Bridge the Gap: 10 Unexpected Things Boomers and Gen Z Actually Agree On

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Navigating the age gap between you and others can be tricky, but have you ever stopped to consider what Boomers and Gen Zers may have in common?

There are often vast generational differences attributed to views on work ethic, technology, communication practices, and more.

But if we look past our preconceived notions of the divides that separate us, it may come as a surprise just how much we all agree on.

From our motivations for success to our outlooks on life’s biggest questions, read on for ten unexpected things Boomers and Gen Zers actually share a bond over.

#1. Cars That Require Screens to Use Various Features

If you have a newer vehicle, the touchscreen reigns supreme. However, older and younger individuals agree that this isn’t always desirable. 

One person said, “Most features in cars should have buttons. Want to turn on your heated seat, button, not scroll through three screens.”

Another person also brought up a point I agree with, “This is just bad UI. Screens require us to take our eyes off the road – a recipe for disaster. Buttons and dials? Only need one hand. Eyes on the road. I miss car radios with buttons and dials.”

Sadly, car manufacturers are doubling down. Instead of listening to consumers, they are going in the other direction and making the touchscreens bigger.

#2. Fast Fashion

Contrary to what you may think, fast fashion is not the next installment of the Fast & The Furious movie franchise starring Vin Diesel.

It’s actually a term for clothing, and many people don’t like it.

The feelings of many are summed up with this reply. “My wife and I were watching a Canadian TV show once where they go undercover to investigate different things (I forget the name, but they’d look into anything sketchy) and had an episode about Shein and other fast fashion companies like them. Not only are they horrible working conditions and awful for the environment, but many of their clothes also contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals (and not the good ones like Iron Maiden, either). Basically by wearing their clothing, you are poisoning yourself.”

#3. Not Respecting Others

With the rise of cell phones has come the situation where many people now lack common courtesy. This shows up a lot in restaurants and public transportation.

People will have video calls and instead of have headphone on, will turn the volume up so everyone around them hears what is going on.

Worse are the people who are watching a movie, doing the same thing. Here is a news flash: no one want to hear your conversation or movie. Turn the volume down, put in headphones, or wait until you get home.

One person said, “When you’re in a public place you should respect others around you but not being disruptive with your behavior. For example, not playing music on your phone without headphones while on a bus, in a restaurant etc.”

#4. Needing a Subscription for Everything

If there’s one thing worse than needing an app for everything, it’s requiring a subscription. In today’s world, you don’t own many things outright when you purchase them.

Instead, you pay a monthly fee to access whatever service you buy. 

While this may be slightly less annoying for something like a self-care box, it can be overwhelming when it extends across every aspect of life, from entertainment to simply getting in your car to drive. 

Of course, businesses are wise to use this model, as it offers recurring monthly income for them. And most people will go months, or even years, paying before they decide to make the phone call or jump online to cancel.

This is why it is critical to pay attention to your bills. Doing so could help you to slash your monthly bills and save $7,000 a year.

#5. Tipping

Tipping is customary here in the US, but in recent years, the trend has gotten out of control. Everywhere you go, there is either a tip jar, or if you pay with a credit card, the option to tip the person.

In most cases, there is no reason for a tip, as they are not providing any service to you, other than taking your order.

One person said, “tipping has gotten out of control, and this is coming from someone who relies on tips for income. It hurts people who actually should be getting them because now people are extremely agitated about any and all tipping. I was just at a music festival and the guy who exchanges your cash for drink tickets (not even the person who pours the beverage) had an iPad with tip options starting at 18%”

#6. Car Headlights Too Bright

While cars are much safer thanks to advances in technology, one advancement that many don’t like is the new high-intensity headlights.

While they can help you see the road better as you are driving, they are way too bright for oncoming cars, making it more difficult for them to see the road.

One person said, “I have light sensitivity issues and this is a serious problem for me. Driving at night is causes some pain if I’m lucky, and a migraine if I’m not.”

#7. Having to Remember a Password for Everything

We live in a digital age, meaning everything we do must be secure. Unfortunately, you must set a different password for every site you ever log into to be extremely safe. 

Keeping tabs on your passwords might be easy if you have an amazing system. However, for the general population, doing so can be near impossible without writing all the passwords down or using a password organizer, which isn’t always that safe.

Add in the increased complexity of requirements, like uppercase and lowercase letters, a number, a symbol, a minimum of eight characters, and the deed to your house, and it’s no wonder why people use the same password for everything. 

#8. Having to Download Apps to Access Restaurant Menus

Technology can be helpful in many ways, but many applications are practically nonsensical.

One such application is the convoluted app required to do something as simple as looking at a restaurant menu. 

It’s a sentiment echoed by many boomers and GenZers, and something sure to crop up at least once if you like to eat out frequently. I have never met one person I’ve gone out to eat with who gets excited to look at the menu on their mobile phone.

Someone needs to start a GoFundMe to pay restaurants so they can print actual menus.

#9. TV Always Being Too Quiet and Dark

Have you ever turned on the TV to watch your favorite show, only to find that you couldn’t properly see anything or even hear what you’re watching? 

If you are a Boomer, you might think your eyes are going bad, or you are losing your hearing. But the good news is, you’re not alone, as many people that make up Gen Z have this issue too.

Of course, you crank up the volume just to hear the show you are watching, but then the commercials are so loud that people three states over can hear your TV.

The sad truth is this is a problem regardless if you are using alternatives to cable TV or not.

#10. Having to Document Everything on Social Media

Social media is a relatively new invention, but it doesn’t just bother Boomers. Many are unsatisfied with how others live their lives by completely living it online. 

Whether that means documenting everything that happens to them throughout the day on their Instagram Feed, posting a wide range of photos in the hopes of garnering more likes and driving traffic to their page, or even trying to promote MLMs online, there are so many ways that social media has proven to be toxic for many of today’s users. 

As one person said, “It’s not just that phones take you away from reality while documenting everything, it’s that people often just document in a very “fake” manner and don’t portray how reality really is. Faking their way through their social environment.” 

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This thread inspired this article.