Walking through Costco with my parents last month was like visiting another planet. While I rushed through with my list, they moved slowly and deliberately, like they knew something I didn’t. Watching them shop was fascinating—every move had a purpose I couldn’t quite grasp.
Boomers have created their own Costco culture that younger generations completely miss. We see bulk shopping. They see an entire lifestyle.
1. They arrive 30 minutes early and actually wait
The Costco parking lot at 9:30 AM is all Boomers. They sit in their cars reading newspapers or chatting through rolled-down windows. It’s not about beating crowds—Saturdays are packed no matter what. It’s about something else.
For them, being first through those doors is a small victory of planning ahead. They remember when stores actually ran out of things. Those thirty minutes aren’t wasted—they’re part of the ritual. Plus, they’ve already had their coffee and don’t have screaming kids in the backseat.
2. They treat sample stations like social events
Watch a Boomer at the sample station. They don’t grab and go. They chat with the sample person about cooking tips, share their own recipes, ask about ingredients. I take a sample in three seconds. They turn it into a five-minute conversation.
This isn’t about free food—it’s their version of social connection. They plan their route based on sample timing, circle back for seconds while catching up with strangers. Those tiny paper cups have become their coffee break, their happy hour, their neighborhood chat.
3. They buy reading glasses in bulk
The pharmacy section shows pure Boomer logic: reading glasses purchased like toilet paper. Three pairs at 1.5 strength, three more at 2.0. We don’t get it because we haven’t reached the age where glasses mysteriously disappear.
They’ve learned that struggling to see small print is inevitable and readers vanish constantly. One pair stays in the car, one by the bed, one in the kitchen, two lost in the couch, one in the garage. Buying bulk isn’t crazy—it’s accepting reality.
4. They inspect every rotisserie chicken like it’s a diamond
Choosing a chicken takes them forever. They check the weight, the color, how much juice is in the container. They look at every timestamp. They’ll move ten chickens to get the one in back.
This comes from years of feeding families on tight budgets. That chicken isn’t just dinner—it’s tomorrow’s sandwiches, Thursday’s soup, Friday’s chicken salad. We grab and go. They see four meals in one bird.
5. They know every employee personally
My dad knows his Costco employees better than I know my neighbors. He knows who’s putting kids through college, who just had a grandchild, who’s dealing with health issues. These aren’t just friendly chats—they’re real relationships.
This actually helps them shop. Employees tell them when shipments arrive or where items moved. But mostly, it’s about staying connected to people in a world that’s increasingly impersonal. They’re not networking—they’re just being human.
6. They fill up gas when the tank is mostly full
Every Costco trip includes gas, even if they don’t need it. Tank’s three-quarters full? If the line isn’t crazy, they’re stopping. It’s not really about saving thirty cents per gallon.
They lived through gas shortages we only see in old photos. Running low on gas makes them nervous. So they’d rather wait fifteen minutes now than risk needing gas somewhere expensive later. To them, a full tank means security.
7. They study the coupon book like it’s important mail
That monthly coupon book gets serious attention. They highlight items, make notes, plan trips around sales. Yes, there’s an app. No, they don’t want it.
This isn’t about avoiding technology—it’s about the satisfaction of planning on paper. Crossing off items feels good. Circling deals is oddly calming. They’ve turned bargain hunting into something almost meditative.
8. They buy Christmas gifts in July
In summer, you’ll find Boomers buying holiday decorations and toys that won’t be needed for months. We think they’re shopping way too early. They think they’re being smart.
They know Costco’s inventory is unpredictable. That perfect gift might never come back. So their garages become storage units, with presents bought and wrapped by August. It’s not paranoia—it’s planning based on experience. While we’re stressed in December, they’re relaxing with hot chocolate.
Final thoughts
These Costco habits aren’t weird—they’re responses to a different world. Boomers learned to shop when things actually ran out, when one income fed a family, when stores were also social spaces.
What looks like overkill to us is just smart shopping to them. They’ve turned Costco into something more than a store—it’s entertainment, social club, and treasure hunt rolled into one. While we race through with our efficiency apps, they’re enjoying a two-hour experience that includes friends, exercise, and free snacks.
The question isn’t why they shop this way, but what we might be missing. Their Costco rituals seem strange until you realize they’ve found what we’re all looking for: community, purpose, and really cheap reading glasses.
Next time you see them waiting at 9:30 AM, they’re not just being early. They’re living their best Costco life.
