Gen Z, don’t laugh: boomers were actually right about these 13 things

Boomers get mocked for saying some stuff, but a lot of it sounds less ridiculous now that Gen Z’s starting to experience what real adulthood is like.

The red face

Public shaming was never okay. Let’s get that straight. But that little sense of cringe after you’ve been selfish or lazy does actually matter, it turns out. Boomers knew it had a value.

Gen Z talks a lot about mental health, and that’s a good thing, yet they’re also understanding something.

Not every uncomfortable feeling needs to be erased. Shame is sometimes okay, and so is guilt. It might be crude wording, and it absolutely doesn’t feel good. But it’s not totally wrong or anything.

The thing on the shelf

Owning a DVD feels kind of weird these days. You’re watching films or TV shows without an internet connection or any login. There’s no algorithm recommending what to watch, either. Boomers are used to that. 

They remember the days of buying the thing and, you know, keeping it. It sounded boring. But once Gen Z saw that practically everything has a subscription these days, they realized how much it makes sense. Access is nice. Owning it? Even better.

The thought that can wait

Boomers have opinions like the rest of us. However, the difference with them is that they’re able to share them in the kitchen and the whole country survives. Gen Z doesn’t understand that. They’re used to sharing their every thought online and getting judged for it. 

So many Americans are split over call-outs and punishments online. We’ve all got free speech. But boomers understand that not every thought needs the public’s attention. That’s okay.

The awkward little chat

The older generation will be the first to admit that texting is useful. Nobody wants to call the dentist, after all. But talking to people with your actual face means something. Boomers know it’s better for your social life and your sense of self. Gen Z doesn’t.

Only messaging people online gets seriously isolating, while a five-minute conversation in the real world is way more refreshing. Sometimes it’s awkward, too. But it’s miles away from a thumbs-up emoji, and that’s why it matters.

The drawer with tools

Gen Z got annoyed with the lecture about learning a trade. They’ve only just realized there was a point to it. Apprenticeships? They’re one way to learn the skills on the job while earning money, without getting classroom credit. That’s only the start of it.

Practical skills have a value you can’t put a price on. There’s a lot of power in being able to cook without panic and being able to fix a small leak without Googling it. That’s not to say credentials don’t matter. But you can’t exactly use a framed certificate to unclog a sink.

The plain good morning

The smallest life lesson comes from saying please and thank you to everyone around you. Gen Z didn’t learn it. Boomers did. Nothing fancy, of course, but acting like everyone’s a piece of furniture never works out well. 

Boomers understand the value of simple greetings and not being rude. Being clever’s fun for about eight seconds. Being polite lasts longer, and it also stops people from hoping you leave the room. Most of the time, anyway.

The calendar full of nothing

Busyness, and productivity. They’re not the same thing. Boomers really understand that because they’re able to separate running around from getting things done. They did the whole circus. Kids? Jobs? Errands? Aging parents? They have all of that under their belt.

Yes, the older generation understands how more hours don’t equate to more output. The modern world treats answering messages like it’s an achievement. It acts like moving tabs around and finishing absolutely nothing means something. It doesn’t.

The button that worked

Nobody wants to use a toaster that has opinions. Boomers have always thought that way. They grew up trusting buttons and knobs, as well as machines that did a single job. Wi-Fi and apps don’t need to be everywhere. Let’s not start on passwords.

The older generation gets that, sometimes, you just want the milk cold and the laundry washed. You don’t need to deal with a billion security concerns. You don’t need to deal with every item under the sun collecting your data.

The kid with the key

Boomers’ parents gave them freedom. A lot of freedom. It wasn’t always great, though, because sometimes it was more like neglect with a house key. The point still stands, however. Kids need chances to do things without having their parents manage every little detail.

But Gen Z’s used to helicopter parenting. The kind where a kid has no autonomy, and parents make every decision for them. It’s not how they become capable. The truth is, boomers recognize how important little jobs and little failures are for teaching kids how to be adults.

The bigger promise

One good thing is that marriage doesn’t have to look like it did in 1965. Thank goodness for that. But unlike Gen Z, boomers recognize that getting hitched isn’t simply dating with paperwork. They understand the importance of long-term commitment to another person.

There’s money. There are taxes. There’s property to worry about, along with inheritance, and parenting. Romance is important, of course, but the reality of marriage isn’t something to gloss over.

The room everyone shares

Manners were once practical. Even today, they matter, like when someone’s blasting a video on their phone in a doctor’s office. Everyone pretends not to hear it. The difference is that boomers grew up knowing how important manners were.

Gen Z used to believe they were entitled to do whatever they wanted. Not anymore. Loud music? Profanity? Recording strangers during conversations? Maybe boomers were right that shared spaces need a few brakes. 

The hot little feeling

Offense is a difficult one because, sometimes, it’s fair. Sometimes, it’s too fast. But boomers get that being offended doesn’t make you automatically right, and Gen Z’s starting to catch on.

The older generation might be a little blunt. However, they treat being upset as the start of the conversation, not the final ruling. You can be hurt. That doesn’t mean you’ve got the whole picture. It’s a harsh truth.

The small chore

You paid your electric bill and did the dishes. Great. For boomers, that’s just another Tuesday. It might be a boring Tuesday, but still, it didn’t really matter. Basic responsibility is just that. Basic. Boomers came from a world where simple things didn’t need a round of applause.

Gen Z’s starting to get it, now they’re dealing with work and roommates, group projects and shared bills. They recognize that praise is one thing. Constant praise for grown adults is another.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.