Boomers and Gen Z think differently about so many things, and basic manners are one of those things.
A look that lasts
Ask a boomer about eye contact. They’ll tell you about how important it is, and how you’ve got to look someone in the eye to really show them you’re listening, but Gen Zers don’t see it like that at all, pun intended.
They think too much eye contact is intense or even invasive, especially when it’s with someone they barely know, so they try to avoid it. Look at the screen, look at the floor, look anywhere except the other person’s eyes. Because that’s polite, apparently.
Please skip the weather
Turns out, younger adults prefer the silence to having small talk about traffic or the weather. Why? It has a lot to do with remote work, as you don’t exactly get the opportunity to chat when you’re stuck at home by yourself.
Another big issue for Gen Z is that small talk, to them, is kind of pointless, and they think it’s the sort of conversation that happens when people don’t know what to say. They say they don’t owe conversations to anybody, even when it’s the small talk kind.
Gone before the coats
Saying goodbye. It’s a whole thing with boomers that involves finding the host and thanking everyone, then explaining why you’ve got to go, and ending up talking at the door for twenty minutes. Gen Z’s not like that, though.
They’re much bigger fans of the Irish goodbye, and they’ll disappear without saying anything, mostly because they think it’s politer. Yes, they believe not announcing you’re leaving stops you from attracting questions or interrupting conversations.
A text will do
It’s the call itself that’s the uncomfortable part for Gen Z, and that’s why they try to avoid calling someone to say thanks for getting a gift. Doesn’t matter that it’s Grandma, doesn’t matter that it’s their best friends.Â
They’d prefer to shoot over a quick text instead because it’s easier. That’s a pretty different attitude from boomers, who’ve always thought that calling to show your gratitude was the only option. But no, Gen Z thinks a photo or voice note is acceptable.
Up without warning
Boomers would always ask to be excused whenever they were leaving a conversation or the table, even when it wasn’t a formal event. Younger diners just get up and go. They don’t see the point in announcing it because, really, everyone can see that they’re going. Why bother?
There’s one very good reason for that, and it’s called being polite. Letting everyone know that you’re going and acting like you need permission to do that is just basic manners, really. It’s a shame Gen Z doesn’t get that.
Eyes up
You’re unlikely to catch any boomers using their phones at the dining table. It’s rude. Younger people grew up seeing these devices as the norm, yes, but boomers think all screens should be put away during mealtimes.
Gen Z’s happy to send messages and check their notifications while they’re eating because they really don’t see it as a big deal. They’re at the table, aren’t they?
Right on the dot
‘On time’ means something very different to Gen Z than it does to boomers. For the older generation, arriving slightly before the arranged time means you’re ‘on time,’ and arriving at the arranged time means you’re late.
However, Gen Z thinks arriving five to ten minutes late means you’re on time, and very few of them think being punctual means, you know, arriving early. It’s weird, but it’s true.
The cap stays
There’s no way you could wear a cap through dinner. At least, that’s what boomers think because they see it as the height of rudeness, and they believe you should take it off as soon as you cross a doorway. Gen Z doesn’t get it.
They’re wearing it as part of their outfit or to cover their messy hair, so there’s absolutely no way that they’ll take it off. Maybe they’ll go hatless at a place of worship, sure, but it’s a different story at a restaurant.
Who moves first?
Gen Z really doesn’t care about ages when they’re in an elevator, and they’ll let whoever’s closest to the door leave first. Not boomers, though. The older generation was taught that the oldest person is meant to leave first because that’s polite, no questions asked.
It’s not like Gen Z’s trying to be rude, they genuinely have their reasons for allowing other people to go first. They think allowing a perfectly healthy 65-year-old to go first can actually be kind of patronizing. Is that so wrong?
Still listening, apparently
Pausing your music is enough, according to Gen Z, as they won’t bother removing their headphones when talking to someone. They claim that they can still hear, so there shouldn’t be a problem, and sometimes, they’ll put headphones in just to avoid a conversation.
Boomers completely disagree, though, and they think you should always remove any distractions when you’re going to talk to someone. It’s not like the other person knows you’re not playing music, after all.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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Gen Z, don’t laugh: boomers were actually right about these 13 things
