Each generation grows up with its own unique experiences, shaped by culture, technology, and social norms. While Boomers navigated a world vastly different from today’s digital landscape, their everyday habits can seem puzzling — or even downright strange — to Gen Z. Here are 15 things Boomers did that Gen Z will likely never fully understand.
1. Memorizing Phone Numbers
Before smartphones stored every contact, Boomers had to memorize the phone numbers of family, friends, and even local businesses. Forgetting one often meant digging through a phone book or asking around for help.
2. Writing Checks for Everyday Purchases
While digital wallets and contactless payments are Gen Z’s go-to, Boomers frequently used paper checks for everything — from groceries to utility bills. Balancing a checkbook was practically a life skill.
3. Using Encyclopedias for Research
Long before Wikipedia existed, Boomers relied on bulky encyclopedia sets to gather information for school projects or general knowledge. These books often became outdated before families could afford to replace them.
4. Waiting for Photos to Be Developed
Boomers had to drop off film rolls at photo labs and wait days — sometimes weeks — before seeing their pictures. There were no instant retakes or filters to perfect the shot.
5. Calling a Landline and Hoping Someone Picks Up
With no caller ID or voicemail in early years, calling someone meant hoping they were home — and that they’d actually answer. If not, you’d have to keep trying.
6. Using a TV Guide to Plan Viewing
Boomers couldn’t binge-watch shows on demand. Instead, they relied on printed TV guides to know when their favorite programs aired — missing an episode often meant waiting for a rerun.
7. Waiting for the Radio DJ to Play Your Favorite Song
There was no Spotify or Apple Music. If you wanted to hear a specific song, you’d have to sit by the radio for hours, fingers poised to hit “record” on your cassette player.
8. Typing on a Typewriter
Before word processors, typewriters were the standard. Each mistake required correction tape or starting over — no backspace key to save the day.
9. Memorizing Directions or Using Paper Maps
GPS didn’t exist, so Boomers memorized routes or unfolded massive paper maps for guidance. If you took a wrong turn, you’d better hope someone at a gas station could point you in the right direction.
10. Sharing a Single Family Phone
Many homes had just one landline, meaning privacy during calls was rare. Conversations were often brief, with family members hovering nearby.
11. Using Payphones in Public
Stuck without a phone? Boomers relied on payphones, often digging for coins to make a call. Finding a working one in emergencies could be stressful.
12. Recording TV Shows on VHS Tapes
If you wanted to record your favorite program, you’d need a VCR and enough blank tape. Forgetting to rewind meant wasting time or missing key moments.
13. Reading Newspapers for Breaking News
Without instant notifications, Boomers got their news from newspapers or scheduled TV broadcasts. Missing the evening news often meant waiting until the next day for updates.
14. Writing Letters for Long-Distance Communication
Before emails and instant messaging, staying in touch with distant friends or family meant writing — and waiting weeks for a reply.
15. Waiting in Line to Pay Bills
Boomers didn’t have online banking. Paying bills meant standing in long lines at utility offices, banks, or post offices — often during limited weekday hours.
Conclusion
While many of these habits may seem outdated today, they shaped a generation that learned patience, resourcefulness, and resilience. Though Gen Z may never experience the same challenges, understanding these moments can foster empathy and appreciation across generations.
