If you spend enough time online, you might think that Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and Millennials, born between 1981-1996, are constantly at odds. While there are certainly generational differences, Millennials can admit that the older generation got some things right. Let’s take a look at the areas where Millennials actually agree with Boomers.
Affordable Housing
We may blame Boomers for the insane housing market that has pretty much priced Millennials out of homeownership, but they do feel bad for us. Both generations want the American dream of homeownership to still be achievable.
Unstructured Play for Children
We grew up still going outside to play with our friends, and we knew when the street lights came on that we needed to be home for dinner. We had a lot of freedom back then. And now we wish our kids could have the same freedom and independence to play.
Old School Dining Experiences
Don’t give us a QR code to scan; just hand us a good old-fashioned menu. Everyone just zones out a little when they’re on their phone looking at the menu. We’re on our phones long enough; I just want a physical menu that makes it a more social experience. And please don’t make me order and pay on a tablet or app; if that’s what we wanted to do, we could have ordered at home.
Pride in Appearance and Manners
Millennials may have embraced part of the athleisure world, but we were the ones who used to wear heels everywhere. Boomers and Millennials agree that the world is getting a little too casual. Good manners and etiquette, social graces, taking pride in one’s appearance, and showing consideration for others are beneficial for every generation.
Physical Books Over Digital
This one is a bit of a mix for Boomers and Millennials, but in general, there is still a preference for holding a paper book in your hands while enjoying stepping away from the world. Reading on your phone, tablet, or e-reader is just screen time with the added ability to get pulled back into the world when a notification goes off.
Preference for Human Interaction
Millennials grew up as technology was also in its teenage years, so you can’t say we are anti-tech, but we do agree with Boomers that automated phone systems are insane. How can you go through five menus in 13 minutes and still not have an answer or a human to talk to?
DIY Approach
Boomers know how to fix things and create things for themselves, probably because they were raised by parents who had to. Though Millennials grew up in a more consumer-centric world, we appreciate the DIY, especially with inflation killing our wallets.
Remembering Important Dates
What do you do when Facebook doesn’t tell you it’s someone’s birthday? Boomers spent most of their lives without social media to remind them to celebrate their loved ones. As “Facebook is losing its popularity among teens and young adult users across its key markets,” says Business Insider, younger generations are learning how to remember important dates.
Life Before Social Media
Don’t get us wrong: Millennials use social media, and so do Boomers, but we do have a nostalgia for the days before social media when we were focused on living in the moment instead of posting it. We also appreciate the fact that there was no evidence of the shenanigans we got ourselves into as teens.
App Exhaustion
Does there actually have to be an app for everything? Ordering fast food now has an app, which you have to download, register for, and remember a password for. Some things in life really don’t need an app, and I think we are tired of downloading them for one use and then wondering why they are on our phones.
No Touchscreens in Cars
Car touchscreens can lead to distracted driving. You’re fumbling around, swiping, tapping, and trying to find the right menu option while keeping your eyes on the road. They make sense for navigation before you leave, but for basic functions, we always had a knob or physical button for when we needed to go back.
Sensitivity in Society
Millennials concur that people can be overly sensitive and focus on minor issues. “Ok, Boomer” is the catchphrase of Gen Z, but we Millennials stand with our Boomer predecessors that maybe the Zoomers could take a joke and not be so sensitive about everything. Maybe we sheltered them too much?
Pride in Ownership
A lot of Millennials haven’t had the privilege of owning their own homes and have made apartment living a lifestyle. However, we have a great appreciation for the care Boomers put into the things they own. Their homes are generally immaculate, with great pride being put into their lawns—things we may not have, but we know a good one when we see it.
Skepticism Toward Politicians
Upworthy posted, “My dad (a solid boomer) has been saying that ALL politicians are crooks since he became disenchanted with politics around the Nixon era… Can’t say I disagree with him.” With our upcoming choices for the presidency, the distrust is strong—but why aren’t we doing better?
Physical Media
Maybe it’s because we spent so much time collecting them. Boomers had their vinyl and VHS, and we had our CDs and DVDs filling shelves in our entertainment room. Now everyone just streams things on their phones and TVs, and we don’t have anything that’s truly ours. There’s a lingering appreciation for owning physical copies of movies and music.
Concert Etiquette
Millennials agree with Boomers that not everything at a concert needs to be filmed. Put the phone, or even worse, the tablet, down and enjoy the show. We still remember living in the moment and want to get back to it. Also, who is actually going back and watching those videos?
