People who make up the Baby Boomer generation survived wars, poverty of the Great Depression, massive social change, and an explosion in birthrates (thus - Boomers). They experienced peace and prosperity, too, but it seems the hard times are most often the source of words of wisdom from people who were born between the mid-40s through the mid-60s.
While younger generations may honor their elders and their experiences, they still often find Boomer input to be completely out of touch.
Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps
Members of the Baby Boomer generation often seem to live by the mantra, “Just get over it”! An otherwise sweet-as-pie grandma will insist there was no such thing as depression or PTSD in the good old days. It is probably best to just grin and bear that advice, knowing plenty of things existed well before they were given a name.
Smile!
How many well-meaning moms, aunts, and grandmothers regularly urge young people ( especially women) to smile more? The idea is that the more you pretend to be happy with every situation, the more successful you’ll be.
It Doesn’t Matter, I’ll Be Dead
This is such a weird mix of complete disregard for the welfare of future generations and a painfully passive-aggressive worldview, with a heaping side of guilt.
Pound the Pavement
Our parents and grandparents may have walked into any given business and asked for a job. Not even a job application, they’d go straight for employment. But it’s annoying for the younger generations. We’re in an era when many companies only accept online job applications.
As with most stories about the days of old from Boomers, an illustration of how tough times were is always mandatory. Such as the fact going to school and pounding the pavement both happened while going uphill. Both ways.
You Rely Too Much on Electronics
Nowhere is the divide between Baby Boomers and Millennial generations more obvious than in the tech gap.
The amount of technology woven into our daily lives is often labeled wasteful by elder people’s standards. Large flatscreen TVs, backup cameras, and other bells and whistles that come standard with current vehicle infotainment systems land flatly in the category of “unnecessary extras,” even though a lot of the tech comes standard now.
Don’t even try to make the argument that your grandparents' television cost $110 per square inch in the 50s while a huge flatscreen TV today costs around $1.24 per square inch.
It’s a losing battle. Just move on.
You Don’t Need Therapy
Just stop being depressed.
That’s a real head-scratcher these days when good mental health is a priority and struggling is not considered a sign of weakness. And it’s about time!
Get a College Degree
Another damned if you do scenario. Trying to follow the wise advice of your elders, you go to college, get a degree, and when that doesn’t turn into a job, maybe get another degree. At this point, those Boomers will shake their heads and say, “You can’t be a student your whole life!”
Not to mention the crippling student loan debt so many of us have to show for our college days.
The Climate Always Changes
Boomers were mighty agents of social and economic change back in the day. So it’s particularly annoying when one insists people can’t change what happens on earth.
Back in My Day…
This phrase triggers an uncontrollable eye roll from most people who are still in school or just entering the workforce.
Some of the most cringe-worthy subjects:
- You should buy a house.
- Your generation is so entitled.
- Get a real job. (Followed almost immediately by - Why can’t you stick with one job?)
- You’ll understand when you’re older.
- When are you going to have kids?
For younger generations, these phrases scream “ANNOYING LACK OF AWARENESS” about the current state of economics, social norms, education, and employment.
Buy a House
The fact you’re living in your parents’ basement may be a sign that you really can’t buy a house at the moment. Just me?
Participation Trophies Are Bad
To hear many parents tell it today, the fact younger people grew up getting ribbons or trophies for just showing up represents the downfall of civilization as we know it.
Here’s the kicker. Who was handing out the participation awards? Oh, right, our parents, teachers, and coaches of the Boomer generation.
Here’s an award for all the unsolicited advice! We good?
The fact is younger generations are certainly doing things differently. That doesn’t cancel the challenges and triumphs of Baby Boomers through the years. The disconnect seems to come from the belief that, in all circumstances, they did it better.
A lot of times, learning to do things differently means doing things better.
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