Every generation has its own struggles—but Boomers? They’ve lived through rotary phones, lead paint, and parenting without Google. So when Gen Z or Millennials start venting about life’s modern inconveniences, you can practically hear the silent eye-roll from across the room.
Honestly, some of these complaints sound like background noise to anyone who survived dial-up internet or the horror of running out of film in their camera. It’s not that older folks don’t care, but their “walked uphill both ways” stories are more than just legends—they’re badges of honor.
Ho capito, modern problems feel huge when you’re in them, but sometimes you have to laugh at yourself and see how far we’ve come. Sharing these generational grumbles is almost like a rite of passage, and maybe by comparing notes, we’ll all gain a little perspective.
Ecco 17 things younger folks often moan about, and the silent sass Boomers are serving right back—whether we notice or not.
1. “Ugh, my phone died.”
If you’ve ever declared a phone emergency while clutching a charger, you’re not alone. For some younger folks, a dead phone basically counts as a personal crisis—like being stranded on a digital desert island. But Boomers? They watched entire sitcoms in black and white, with no pause button and maybe one phone in the whole house (and it had a CORD).
I get why running out of battery feels like the end of the world, especially when your whole life is in your pocket. But older generations look at this meltdown and can’t help but roll their eyes. To them, your portable “emergency” is just a minor inconvenience.
Honestly, if they could survive a weekend without texting, TikTok, or GPS, you’ll probably make it too. Maybe it’s the universe telling you to make some actual eye contact—or just order your coffee like it’s 1985, no phone required.
2. “There’s nothing to watch!”
Scrolling through endless shows and still feeling bored? Yep, I’ve done it too. But if you ever say, “There’s nothing to watch,” in front of a Boomer, brace yourself for a look that could curdle milk.
Back in the day, missing a show meant you missed it—no streaming, no replays, just a week of waiting and maybe a friend’s recap if you were lucky. Commercial breaks were for bathroom runs and popcorn sprints, not skipping ahead.
Boomers can’t wrap their heads around the idea of too many choices being a problem. When they hear us whine, they may not say it out loud, but they’re thinking, “Try three channels and a pair of rabbit ears, kiddo.” First world problems, meet the original binge-watchers.
3. “My barista spelled my name wrong.”
Barista butchering your name again? The struggle is real—except, is it? A cup labeled “Kaytlynne” instead of “Caitlin” feels like a personal insult to some, but to Boomers, it’s just another story to laugh about.
Let’s be honest: Our grandparents crossed oceans with nothing but a suitcase, so surviving a Starbucks misspelling probably isn’t top of their worry list. Sure, it’s annoying, but it’s also a little ridiculous when you think about it.
Every generation has its pet peeves, but this one is so minor it almost feels like a badge of honor. If you can collect a week’s worth of wrong-name cups, maybe you’re living the dream. Just remember, Boomers are rolling their eyes and secretly wishing your biggest problem was running out of cream.
4. “I can’t function without Wi-Fi.”
Ever tried to work or even breathe when the Wi-Fi drops? It feels like the whole universe is conspiring against you. But Boomers have a different perspective—papers, pens, and face-to-face conversations weren’t just backup plans, they were standard.
The panic over a lost signal can seem laughable to someone who once had to search for payphones or wait days for a letter. I’ll admit, I’m glued to my phone, but a little digital detox might be healthy for all of us.
Losing Wi-Fi isn’t the end; sometimes, it’s a chance to step outside, chat to a stranger, or just read a real book. The next time you can’t connect, imagine your parents’ patience and channel a little of that “make it work” magic.
5. “I hate working 9–5. I want more flexibility.”
Clock-watching is practically a sport for anyone stuck in a 9–5. Flexibility is the dream, but Boomers grew up in a time when jobs meant punch clocks, uniforms, and almost zero say in your schedule. Complaining about an office gig sounds like luxury to anyone who’s worked double shifts in a factory.
Sure, flexible hours sound magical, and everyone wants more autonomy. But for older generations, steady work—even if it was soul-crushing—meant stability and pride.
Sometimes, it helps to remember: what feels like a prison now was once a stepping stone to a better life. Next time you’re stuck in a boring meeting, think of all the parents who did it just to put cereal on the table. Your eye roll might be loud, but their silent one is louder.
6. “I don’t feel like socializing today.”
Canceling plans because you just can’t people today? I get the urge to hide under a blanket, but Boomers have a word for that: life. Their motto was “show up, smile, and say yes,” whether you felt like it or not.
Introverts exist in every generation, but the expectation of constant social engagement is new. Sometimes, you just had to go—no excuses, no vibe checks, just pure obligation.
While it’s great to honor your own needs, remember that what feels like healthy boundaries now might seem like flakiness to someone who never had the option. Sometimes, showing up—even when you’d rather not—teaches you things you never expected. And somewhere, a Boomer is quietly applauding your resilience, even if they’re rolling their eyes first.
7. “Avocados are so expensive!”
Paying $15 for avocado toast can feel like robbery, and yet, here we are. Boomers scan the menu and do a double-take—because once upon a time, the fanciest breakfast was eggs and maybe a can of beans.
The sticker shock is real, but so is the Boomer confusion. They grew up stretching every dollar, finding bargains at the grocery store, and saving leftovers for lunch.
Are avocados tasty? Absolutely. Are they worth a week’s lunch money? Debatable. Next time you’re wincing at the price, remember the original budget queens who could whip up a meal from a fridge full of “nothing.” The eye rolls are fierce, but maybe they’re on to something.
8. “This app updated again and it’s so annoying.”
Apps update more often than I change my nail polish, and yes, sometimes they ruin everything. That new layout? Total chaos. But Boomers see tech tantrums differently—they fixed things with butter knives and duct tape, not patches and downloads.
Every glitch feels personal when your routine gets thrown off. But to someone who grew up rewinding VHS tapes with a pencil, today’s tech problems look pretty minor.
Maybe the next time your favorite app changes colors or hides a button, channel a little Boomer DIY spirit. If you can repair a Walkman with a paperclip, you can probably handle a new icon. Or at least try.
9. “I feel attacked when people criticize my favorite show.”
When someone trashes your favorite show, it feels like a personal attack—cue the drama. Younger generations are passionate about their fandoms, but Boomers remember slapstick comedy and soap operas that nobody took too seriously.
A little friendly debate can actually be fun, but it’s easy to forget that not every opinion is a fire alarm. For older folks, criticism was a way of life—just ask anyone who survived watching TV with siblings and only one remote.
If you find yourself ready to argue over a plot twist, step back and laugh. Somewhere, a Boomer is grinning and thinking, “It’s TV, not heart surgery.” Maybe they’re onto something: less drama, more popcorn.
10. “No one told me how hard adulting would be.”
Bills, chores, appointments—adulting is a marathon, not a sprint. But when we complain, Boomers just raise an eyebrow. They juggled three kids, one income, and mortgage rates that would make us faint.
It’s easy to get lost in the chaos, but older generations were forced to sink or swim, often without advice or Pinterest hacks. The struggle was real—and still is, just in different ways.
Instead of getting lost in self-pity, maybe borrow a page from their playbook: ask for help, laugh when you fail, and keep moving forward. Adulting isn’t a puzzle you solve once; it’s a lifelong series of, “Well, here we go again.” Boomers know it, and now we do too.
11. “I need a trigger warning before that scene.”
Trigger warnings are everywhere these days—before movies, news, even TikToks. Some people appreciate the heads-up, while Boomers stare in disbelief. They watched war documentaries in grade school classrooms, no soft landings provided.
It’s not about toughness, just different expectations. Sensitivity matters, but sometimes life throws curveballs without warning labels.
Maybe Boomers could use a little more gentleness, and maybe we could stand to toughen up (just a smidge). Finding a middle ground means respecting feelings while also recognizing that not every discomfort is a disaster. If a Boomer is quietly rolling her eyes, she’s probably just thinking, “You’ll be okay, promise.”
12. “I’m just trying to find my passion.”
Passion projects get all the love these days, but Boomers had a very different approach—work first, passion later (if you could afford it). If you’re lucky enough to search for “what makes you happy,” you’re already ahead of the game.
Finding passion is beautiful, but older generations sometimes see it as a luxury. They were busy chasing paychecks, not enlightenment.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dream big. Just remember, sometimes fulfillment grows from what you have, not what you chase. Boomers might not say it, but their quiet eye roll comes with a side of practical wisdom: happiness isn’t always about passion—it’s often about perseverance.
13. “My dating app matches are so dry.”
Swiping left on yet another “meh” dating profile? Welcome to the new romance. Boomers had to dial a house phone (and maybe face a parent) just to say hi.
Digital dating is convenient, but sometimes it feels more exhausting than fun. For older folks, every date was a potential story—good, bad, or cringe-worthy.
The next time you’re bored by a string of awkward bios, ask an older friend about blind dates or answering machines. You’ll get a reminder that love stories come in all shapes, and maybe a tip or two on how to laugh when things get awkward. Because, honestly, Boomer dating stories make Tinder look tame.
14. “I need better work-life balance.”
Struggling to separate work from life? Welcome to the balancing act. Boomers worked long hours, rarely heard the words “self-care,” and brought job stress home like a second shadow.
The modern quest for balance can sound like wishful thinking to someone who never set boundaries. But maybe there’s something to learn from both sides.
Yes, boundaries matter—but so does grit. The next time you crave more balance, remember all the women who made it work with two hands, a strong will, and a little humor. Maybe the best balance is learning from each other, eye rolls included.
15. “I feel so burned out by the news.”
News overload got you feeling fried? It’s a lot, I know. But Boomers grew up with one nightly broadcast—bad news delivered with a straight face, then promptly set aside for dinner.
The 24/7 news cycle is relentless, but sometimes it helps to check out for a while. Older generations knew how to tune out and keep living, even when things were tough.
Instead of letting headlines steal your peace, borrow a trick from the past: go outside, call a friend, or bake something just because. Boomers survived tough times and still found reasons to laugh. Maybe we can too.
16. “I’m not going if I don’t have an Uber.”
No Uber, no party? That’s the mood for a lot of us, but Boomers braved rain, snow, and questionable buses to make it to events. Skipping a night out because of a ride wasn’t even an option.
Transportation has changed, and safety matters, but sometimes it’s about making the effort. The best memories can happen when plans don’t go perfectly.
If you ever hear a Boomer’s party story, you know half the adventure was just getting there. Maybe feeling a little inconvenienced is part of the fun—and part of growing up. The eye roll is just nostalgia in disguise.
17. “Why do boomers never understand us?”
Feeling misunderstood is basically a rite of passage. Every generation thinks the one before just doesn’t get it. But for Boomers, understanding wasn’t the goal—coping was.
They didn’t always need validation; they needed to get through the day. That’s not to say empathy doesn’t matter, but sometimes survival teaches more than being understood ever could.
If you’re feeling lost in translation, remember: what looks like distance is often just a different kind of caring. The eye rolls are real, but so is the quiet hope that you’ll make it through, just like they did. And maybe, one day, you’ll roll your eyes too.