Every generation has its quirks, and Baby Boomers are no exception. I’ve chuckled at my dad’s stories of “the good old days,” but some of those habits make me glad I’m living now. Thanks to Reddit’s r/AskReddit and online chatter, we’ve got a list of boomer trends that are fading fast and most of us are cheering their exit. From weird food to outdated tech, here’s a look at 14 boomerisms we’re happy to see go.
1. Off-Limits Rooms: Formal Living Room
Ever visited a house with a room you couldn’t touch? My grandma’s “formal living room” was just that way plastic on the couches, for VIP guests only. Redditor u/DioriteLover got it right: these rooms gathered dust, not memories. And don’t even mention those china sets, sitting out on display like museum artifacts but never used. I recall my mom’s distress when I almost dropped her “special” plate.
Now, we desire homes that are loved, with comfortable furniture and dishes we use. Those unblemished rooms and china, once sacrosanct, are giving way as we welcome spaces that function for life.
2. Digital Yelling: All-Caps Texts and Email Chains
If you’ve received a text from a older family member in ALL CAPS, you know the atmosphere it’s like yelling at you through your phone. Redditor u/Worchestershshhhrrer nailed it, and u/Low_Departure_5853’s anecdote about an aunt sending “GRANDPA DIED, LOL” (interpreting LOL as “lots of love”) had me giggling.
Younger people like short, concise texts or DMs. As we move into efficient communication, all-caps yelling and constant forwards are fading away, and our inboxes thank us.
3. Timeshare Trouble: Vacation Scams
Timeshares are nightmares come true. My friend’s parents fell for one, trapped by fees that never seemed to stop. Redditors u/CityOutlier and u/DaMilkGod, who both worked for a timeshare company, referred to it as a scam sales agents deceiving people to lock them in terrible contracts. Some lost $50,000 attempting to bail out through shady resale markets.
Millennials and Gen Z, with our scam radars on high, prefer flexible travel like Airbnb. The timeshare model, with its high-pressure pitchesолу
System: pressure and shady fine print, is a relic we’re thrilled to see vanish.
4. Fashion Flop: Belt-Clip Phone Holsters
My uncle used to rock a cellphone holster on his belt, looking like a cowboy with a Nokia. Back when phones were clunky, it made sense, but now? It’s a fashion disaster. Those bulky clips mess up your outfit and scream “stuck in the ’90s.” With sleek smartphones fitting in pockets or bags, the belt holster is a dated relic we’re happy to ditch.
5. Workaholic Ways: The Grind Mentality
My dad used to brag about 60-hour workweeks, like it was a badge of honor. Redditor u/girlfunky91 called out this boomer obsession, and u/VTAffordablePaintbal hit the nail on the head: 40 hours bought a house back then; now, 80 hours barely covers rent. Millennials and Gen Z value work-life balance over endless hustling. The “workhorse mentality” is fading, and we’re all for its life’s more than a paycheck.
6. Old Media: Cable TV and Newspapers
Surfing 200 cable channels and nothing is on? Or picking up a paper loaded with advertisements? Redditors u/ocarina97 and u/Suppafly mentioned that these are boomer classics. My aunt held on to that $200 cable bill until we introduced her to streaming. News programs and on-demand shows cost less and are designed for us. As cable and papers dwindle, we’re leaning toward a digital media world.
7. Checkbook Rituals: Balancing Act
Balancing a checkbook feels like ancient history. My mom would sit with her ledger, tracking every penny. Redditor u/12345_PIZZA called it out boomers saw it as essential, but banking apps now do the math for us. With digital payments ruling, manual ledgers are obsolete, and we’re not missing the calculator sessions.
8. Salary Hide-and-Seek: Opaque Job Postings
Job ads with no salary listed? Infuriating. Redditor u/NoeyCannoli nailed this boomer trend, and u/Harry-le-Roy, an HR pro, argued it should be illegal. I’ve spent hours applying for jobs only to learn the pay was a joke. Younger generations demand upfront salary ranges for fairness and efficiency. This secretive game is fading, and job hunting is better for it.
9. Pavement Pounding: Old-School Job Hunts
My grandpa swore by walking into businesses with a resume. Redditor u/thegalfromjersey highlighted this, and u/swinty22’s story about a boomer scolding someone for not job-hunting in person during COVID was gold. Online applications and LinkedIn rule now. Showing up unannounced feels intrusive, and we’re glad this outdated tactic is history.
10. Reader’s Digest: The Magazine Relic
Reader’s Digest was ubiquitous my dentist’s waiting area, my parents’ coffee table. Its bite-sized tales were a boomers’ staple, but the internet provides that feel good more quickly and for free. With digital feeds on the takeover, these monthly magazines are slipping away. We still enjoy quick reads, just not in print.
11. Spousal Zingers: “I Hate My Wife” Jokes
Those “I hate my wife” sitcom jokes? Gross. Redditor u/rfuller called them out, and u/N0S0UP_4U said they traumatized her as a child. I was raised watching those shows, wondering why marriage so often appeared so bleak. Modern humor prefers partnership, not complaining. These insolent jokes are disappearing, and relationships are the better for it.
12. Jell-O Nightmares: Weird “Salads
Jell-O “salads” with carrots or pineapple? Yikes. Redditor u/non_clever_username and u/MamaNyxieUnderfoot’s tales of these wobbly dishes brought back holiday flashbacks. They were potluck staples once, but modern tastes favor fresh, clear flavors. These gelatinous oddities are mostly a nostalgic quirk now, and we’re not sad to see them go.
13. Voicemail Epics: Overly Detailed Messages
“Hi, it’s Bob, calling at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday…” Sound familiar? Boomers loved leaving long-winded voicemails with redundant details. In a world of texts and DMs, these feel like a chore. A quick message does the job now, and we’re thrilled to skip the verbal essays.
14. Pop-In Visits: Unannounced Drop-Ins
My neighbor used to drop by unexpectedly when I was in sweats, halfway through a binge. Boomers perceived these drop-ins as friendly; millennials and Gen Z as rude. A quick text to say hello is common courtesy now. Surprise knocks are disappearing thanks to instant communication, and our boundaries are the better for it.
Moving On: A Nod to the Past
These boomer trends aren’t negative they’re a glimpse into another era. From Jell-O salads to job-hunting excursions, they defined an age. As we celebrate digital convenience, equilibrium, and decorum, we’re sacrificing what doesn’t belong. Cheers to an era that’s intuitive, inclusive, and belt-clip holster-free.
