One stereotype that we have about old people is that they complain a lot. While it isn’t true for every old person we come across, we’ve still seen it many times. Here are 19 things old people complain about that we kind of agree with.
Technology
Older people often complain about how confusing technology can be. For example, The Live In Care Company writes that this can be due to age-related changes that affect the mind and body, as most tech devices are built with younger people in mind. The constant need to update passwords and access apps can be confusing, even for younger people.
Music
Older generations have seen huge changes when it comes to different music genres and what’s classified as popular music. They may prefer to stick to music that was popular during their younger days, leading them to complain about music today. There’s also much more freedom with lyrics in modern times, where people can swear and sing about anything they wish.
Kids Don’t Play Outside
Old people hate that children don’t play outside anymore, usually because they’re hunched over screens playing video games. The development of online gaming has meant that children would prefer to communicate with friends digitally. There’s also the fact that it can be unsafe for children to play outside.
Customer Service
According to older people, customer service is much more automated now compared to twenty or thirty years ago, and they have a point. Many brands no longer have numbers to call when you need help and instead refer people to online messaging services, where they usually have to speak to a robot.
People Don’t Respect Their Elders
Many old people feel as though they’re not respected. They think back to when they were younger and how much respect they had for their elders, and then complain about it not being the same anymore. One of the main reasons for this is a decline in manners, which aren’t what they used to be.
Everything Is Too Expensive
The cost of living in the U.S. has significantly increased compared to a few decades ago, so old people have a right to complain about this. For example, Numbeo tells us that the average monthly cost for a family of four is $4,165, and that’s without rent. The cost of living for a single person is $1,168, without rent.
Drivers Are More Reckless
Older people try to drive as carefully as they can on the roads. As they’re older, they know their sight and responses aren’t as great as they used to be. Unfortunately, it means they see more reckless drivers, and it’s these people who are putting everyone’s lives at risk when on the road.
Nobody Writes Letters
Writing letters used to be a common form of communication. Before the days of email and the ease of calling someone, writing a letter was the only form of contact. Old people see letter writing as a more authentic communication method, as you actually put time and thought into your communication.
Dressing Appropriately
Many older people believe that youngsters don’t dress appropriately anymore. Many fashion trends have seen a nod to cut-out clothing, short skirts, and very high heels. It makes them think of a time when they would dress up for formal events or head to the office, both of which have more casual dress codes nowadays.
Everyone Is Always in a Hurry
Old people complain about how fast-paced life has become, and they have a point. For example, the New York Post writes, “The exhausting fast pace of life promotes overstimulation and overscheduling, which become chronic stressors that lead to behavioral, mood and attention disorders.” This means slowing down can have so many benefits for our lives.
Things Aren’t Built to Last
It’s greatly believed by older people that things aren’t built like they used to be. We have more of a disposable culture nowadays, where things are built cheaply and of poorer quality, so if something breaks, we just go out and replace it. Older people are used to high-quality items and then fixing them if they break.
Social Media
Social media has had a huge impact on how we communicate with people. Older people don’t see interactions on social media as genuine as in-person conversations. You don’t get the same level of communication through direct messages compared to having an in-depth conversation in real life.
Too Much Screen Time
Many youngsters spend so much time on their phones, looking at computer screens, or binging on TV programs in their spare time. Older people complain that they spend too much time looking at screens and not enough time appreciating the world around them. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a walk in nature or seeing a loved one in real life.
Work Ethic
Many Gen Zers seem to lack the work ethic that older people once had, and it’s made them complain. For example, Yahoo! News writes, “This has irked some of the older generations who grew up valuing the rewards of hard work and discipline and learned that their route to success was to climb the corporate ladder.”
Modern Education
According to older people, education is far too lenient these days. They believe that schools nowadays prefer to focus on accommodating their students rather than challenging them. This can also be due to changes in technology, as many students no longer learn cursive writing or work out sums mentally.
Healthcare
Healthcare can be very confusing for older people. They have to take into consideration many different factors, such as insurance plans, seeing different specialists, and keeping track of medications. They miss having family doctors who used to be able to help them with most health concerns.
Noise Pollution
It’s common to hear older people complain about traffic, construction, and even the ping of electronic devices. This is because they miss the days when everything was quieter. There used to be fewer highways and hectic roads, and there weren’t apartment blocks constantly being built.
Political Correctness
Older people agree that political correctness has gone too far, with many preferring the need for honest communication. It’s thought that there’s a huge fear of offending people in modern times, and people are too scared to say anything to a person. They find many cultural norms too hard to understand.
The Younger Generations Don’t Buy Houses and Settle Down
Older people struggle to understand why younger generations wouldn’t want to settle down and buy a house. For example, Move IQ writes that benefits include freedom, building equity, and the lack of uncertainties that come with renting. Of course, house prices are much more expensive nowadays, but saving for a deposit could be one of the best things a person does.