You might think that Gen Z and boomers are living in completely different worlds. For the most part, you’d be right. But there are times when each generation reacts to the same behaviors for different reasons, mostly because some of the things that younger people enjoy come off as terrible to older people. Here are seven things Gen Z thinks are cool but boomers know are overrated. They’ve seen it all before.
Keeping a streak alive
Many Gen Zers see friendship as something to be counted instead of something that merely exists. A streak on social media is proof of that. Their generation makes sure to keep their streaks alive through sending photos or emojis because they think it shows they remembered the other person today. The number is a sign of consistency & visibility.
But boomers think that such a trend is unnecessary. They grew up in a time when maintaining friendships didn’t have to involve showing daily proof of that, and going a day without talking was no big deal. You had the chance to talk later instead. A boomer’s relationship with someone isn’t reduced to a counter on social media like it is for younger people.
Carrying around old-school digital cameras
It appears that grainy photos and harsh flashes are part of the appeal of old-school cameras now. Many Gen Zers prefer taking imperfect images with these older devices because they see the photos as being less staged. They somehow feel more spontaneous. Yet boomers remember how frustrating these same cameras used to be, thanks to numerous blurry shots.
They tend to see older cameras as messy, while younger people see them as charming. The older generation doesn’t always get the nostalgic appeal of using technology from years past. It’s simply outdated equipment doing what it always did.
Making a “side hustle” sound like a lifestyle
Gen Z is the kind of generation to view a side hustle as a sign of identity, more than a way to get extra income. They’ll brag about juggling freelance work with creative gigs or tutoring alongside their main job. Boomers don’t see it the same way. They often view side hustles as normal work, but one that has been given a new label.
Many boomers took on second jobs & weekend shifts without it being a big deal. They did seasonal work and didn’t frame it as a lifestyle choice or some sort of personal branding that they should tell everyone about. Extra work was what they did when they needed it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Posting daily life videos on routine stuff
It’s no secret that Gen Z loves social media. You’ve probably seen many people from this generation sharing videos online of everyday moments that really aren’t a big deal. They’ll post clips of them pouring their coffee and packing their backpack, perhaps even wiping down a desk. They think it looks cool to show everyone how organized they are.
However, many boomers think the trend is overrated because they see these routines as the regular activities that they are. Such activities filled boomers’ lives for years, so they don’t understand why anyone would want to document these basic tasks. They’re big believers in getting the job done and forgetting about it.
Soft-launching relationships on purpose
Gen Z refuses to openly announce a relationship. They’ll choose instead to drop hints online by sharing a cropped photo here and two drinks there, then let people connect the dots. Gen Z thinks such behavior is smart because it keeps control of their relationship status in their own hands. But boomers think it’s entirely overrated.
They believe that soft-launching a relationship requires far too much effort. They’d prefer to either share the news directly or keep it private because managing who knows what & when feels like unnecessary work. They’d rather let the relationship simply be, without any of that drama.
Paying to go to immersive pop-up experiences
Pop-up experiences are often built for good photo opportunities, and that’s why they’re so appealing to Gen Z. These temporary events are carefully designed so that you can post a good shot from practically every angle. Gen Z doesn’t care that the event only lasts an hour. They’re happy to have something new to share online.
It’s no surprise that boomers think these events are a waste of time because they recognize how limited they actually are. There’s not much more to do once you’ve walked through and taken pictures of everything. Boomers often prefer to spend their money & time on something that lasts longer. They’ll fork out for something that teaches them a skill, rather than staging a moment.
Waiting in long lines for limited drops
Waiting for a limited release is part of the event for Gen Z. The younger generation will show up early and stand in line until they get the item, which they’ll treat as proof of being involved. Posting about the item matters almost as much, if not more, than actually owning it. Yet boomers don’t see it the same way because scarcity doesn’t feel exciting to them.
They don’t chase something when it’s not available to them. Planning hours around a line is a pointless activity in their eyes, and they can’t understand why anyone would subject themselves to doing so. It’s even worse when you can easily find alternatives elsewhere.
19 Things the Internet Has Ruined According to Boomers
Sure, it brought us memes, online shopping, and instant everything – but it also bulldozed a lot of the world they once knew. From handwritten love letters to Friday night calls, below are 19 things Boomers say the internet utterly ruined, and honestly… they might have a point.
19 Things the Internet Has Ruined According to Boomers