The generational gap between Baby Boomers and younger folks often means what was once the norm may now seem peculiar. An internet survey recently pondered, “What will die with boomers?” Here are the top 22 answers, revealing some habits that may soon be relics of the past.
Giant China Sets That Are Used Once or Twice in a Lifetime
Covering Up Hardwood Floors With Carpet
It’s almost comical how boomers loved to cover gorgeous hardwood floors with carpet. It’s like having a Picasso and hanging a motel painting over it. But times have changed, and now ripping up carpet to reveal hardwood is like uncovering buried treasure in your living room.
Yahoo News
Surprisingly, Yahoo still clings to relevance, especially in Japan. It’s like that one band from your high school that still plays at the local bar – not the main event anymore, but still hanging on.
Phone Books
Remember phone books? They’re like the physical version of searching for a needle in a digital haystack. Soon, they’ll be nothing but a quirky memory, a relic from a time when we found information without just asking our phones.
QVC
QVC might seem outdated, but let’s not forget the millennial equivalent: compulsive shopping on Instagram. It’s the same concept, just digitized. In a way, QVC was the original home shopping network before ‘home’ became wherever your phone is.
Checkbooks
Paying with checks feels archaic, like using a horse and buggy instead of an Uber. But there’s still a charm in writing checks, especially when it saves you from those pesky ‘convenience’ fees.
Timeshares
Timeshares are the gift that keeps on giving… headaches. They’re like those chain mail letters from the past – keep passing it down, and maybe someone will find value in it.
Affordable Housing
The concept of affordable housing might soon be as extinct as dinosaurs, at least in the way boomers experienced it. It’s like telling tales of a mythical land where a candy bar cost a nickel.
The Idea That Our Entire Lives Should Revolve Around Work
This boomer mentality is slowly being replaced by a quest for work-life balance. It’s like realizing there’s more to life than just eating kale salads – sometimes you need a slice of cake too.
Workplace Loyalty
The idea of lifelong loyalty to a single workplace seems as outdated as rotary phones. Today, it’s more about finding a workplace that values you, not just sticking around for a gold watch at retirement.
Walking to and From School in the Snow
Calling Someone To Tell Them To Open the Email You Just Sent Them
This might seem redundant, but sometimes it’s like sending a telegram to announce an email. It’s about making sure the message gets through, but with instant notifications, this practice might soon hang up its boots.
Actually Owning Stuff and Not Just “Subscribing” to It
The concept of owning things outright is becoming quaint, like still using a VCR. Millennials and Gen Z might find the idea of not just subscribing to everything a bit old-school, like listening to music on a CD instead of streaming.
Suits in the Workplace
Suits in the workplace are becoming as rare as a typewriter in an office. As dress codes relax, the days of suiting up might soon be tailored out of the picture, much like boomers’ fondness for bell-bottoms.
Newspapers
The ritual of reading a physical newspaper is fading, much like waiting for your photos to be developed. In the digital age, waiting for the morning paper is like waiting for a dial-up connection.
Fax Machines
Fax machines in today’s world are like finding a payphone – rare and somewhat puzzling. They still linger in some industries, but as technology evolves, they might soon be as obsolete as sending a telegram.
“I Hate My Wife” Jokes
These tasteless jokes are going the way of black-and-white TV. It’s about time we changed the channel on this outdated form of ‘humor’ that’s more cringe-worthy than a dad joke.
Landlines
Landlines are holding on, but they’re increasingly seen as an antique, like a rotary phone in a smartphone world. They might still have their place, but they’re no longer the main character in the story of communication.
Grandfather Clock Repair
Grandfather clock repair seems destined to become a niche hobby, like collecting vintage stamps. These timeless pieces might tick on in some homes, but for most, they’re a quaint reminder of a bygone era.
Cable TV
The fall of cable TV might be one of the most anticipated cultural shifts. It’s like waiting for that one old, stubborn tree in the yard to finally give way to a new landscape – one where streaming reigns supreme.
60’s Sitcoms
The charm of 60’s sitcoms might not translate well to future generations. It’s like trying to explain the appeal of a rotary phone to someone who’s grown up with Siri – a nostalgic novelty, but not exactly cutting-edge entertainment.