Boomers Who Mean Well Usually Say 10 Phrases That Make Literally No Sense To Young People Today
Xavier Lorenzo | Shutterstock The generational resentment and tension that seem to fuel adult child-parent conflicts also contribute to the disconnect between generations like Baby Boomers and their younger counterparts. Although both sides of the generational spectrum are passionate about their values and committed to living their best lives, conversations between the two can highlight major differences.
For example, some well-meaning phrases Boomers say to be helpful mean nothing to young people today. Like any other slang word or phrase, it's shaped by our experiences. For Gen-Zers and other young people with vastly different experiences than Boomers, it's not surprising there's an inherent misunderstanding.
Boomers who mean well usually say these phrases that make no sense to young people today:
1. 'Just give me a shout'
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Unsuspecting and subtle, "just give me a shout" is one of the phrases Boomers say to be helpful, but it means practically nothing to young people today because most of them have no clue what the phrase even means.
2. 'Don't worry, it's just the way the world works'
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Especially for younger generations like Gen-Z, who are more likely to push back against traditional social norms, it's not surprising this phrase means nothing when it comes from Baby Boomers. Not only are Gen-Zers less inclined to accept "it is what it is" as an excuse for their struggles — like economic instability or social isolation — but they're also more empowered to seek change directly. In fact, research from the World Economic Forum says that Gen-Zers are 92% more likely to join activism efforts, and more than 20% would consider getting another job if their employers aren't engaged in social issues.
3. 'You'll figure it out when you're older'
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From starting their own families to building their careers, many of the seemingly helpful, well-intentioned phrases Boomers use toward young people, like this one in particular, don't mean much. In many cases, they can even feel dismissive. Not everyone will have the same outlook on life or the same priorities in their personal and professional lives.
4. 'No pain, no gain'
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While Gen-Zers and Millennials tend to spend more on beauty and wellness than their Boomer counterparts, a LendingTree survey found that older generations coined the "beauty is pain" sentiment. In the workplace, many Boomers believe pain and grit are the keys to success — and it's no different when it comes to self-care.
However, younger generations are more intentional about building habits and routines that help them feel comfortable and secure, rather than uncertain and in pain. In the workplace, they've largely dismantled the hustle-and-pain mindset that leads to burnout, opting instead for work-life balance.
5. 'The early bird gets the worm'
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While Gen-Z and Baby Boomer morning routines differ because of their different values, one major difference is when they wake up. In general, according to a Saatva survey in partnership with YouGov, Gen-Zers wake up consistently later than their Boomer counterparts, with 13% of Boomers admitting to waking up before 5 a.m.
Of course, this phrase (and the general sentiment of an early-morning routine) is common among Baby Boomers, especially since so many Gen-Zers started their adult routines amid a global pandemic, working and going to school from home rather than being forced to head to an in-person office.
6. 'Go the extra mile'
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Many Gen-Zers are more prone to setting boundaries and finding ways to even do the "bare minimum" at their jobs — going as far as to "quiet quit" from their jobs in the middle of the day — than going the extra mile and sacrificing their personal time and energy for the sake of an employer. While they are open to adopting this phrase in their personal lives, in their professional lives it means little.
Of course, it's not surprising that many young people aren't as loyal to their employers or willing to go the extra mile for their companies. Compared to Baby Boomers, who largely saw career success and financial comfort through traditional pathways, Gen-Zers are still living at home, struggling to find livable wages, and putting off larger investments like buying a home.
7. 'You just have to work harder'
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According to a Randstad employment survey, work-life balance is one of the top priorities for most people in the workplace, but it matters most to Gen Zers. While Baby Boomers value working hard, sometimes to the point of burnout, in the name of loyalty to their employer, young people are much more likely to set boundaries and craft a routine that actively separates their personal and professional time.
Hustle culture might have worked for most Baby Boomers at a similar time in their lives — of course, with their own obstacles to overcome — but in our current societal and economic climate, it's simply not feasible.
8. 'Nothing comes easy'
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Of course, helpful advice like this from Boomers can spark motivation or help you persevere through a tough project, but many young people aren't as receptive to a phrase like this in their personal lives. No, a healthy routine isn't necessarily "easy," but should a healthy relationship be? Should a fulfilling friendship be something you have to work hard for? Does showing up for your friends, doing self-care, or experiencing life in the present moment need to be an uphill battle?
9. 'You reap what you sow'
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Like the common Boomer bootstrap mentality, this phrase means little to young people today. Not only are they more aware of the unjust social determinants of success, but they're also aware that their hard work and commitments aren't translating into the financial comfort and career ladder climb they were promised. As Gen-Z sees it, even if you spend months overworking yourself, you're not guaranteed success or comfort.
10. 'It's not that serious'
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As well-intentioned as phrases like "it is what it is" or even "stop overreacting" are, they can feel overly dismissive and invalidating to young people. While they may not understand what their younger counterparts are experiencing, Baby Boomers can still help them feel heard and understood in important ways. They can give them space to vent, and even offer advice when prompted, but a phrase like this only deepens the already existing generational divide.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies, focusing on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
