10 things Boomers should stop doing that can be annoying

What one generation considers perfectly normal, another can find unbelievably annoying.

That may be especially true for baby boomers, who grew up with very different expectations about everything from phone calls and workplace etiquette to tipping, privacy and how you’re supposed to behave in public.

Many of those habits aren’t inherently right or wrong. They’re simply holdovers from a different era. But as millennials and Gen Z have developed their own social rules—often shaped by texting, remote work, social media and changing attitudes about boundaries—some everyday boomer behaviors have become surprisingly contentious.

The result is a generational clash in which one person’s good manners can be another person’s biggest pet peeve.

From calling without texting first to behaviors younger generations consider outdated or intrusive, these are some of the boomer habits millennials and Gen Z complain about most.

Leaving Voicemails For Every Minor Issue

Phone calls are great for major life updates or emergencies. Most young Americans see an incoming call and immediately assume the absolute worst. Leaving a three-minute voicemail to simply say hello feels incredibly outdated.

Texting gets the job done faster and respects everyone’s busy schedule. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, 78 percent of adults ages 65 and older own a smartphone. With that kind of technology in their pockets, they can easily send a quick text instead.

Complaining About Kids Spending Time On Phones

Older folks constantly lecture younger generations about staring at glowing screens. The irony is that boomers are just as glued to their own devices these days. They love scrolling through Facebook and sharing viral videos at maximum volume.

Data from a recent AARP study shows older adults now spend more time on technology than before. Pointing fingers at teenagers feels silly when everyone shares the same digital addiction. Putting the iPad away during dinner would set a much better example for the grandkids.

Typing In All Caps On Social Media

Reading a Facebook comment written entirely in uppercase letters feels like being yelled at. Digital shouting matches happen mostly because someone accidentally hit the caps lock key. Younger users interpret this formatting as pure rage or intense panic.

A simple lowercase sentence conveys a much more pleasant tone. It takes two seconds to check the keyboard before hitting the publish button. Learning basic internet etiquette saves everyone from unnecessary online heart attacks.

Paying With Exact Change At Busy Stores

Watching someone dig through a massive coin purse holds up the entire grocery store line. People tapping their feet behind them just want to buy their milk and go home. Digital wallets and tap cards make checking out incredibly fast.

Fortune reports that baby boomers hold about 52 percent of all household wealth in the United States. They definitely have enough money to just hand over a larger bill. Holding up the morning coffee rush for three pennies is a universal annoyance.

Giving Unsolicited Advice About Buying Houses

Telling a twenty-something to just save harder for a mortgage ignores modern economic realities. Housing prices have skyrocketed way past what they were in the nineteen eighties. A firm handshake and walking into a bank no longer guarantees a home loan.

A 2026 report by the National Association of Realtors indicates baby boomers make up 42 percent of home buyers. They actively dominate the current real estate market and bid against younger families. Offering a sympathetic ear works much better than telling kids to stop buying avocado toast.

Refusing To Tip Appropriately On Services

Service industry workers rely heavily on gratuity to pay their rent and feed their families. Leaving a single dollar bill on a $50 dinner tab causes real frustration. Inflation affects waitstaff just as much as it impacts retirees.

Interestingly enough, a 2025 Bankrate survey reveals that 84% of boomers always tip at sit-down restaurants. This means the bad tippers are just a very loud and problematic minority. Adjusting the standard tipping math to modern percentages makes a massive difference for workers.

Asking Intrusive Questions About Marriage And Kids

Family gatherings inevitably lead to uncomfortable interrogations about someone’s dating life. Young adults dread the Thanksgiving table solely because of these highly personal inquiries. Times have changed, and people settle down much later in life.

The average age for first marriages keeps pushing closer to thirty. Keeping the conversation focused on hobbies or movies provides a much safer route. Nobody wants to explain their fertility plans while passing the cranberry sauce.

Refusing To Retire When Financially Stable

Holding onto a senior management position blocks younger talent from advancing in their careers. Fresh college graduates struggle to find entry-level jobs because upward mobility is completely stalled. Mentoring the next generation should replace the desire to work forever.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 19.5% of workers aged 65 and older were still in the labor force in 2024. Stepping aside allows new ideas and fresh perspectives to enter the corporate environment. Enjoying the golden years on a beach sounds much better than answering corporate emails anyway.

READ: 14 Boomer slang phrases that are actually genius

Bragging About Not Taking Vacations

Wearing burnout like a badge of honor creates a highly toxic work environment. Taking zero sick days in twenty years is not the flex people think it is. Rest is absolutely crucial for mental health and overall productivity.

Younger employees prioritize a healthy balance between their jobs and their personal lives. Guilt tripping them for using paid time off breeds instant resentment. Everyone deserves to recharge their batteries without facing judgment from senior staff.

Using Speakerphone In Crowded Public Places

Nobody at the doctor’s office wants to hear a loud conversation about someone’s grocery list. Broadcasting a private phone call to an entire waiting room crosses a major boundary. Headphones were invented specifically to solve this exact problem.

Holding the phone flat like a slice of pizza looks absolutely ridiculous. A little bit of spatial awareness goes a very long way. Taking the call off speaker makes public spaces peaceful for everyone involved.

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