I was at the grocery store the other day, carefully counting out exact change at the register, when I noticed the cashier smiling at something on her phone after I left. Later that evening, I stumbled across a TikTok compilation called “Boomers Being Boomers in Public” and—well, let’s just say I recognized some familiar behaviors.
Look, I’m not saying we’re doing anything wrong. Gen Z has turned everyday moments into comedy gold, and apparently, we’re the stars of the show.
So here are nine perfectly normal things those of us in our sixties and seventies do that somehow end up going viral.
1. Paying with exact change
This one sends them into orbit. We stand at the register, methodically counting out pennies, nickels, and dimes to hit the precise amount while a line forms behind us and everyone taps their credit cards impatiently.
We actually enjoy using cash. It’s tangible. We can see what we’re spending. Simple as that.
To Gen Z, watching us sort through our wallets is apparently peak entertainment. They film it like a nature documentary: “And here we observe the Boomer in its natural habitat, carefully extracting coins from the depths of its purse.”
2. Reading restaurant menus out loud
“Hmm, the salmon looks good. But so does the chicken. What are you having, dear? Maybe I’ll get the soup as a starter.”
Apparently, we do this constantly. And it’s TikTok gold.
I didn’t even realize until my grandson pointed it out. We process information by talking through it—that’s how we make decisions. To younger folks at nearby tables, it’s hilarious enough to record and share with millions.
3. Asking store employees where everything is
Walk into any hardware store with me, and I’ll ask someone for directions. Every single time. Even if massive signs hang from the ceiling pointing the way.
Why? It’s more efficient than wandering around, and honestly, it’s nice to have a conversation with another human being. Novel concept, I know.
Gen Z finds this baffling. They’d rather spend twenty minutes searching on their own than ask for help. And when we do ask, phones appear like magic to capture the moment.
4. Taking photos with an iPad
Okay, I’ll admit this one is genuinely funny. Something about holding up a ten-inch tablet to photograph a sunset makes younger people lose their minds.
But the screen is bigger. The pictures look clearer when we review them. We can actually see what we’re photographing without squinting at a phone the size of a playing card.
I’ve seen the TikToks—rows of us at concerts or tourist attractions, iPads raised high, blocking everyone’s view. Fair point. We look ridiculous.
5. Calling customer service instead of using the app
Need to change a reservation? Track a package? Report a problem? We pick up the phone and call.
This makes younger generations want to pull their hair out. They’ve watched us sit on hold for forty-five minutes when we could’ve resolved everything in two minutes on an app.
But talking to a real person means we understand the situation correctly. Apps are confusing. Buttons lead to more buttons. We want confirmation from another human being that everything’s sorted out.
6. Struggling with self-checkout machines
“Unexpected item in bagging area.” This phrase haunts my dreams.
I can build furniture, fix a leaky faucet, and program a VCR—wait, bad example. But these self-checkout machines defeat me every single time.
The TikToks are merciless. They film us frantically waving for help, repeatedly scanning items that won’t register, or accidentally hitting the Spanish language button and panicking. One video I saw had over a million views just showing a man my age trying to find the button to continue after paying. For three minutes.
7. Printing out emails and online articles
My printer gets more use in a week than most people’s get in a year. Confirmation emails? Printed. Interesting articles? Printed. Recipes from the internet? Definitely printed.
Having a physical copy feels more secure. Plus, you can make notes in the margins. Try doing that on your phone without looking like you’re doodling.
Younger people find this wasteful and hilarious in equal measure. “Why are you killing trees to print out a meme?” one TikTok asked, showing a grandmother at a coffee shop with a stack of printed Facebook posts.
8. Leaving voicemails instead of texting
“Hi, it’s Dad. Just calling to see how you’re doing. Give me a call when you get a chance. Okay, bye. This is Dad, by the way.”
Sound familiar? No one under forty listens to voicemail anymore. They see a missed call from us and immediately text: “What’s up?”
We’re not wired that way. A voicemail feels personal. We hear each other’s voices, pick up on tone. A text that says “call me” feels urgent and vaguely ominous.
9. Using GPS at full volume with the window down
This one hit close to home. Last week I was driving through town with my GPS announcing directions loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear. Windows down, NPR on the radio, and a robotic voice yelling “IN FIVE HUNDRED FEET, TURN LEFT” over everything.
I didn’t see the problem until I spotted someone filming me at a stoplight. Apparently, we’re supposed to glance at the screen instead of relying entirely on voice directions. And maybe—just maybe—we don’t need the volume quite that loud.
But when you’re driving, you can’t always look at the phone safely. The voice needs to be loud enough to hear over traffic. It’s practical, not ridiculous.
Final thoughts
I don’t mind being TikTok famous. Well, I mind a little. But mostly it’s kind of funny when you think about it.
Every generation has its quirks. Gen Z will have theirs too—in fact, they already do. One day, their kids will be filming them doing whatever the 2050 equivalent of these behaviors will be.
So laugh if you want. Film away. At least we’re keeping life interesting.
And who knows? Maybe I’ll figure out how to use TikTok myself one of these days. Then you’ll really have something to film.
