9 Things Boomers Are Proud Of That Their Grandkids Find Totally Embarrassing
theboone | Canva Every generation has its own unique set of accomplishments that they are proud of, and Baby Boomers are no exception. Born between 1946 and 1964, they came of age during a time of great social change and economic growth. They take great pride in their work ethic and their ability to do things on their own. However, many of the things Baby Boomers take great pride in sometimes feel out of touch or just downright embarrassing to their grandchildren.
As younger generations navigate life in an era defined by digital technology, Boomers' attempts to adapt to the changes are often met with awkwardness. These generational gaffes can prevent grandparents from ever understanding their grandchildren and vice versa. The silver lining here is that, thanks to tech advancement, we can find alternatives for our Boomer grandparents that can make their behavior a little less cringey.
Here are a few things Boomers are proud of that their grandkids find mortifying:
1. Using speakerphone to chat
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Putting their phones on speaker while in public spaces is one of those habits that Boomers pride themselves on, and honestly, it makes sense when you consider it's an efficient and hands-free way of chatting with someone. Whether they are catching up with an old friend while shopping or in a waiting room amongst a group of other people, it feels perfectly natural to them.
However, for their grandchildren, it can be incredibly annoying and embarrassing. These tech-savvy kids think that Boomers don't know how to properly use a phone. To strangers, hearing someone else's entire conversation while riding the bus or in an elevator is not a joyful experience. If their grandchildren are with them when this occurs, then they start to get secondhand embarrassment from the whole ordeal.
2. Displaying plastic-covered furniture
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Having plastic over furniture like sofas is one of those household quirks that your grandparents lived by. Keeping couches wrapped in plastic was done to prevent spills and messes from getting on something so expensive. That shiny, crinkly barrier was a marker of responsibility and upward mobility for the Boomer generation.
Even if it made a weird sound when you sat on it and got sticky when it was hot, you made do with it because you were visiting their home. It was an awkward cultural moment for many households, but it had to do with the times we were living in. Nowadays, there's a plentiful amount of sofas in all shapes, sizes, and materials at an affordable rate that don't require the awful plastic protection anymore.
3. Boasting about never using GPS
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As soon as you let a Boomer get behind the wheel of a car, you'd better get ready for the speech about how, back in their day, they didn't need fancy GPS tracking devices to get to where they needed to go. According to a survey by SafeHome, 170 million Americans own GPS tracking devices, with 26% of Boomers owning them. Boomers tend to be less enthusiastic when it comes to GPS compared to younger generations because they often relied on their memory or reading physical maps.
No one can really blame them. As technology came along, the generations that came after them used maps printed from websites like MapQuest to help them guide their way, and eventually used GPS when it became available on their phones. The reason why we cringe when they say it is because GPS is meant to make your life a little easier — and your drives a little quicker. We sometimes wonder why our grandparents are so obsessed with struggling just to prove they know how to do something without the help of tech.
4. Forwarding memes
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Boomers were notorious as the generation that wrote letters. So, forwarding their grandkids' memes because they know that's what the younglings like makes them feel like they're down with the times. To the grandkids, it's embarrassing, especially if it's done on such a public platform that all of their friends are on. But fear not: Boomers are slowly catching up to what all the young kids are doing. A study by Pew Research Center found that Boomers have been adopting technology at a faster rate than in previous years, but still lag behind younger generations in device ownership and internet usage.
5. Posting on social media like its a diary
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When Boomers create social media accounts, they start to treat them like their own personal journals or diaries. Many grandchildren particularly dislike this if it's on a social media platform that they are actively on with their friends. A study published in Heliyon found that Baby Boomers use Facebook and Instagram primarily to compensate for a lack of face-to-face interactions. They grew up in a time when letters and phone calls were the norm, so social media is their new way to keep in touch. While it may seem embarrassing to the younger generation, it's also a heartfelt way to stay involved in family life, even if it's primarily online.
6. Collecting ceramic figurines
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Growing up, my grandmother had a large collection of porcelain dolls spread out throughout her home. My older sister and I were terrified of these things. In the guest room we were staying in, they were adorned on top of a large armoire, sitting next to each other in different colored dresses. When nightfall came, we could have sworn that their heads turned to look down on us.
Despite this experience, now as an adult, I have my own bobbleheads from certain TV franchises that I am a fan of, and it has given me a new appreciation for my grandmother's odd taste in decor. So, even if those figurines creeped me out as a child, inheriting them will give me a sense of sentimental value (maybe) one day.
7. Bringing printed photos to show around
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Back in the day, people didn't carry a phone in their pockets to pull out and view photos of the family members that they cared about, so they carried physical photos in their wallets with them. Other times, these photos were reserved for a physical album that they would later open and share during family gatherings. During these moments, Boomers and their families could reminisce about their lives. Fast forward to today, Boomers continue this tradition of keeping printed photos with them to show around. While it may seem embarrassing to some, printed photos hold emotional value to a lot of people, no matter the age.
8. Still using voicemail
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Younger generations don't use voicemails anymore, as they barely even take calls. This is the new texting and DMing generation, who would rather send paragraphs or post a TikTok than verbally express how they are feeling in 1 minute or less. Thankfully, we can still look back at these times when Baby Boomers left voicemails and long-winded ones at that. Leave us a message after the beep...
9. Proudly displaying awkward school photos
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Boomers absolutely love having access to printed photos, which means that they also enjoy putting those photos on display for everyone to see. A survey by Shutterfly and Kelly Tareski Photography found that 76% of people felt happier when displaying photos in their homes, and 65% prefer personalized photo gifts over generic ones. Even if you feel like your school photos are embarrassing, your Boomer grandparents don't; they may not see you as often as they like and want a piece of you present in their home. It's a nice thought for someone to care about you so much that they are willing to put you on their mantle like a shrine.
Sylvia Ojeda is an author who has over a decade of experience writing novels and screenplays. She covers self-help, relationships, culture, and human interest topics.
