Millennials And Gen-Z Are Sharing Their Most “Boomer” Opinions, But They Just Make Sense (35 Answers)
To put it mildly, millennials (and to some extent Gen X and Gen Z) aren't fond of baby boomers. Boomers hogged the economy and the world’s resources, we say, and they have no regard for what future generations will inherit.
But when Reddit user u/coolfreeusername asked the question, "Non-boomers ... , what's your most boomer opinion?" it led to a pretty awesome discovery. Turns out, younger generations and baby boomers share quite a few thoughts. Here are some of them.
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Having your kid go “viral” for some stupid thing he did or just crying is a way to humiliate them and you are a disgusting parent for making the whole world laugh at them
Not everything needs to be filmed and put on the internet
Very true. Some people genuinely don't believe something happened if you don't post it and brag about it. I had that situation with people convincing me that I didn't accomplish something just because they didn't see photos on social networks and therefore concluded beyond any doubt that the event never occured. The paper proof was not sufficient.
I don't want my damn refrigerator connected to the internet. It has one job.
I will never want any smart kitchen thingys. Basically anything connected to the internet can be taken over by a skilled hacker
I heard that the Texas government used the smart function to turn down people’s aircon during the heatwave. That’s enough to put me off smart appliances for life.
Load More Replies...Years ago, I bought a new washer and dryer. I had to argue to convince the salesman that I wanted dials and knobs, not a motherboard. I can fix mechanical appliances; I can't fix broken motherboards. And I was right. A few years later, the dryer's on/off switch broke. I replaced it with a light switch, and it's still working nearly 10 years later.
A touchscreen on/off button probably wouldn't have broken though. Electronics are far more reliable than mechanisms.
Load More Replies...I don't need a smart fridge who tells me how often I opened the door to stare at the content without taking anything...or worse tell me how often I reached for the chocolate bars
But chocolate bars sellers might be very interested in it. Remember that you're sharing all your data.
Load More Replies...Yeah, first your refrigerator gets on the internet. Then it gets on Bored Panda. Then it finds out refrigerators in Europe have a better deal. Next thing you know it's only working four days a week and is planning for six weeks vacation.
Reading the comments below it's apparent that a lot of people don't yet know how the internet of things can be used for crime.
We have no idea how business will use all the information they harness to manipulate us in the future. Surveillance capitalism.
I actually like the potential of internet connected appliances, smart homes and such. If developed in a good way, they can be a good thing for the disabled, for example, to give then more autonomy.
My hair dryer saw me naked in the bathroom... I can imagine what it's telling the toaster and the coffee pot!
I can see lights being attached to a smart plug. I love telling Alexa to turn the light on when I get in the door. But I can’t see how connecting my fridge to the internet improves it. I can tell when I’m getting low on something when I open it and look around it while making my weekly grocery shopping list—-if I haven’t already noticed something’s getting low any of the hundreds of other times I opened the door during the week. That’s why I keep a pad and pen clipped to a magnet and stuck on the fridge. See something’s getting low? Put it on the list right then so you don’t forget it. Low tech, but it’s worked for me the past 40 years since I got my first apartment.
I don't think smart appliances are a significant problem, other than the 'smart' features using much more standby current than a typical appliance. My refrigerator draws zero current when the compressor isn't running because it has a bi-metal thermostat and relays. Compare that to my microwave which consumes 3.4W 24/7/365 just by being plugged in.
It's just a fridge. It keeps food cold/frozen. That's it. That's what it's for. It will do that even if it's not connected to the internet. Always has. Only thing it needs to be connected to is to an electric plug in the wall. But, if people want to own an unexpected portal for hackers and have to hand over their first born child to pay to repair it, go right ahead. In this case its the KISS principle. Keep It Simple Stupid.
I like how they add all this fancy s**t to appliances but refuse to build them to last so we have to replace them more often. *Boomer Rant Over*
Try finding a 'dumb' TV. They're more expensive than the smart ones. Personally, I don't want or need the TV/appliance/thermostat/doorbell/phone to run my life.
Exactly- the "smart" appliances are intentionally sold at lower prices, in order to get them into your home. The resell value of the data that they collect about you is worth much more than any losses from the sale of the hardware.
Load More Replies...I've operated refrigerators when they were just a block of ice in a box. I don't need my fridge computerized.
My fridge has a primitive "smartness" - climate control. So this one time i had to swap door direction (changed layout of the kitchen, kept old appliences). We did everything according to instructions and it did not look too complicated to achieve. THE WIRES FREAKING BROKE. Good thing we never had to change any settings in all 7 years if it's service so there's no difference wether it works. As long as it keeps food cooled down - i'm cool. TL;DR Smart anything sucks - appliances (cars too) brake faster and thus demands us buy new products!
Show me one that's smart enough to close itself instead of telling me to close it.
I just can't see the necessity to have your fridge connected to the internet. I know what's in there, I know the recipes I use, and if I wanted something different I can look online for one. I think this is just so people will pay more money for these things.
I don't mind my computer being connected to my printer, in fact, it is great! But why does it need to be connected to my phone. I am truly sick of this crap.Bought a refurbished robot that is run thru my phone, why? It is not convenient, it is a pain in the a**.
Remember when you had to eat all your vegetables when you were a kid because there were children in the world who were starving? Well now they just hack into your refridgerator and feed them.
the computer controller failed on my new $1300 refrigerator after the warranty ran out. The new computer cost almost as much as the refrigerator. The old refrigerator 5 years before had a failed analog relay controller. I bought a replacement at the parts store for $58 and fixed it myself. You know what? Both systems keep the milk cool & the ice cream frozen much the same. The old fridge cost $350 new. The super-dooper computer controlled fridge cost $2500 after repairs. This is progress?
As a Gen X I can’t understand the desire to put all your eggs in one basket, all your books and music in a cloud, etc. so that when your broadband goes down you have nothing. I still have proper books, play my music on vinyl or CD and broadband be damned. It’s weird to trust all your information and leisure to imperfect technology. In the 80s there was radio/tv/hi-fi/video in one package but, if one function went down, they all did - same principle.
Just another reason for any internet provider to raise the cost of your bill
I must not be a true millennial. I don’t want or like any of these things so far 😂
If my fridge ever tells me i left the door open, i will sue the manufacturer for not adding the "close me" button as well.
The point of a smart fridge isn't to automate the fridge's functionality. It's a home automation hub (control console) installed in a fridge. Which makes sense because every home has a fridge in an easily accessible place.
i know , but and it's a big BUT , if it started to order ., i dunno , lets say Coors Light with out me needing to ask , i might have just replaced my wife with a smart fridge
Would be a surprise though, if you come home to find 150 crates of Budweiser stacked in front of your frontdoor because of some bug in your fridge.
Load More Replies...Just because we have access to instant communication doesn't mean I'm obligated to message you back immediately.
I don't think that it's related to one generation. I know very old people, old, middle aged, young, teenagers that only check once or twice a day. And other people from different ages who are always wanting to answer or write immediately. For example, my father and my mother do opposite, and my two sisters, too.
Just because I disagree with your opinion doesn't mean I hate you, I don't need to agree with everything just to be politically correct. You can still disagree and be cordial. We seem to have forgotten that.
Social Media was a mistake. I genuinely think that it is single-handedly one of if not the most damaging thing to the world that's happened in the past however many years.
No one wants to listen to your music. Turn it down/ roll up your windows, or better yet... both.
No one thinks your loud car/motorcycle is cool. Drive like a normal human being around town. If you want to drive fast, get some track days.
I don't want to listen to my neighbour's screaming kids either, so I turn up de volume.
Children are so coddled and over protected nowadays. Bring back the playgrounds of yesteryear where the monkey bars were sky high and the merry-go-round could go mach 5. If the little f***ers fall and get a bruise, they'll know not to be a dumbass next time (an invaluable life lesson). Teach them how to responsibly handle dangerous objects like knives and garden tools. The way we're raising children today is one of the main reasons we have so many stupid ass adults with no valuable life skills and a god complex cuz they think their actions don't effect them
Late to the party but a lot of pop music today is overly sexual, especial Cardi B. I really don’t want to be out at the bar listening to how you suck dick and have a vagina.
I hate how literally everything these days has a stupid app that you need to have in order to use it. Everything from kids toys to freakin cars needs some sort of crappy app these days. Why!? What if you plan on having this item for a long while and the app either gets deleted, gets malware, or just doesn't function due to the company not updating it? You would have to throw it out causing more waste in this world. This is planned obsolescence just disguised as being technologically advanced.
Also, new power adapters with EVERYTHING, without even asking, so all those lovely polluting circuit boards inside end up in landfill!
Stop helicoptering your kids and let them go outside and scrape their knees and drink from the hose.
Exactly. And hosing down a child covered in mud in the garden is not child abuse Dr Phill. I don't have kids, which is probably best.
TikTok is stupid.
I follow subs on tiktok that are informational the animal videos and some comedic ones and people that make miniatures some cooking ones that are aged 35-to i think the oldest man I follow is in his 80s. I don't ever see anyone dancing or any of the people that are considered famous
Kids absolutely shouldn't have cell phones or tablets or whatever thing like that.
People are far too thin skinned. Stop taking everything so personally and learn to handle things you don't like hearing.
Quit spending money on stupid stuff that you won’t want in a year and put it towards saving for the future.
People use their phones too much, particularly for texting and social media. Getting upset because your girlfriend/boyfriend hasn't texted you back for a few hours, or hasn't liked your photo, is so unhealthy.
Being on time for casual social events matters.
I generally agree, but it depends on what's standard for your group of friends. For casual get-togethers at my house, my good friends always show up 15 minutes late. That's because they know I'm running around trying to make everything perfect right up to the last minute, and that 15 minutes gives me a chance to sit down and relax for a moment. On the other hand, we invited a couple for dinner a few weeks ago, and they were more than an hour late (with no text, phone call, or apology). I was really annoyed, but they apparently thought it was pretty standard practice. Maybe in their circle of friends it is.
Sending out thank you notes when you receive a gift from someone. My mom was always big on that and I understand why. I bought an expensive gift for my friends birthday and she never messaged me or said thank you for the gift. Saying thank you isn’t that hard and it means a lot to the person.
Cancel culture is stupid. Everyone is stupid when they're young and dumb. You make bad decisions sometimes and the you you are today isn't necessarily the you that you used to be. Social media should have a 7 year mandatory erase period. Any tweet or fb post or whatever disappears after 7 years permanently.
Our society is wayyyyyyy too materialistic. Most people can't go one year without "upgrading" their phone or buying the latest and greatest GPU. Your last year's model will work just fine.
Flannel shirts are amazing, and should be a part of everybody’s wardrobe for fall/winter
Am 29:
If the conversation is going to take more than 3-5 texts (or emails), just call me.
Social media is bad for your health. Social media is not real life. Never take anything said on Twitter/Facebook/Reddit seriously.
Kids these days need to go play outside more.
Participation trophies are stupid. This is coming from someone who had a few as a kid.
Taxes aren't hard to figure out, especially if you don't own a house.
"Kids need to play outside more." Society proceeds to make the outside dangerous or illegal to be. "Kids and their stupid phones ..."
There's too many subscription services for s**t.
It's nice to have access to unlimited movies and TV, but like. For the most part I wind up just watching the same sitcom over and over to decompress after work. I wonder how much I could have saved by just getting B99 and King of the Hill box sets instead of paying for Hulu for four years.
And anything where they mail you a box of curated crap every month is absolutely unnecessary, toot f***ing sweet.
Yes! I grew up before channel 5 and usually something to watch, but with 600+ channels of sky TV I'm often stuck because it's all trash or repeats.
I don't like e-books. I only read books that are printed on paper. It's just much more satisfying.
I like physical buttons. Not everything needs to be on a touchpad.
That society is slowly putting much more emphasis on people accepting their faults than working on them.
A culture of immediate gratification and excess of creature comforts begets a spoiled population. There's something to be said for the character that can be built through patience and powering through adversity.
I agree about instant gratification and the importance of patience and hard work, but I also think it's important to separate that from this kind of messed up idea western culture has that suffering makes you a better person. There's a difference between instant access to luxury items vs to necessary resources (affordable food, water, shelter, healthcare, and in this day and age, internet. To clarify, I'm not saying everyone needs social media, I'm saying it is nearly impossible to go to school or work today without access to online resources.)
My back hurts
Note: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
My most "boomer" opinion is that you don't need a new car, period. Buy a good model that can survive the Apocalypse, keep it properly maintained, then laugh all the way to the bank when someone with their fancy current-year model tries to shame you for owning a 20-year-old sedan. My car's cost me less keeping it running in 5 years than a new car's lease alone costs in just a single year, and I actually OWN my car.
My millenial opinion is: I don't need any car at all.
Load More Replies...I think we need to really look at whether or not we’re part of the problem when we complain about something but we don’t do anything about helping to resolve our complaints. I myself try not to use the words should and shouldn’t I prefer to invite people to change not tell them to change. I have a good story to relay if you have a minute. Some people were camping in Yosemite on vacation and next to them some people pulled in and turn the stereo up really loud. After and during this for a couple of minutes the dad walked over to the young people with the loud stereo and ask them have you come to Yosemite before? Not really knowing how to react because they were expecting an argument, They started a conversation and one of the things the dad said was we come here to listen to the birds and to listen to the waterfall and to really leave our music at home because we want to hear the music of nature and we would like to invite you for dinner with us tonight.
Part two now both families vacation in Yosemite at the same time every year and they enjoy each other’s company and there’s no loud radio it’s all in how you approach things you don’t need to fight with people to get your point across you don’t need to degrade them demoralized them or tell them that the wrong. Invite change don’t demand it
Load More Replies...Is it me or do they keep changing the title on this one? I have seen three different titles now.
More divisive generational posts. People do realize that the generational labels, boomer, gen x,y,z, millennial, is all made up, that before boomers there were no generational labels, and are all used for marketing purposes. How about we all just leave the labels behind and just exist as people of all different ages.
Because some people are glad to be marketing slave warriors. For free. :)
Load More Replies...I'm a " boomer " and I wouldn't even be aware of the generational thing if it wasn't for Panda and similar media. I'm sure as hell not qualified to tell somebody how to live today. I admit it bothers me a little when they call me sir. I'd much prefer " stud. "
And Youtubers/Twitch stars, don't complain when your fps drops by 2. You have much better setups than any of your viewers. Don't rub it in. Stop with these TikTok influencers and dances. People shouldn't be copying everything they see. They should be using CREATIVITY. Don't diss 'nerds' or whatever. I love dressing in Edwardian/Victorian styles, and I get strange looks any time I go outside. I get that I'm different, but I think I look pretty, and it's none of your business anyway.
Generation labels are dumb. So much depends on how and where you were raised, rather than what year you were born. (And half of the Boomers raised Gen Xers, then divorced, remarried and raised Millenials. So are we even really 2 different generations?)
I think the youth of today are more confident in agreeing with the boomers, At their age, I would have loved sharing lots of "old fashioned" opinions as a teen, but I would have never dared for fear of ridicule. Being cool and popular was everything, geeks/teens not fitting the mould were mocked and bullied, sporties/big talkers admired. I'm in awe of this strong "I don't care what you think" generation.
Why are these "boomer" opinions? I'm Gen X and want to know why my attic ventilation system only has controls by cell phone! Maybe it's just wanting a bit of simplicity... a basic on-off switch, for example!
The reason boomers don't like GenXers or Millenials is that for the most part the younger generations are hyper-critical without having made any self-sacrificing effort to contribute to the betterment of the world, let alone the lives of the people around them. Coupled with this is the assumption that just because the evil boomer politicians who currently run the show are bent on destruction, all boomers are like that. It is quite the opposite. The self-centeredness is insulting to a generation which did make those sacrifices for the future, and who would like nothing more than to openly communicate with you, but the default has always been to shut out the aging people from society in the Western World, so it really isn't a surprise.
I don't see the hate here. Isn't it an American thing?
Load More Replies...As a Boomer....thank you. I agree with so many of these things! I don't upgrade every year...maybe every 5 years for anything. Finally donated my car of almost 20 years with 185,000 miles on it to Habitat for Humanity...I prefer used books (real ones!) that we can read at home, then send on to others. And honestly...not all Boomers are bad people. :)
Just wait until Millenials and Gen Z are around 50, opinions change with age.
am sick and tired of the Americans blaming everything on the Boomers. Society is wrecked because of leaders, [people with money etc, whose only concern was themselves and how much more money they could make. The USA government just uses it as an excuse to divert attention from the real culprits, just Look at Branson etc?????
WHAT IN HELL IS EVERYONE carrying in their backpacks? Planning on leaving town in a hurry? Always wondered what they had to have with them that was so important.
Get outside and appreciate nature whilst you can. It'll be gone by the time you have grandchildren, so make the most of it now.
Yes, that's because this post is about people that *think* like boomers, not that they are boomers
Load More Replies...I think you should look at the statistics on the rise of mental health issues today, and what the causes are.
Load More Replies...My most "boomer" opinion is that you don't need a new car, period. Buy a good model that can survive the Apocalypse, keep it properly maintained, then laugh all the way to the bank when someone with their fancy current-year model tries to shame you for owning a 20-year-old sedan. My car's cost me less keeping it running in 5 years than a new car's lease alone costs in just a single year, and I actually OWN my car.
My millenial opinion is: I don't need any car at all.
Load More Replies...I think we need to really look at whether or not we’re part of the problem when we complain about something but we don’t do anything about helping to resolve our complaints. I myself try not to use the words should and shouldn’t I prefer to invite people to change not tell them to change. I have a good story to relay if you have a minute. Some people were camping in Yosemite on vacation and next to them some people pulled in and turn the stereo up really loud. After and during this for a couple of minutes the dad walked over to the young people with the loud stereo and ask them have you come to Yosemite before? Not really knowing how to react because they were expecting an argument, They started a conversation and one of the things the dad said was we come here to listen to the birds and to listen to the waterfall and to really leave our music at home because we want to hear the music of nature and we would like to invite you for dinner with us tonight.
Part two now both families vacation in Yosemite at the same time every year and they enjoy each other’s company and there’s no loud radio it’s all in how you approach things you don’t need to fight with people to get your point across you don’t need to degrade them demoralized them or tell them that the wrong. Invite change don’t demand it
Load More Replies...Is it me or do they keep changing the title on this one? I have seen three different titles now.
More divisive generational posts. People do realize that the generational labels, boomer, gen x,y,z, millennial, is all made up, that before boomers there were no generational labels, and are all used for marketing purposes. How about we all just leave the labels behind and just exist as people of all different ages.
Because some people are glad to be marketing slave warriors. For free. :)
Load More Replies...I'm a " boomer " and I wouldn't even be aware of the generational thing if it wasn't for Panda and similar media. I'm sure as hell not qualified to tell somebody how to live today. I admit it bothers me a little when they call me sir. I'd much prefer " stud. "
And Youtubers/Twitch stars, don't complain when your fps drops by 2. You have much better setups than any of your viewers. Don't rub it in. Stop with these TikTok influencers and dances. People shouldn't be copying everything they see. They should be using CREATIVITY. Don't diss 'nerds' or whatever. I love dressing in Edwardian/Victorian styles, and I get strange looks any time I go outside. I get that I'm different, but I think I look pretty, and it's none of your business anyway.
Generation labels are dumb. So much depends on how and where you were raised, rather than what year you were born. (And half of the Boomers raised Gen Xers, then divorced, remarried and raised Millenials. So are we even really 2 different generations?)
I think the youth of today are more confident in agreeing with the boomers, At their age, I would have loved sharing lots of "old fashioned" opinions as a teen, but I would have never dared for fear of ridicule. Being cool and popular was everything, geeks/teens not fitting the mould were mocked and bullied, sporties/big talkers admired. I'm in awe of this strong "I don't care what you think" generation.
Why are these "boomer" opinions? I'm Gen X and want to know why my attic ventilation system only has controls by cell phone! Maybe it's just wanting a bit of simplicity... a basic on-off switch, for example!
The reason boomers don't like GenXers or Millenials is that for the most part the younger generations are hyper-critical without having made any self-sacrificing effort to contribute to the betterment of the world, let alone the lives of the people around them. Coupled with this is the assumption that just because the evil boomer politicians who currently run the show are bent on destruction, all boomers are like that. It is quite the opposite. The self-centeredness is insulting to a generation which did make those sacrifices for the future, and who would like nothing more than to openly communicate with you, but the default has always been to shut out the aging people from society in the Western World, so it really isn't a surprise.
I don't see the hate here. Isn't it an American thing?
Load More Replies...As a Boomer....thank you. I agree with so many of these things! I don't upgrade every year...maybe every 5 years for anything. Finally donated my car of almost 20 years with 185,000 miles on it to Habitat for Humanity...I prefer used books (real ones!) that we can read at home, then send on to others. And honestly...not all Boomers are bad people. :)
Just wait until Millenials and Gen Z are around 50, opinions change with age.
am sick and tired of the Americans blaming everything on the Boomers. Society is wrecked because of leaders, [people with money etc, whose only concern was themselves and how much more money they could make. The USA government just uses it as an excuse to divert attention from the real culprits, just Look at Branson etc?????
WHAT IN HELL IS EVERYONE carrying in their backpacks? Planning on leaving town in a hurry? Always wondered what they had to have with them that was so important.
Get outside and appreciate nature whilst you can. It'll be gone by the time you have grandchildren, so make the most of it now.
Yes, that's because this post is about people that *think* like boomers, not that they are boomers
Load More Replies...I think you should look at the statistics on the rise of mental health issues today, and what the causes are.
Load More Replies...