Hear us out—boomers are great experts with dating advice, and it turns out Gen Z has started stealing a bunch of their moves. Rather than these being random habits, they’re real tips boomers used back when dating didn’t come with an app. And really, it’s no surprise that Gen Z has started using them because they actually do make life easier. Here are fourteen boomer dating tips that Gen Z loves and why.
Featured Image Credit: Goodluz /Depositphotos.com.
Calling Before a Date
It may sound strange today, but boomers actually used phones to talk—like, with voices. Gen Z is starting to understand this idea because texting for hours just to plan coffee gets old fast, while a quick call cuts through the noise. Calling before a date helps people get a better feel for each other’s vibe before they meet up, because you can tell a lot from someone’s tone. Five minutes on the phone can clear up stuff that would’ve taken 20 texts.
Having a Perfect “Date Outfit”
Rather than stressing over what to wear every single time, boomers picked one great outfit and stuck with it, although it was less about being lazy and more because it worked. Now Gen Z is doing the same—one reliable fit that feels good & looks decent is a lot easier to deal with. Once you’ve found something that fits right and works in many different situations, you don’t have to overthink it. Some people even keep it clean and ready in the closet just for this reason.
Avoiding Talking About Exes on Early Dates
Boomers had an unspoken rule that first dates are not for emotional baggage, and this rule worked, which is why Gen Z has begun following it. The younger crowd has realized that venting about your ex over tacos isn’t exactly flirty, so they should keep the conversation light until there’s a connection. There’s time later for heavier stuff, but in the beginning, people just want to have fun and figure out if they click, rather than sitting through a full relationship recap.
Not Relying on Alcohol to Loosen Up
You’d be surprised how many boomers went on completely dry dates when they were younger, and Gen Z has started to see the appeal of this, too. There’s no pressure to drink—they can just go on cute tea dates or bookstore dates, perhaps simply walk around. It gives both people space to actually connect without dealing with hangovers or wondering if the connection you felt was just the alcohol talking. Best of all, you remember everything.
Bringing a Small Gift on the First Date
Back then, showing up with flowers, or even just some cookies, wasn’t “extra,” but rather the norm. Gen Z sees this tradition and they’re doing it themselves, although with their own twist—they’ll bring the other person’s favorite snack on a date, for example. Instead of trying to impress them, it’s meant to show that they paid attention, and that really does feel quite different.
Ending a Date With a Clear Signal
Nobody likes to play guessing games for three days after a date, and boomers understand that better than anyone else, since they’d just say what they felt at the end. Simply saying, “I’d like to see you again” is direct and comes with no stress—that’s why Gen Z has begun ditching that mysterious texting phase. They’d rather say what’s up, although it doesn’t have to be dramatic, just a casual “this was fun, want to do it again sometime?” It takes five seconds to do.
Having a Favorite First Date Spot
Most boomers have a favorite place to go on a date—it was somewhere comfortable where they knew the menu & the staff, which made the first date a lot better. In the past, Gen Z relied on other people for recommendations, but now, they’re claiming their own favorite places too. Being familiar with the space makes people more relaxed, as you know where to park and how long things usually take, leaving you more time to focus on the person instead.
Practice Your Conversation Starters
You don’t have to rehearse a whole script, but it helps to have a couple of easy topics ready before going on a date. Boomers did this, so they weren’t stuck staring at their plates. Naturally, Gen Z is catching on because they understand the goal is less about being smooth and more about not going blank when things get quiet. Just think of a few things to talk about ahead of time, and then you won’t depend on small talk about the weather to carry the night.
Offer a Clear Time Frame
Setting clear start and end times usually makes things feel less awkward, so boomers usually said things like, “Let’s meet around six—I’ve got something at nine.” It wasn’t cold, just honest, and Gen Zers who have tried this say that it takes pressure off, especially for first dates. You’re not stuck forever, and if it’s fun, you could always keep hanging out. It also gives people a natural out if things feel off without having to fake a phone call.
Ask Someone on a Date Directly
In the days before emoji codes and vague flirty texts, boomers just straight-up asked people out, and that approach still works today. The younger generation understands that being direct is much less stressful than guessing whether a meme reply means something. Of course, you don’t have to write a speech, just be clear—you’ll either get a yes or a no, and both are better than waiting around.
Compliment Something Other Than Looks
If someone’s telling a great story, remember that and say so—boomers used to acknowledge how someone thinks or notices things, not just what they’re wearing. The younger generation has started to do the same because it actually feels nice when someone comments on how you speak or what you care about. Complimenting someone’s intelligence or personality feels completely different than a comment on your shirt.
Check In the Day Before to Confirm
Asking “we still good for tomorrow?” used to be the standard because boomers didn’t want to sit around waiting to be stood up—Gen Z is now learning that doing the same saves everyone time. One quick message could save you from getting dressed & commuting, only to find out that someone forgot or got stuck at work. Some people might call it clingy, but the older generation recognizes that it’s just being clear.
Ask Questions That Can’t Be Answered With One Word
“Yeah” and “no” are a great way to kill a conversation, and boomers knew better, which is why they’d ask stuff that actually got someone talking, like “How’d you get into that?” or “What would your dream weekend look like?” These kinds of questions pull people into telling stories instead of facts, and Gen Z is catching on that good questions don’t feel like work. You can actually learn something about the person instead of making the date feel like a job interview.
Offer to Pay Without Making It Weird
You’d never see a boomer fumbling through receipts trying to divide things by exact dollars, because if they offered to pay, they just did it—no drama involved. As such, Gen Z is now starting to handle it without making a thing out of it, meaning no awkwardness or pressure. If the other person insists on splitting, that’s fine too, but no calculator apps, or comments that “you had the extra guac.”
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
