Baby Boomers are known as the generation of folks who were born between the years 1946 and 1964. They lived through the Vietnam War, Nuclear War threats, the age of TV, the internet, and TV dinner.
These are just a few things that Boomers do and love that set them apart from everyone else!
Writing Checks
Everything is digital nowadays. You can pay your rent online, pay your friend through an app, and keep your bank account rolling all without going to the bank itself. Boomers, as we know, are often behind with technology and that includes how they use money.
They love to use checks... Even for groceries. If you have a Boomer landlord, we're sure you're giving them checks instead of paying them through an app or online portal.
Using Landlines
Landline phones have been totally eviscerated from the Millennial home. Boomers, on the other hand, are stuck to their landline and answering machines.
Sure, they have a cell phone, but they'd much rather have you call them on their landline and leave a message if they're not home. It's a little more inconvenient, but it's what they're used to, and change isn't their forte.
They Love Their Avon
Avon is a classic multi-level marketing company that sells make-up. They used salespeople to go door-to-door (or direct message to direct message) to sell these products on behalf of the large company.
There are millions of make-up products that are better and easier to obtain, but for some reason, Boomers still buy into the MLM/pyramid scheme hype.
They Love Their Cruises
The Golden Age of cruising was between the 1950s and the end of the 1990s. Obviously, this is the time that most Baby Boomers were coming of age, coming into money, and spending it as they wanted to.
Cruises were a sign of peak relaxation and wealth as you can travel the world without a care in the world. Cruises are less popular nowadays, but you'll be damned to not find a Boomer on a cruise ship.
All the Paperwork
Keeping things in the cloud? No, way. Boomers would much rather print out everything, even if it is 100 pages front and back. Conservation isn't an ideal that Boomers grew up with, so they don't see how wasteful paper is.
You can be sure to find their bills, important paperwork, and other paper products shoved into a messy box in their kitchen. You'll probably find papers that are years old, too, because they like to save things like that "just in case."
Processed Foods Forever
The world of processed foods became popular with Boomers. If it can come in a can, a Boomer will eat it. While Boomers were growing up, supermarkets and food companies were still learning and releasing new ways to keep food fresh for longer.
This type of behavior comes with the territory of how you were raised, honestly. Old habits die hard, and Boomers will never give up their can of Spam.
Juice Concentrate Over Regular Juice
Boomers like things the old-fashioned way: Juice concentrate. To be fair, this is definitely the superior way to drink juice. The pre-packaged juices that we have nowadays are just sugar, sugar, sugar.
A lot of Boomers like to juice their own fruits, freeze them, thaw them, and drink them themselves. Seems a bit more economical, too! Maybe Millennials are just lazy?
They Types In All Caps
This Boomer trait is an enigma. It's so unclear as to why they choose to write on caps lock, but so many of them do! You'll see it on Facebook, in text messages, and in emails.
They always sign something off with, "LOVE GRANDMA" for no reason. Why are so many of them yelling? So many Boomers are guilty of this!
The Boomer Salad
The fruit salads that Boomers grew up with and then "passed down" are nothing short of disturbing. Marshmallow and Jell-O? Broccoli, apples, and mayo?
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What about Watergate salad? You know, the dish where they put Jell-O, pistachio pudding, marshmallows, canned pineapples, and walnuts in? Gross.
The Fossil Fuel Debacle
In 2017, Pew Research Center surveyed Republican Millennials and Republican Boomers about the use of fossil fuels. The survey concluded that 75% of Boomers and 44% of Millennials supported the increased use of fossil fuels.
Only 15% of Boomers claimed that they have seen an effect of fossil fuels on the environment while 45% of Millennials did. With that math, at least 10% of the Boomers surveyed said that they want more fossil fuels even though they have seen the effects of it.
Racquetball Stars
In comparison to most sports, Raquetball is relatively new. It was first heard of in the 1800s and quickly grew very popular over the 1900s. This solo sport stuck with Boomers as it's an easy way for them to get exercise without totally overexerting themselves. If there's a racquetball court, there's a Boomer playing inside.
Crocs Galore
The target audience for Crocs is defined as everyone of all ages, but they are particularly popular with the elderly and with children. They are extremely comfortable, easy to put on and last a long time. It only makes sense that the Boomers love them!
They'll Never Forego Potpourri
Anyone between Gen X and Gen Z will remember what potpourri is. Every Boomer has it in their home, whether in the living room, bathroom, or bedroom. They are dead flower petals scented with oils that give off a particular smell. They're... interesting decor, to say the least.
Jeggings Forever
Jeggings were made popular in the early 2000s. Boomers caught onto the trend quickly because finally, they didn't have to wear uncomfortable jeans or skirts. Jeggings are designed to look like denim, but aren't, and therefore are more socially acceptable. The Boomers will never give them up (and they shouldn't!)
Boomers Love Chain Restaurants
Chain restaurants are places like Applebees, Friendlys, Red Lobster, etc which can be found all over the country. A large part of their clientele are Boomers, who would much prefer the familiarity of the same meal that they've had for the past decade at the same chain restaurant they've been patronizing.
The Age of Shopping Malls
Shopping malls were all the rage in the 80s but have quickly become total ghost towns. Baby boomers will never forget the malls, though. You'll see them roaming around the vacated stores and pointing out what used to be there.
Fooled by Conspiracies
Baby Boomers did not grow up with the technology that the younger generations have. The unfortunate circumstance of that is that they are quickly fooled by conspiracy theories and scams. Not to say that younger folks don't fall for these as well, but they definitely have a higher chance of becoming victims.
24-Hour News Networks
Out of the millions of channels and programs that Baby Boomers can enjoy, they always choose to watch the 24-hour news networks that cater to their personal interests. This is good and bad: they know what's going on in the world, but only slightly... Most news networks are biased, after all, so if your Baby Boomer relative shows up to dinner with some interesting new theories, maybe turn the cable off for them.
Home Shopping Networks
QVC and HSN are Baby Boomers' bread and butter. If they're not shopping at desolate malls, then they're perusing any and all home shopping networks. Back in the day, these networks were used as a marketing tactic for great deals on electronics, clothing, or beauty products. People could even call in to give their two cents!
Reading Reader's Digest
What even is Reader's Digest? Only a Baby Boomer knows at this point! The magazines are often found at check-out lines in grocery stores which is very accessible for Baby Boomers. It's just another way that they get information.
They'd Rather Use Real, True Diamonds
Diamonds were huge throughout the 1900s. Recent decades have shown us that diamonds are overrated, too expensive, and way too unethical. Many people in the younger generations are now opting for lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, or even salt and pepper diamonds.
Golfers For Life
For most, golf is the least thrilling sport imaginable. For Boomers, it's the best. It's a slow-paced, somewhat relaxing (depends on who you ask) game that someone in their late 60s can totally wreck someone in their early 30s at.
New Balance Shoes
Catch them in their New Balance sneakers any time, anywhere. Honestly, this brand has come back into fashion, but for a while, they were best known as the Grandpa Shoes.
Their China Collections
Boomers love fine china. They have china cabinets full of their collections. How many people have inherited said collections from their elderly family members? Every generation has its thing to collect, though, and fine china is for the Boomers.
Novelty T-Shirts
Most Boomers are in their retirement stage, so they're just trying to have a good time. That means that they're traveling a bit and collecting novelty items as they go... How many Boomers have you seen in a novelty t-shirt? Too many to count, right?
Jorts Forever
Jorts (also known as jean shorts) is a polarizing topic in the casual fashion world. Jorts are very different from jeans shorts that most women are seen wearing. Jorts are longer and hit right above the knee, which isn't very flattering. They're classically called a "Dad short." Pair these bad boys with some Crocs and socks and you've gone full Grandpa mode.
Love Those Knickknacks
There's something about Boomers and knickknacks that just make sense. They love to collect things that collect dust. Granted, they have lived a long enough life to acquire many items that make them happy, but their houses are full of them. Sometimes, they're rare collections. Most of the time, they're kinda garbage.
They Love To Bake Cakes
Boomers will rarely arrive at a party empty handed. Often times, they're the ones who supply the desserts! Everyone gets a cake!
They Get Catalogs In the Mail
Do you still get catalogs in the mail? Are you, perchance, a Boomer? If not, then it may be time to cancel them! Catalogs are a thing of the past, but Boomers are way too accustomed to them to give them up.
They use Yahoo!
Yahoo! was the wave in the 1990s, but not so much anymore. Boomers are still quite fond of the search engine. If their email doesn't end with "@yahoo.com" are they even a Boomer?
Everything Is Gendered
Gender fluidity was not talked about much in the mainstream culture while Boomers were growing up. A large majority of them always gender everything. Blue for boys, pink for girls. Dresses for girls, button-ups for boys. The list goes on. You should always half-expect your Boomer relative to get your daughter something princess-related despite throwing her a car-themed birthday party.
Dry Toast?
What's the best thing since sliced bread? Dry toast, of course! Jokes aside, it's apparently a common trait among Boomers to enjoy dry toast. No butter, no jam, no egg... Just toast.
They Care About Wrinkles
Millennials truly cannot be bothered by a wrinkly shirt. Sure, they may break out the iron for an important job interview, but to iron an everyday shirt? No, way. Boomers won't hesitate to point it out, though.
Email is a Main Source of Communication
Boomers commonly use email as their main source of information. Oftentimes, they sign off in caps lock. If they aren't using email, then they're using Facebook. The caps lock is still on.
They Love Mrs. Dash
Your taste buds lose their senses as you age, so Boomers are known for trying to spice things up. They don't want to spend their time mixing and matching their own spices, though. They'd rather use Mrs. Dash's pre-mixed spice blends. Interesting, but okay!
Boy, Do They Love Patterned Wallpaper
To be fair, wallpaper is making a comeback. Not exactly as Boomers did it, though. Instead of a pleasant accent wall, Boomers decided to cover their entire homes with the same hectic-looking paper. The number of times Millennials who have bought Boomer houses spent tearing down the wallpaper is unreal.
Cable TV
For everyone 50 and under, cable TV is a thing of the past. Most Boomers will probably take their cable TV packages to the grave at this point. It makes sense since it was something that they lived with for decades, but it's still funny to see how they haven't adapted to the streaming services that have such a grip on our society nowadays.
The Fuzzy Toilets
Fuzzy toilet seat covers had their moment in the 70s. Nowadays, they're just plain weird. Yes, they can be washed and yes they may be comfy, but they still just feel weird. A lot of Boomers may still have them in their bathrooms. Some people just like the look of a fuzzy toilet seat cover, I guess.
Infomercials
Infomercials were widely popular in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Advertising and marketing have changed drastically since the introduction of social media, so Infomercials are simply not as useful. Boomers, of course, are still very much interested in infomercials. In fact, most infomercials are catered towards Boomers at this point!
The Throw Pillows
It must have been the style to have millions of throw pillows on your ornate bed, because Boomers love it! They've got pillows everywhere else, too.
Metal Detecting
We've all seen that Boomer on the beach with a metal detector at sunset, right? It seems that they love to find things buried in the ground. Honestly, Boomers are probably the only ones who have the patience to do something like that. Everyone else has a short attention span.
TV Dinners
TV dinners became a thing in 1954 thanks to Swanson's frozen meals. They were a massive brand that people trusted, so of course, why not use these pre-packaged dinners? The concept has stuck around with Boomers who definitely still eat them often.
Bar Soap
Bar soap is truly a thing of the past. It's slippery to hold and makes a mess on the tray. Boomers often buy bar soap since they're just sticking with what they know, but they may be onto something with how much less plastic waste is involved.
Transition Lenses
Having transition lenses is very much a 6-year-old thing and a Boomer thing. There's no in-between. To be fair, they're pretty helpful, especially for folks who have a hard time keeping track of objects (Boomers and 6-year-olds.) These lenses fade into a nice, UV-protective shade once in the sunlight. They have a bad rap, but they're useful.
Cursive
Millennials were definitely the last generation to be taught cursive. Boomers (and some Gen-X) only write in cursive. Those birthday cards are sweet but so dang hard to read!
Using a Phonebook
You can Google anything you want these days but Boomers will never get rid of their phonebook. They might not even use the phonebook and they could very well be savvy with Google, but they still have one stuffed away somewhere. You never know when you're going to need it, okay?
Linoleum Tile
Boomers went wild and crazy with this type of fake, plastic tile. It is all over those beautiful, vintage kitchens. Half of the time, there is a perfectly preserved hardwood floor underneath so it's technically a win. Still, linoleum is a tragedy for home design.
Shag Carpet + Wood Panneling
This type of design was popular in the 70s which is totally fine, but Boomers never updated their homes for some reason. There are unreasonable amounts of homes online that are still riddled with shag carpeting and wood paneling.
They Love Visors
What's the point of a visor, anyway? They keep your face shaded but leave the top of your head to burn. It seems like Boomers should be using more sun protection, but instead, they just keep buying visors. What gives?
Their Encyclopedia Collections
Physical encyclopedias have become totally useless thanks to the internet. Most Boomers haven't gotten rid of their collections, though, which definitely used to be a household statement.