Times have changed, and society and generations have developed. Many things boomers admired during their era aren’t admired the same way by younger generations and are often laughed at. Here are 18 things boomers admired but that have now become jokes.
Material Wealth
Boomers grew up with a strong emphasis on owning property and luxury goods. Younger generations of today don’t share this view, and according to RMMS executive Ashraf Lambat, “success should be measured not by the quantity of material possessions or professional achievements, but by one’s ability to live a fulfilling life.” Younger people prefer to spend their money on travel and experiences.
Formal Dress Codes
Boomers are a generation that’s always taken pride in their appearance. It was very important when attending work to dress in formal wear. However, today, this isn’t viewed the same. A comfortable and casual look is preferred, and formal dress codes are viewed as old-fashioned.
Work Ethic
Boomers have always been known for their work ethic. They would work long hours and often spend their whole careers with the same employer. This seems like a funny approach to younger generations, who much prefer a better work-life balance. Long hours are viewed today as having a negative impact on a person’s mental health.
Marriage and Family
Boomers grew up with the view that marriage and starting a family were two of the most important things to do in adulthood. Younger generations see this differently; they’re not in a rush to settle down and instead want to do what’s right for them by focusing on their own goals.
Patriotism
Boomers are known for their patriotism. They’re proud of their country and the military. Younger generations can find this comical, as they have differing views. Younger people are more critical of nationalism, and they feel that patriotism is associated with past conflicts and outdated ideologies.
Choice in Music
Boomers love their music, especially their classic rock. Artists that defined their generation include Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin. Younger generations can’t understand how boomer music was entertaining. Instead, younger generations today prefer different music that’s more diverse and has many different genres.
The Mall
Going to the shopping mall used to be an enjoyable experience for many boomers. It used to be a great place to shop and socialize with friends. Younger generations find it funny that boomers still go to malls when they have the availability and ease of doing their shopping online instead.
Jell-O
Jell-O was the go-to dessert and a cultural icon for boomers. It’s not something the younger generation indulges in due to its ingredients. Younger people see it as artificial and unappealing and prefer to make more health-conscious decisions when it comes to what they put in their bodies.
Encyclopedias
At one time, encyclopedias could be found in every household. Nowadays, according to The Guardian, Britannica has ceased production after 244 years due to a lack of sales. Younger generations can be baffled by encyclopedias, as they’ve always had the luxury of being able to hop on the internet to research absolutely anything they want.
Socks with Sandals
Fashion constantly changes, and younger people struggle to believe that socks and sandals used to be fashionable. Today, people who wear socks and sandals are most likely to be laughed at. However, for boomers, it was a fashion statement that saw many combine the two items of footwear together for several years.
Phone Books
Boomers still use their traditional phone books, and this is laughed at by many younger generations. Younger people struggle to understand why people take the longer approach to recording someone’s phone number in a written book when you can quickly add it to your contacts on a mobile phone instead.
Shag Carpets
If you show a younger person what a shag carpet is, you’ll probably get laughed at for ever buying one. Younger generations don’t understand why they were so popular among the boomer generation, even though they were considered comfortable and stylish. Today, however, they’re viewed as impractical.
Records
Younger generations have been lucky enough to have the technology available today that allows them to listen to music in a variety of ways. They don’t understand the importance records had on the boomer generation. They provide a sense of nostalgia today for boomers, whereas others view them as unnecessary with more practical options to listen to music.
Too Many Throw Pillows
The boomer generation admires their throw pillows. The impracticality of them is laughed at by other generations, as they’re more of a decorative feature and very rarely used as a pillow. Younger generations don’t like them, as they favor minimalism over excessive cluttering.
Fax Machines
The BBC reports that fax machines were used for high-money transactions that had tight deadlines. Fax machines were admired by boomers as they were essential in aiding communication in workplaces. Younger generations, who have grown up in an era where email has always been around, find the thought of using a fax machine comical.
Manual Typewriters
During the boomer era, manual typewriters were essential in the office environment. This was an advancement to having to handwrite everything. Younger generations don’t appreciate the importance of typewriters for the boomer generation, as they’re understandably viewed as impractical compared to computers available today.
Smoking in Public Places
Many boomers were smokers and it was seen as a thing to do when socializing. In today’s society, it’s seen as a joke that people would smoke in public places. Younger people struggle to understand that boomers would happily smoke in restaurants and workplaces without caring about others inhaling the dirty smoke.
Dial-Up Internet
Dial-up internet for boomers was transformational, as it was the first way to access the internet. For example, according to How-To Geek, in 2001, 41% of households had dial-up internet, and this went down to 3% in 2013. When boomers explain how it worked to younger generations, they often laugh and struggle to understand the length of the process.
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