Seven Ridiculous Things…

I’m a sucker for lists and I can’t resist clicking on links that want to share The Ten Best Books you’ll read this summer or Six Essential Steps to Financial Security.  I do not care for the advertising trick of enticing readers with a list and then making them click NEXT for each item on the list to maximize their product exposure.  That seems to be the case with most any list that has more than a dozen items.  So I suspected a lot of clicking when I saw ‘40 Things Millennials Wish Boomers Would Stop Doing‘. But I was amused, needed to see the list, and I dove in with my clicking finger at the ready.

I’m aware there have been some heated and confrontational debates between members of the baby boomer generation and the millennial generation.  Some comments (from both sides) that I’ve heard have been pointed and/or mean spirited.  This is not that kind of debate.  I took the list lightly, and my rebuttal on behalf of the Boomers is meant to be light hearted as well. So I present to you my own list – The Seven Most Ridiculous Things from the list of 40 Things Millennials Wish Boomers Would Stop Doing. 

For quick reference…

Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. They’re currently between 57-75 years old 

Millennials, were born between 1981 and 1994/6. They are currently between 25 and 40 years old. 

So here we go.

Article:  If you’re still writing checks in this day and age, you’re clearly stuck in prehistoric times because no one even accepts them anymore. Plus, banking apps process them with real-time photos, and with digital transfers available, we wonder why you’d want to age yourself by writing one.

Me:  I have to agree that checks are becoming a thing of the past, but to say ‘no one even accepts them anymore’ is not a true statement.  I would love for my HOA (home owners association) to accept a credit card number or wire transfer.  It’s not my preferred payment method, but I do have them and I carry some in my purse.  And when a friend and I were Christmas shopping and the store’s internet went down, guess who still was able to make her purchase while others had to leave the store without their goods?  Me, that’s who.

Article:  Socks and sandals.  For the love of all things, why on Earth did anyone ever do this? Boomers, you are responsible, and we’ll never forgive you. The entire point of sandals in the first place is to wear them without socks. Not only do you look ridiculous, but it shows the brain cells are evaporating.

Me: First of all, I totally agree that this is simply an unacceptable practice, but Boomers are not going down for this one.  According to Wikipedia, socks and sandals are a fashion faus pas dating back 2000 years.   Also, referencing the generational definitions I wrote above, tell me which group you think these folks belong to.

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Article:  Especially after the latest pandemic, cruises are going to be a hard sell, but maybe not for the Baby Boomer generation. They were already the target audience before, and that’s because they love endless buffets and not having to walk. We’re almost positive they’ll be the first back.

Me:  Personally, I’m not interested in cruises, but I find this generally true and have no rebuttal.  I included this one for the entertainment value.

Article:  With the ever-growing popularity of body washes replacing traditional barred soaps, it’s no surprise that the only people who still use them are Boomers. These people are stuck in their ways and scents, but the truth is, you get more aroma and bang for your buck with liquid soaps.

Me: I know some folks fear germy bar soap (although that wasn’t mentioned in the objection above) and I understand. I haven’t seen a bar of soap next to a sink in years. I do still use fancy smelly bar soap in the privacy of my own shower. Why does that bother you, Millennial?

Article:  Somehow, the old days of heading to the factory or plant for a laborious 8-hour workday seems asinine, especially after we all got a taste of working from home in 2020. Plus, with the modernity of technology and mental health acknowledgement, we deserve more personal time.

Me:  I’m having trouble sorting out the Millennial objection in this one.  Is it that people work in factories or plants or the “laborious” 8-hour workday?  To use a Millennial quote – For. The. Love.  I’ll let all the people that were producing your toilet paper over the past year know that you’d like them to work fewer hours and to do that from home. 

Article:  Sure, maybe this was all the rage when Boomers were growing up, but if you still use these ugly wallpapers today, you need to have your interior decorating privileges taken away. Wallpaper in general is no longer in style, and most of it looks tacky in more than a small amount. Let’s keep up with the times.

Me: Look at these pictures and decide for yourself.  Point goes to Millennials on this one. Sorry, Laura Ashley.

Article:  Back in the days of pinching pennies and recovering from the great depression, toast became a staple breakfast because it was cheap and simple. Well, fast forward to the present when waffle makers, blenders, and breakfast burritos exist, and it makes us question why they still eat it now.

Me:  Really?  Millennials find toast uncool?  MOH is a huge toast eater.  (That maybe be a case in point.)  He points out that toast is an excellent complimentary food item and pairs well with eggs, peanut butter, cinnamon, jelly, and sausage gravy.  He is NOT a fan of avocados and would not be inclined to put it on toast, but I heretell that some folks do.

40 Uncool Things Boomers Won’t Give Up