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As they age, many baby boomers often feel that the world today is vastly different from when they were growing up.
In fact, plenty of Boomers find themselves saying things like “back in my day it was easier” more and more frequently!
From always-changing technology to rising cost of living expenses, aging baby boomers can find it difficult to adjust to their new reality.
We are taking a deep dive into what it’s like for Boomers as they continue down the path of growing older and how some common phrases and situations can really annoy them!
#1. Talking to Them Like An “Old Person”
If you have ever been guilty of talking down to an older person, be warned: it’s a surefire way to get on the Boomers’ bad side.
They don’t appreciate being spoken to like they are not mentally capable of understanding modern technology or current trends.
So, if you are talking with someone over 50, don’t dumb things down for them! They are likely just as tech-savvy (or more so) than someone much younger.
#2. When It’s Assumed They Don’t Understand Technology
Baby Boomers can indeed be a bit behind in the latest trends and technologies, but they are far from clueless; many Boomers do understand how technology works.
What really annoys them is when people make assumptions about their level of tech knowledge.
#3. Dating
The world of dating has changed drastically.
Now you are more likely to meet someone online than you are in person.
This makes it easier to meet more people, but there are plenty of scams out there as well as people who aren’t fit for dating that think they are.
#4. Tipping
Many people agree tipping has gotten out of control.
Tipping your server, the bartender or the food delivery person was one thing.
But now, no matter where you go, the reader will inevitably ask for a tip after you swipe your credit card.
Is this a way for the store to get around paying a competitive wage?
More and more people complain about everyone asking for a tip, and something needs to change.
#5. Losing Loved Ones
Passing away is a part of life, but no matter your, age, it is never easier.
As a Boomer, you say goodbye to your parents, siblings, even close friends.
Each passing takes a little more joy out of the world.
#6. Illness and Injury
One of the most common issues Boomers face is the physical limitations that come with age-related illnesses or injuries.
Whether it’s arthritis, an injury due to a fall, or just general aches and pains, these conditions can make living life as it once was difficult.
Activities like grocery shopping, gardening, and even cleaning become tiring tasks..
#7. Hustle Culture
Today you have to hustle to make it, or so the belief goes.
So many people end up working side gigs and hustling all the time to be successful.
Very few take the time to stop and enjoy the life they are living.
#8. Traffic
This is a pet peeve of mine and many others.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy driving because I do.
I dislike driving in traffic as I get older, mostly because other drivers are dangerous.
They switch lanes without signaling and drive at break-neck speeds, weaving in and out of traffic, often coming out of nowhere.
They ride your bumper, or some drive slower than molasses.
And worst of all, they are texting.
When I drive on a two-lane road, many people I pass have their heads down, looking at their phones.
It’s scary when you realize that life could change for everyone nearby in a split second.
And people wonder why their insurance rates keep going up.
#9. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Not getting a lot of sleep when you are young isn’t a big deal, as your body can handle it.
But as you get older, it’s a different story.
Getting enough sleep is critical to functioning for the next day.
Add in the fact that you have many more things to do, and sleep becomes even more precious.
One person said, “Functioning on low sleep. I feel like in the last few years my bodies ability to do so has decreased drastically.
It used to be that I could get like 5-6h a night during the week and recharge with a couple of 8-10s on the weekend and be largely fine. Now by the 2nd or 3rd day I’m really feeling it and have to pencil in a few hours to recharge.”
#10. TV And Movies
A few people mentioned how TV shows and movies have gone downhill as they aged.
It seems like every TV show is now a remake of a series from the 70s or 80s. In some cases, even the 90s.
Worse is the bandwagon effect, where one type of show is a hit, so all new shows follow the same format.
Movies aren’t any better.
The majority are remakes of the classics, and if an original idea is a hit, the studio cranks out 25 sequels to keep the money train rolling.
Even more unfortunate for movie buffs is that the only genre that appears to make movie studios money is superhero movies, so that is the majority of new films.
#11. Being Available 24/7
Cell phones have many benefits, but they also have some downsides.
The biggest is that many people expect you to be available all day, every day.
If they call you at 3 pm on Wednesday, you better answer.
If they text you at 8 pm on Sunday, you better text back right away.
More and more people are getting tired of this expectation.
Not everyone carries their cell phone with them at all times, so being available no matter what isn’t an option.
As one person said, “One of my ‘friends’ called me 16 times the other day. 16 times. I had already told him I was busy and doing work modules on my phone and dealing with my father’s Alzheimer’s, yet he still called me 16 times.”
#12. Driving At Night
Driving at night is not enjoyable for most people due to the new LED and high-intensity headlights on cars.
They make it hard to see the road when driving at night or even dusk.
The situation is even worse in the rain. Now you have the bright headlights combined with the reflections of the wet road.
Coming up to an unfamiliar intersection with turning lanes at night when the road is wet is like driving blind for many people.
#13. Alcohol
Enjoying a drink after a hard day’s work or celebrating an event is a part of our culture.
But most people begin to realize the impact of even one can of beer or one glass of wine on their bodies as they age.
You don’t get as good of sleep, usually for a few days, which means you’re dragging through life without as much energy.
You might even have a headache the day after, making getting through that day more difficult.
It has gotten to the point where many older people pause when offered a drink and consider whether having one is worth it based on their upcoming plans.
#14. Social Obligations
This might be a part of getting older, but many people say they enjoy social functions less and less as they age.
Most mention the small talk part, where they are uninterested in having meaningless conversations with people just to be polite.
Others said they would rather do other things than be at a function for hours.
#15. Celebrities And Influencers
When you are young, you look up to people, aspiring to become like they are one day.
But as you age, you realize you never want to live a fake life as they do.
It’s even worse with influencers.
Everything is about being seen and making money. They are completely fake, and sadly, many people think their life is amazing, and they, too, want to be just like them.
#16. Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping is a part of life.
But it feels like the supermarket has changed.
The aisles are narrower. They only have two cashiers, with the rest being self-checkout lanes.
And don’t get me started on the people.
Most workers have no clue where an item is. You are better off not asking and going on the scavenger hunt alone.
Then there are other shoppers. They leave their cart in the middle of the aisle. They fly around corners without worry. They cut in front of you without saying excuse me.
Then there is the impatience at the checkout line.
Many people are saying no thanks and getting groceries delivered instead.
#17. Video Games
Video games were a lot of fun growing up. You could pick virtually any title and spend a few hours playing.
But today’s games are different.
Many adventure games don’t have a set story arc, so you can do whatever you like instead of following along and progressing.
This means you could play the game for hours without progressing.
Others point out that to enjoy many games you need to play with others, which end up being strangers online, to get the most out of the game.
Because of this, most older people seek out the consoles from their youth to play rather than today’s games.
#18. Loud Bars And Restaurants
It’s not a surprise that as we get older, our hearing gets worse.
Many people suffer from auditory processing disorder, which is a fancy way of saying it is hard to hear people talking to you in a loud environment.
For many, this comes in the form of bars and restaurants.
They either have loud music playing or many people, making it difficult to hear the person sitting across from you.
Most people say they avoid these places because it is not enjoyable, and they don’t like screaming so their friends can hear them.
#19. Misleading Pricing
While the bait-and-switch strategy of listing a low price and in fine print clarifying saying this isn’t the actual price most people will pay isn’t new, it’s popping up more and more.
Notice how cash station signs now flash multiple prices, one for cash and one for credit?
Many people just want the price they will pay and nothing else.
#20. Rearranged Grocery Stores
While many people dislike grocery shopping, it is worse for many others when the store changes its layout.
Everything is in a different place, and that quick five-minute trip to pick up some bread is now a 20-minute adventure.
And sometimes, the placement of items now doesn’t even make sense.
As one person said, “The grocery store near me recently rearranged and suddenly the peanut butter was in the aisle with the ketchup instead of over by the jams and jellies.”
#21. Different Store Layouts
This is another annoyance of mine.
It would be nice if all stores had the same layout so you could easily find what you are looking for.
Take, for example, Lowes.
The one by me, I know to go straight to the back when I need a filter for my HVAC unit, or all the way to the right if I need lumber.
But when I stop in at the one by my parent’s house, the lumber is back and to the left.
The filters, well, I still can’t find them.
#22. Fees
It feels like everywhere you go, there are additional fees on everything.
Eat at a restaurant and ask for some extra pickles, it’s $1.50.
Get food delivered, and I’m not talking about Door Dash, but having the pizza shop deliver the pizza, there is an extra fee on top of the pizza and the actual delivery fee.
If you fly, airlines charge extra for checked bags.
The next thing you know, you will have to pay a fee if you want to red light to turn green!
#23. Society Today
Many Boomers (along with other generations) long for the past, when things weren’t so divisive.
You could be friends with people who had different viewpoints than yours and everyone looked out for each other.
Now it’s all about me and the fabric that once held society together is beginning to tear.
#24. Intentional Helplessness
Another issue that annoys many people is how others seem completely helpless even when the solution to the issues are not difficult.
You can solve many things by watching a quick YouTube video. This is especially true with any house repairs or if something is broken.
One person said, “I’ve met too many grown adults who want to give up and pay 10x as much to solve a problem, instead of googling a solution and solving it by themselves in 5 minutes.”
#25. Personal Memories
One person commented how they dislike memories as they age.
On the one hand, they think about when they were younger and get sad at the fun things they did and no longer do
Other times, they think about the mistakes they made, and how they regret those times in life.
#26. Social Media
When social media started, it was a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family who live in other parts of the world.
It was a great way to reconnect with long-lost friends from your childhood.
But now, social media companies must keep their shareholders happy, meaning they need to make money.
So instead of seeing posts from your friends, you see never-ending ads about products you’ve searched for or suggested posts and videos to keep you on the site for as long as possible.
Because of this, many older people are turning away from social media.
#27. Meaningless Conversations
Sometimes, Boomers can feel isolated and lonely due to conversations that lack meaning.
It’s often difficult for them to relate to small talk, and so they can find themselves having difficulty connecting with people of all ages.
This is why younger generations need to understand the importance of meaningful conversations and how much it can mean to an older person feeling alone or disconnected from the world around them.
#28. Young People Expecting High Salaries
Why is it most people entering the workforce expect a six figure salary and the corner office immediately upon hire?
The idea of working hard and proving yourself has gone out the window and young people’s entitlement is sickening
#29. People
Some people commented that they dislike others less and less because they lack basic courtesy.
As one person said, “Basic discourtesy. Don’t know why but it grinds my gears when people can’t say please and thank you, or excuse me, or hold a door for the 0.2 seconds it would take to not slam in someone’s face, or apologize when they step on someone’s foot or bump into them. Being mean to retail and service workers. People who run red lights. Basically I just want people to be nice. My preschool, Mr. Rogers, and Sesame Street did not spend 6 years teaching us to be polite in public for us to act like this.”
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This thread inspired this article.
I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
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