Boomers and Gen Z, two totally different generations that live and even work together. Boomers have seen many changes in the world, from the Moon landing to the creation of the Internet.
Gen Z, on the other hand, is a generation that is highly educated, tech-smart, and loves to hate most rules.
However, there are many things that Boomers enjoyed during their youth, and even now, that Gen Z would never understand.
Here are some of these differences that will surely show you how the world has changed.
1. Cable TV and Channel Surfing
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Boomers not only loved flipping through hundreds of channels for hours, but it was part of the fun and a nightly routine.
You never knew when you would land on a channel that was airing your favorite movie or a concert you missed a few days ago.
It was unpredictable for the most part, and that’s what made it exciting. Today, Gen Z prefers streaming exactly what they want, exactly when they want, and if possible, with zero commercials.
They would never understand the idea of having to pay for TV and waiting for a week for the next episode of their favorite show. Today, young people want everything instantly, while Boomers had to wait and learned to be more patient.
2. Fine China and Fancy Dishware
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Back then, having a cabinet full of “the good plates” meant you were rich. It was an expensive hobby but it made you feel special and like you ‘made it’.
Gen Z, on the other hand, does not like to spend money on dishware, and is more into mismatched mugs or sustainable minimalism.
They prefer personalized things and something you can order from Temu.
3. Owning a House in the Suburbs
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Boomers saw owning a house by their 30s as the ultimate life goal. That was the age when you would start a family and work hard to enjoy a suburban lifestyle.
Gen Z, on the other hand, sees homeownership as a distant dream with student debt and sky-high rent.
They would rather spend their money travelling and renting a place than buying a house in their 20s.
4. Formal Dress Codes
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Boomers grew up with ironed slacks, pantyhose, and neckties. These items represented status and made you look ‘put together’.
Ripped jeans were something they would either repair or throw away, never wear! Today, Gen Z leans into comfort, and their clothes reflect their style as a form of self-expression.
They hate dress codes, so even at work, they love to wear something that is comfortable and ‘trendy’. They’ll definitely choose oversized hoodies over starched collars any day.
5. Collecting Things Just to Display Them
Boomers loved collecting plates, figurines, or dolls that you would not even dare to touch.
Gen Z prefers experiences over stuff – and while some do collect figurines or books, it is not a huge trend. They prefer to spend their money on travel and clothes.
Minimalism and decluttering are much more popular today than it was in the ’70s and ’80s.
6. Landline Telephones (Especially the Corded Kind)
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For boomers, the home phone was a family lifeline used daily, which you had to fight for. If you had siblings or anyone else living with you, you would have to wait in line to use the family phone.
It was there, and you could not take it anywhere with you. Gen Z finds the idea of a shared phone completely weird, and waiting to talk to someone is unthinkable.
Gen Z uses DMs and video chats, which means that some don’t even make calls at all.
7. Writing Checks and Balancing a Checkbook
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Boomers had pride in perfectly reconciling a checkbook each month. It meant you were a responsible person and that you could be trusted.
Gen Z handles almost everything through apps, auto-pay, and instant banking.
Most of Gen Z would not even know how to write a check, but that is okay, because most Boomers would not know how to use those apps either.
8. Hanging Curtains “Just for Decoration”
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Boomers loved formal living rooms and dining rooms with matching curtains and valances. Everything had to look glam and ‘put together’.
Gen Z is definitely more into natural light, plants, and sometimes a blackout shade for sleeping in on weekends.
They do love aesthetics and cute things, but a curtain drama in every room? Hard pass.
9. Ironing Clothes Every Day
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Pressing dresses, trousers, and shirts before work was a sign of style and even discipline. You would never leave for work in clothes that looked like they just came out of a washing machine.
Gen Z, on the other hand, does not mind if there is a small wrinkle here or there; it sometimes even looks stylish and gives off ‘a casual look’. They consider wrinkles a small price to pay for more sleep and less effort.
They also choose their clothes by this standard: ‘If it can’t be steamed in 30 seconds, it’s not getting bought.’
10. Chain Restaurants for Every Special Occasion
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Boomers loved a formal night out at famous restaurants around the town – it was an event, and they celebrated their promotions, birthdays, or anniversaries this way.
Gen Z finds this extravagant and too expensive, so they crave local spots, global flavors, and anything that is vegan-friendly.
They prefer small restaurants owned by their peers to a 5-star hotel dining.
11. Staying at One Job Forever
Boomers believed that when you accepted a position, it was your golden ticket to your pension and living happily ever after. They believed in loyalty and the 40-year gold watch.
If you got fired, it would change your whole perspective, and you would feel like you had to start again in life.
Gen Z is all about flexibility, changing careers, side hustles, and quitting toxic jobs once they feel the pressure – without looking back.
For Gen Z, work is not life; it is just something that helps them live one.
