14 Things Boomers Did That Gen Z Finds Bizarre
This listicle examines behavior and habits that were once considered completely normal for Baby Boomers but leave Gen Z scratching their heads.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Boomers grew up doing things that seem odd to Gen Z today. They drank from garden hoses, made collect calls, and waited days for photos to be developed. What was once normal now feels strange to younger generations. This list shows just how much everyday life has changed.
1. Drinking From the Hose Was Totally Fine
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Boomers quenched their thirst right from the garden hose, especially during hot summer days. Gen Z, who grew up hearing about water filters and microplastics, often cringes at the thought. However, back then, it was just part of playtime outside.
2. Leaving Kids Home Alone at a Young Age
MART PRODUCTION on Wikimedia Commons
Boomer parents trusted their eight-year-olds to babysit younger siblings for hours. Gen Z grew up in a world of nanny cams and helicopter parenting, making this practice feel reckless. To Boomers, it just built character and independence.
3. Memorizing Phone Numbers
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Boomers could rattle off a dozen phone numbers by heart — friends, family, even pizza joints. Gen Z relies on contact lists and cloud backups for everything. The idea of remembering a number now feels like mental gymnastics.
4. Using Encyclopedias for Homework
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Instead of Googling answers, Boomers flipped through massive encyclopedia sets to find information. Research took hours, not seconds. Gen Z finds this hard to imagine, especially without a search bar.
5. Talking to Strangers on the Bus
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Boomers often struck up conversations with total strangers on public transit or in line at the store. Gen Z usually has headphones in and eyes glued to their phones. Socializing that way now feels rare — and sometimes even uncomfortable.
6. Ironing Everything, Even Jeans
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Boomers grew up ironing clothes for almost every occasion, including denim. For Gen Z, ironing anything at all feels excessive. Wrinkled looks are practically a style now.
7. Smoking in Restaurants
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It was once normal to light up a cigarette while eating in a diner. Gen Z has only ever known smoke-free public spaces. The thought of secondhand smoke at the next table feels shocking now.
8. Wearing Church Clothes to the Airport
Maksim Goncharenok on Pexels
Flying was a big deal for Boomers, and people dressed up in suits and skirts just to board a plane. Gen Z shows up in sweats and hoodies. Airport fashion has undergone a complete 180-degree turn.
9. Waiting Days for Photos to Be Developed
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Boomers had to wait a week or more to see how their photos turned out. Gen Z snaps, filters, and uploads in seconds. The patience it took back then feels like a different kind of hobby.
10. Watching TV as a Family Event
Tima Miroshnichenko on Wikimedia Commons
Boomers scheduled their evenings around favorite TV shows and watched together as a household. Gen Z binges alone on different devices. The idea of one remote and one screen feels almost ceremonial now.
11. Making Collect Calls
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Boomers made long-distance calls by dialing collect and hoping the other person accepted the charges. Gen Z has grown up in a world of free Wi-Fi and messaging apps. The concept of “paying per minute” sounds ancient now.
12. Heating Up Food on the Stove Only
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Microwaves were not always a kitchen staple, so Boomers reheated leftovers the slow way. Gen Z barely waits two minutes for hot food. The idea of using a pan for cold pizza seems like overkill today.
13. Playing Outside Until the Streetlights Came On
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Boomers spent entire afternoons outside without texting their parents even once. Gen Z rarely leaves the house without a phone and a tracking app. The level of freedom sounds wild by today’s standards.
14. Taping Songs Off the Radio
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Boomers made mixtapes by waiting patiently to record songs on cassettes, usually missing the first few seconds. Gen Z builds playlists in seconds on streaming apps. The tape recorder era feels like a puzzle of patience and timing.