Baby boomers hold on to old habits that remind them of the good old days, while Gen Z is ready to switch them up for something new and shiny. We’re moving from pen and paper to typing on screens, from saving coins to tapping phones to pay. This article takes a fun look at 18 old-fashioned ways that boomers love but Gen Z thinks we should leave behind.
Sending Holiday Cards
For many boomers, the festive season wasn’t complete without sending and receiving holiday cards. These tangible greetings reinforced bonds across distances. While Gen Z may send digital greetings or use social media shoutouts, the heartfelt sentiment of a physical card’s touch and feel remains unmatched.
Sunday Church Services
Religious or not, Sunday church services were a cornerstone for many boomers. It wasn’t just about faith; it was community, ritual, and tradition. Gen Z, living in a diverse and rapidly changing world, is not as keen on this tradition. According to The Survey Center On American Life, only 40% of Gen Zers “say they attended church weekly.”
Handwritten Letters
Handwritten letters, with their tactile sensation and unique touch, are deeply valued by boomers. Memories resonate with the texture of paper, and every pen movement conveys deep emotions. However, Gen Z, products of a digital era, predominantly use emails and instant messaging, yet they acknowledge the profound sentiment attached to a physical letter.
Local Community Gatherings
For boomers, local community gatherings like town hall meetings and festivals signify unity and shared experiences. It’s about togetherness, community, and shared history. Gen Z is often more influenced by their online communities.
Gardening as a Weekend Activity
Gen Z, while fascinated by the natural world, blends it with urban sustainability. They bring fresh twists to gardening through techniques like hydroponics and vertical plantations, marrying age-old practices with contemporary technology. But for many boomers, gardening is more than just a hobby—it’s a means of soulful rejuvenation.
Formal Dress Codes
Sticking to dress codes and differentiating between casual and formal wear is important for boomers, seeing a suit or formal dress as a sign of respect. Meanwhile, Gen Z places a premium on comfort and individual style in their fashion choices, pushing boundaries and opting for more flexible dress standards.
Family Sunday Dinners
Sunday dinners symbolize more than just a meal. It’s a cherished ritual for boomers, where families gather around the table, share stories, and enjoy home-cooked dishes. On the other hand, The New York Post published the findings of a poll by OnePoll that found Gen Z often values having a “love of food” rather than “spending time with family.”
Annual Family Reunions
Yearly family reunions were not merely gatherings for boomers. They were crucial anchors, fortifying familial bonds. Nowadays, Gen Z prefers a more flexible approach, thanks to technologies like video calls, allowing everyone to be constantly connected.
Printed Newspapers and Magazines
Gen Z predominantly turns to apps and blogs for their news updates, yet fresh newspapers and periodicals were morning staples for boomers, offering them insight into world events.
Collecting Stamps and Coins
Boomers often indulged in collecting stamps and coins, each piece narrating a story from a different corner of the world. Although Gen Z has myriad collectibles in the digital realm, there’s not much space for this tradition in the typical Gen Zer’s life.
Paying with Checks
In a tap-and-go era, the idea of writing checks might seem quaint and unnecessary to Gen Z. However, the ceremonious feel of penning amounts and signing off, a ritual boomers practiced, holds a charm that transcends mere transaction.
Going to Libraries for Research
Google might be Gen Z’s first stop for a quick fact-check, but the charm of wandering library aisles, which boomers know all too well, is an experience that continues to beckon the curious.
Broadcasting Over the Radio
Radios were the soul of many boomer households, broadcasting tales that brought communities together. However, mention ‘radio’ to Gen Z, and you might get a quizzical look. They’re mostly wrapped up in their curated podcast playlists, rarely diving into the spontaneous world of radio waves.
Community Volunteering
While boomers often rolled up their sleeves to volunteer within their local neighborhoods, Gen Z navigates a different landscape. With the world’s issues at their fingertips and digital tools in hand, they’re reshaping community service, making a difference both locally and online.
Milk Delivery
Remember the good ol’ days when the clink of milk bottles on the doorstep was our version of a morning alarm? Boomers do! But for Gen Z, it’s not just milk—it’s everything from avocados to zucchini! While they’re used to summoning deliveries with a click, every so often, they get a taste of yesteryears with some artisanal throwbacks. Ah, nostalgia with a side of modern convenience.
Physical Recipe Books
Ah, the days when a sauce-stained recipe book held generations of culinary wisdom! Those were the treasures boomers guarded in their kitchens. Nowadays, Gen Z is really deep in the realm of digital recipes
Home Libraries
Shelves filled with books painted many boomers’ walls, each title marking a phase, a memory. Gen Z, while housing vast digital libraries, continues to value the aesthetics, nostalgia, and tactile pleasure of physical books.
Saving with Piggy Banks
Our first foray into finance? Trusting Mr. Piggy Bank with our precious pennies. Fast forward, and Gen Z’s banking might involve more digital beeps than clinks of coins. While they might see our ceramic banks as adorable antiques, the golden rule of saving still rings true, no matter the method.
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