Ever notice how some everyday habits that once felt totally normal now land… a little weird? Not wrong. Not bad. Just out of sync with how life moves today.

I see this most when tech, communication, and social norms collide. Boomers grew up mastering one world, and today’s culture runs on a completely different operating system. IMO, that gap explains a lot of those “Wait, why do they do that?” moments.

Let’s talk about 12 little habits boomers do that can feel out of step today, why they happen, and why they sometimes cause quiet friction in modern life.

Calling Every Site “Google”

I’ve lost count of how many times someone has said, “I saw it on Google,” when they meant Facebook, YouTube, or a random website.

This habit comes from Google becoming shorthand for the internet itself. Back when the web felt massive and confusing, Google acted like the front door. That mental shortcut stuck.

Today, though, platforms matter. Where information comes from changes everything. A TikTok clip, a Reddit thread, and a medical website don’t carry the same weight, even if Google helped you find them.

When boomers call every site “Google,” a few things happen:

• It blurs source credibility
• It makes fact-checking harder
• It frustrates people who rely on platform context

Younger users naturally separate sources. They ask, “Was that from a news outlet or a comment section?” That distinction feels critical now.

I don’t think this habit shows ignorance. It shows how fast the internet evolved. Still, calling everything “Google” today can make conversations feel vague or outdated.

Leaving Voicemails for Quick Updates

Voicemail feels polite and thoughtful to a lot of boomers. I get it. You speak clearly, explain yourself fully, and avoid confusion.

But in today’s communication culture, voicemail feels heavy.

If the message says, “Running five minutes late,” a voicemail adds friction. Now someone has to stop, open their phone, listen, and process. A text does the same job instantly.

Here’s why voicemails feel out of step now:

• They interrupt instead of inform
• They require more effort to access
• They slow down fast decisions

Most people treat voicemail as something reserved for:

• Emergencies
• Legal matters
• Emotional conversations

When someone leaves voicemails for everyday updates, it can feel unintentionally demanding. FYI, many younger people ignore voicemail completely unless a notification looks urgent.

Boomers value voice because it feels human. Modern communication values efficiency. Neither approach is wrong — they just clash.

Writing Texts Like Formal Emails

You know the ones. Full sentences. Proper punctuation. A polite sign-off.

“Hello. I hope you are doing well. Please let me know your availability. Kind regards.”

That style comes from decades of professional communication norms, and it makes sense. Writing carefully once meant respect.

Now? It can feel stiff or overly serious in casual spaces.

Texting today favors:

• Short bursts
• Casual tone
• Quick back-and-forth

When boomers write texts like emails, readers sometimes assume:

• Something serious is happening
• The sender feels upset
• A formal response is required

I’ve seen people panic over perfectly kind messages just because they felt too official. That’s wild, but it’s real.

The shift doesn’t mean politeness disappeared. It means context changed. Texting now mirrors spoken conversation more than written letters.

Asking for “The App” for Every Website

This habit cracks me up, honestly.

“Do they have an app for that?”
“Where’s the app?”
“I need to download the app.”

Boomers learned tech during the app explosion, when apps felt safer, clearer, and easier than websites. Apps felt official.

Today, though, apps often create:

• Storage clutter
• Notification overload
• Unnecessary logins

Modern users frequently prefer mobile sites unless an app offers something special. Things like banking, navigation, or editing tools make sense as apps. Reading an article? Not always.

This habit can feel out of step because web design improved dramatically. Mobile sites now load fast, save preferences, and work smoothly.

Apps aren’t automatically better anymore. They’re just different.

Sharing Headlines Without Checking the Source

This one causes real tension.

Boomers often share headlines because headlines once came from trusted gatekeepers. Newspapers, TV stations, and publishers filtered information carefully.

Now, anyone can write a headline.

Sharing without checking:

• Spreads misinformation
• Sparks unnecessary fear
• Damages trust

Younger users grow up learning to question everything:

• Who posted this?
• Why now?
• What’s the incentive?

When boomers share headlines at face value, it can feel careless, even if the intent stays good. Most of the time, they want to help or warn others.

The internet changed faster than trust habits did. That mismatch shows up loudest right here.

Using “Call Me” as the Default Plan

“Just call me.”

Boomers love phone calls because calls once meant clarity. No misunderstandings. No tone confusion. You solved things in one go.

Today, many people see calls as:

• Intrusive
• Time-consuming
• Emotionally draining

Texts allow flexibility. You answer when ready. Calls demand immediate attention.

When boomers default to calling, it can feel like pressure, not connection. Especially for younger people who manage work, social life, and mental energy digitally.

Calls still matter — just not for everything.

Posting Personal Details in Public Comments

Boomers often treat comment sections like conversations, not permanent records.

They’ll post:

• Phone numbers
• Addresses
• Family details
• Travel plans

This habit comes from offline thinking. If you say something aloud, it disappears. Online, it doesn’t.

Younger users instinctively protect personal data. They understand how easily information spreads and gets misused.

Posting personal details publicly now feels risky, not friendly. That shift happened quietly, and many people never received the memo.

Treating Office Hours Like a Fixed Rule

Boomers respect structure. Office hours once defined professionalism.

9 to 5 meant availability. Outside that window, work stopped.

Today’s work culture bends:

• Remote teams
• Flexible schedules
• Global collaboration

Treating office hours as rigid can feel outdated now. People work in bursts, not blocks.

The work still gets done — just differently.

Commenting on Bodies as Small Talk

This one gets uncomfortable fast.

Comments like:

• “You’ve gained weight”
• “You look tired”
• “You look so thin now”

Boomers often see these as neutral observations. Body talk used to count as casual conversation.

Today, people understand how deeply body comments affect self-image and mental health. Silence often shows more respect.

Intent doesn’t erase impact. That’s why this habit feels especially out of step now.

Treating Mental Health as a Private Topic Only

Boomers grew up when privacy equaled strength. You handled issues quietly.

Now, openness reduces stigma. People talk about anxiety, burnout, and therapy openly.

Avoiding mental health conversations can feel dismissive today, even when meant respectfully.

Younger generations value shared understanding over silent endurance.

Buying Tech Without Reading Reviews First

Boomers often trust brands or salespeople. That approach worked when options stayed limited.

Today, reviews save time, money, and frustration.

Skipping reviews can feel reckless now because:

• Products vary wildly
• Marketing exaggerates
• Real users reveal flaws

Research became part of buying culture. Ignoring it feels old-school.

Assuming Online Slang Stays the Same

Language moves fast online. Really fast.

Boomers sometimes learn slang once and stick with it. Unfortunately, slang evolves or flips meaning entirely.

Using outdated slang can:

• Sound awkward
• Change intent
• Signal generational distance

Online language refreshes constantly. Keeping up takes effort — and humility.

Final Thoughts

These habits don’t make boomers wrong. They make them human.

Every generation carries behaviors shaped by its world. The friction shows up when that world changes faster than habits can keep up.

If anything, noticing these little mismatches helps all of us communicate better — with more patience, clarity, and humor.

Next time one of these moments pops up, pause before judging. Chances are, it’s just history bumping into modern life.