Watch Your Words
These days, boomers are often the center of rude commentary or memes that have been amplified by social media. Even if they're not true, boomers are likely tired of being the punchline and being disrespected. After all, no one likes being the target of a joke. So while you might not intend for something to be hurtful, it might not be taken the way you intended it to. Here are 20 everyday comments and situations that hurt a boomer's feelings.
1. “OK Boomer” Said Like It’s the End of the Conversation
Maybe it's just meant as a lighthearted jab, but hearing this can make seniors feel like you’ve decided they’re not worth listening to. Even if you meant it as a joke, it just sounds like dismissal. If you want the conversation to continue, take them seriously and don't use a phrase that has been turned negative by social media.
2. Calling Them “Out of Touch” Over One Opinion
You might think you’re commenting on a single point, but saying this one phrase comes out like you’re judging their whole life. Many boomers take pride in being practical and informed, even if their sources differ from yours. If you label them outdated, it just makes them feel lesser than.
3. Laughing at Their Typing or Tech Habits
Getting used to anything takes time and practice. If you smirk at how boomers text or how long they take to find an app, it comes off way meaner than you might've intended. Don't rub it in, they know you’re faster, and they don’t need it highlighted. Most people already don’t enjoy feeling clumsy in front of someone else.
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4. Treating Their Work History Like It Doesn’t Count
When you imply their work and lifestyle “was easier back then,” it can sound like you’re erasing all their hard work and effort. It doesn't help that many boomers often tie identity to work and responsibility, so this hits a nerve. Even if times were different, they still dealt with stress, bosses, and hard decisions.
5. Joking That They’re “Basically Retired” Even If They Aren’t
Age jokes never land the way you want them too, in fact, they often come out so much harsher than they sound in your head. These land even more poorly when someone’s still working, parenting, or caring for family. It just simply sounds like you're disrespecting them and what they do.
6. Saying Their Advice Is “Just How It Used to Be”
If someone's giving you advice, don't be mean about it! Calling a boomer's tips and tricks outdated puts their experience in a dusty box. They may feel they’re offering something useful and you’re refusing to consider it. Even when advice is outdated, the intention is often sincere and should be treated politely.
7. Correcting Their Terminology in Front of Other People
Honestly, this has nothing to do with age but just plain manners. Public correction for anyone can feel incredibly embarrassing, even when the mistake is small. It’s not always about being right, it’s about being respected. A quiet correction later is usually received much better.
8. Calling Them “Sensitive” When They React
People react to things in their own way, and boomers are no different. If you hurt their feelings or they feel bothered by something you said, don't call them "sensitive" in a hurtful way. It just suggests that their feelings don't matter and are being overlooked. Many boomers were raised to keep emotions controlled, so being called sensitive can feel insulting.
9. Comparing Their Parenting to Today’s Standards
Parenting norms change, but that doesn’t make earlier efforts worthless. There's always something you can learn from everyone. If you talk like they “messed everyone up,” they’ll probably get defensive and for good reason! Just because times were different doesn't mean their parenting was bad; it was responsible and normal at the time.
10. Mocking Their Taste in Music, TV, or Movies
Even casual jokes about “old people entertainment” can hit a nerve. Nostalgia is personal, and it often connects to memories of friends, milestones, and identity. If you treat it like a joke, they may feel you’re laughing at them, not the media. Besides, classics in TV, music, and movies are some of the most amazing pieces of entertainment around, which shows your immaturity, not theirs.
11. Acting Like They Don’t Understand Basic Social Issues
Plenty of boomers have lived through major social change and have strong views shaped by experience. In fact, they likely went through more than you have in your own life so far! When you assume they’re clueless, it's just insulting and lazy.
12. Telling Them They’re “Hoarding” Opportunities or Wealth
Blaming boomers for withholding wealth or opportunities is simply a selfish thought. It's a very personal accusation that doesn't take into consideration their efforts and hard work. If you want to discuss inequality, blaming individuals rarely goes well.
13. Suggesting They’re a Burden Because of Health or Aging
Anything to do with health is always personal and sensitive, so commenting about it in a way that's inappropriate or careless is all on you. You should never make someone feel anxious about their health or aging, which happens to everyone. No one deserves to feel like a burden.
14. Rolling Your Eyes at Their News Sources
If you sneer at their preferred channels, papers, or radio, it can feel like you’re insulting their judgment. Media trust is a sensitive topic, and nobody likes being told they’re gullible. Boomers often see their sources as reliable and familiar. Instead of attacking, approach the topic gently and respectfully before explaining your own approach if you disagree with theirs.
15. Treating Them Like They’re Bad With Money by Default
Claiming boomers are naturally bad with money is making an assumption with no basis. In fact, many seniors often take pride in budgeting, saving, and paying bills on time. If you assume they don’t understand modern costs, you're being patronizing for no reason. If they do need help, offer it in a thoughtful, genuine way.
16. Calling Their Hobbies “Pointless” or “Old-Fashioned”
Whether it’s gardening, woodworking, church groups, or knitting, these are simply hobbies anyone can have and there's nothing old-fashioned about them. People are always allowed to enjoy what they like, and if you don’t share the interest, you can still show basic respect.
17. Talking Like “Kids These Days” Are Automatically Better
Society is constantly changing and there's no reason to pit one era against another. If you imply younger people are smarter and kinder by default, that hurts! Boomers will hear it as if you're saying their generation failed and yours is here to fix them.
18. Turning Every Conversation Into a Lecture
If you slip into teacher mode, your tone matters. Many boomers don’t mind learning, but they do mind it if it sounds like they're being talked down to like a baby. Even if you're in the right, teaching with respect is what matters more.
19. Dismissing Their Military, Civic, or Community Service
You should never shrug off anyone's service to their country. If you brush it off as “not a big deal” just because of their age, you're not only denying their contribution, but you're just being a terrible person.. Even if you don’t share the same values, those efforts mattered to them and to many others, too.
20. Acting Like Their Time Is Less Valuable Than Yours
Everyone deserves to be treated with an equal amount of respect. When you signal impatience to boomers, it can feel like you’re saying you're better than them. Their day is just as important as yours, so you should never act entitled as if you matter more. That goes for anyone.
