away, although it might only be approximate. This generation is used to relying on their memory above anything else. However, Gen Z often freezes when they have to do the same because they’re used to information staying in apps & inboxes.
It’s hard for them to remember something without a warning. They feel better having tools to help them confirm details, and remembering everything using their own mind feels a little stressful for them.
Being corrected in real time without softening language
The majority of boomers take any blunt corrections in their stride, especially when these comments come face-to-face. They’ll take all useful criticism on board. Yet Gen Z tends to react rather strongly when the feedback comes without any cushioning language, because they take small corrections rather badly.
They want an explanation before hearing any feedback. Most of the time, the corrections come too quickly for them to process, and they end up stuck replaying the conversation. But boomers simply absorb what has been said & keep on going.
Waiting without knowing how long it will take
Sitting in a lobby or standing in line without a device used to be a normal part of life for boomers, and they’re able to do the same now. It doesn’t matter that they’re not sure how long it might take. Unfortunately, Gen Z struggles a lot more when they don’t have a clock or number system to rely on because they want to know how much progress they’re making.
Not knowing whether it’ll take them five minutes or fifty is a big pain for the younger generation. They desperately need a reference point. Without one, the entire situation feels rather unstable, and it doesn’t take long for their patience to wear thin.
Handling conflict that can’t be paused
Conflict happens in every generation, yet the way that they deal with it can be quite different. Gen Z finds it hard to stay in a tense moment without being able to pause or step away, especially when it’s an in-person issue that requires an immediate response. They’d like to have some draft time. But boomers don’t have an issue with it because they’ve done it all their lives.
It’s not a problem for them to stand there & respond before finishing the conversation. These disagreements might be at the customer service counter or at the workplace, even a simple misunderstanding among friends, yet boomers are fine with responding right there and then.
Being expected to improvise when a plan falls apart
Boomers don’t get stressed when something falls through. At least, not visibly. They’re fine to pick a new option when their appointment is cancelled, or plans change suddenly, but Gen Z struggles with that same sense of resilience. They need a backup outline to make the next step clearer.
It’s rather difficult for Gen Z to make decisions on the fly when other people are waiting. In fact, they can feel rather overwhelmed when the structure has vanished, and they don’t have any guidance on how to replace it. Spontaneous solutions are a real challenge for Gen Z.
15 Things Gen X Did in the Past That Would Get Gen Z Cancelled Today
From awful jokes to ridiculous parenting expectations, Gen X did things that just won’t cut it in today’s “online forever” climate. If Gen Z attempted even half of this, they’d get roasted, ratioed, and hashtag-cancelled before the TikTok even finished loading.
15 Things Gen X Did in the Past That Would Get Gen Z Cancelled Today