10 Things Boomers Do That Gen Z Finds Absolutely Bizarre in 2026
The generational divide has never been wider. What Boomers consider normal, Gen Z views as ancient history. What Gen Z does naturally, Boomers find baffling. After polling 500+ people across generations, here are the 10 things Boomers do that make Gen Z go: "Wait... WHAT?"
1. Calling Instead of Texting
What Boomers do: Pick up the phone and call, even for simple questions.
Why Gen Z is confused: "Just text me the question. Why do I need to stop everything for a 10-minute phone call to ask what time dinner is?"
The divide:
- Boomers: Phone calls are polite and efficient
- Gen Z: Phone calls are invasive and anxiety-inducing
Real Gen Z quote: "If you call me without texting first, I'm not answering. That's basically a home invasion."
The data: 87% of Gen Z prefer text over calls. Only 12% of Boomers feel the same.
Boomer defense: "Texting takes too long. A 30-second call solves it."
Gen Z counter: "A 30-second text solves it without interrupting my life."
Winner? No one. Both generations will die on this hill.
2. Printing Emails and Documents
What Boomers do: Print emails, confirmations, receipts, directions, articles.
Why Gen Z is confused: "It's already digital. Why make a paper copy that you'll lose?"
The bizarre part: Boomers print emails to READ them, then file them in folders.
Real example: Boomer prints boarding pass, Gen Z shows phone at gate. Boomer says "What if your battery dies?", Gen Z replies "What if you lose the paper?"
Environmental note: Gen Z also sees this as wasteful. Why kill trees for something that exists digitally?
3. Leaving Voicemails
What Boomers do: Call, get voicemail, leave a detailed 2-minute message.
Why Gen Z is confused: "You called. I see the missed call. I'll call back if I want to. Why also leave a voicemail?"
The stats: 68% of Gen Z never check voicemail. Many don't even know their voicemail password. Boomers complain they don't listen; Gen Z wonders why they still leave them.
4. Using Checks
What Boomers do: Write checks at grocery stores, restaurants, to pay bills.
Why Gen Z is confused: "We have Venmo. Cash App. Zelle. Apple Pay. Why are you writing on paper?"
The checkout line experience: Gen Z taps their phone and is done in 2 seconds. Boomers find a pen, write the check, and tear it out while everyone behind them silently screams.
Boomer defense: "Checks leave a paper trail." Gen Z: "So does your bank app. And it's searchable."
5. Loyalty to Cable TV
What Boomers do: Pay $150/month for cable, scroll through 500 channels, watch whatever's on.
Why Gen Z is confused: "You're paying HOW MUCH to watch commercials and shows you don't even choose?" Why pay for 500 channels when you only watch 5 shows? Just get streaming.
6. Cursive Writing
What Boomers do: Write in cursive, assume everyone can read it.
Why Gen Z is confused: "I literally cannot read what you wrote. Is this English?" Cursive stopped being taught in most schools around 2010. Result: Entire generation sees it like hieroglyphics.
7. Using Facebook (And Using It Wrong)
What Boomers do: Post everything on Facebook. Tag 30 people in minion memes. Comment "LOL" on serious news articles.
Moves include: Sharing fake news, typing Google searches into status, and falling for "Facebook will charge" hoaxes. Gen Z mainly uses Marketplace; the rest is TikTok and Instagram.
8. Refusing to Use GPS
What Boomers do: Print MapQuest directions, reject GPS help, get lost, refuse to admit it.
Gen Z reality: "The computer knows real-time traffic. You do not." Boomers claim to know the roads better, but the GPS is quietly judging.
9. Buying CDs and DVDs
What Boomers do: Still buy physical media in 2026. "I own it. They can't take it away."
Gen Z logic: Every song is on Spotify. Every movie is on streaming. If the internet goes down, we have bigger problems than missing The Godfather.
10. Reading Newspapers
What Boomers do: Buy physical newspapers, read them cover to cover, clip coupons.
Gen Z morning: Check phone, see every major story, read 47 articles, and watch 12 TikToks about it before breakfast. Information from a paper is "yesterday's news."
The Bigger Picture: It's Not Just Age, It's Technology
These aren't just generational preferences; they are technological adaptation gaps. Boomers grew up in an analog world where phone calls were the fastest way and physical media was default. Gen Z grew up digital, where text is faster and everything is virtual. Neither is wrong; they are just different operating systems.
What Both Generations Can Learn
Boomers can learn that digital tools save time and paper. Gen Z can learn that phone calls build better relationships and newspapers have better fact-checking than TikTok. Both generations have valid points.
The Bottom Line
This isn't about one generation being better. Boomers adapted to digital; Gen Z never knew analog. In 30 years, Gen Alpha will look at Gen Z and think we're just as bizarre. The cycle continues.
Read Also: Essential Tax Preparation Guide for American Taxpayers in Early 2026
0 Comments