10 Generational Habits Boomers Still Swear By (and Millennials Mock)

There Are Many Generational Habits Boomers Still Swear By (and Millennials Mock)

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Some habits never die, and some habits refuse to die loudly. Ask a Boomer about the “right” way to do something and you’ll instantly get a story, a lecture, and possibly a coupon clipped from 1998. Meanwhile, Millennials hover nearby with raised eyebrows, iced coffee in hand, silently wondering how we all survived the era before Google. Generational differences are nothing new, but the contrast between Boomers and Millennials is pure comedy gold—part nostalgia, part chaos, and part “Wait… you do WHAT?”

So today, we’re diving into ten habits Boomers still treat like sacred rituals while Millennials lovingly (and sometimes not-so-lovingly) roast them every chance they get.

1. Always Leaving Voicemails

Boomers treat the voicemail inbox like it’s a sacred communication portal that must be honored daily. They’ll leave cheerful, detailed messages even when the missed call was from two seconds ago. Millennials, on the other hand, treat voicemails like a haunted attic full of things they never asked for. If you leave one, they’ll stare at their phone like it just betrayed them. In a world of texts and emojis, the voicemail remains the Boomer calling card—long, loud, and entirely unnecessary.

2. Writing Checks For Everything

Boomers still love the ritual of sitting down with a checkbook, slowly writing out every letter like they’re penning a historical document. Millennials see a person writing a check in line and immediately understand the meaning of “time is relative.” For Boomers, checks symbolize responsibility and adulthood, a tangible record they can hold onto. For Millennials, checks feel like a medieval financial tool that should have been retired decades ago. Yet Boomers stand strong, pen poised, ready to pay a $6 bill with unwavering dignity.

3. Saving Every Plastic Bag Ever Made

Boomers do not throw away plastic bags—ever. Every grocery bag, every takeout bag, every slightly-crinkled-but-still-good bag is carefully stored in a bigger bag, forming a self-replenishing ecosystem. Millennials tease this hoarding impulse, but even they admit there’s always a moment when Mom’s magic bag stash saves the day. For Boomers, tossing a perfectly good bag is borderline sinful. To this day, their kitchens operate on the unspoken belief that one can never have too many backup bags.

4. Sticking To Cable TV

Boomers cling to cable packages like they’re holding the remote control to civilization itself. They can surf 600 channels at lightning speed, complaining the whole time that “there’s nothing on.” Millennials mock the entire idea of paying for channels you don’t watch, while juggling five different streaming apps and forgetting which one has the show they want. To Boomers, cable represents comfort, reliability, and the glory days of prime-time schedules. To Millennials, it’s an artifact of a simpler era—like landlines and fax machines.

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5. Keeping Printed Copies Of Everything

Boomers love a good paper trail. Bank statements, receipts, warranties, medical forms—they’re all carefully filed away in drawers labeled with tape from Office Depot. Millennials laugh at the mountain of paperwork, relying instead on cloud storage and screenshots. But Boomers argue that paper never crashes, glitches, or locks you out for forgetting a password. For them, a physical file folder is a fortress of security, and no amount of digital convenience can convince them otherwise.

6. Calling Customer Service Instead Of Chatting Online

Boomers have the patience and determination to sit on hold for forty minutes just to ask a simple question. They treat customer service calls like small adventures, complete with elevator music and the thrill of eventually reaching a real human. Millennials avoid phone calls with the same intensity they avoid spoilers. To them, live chat boxes exist for a reason. But Boomers will forever believe that the fastest way to solve any issue is by talking to a person—even if that “fastest way” takes an hour.

7. Using Flashlights Instead Of Their Phone Light

If a Boomer needs to see in the dark, they don’t reach for their phone—they go grab an actual flashlight from a drawer. That flashlight probably has fresh batteries because Boomers maintain batteries the way some people maintain houseplants. Millennials chuckle at the dramatic search for a handheld light when the phone in their pocket could do it instantly. Yet Boomers argue that real flashlights shine brighter, last longer, and “don’t drain your battery.” In their world, the flashlight remains king of illumination.

8. Reading Physical Maps On Road Trips

Boomers lived through an era when navigation required folding, flipping, and sometimes fighting with a massive paper map in a moving car. They still trust maps more than apps, convinced technology will betray them at the worst possible moment. Millennials look at a paper map like it’s some ancient relic requiring a degree in cartography. But Boomers love the tactile certainty of seeing the route in front of them, even if it involves a little origami. Their glove compartments remain loyal sanctuaries for maps, just in case.

9. Treating Dinner At 5 PM As A Sacred Tradition

Ask a Boomer what time dinner is, and the answer will always be around 5 PM—no exceptions. Millennials laugh as they’re barely leaving work or finishing errands at that hour. Boomers insist that eating early is healthier, easier, and simply the way things should be. Millennials argue that dinner at 5 PM is basically lunch with a different emotional vibe. Yet Boomers stand firm, fork in hand, proudly finishing dinner before Millennials even decide on takeout.

10. Refusing To Trust Online Reviews

Boomers approach online reviews like a conspiracy theory waiting to unfold. They’ll say things like, “How do we know these people are real?” while asking neighbors, cousins, and coworkers for personal recommendations instead. Millennials think nothing of scrolling through fifty reviews before choosing a toaster. Boomers prefer old-fashioned word-of-mouth and a gut feeling. Their distrust of digital opinions remains unmatched and unshakeable, proving that some habits transcend technological evolution.

Generations Change, But Habits Keep Life Interesting

In the end, these generational quirks make life fun, unpredictable, and full of eye-roll-worthy memories we secretly cherish. Boomers swear by their tried-and-true habits, while Millennials poke fun—but both groups keep the world interesting with their wildly different approaches to everyday life. Whether these habits inspire nostalgia or spark friendly teasing, they remind us how quickly culture evolves. And who knows—maybe one day Millennials will have their own list of traditions the next generation loves to mock.

Have your own stories, observations, or generational quirks to share? Drop them in the comments below because we’d love to hear them.