In one of our Best of Boomer Blogs, it was brought to light that there is Millennial hate out there. Some of our Boomer bloggers get angry comments from time to time from young people with an axe to grind. Others offer constructive criticism that is worth responding to. A blog post popped up on my phone that mentioned habits that irritate Millennials so I thought I would address them.
1. We don’t always respect their space
Some of us pop in on our kids unannounced. I can see how that would be annoying and I certainly don’t do that. My daughter lives clear across town and it’s a long way to just pop in. If I lived closer, I would text her first because she has me trained. She’s a busy person and probably wouldn’t be there anyway. I would have made the trip for nothing.
When I was young, I didn’t want my parents to stop by either. Chances are I was doing something that would have been embarrassing if they did. It was the 70s after all.
2. We try to talk them into buying homes
Having a house is nice, but it’s a lot of work. I lost one of mine during the financial crisis of 2008 so I can understand why Millennials are not in a hurry to settle down with a white picket fence. My son bought a house but he’s even farther away than my daughter. He’s in the Air Force so it isn’t permanent.
My daughter wants to buy a house because she’s engaged and getting married. She is planning to have a kid or two and is plotting to make me her nanny. If I do that I don’t want to drive back and forth. With my bad experiences owning three houses, I don’t give my kids advice about them.
3. We don’t communicate with them correctly
Are you still sending your millennials emails or heaven forbid, trying to call them on the phone? Even worse, are you printing out website content and sending it to them? Do you know how many trees you just killed?
Millennials do not check their voicemail. They barely know it exists. They don’t call because they don’t want to listen to your goofy voicemail message. Some of them still say “Merry Christmas” when it’s the middle of July.
Get with the program Grandma. Millennials only respond to texts, Instagram, or Facebook chat.
4. We are obsessed with our jobs
That 9-5 job and the loyalty you had for it does not translate to many millennials. We lived to work where as Millennials work to live, at least, according to them. My daughter takes a vacation every chance she gets and I am her permanent pet sitter. Sometimes she takes me along, which I enjoy because she makes way more money than I ever did.
I’ve always worked freelance as an actress and blogger and was never dedicated to just one job, so I guess I’m more millennial at heart. LOL
5. We are not environmentally conscious
Wait a minute! I was at the first Earth Day and joined the Sierra Club right off the bat. I was also indoctrinated into the “Don’t Be a Litterbug” campaign. I recycle and even shop at thrift stores. Okay, maybe I still use tin foil and plastic baggies but I had a diaper-washing service and never used Huggies. No one is perfect. I bring my own shopping bags to the grocery store . . . when I remember to. I am also concerned with climate change and keeping nature wild.
6. We are too concerned over appearances
We have been complaining too much about tattoos and edgy looks and how they make it harder to find jobs. Um. I’m not a fan of tattoos, but I know many Boomers who have them. My main objection is that they will look saggy and fade with age. My son has a full-arm tattoo dedicated to his late dad so how can I complain? My daughter has two small tattoos that are under her clothing. I wasn’t thrilled about them but it’s her body.
Millennials are saying we keep harping at them to dress better in the workplace, but we were the ones who pushed to allow women to wear pants. Now, they make fun of our pantsuits. Many of us have colorful dyed hair to cover up our gray, have piercings, and wear whatever we damn, please.
I never worked a corporate job, so I don’t know that world. My daughter does and she dresses beautifully. She broke the dress code when she was in high school, and her photo made it into the L.A. Times. Her belly button showed a tiny bit, but she didn’t look trampy. They picked her out for the photo because she was cute. We did two talk shows because of it. I defended her clothing choices because the 10” above-the-knee miniskirts with torn textured stockings we wore in high school would have never made the cut.
My take on Millennials vs Boomers
Most of the millennials I know are pretty darn amazing. They have found ways to take technology to new levels even though Boomers invented most of it. They are achieving success in ways we never imagined and living more balanced and happy lives. I know that I have learned enormously from them and I hope they have learned from us.
There will always be some who are angry, resentful, and hurt, possibly because we were a little selfish but what generation doesn’t bitch about their elders?
One day their children will see them as ancient relics and will be complaining about them too. Time rushes by so fast. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were saying “Never trust anyone over 30.” My kids are now in their 30s and I trust them implicitly.
These are all the same generational gripes I had when I was younger. Nothing new here, right?
Not really, no. LOL
I love how Millennials are complaining about Boomers while Zoomers are complaining about them. It never ends. On Instagram, you should check out the hilarious videos of bmotheprince. He is hysterical in all of his videos but especially when he pits Boomers, Gen X, Millenials, and Gen Z against each other.
I’ll check it out. Sounds fun, Jennifer!
I can’t get used to texting for almost everything nowadays. But I realize there is an advantage to short, to-the-point communications. The younger set will always find reasons to criticize their elders.
I have to admit that sometimes texting is easier. It’s more immediate without interrupting someone and goes straight to their phones.
I’m amazed at the different timeline Millennials have these days. In their early 30’s, many with long-term relationships seem in no hurry to get married or have kids. The biological clock that was ticking so loudly for my generation seems to hardly matter to younger people..
I hear you about that, Laurie. They are taking their time. Both of my kids are in their 30s with no grandchildren on the horizon but I’m not in a big hurry either. My son and his wife don’t even want kids. For the meantime, I dog sit for my daughter which I enjoy!
What an interesting read, Rebecca. I guess we must learn to coexist and really appreciate the good things about both generations. I love the way millenials are brave enough to follow their passions. Perhaps, it’s easier to do that these days, but it still takes courage!
You are right about their bravery. Millennials get things done and enjoy life at the same time. It’s very cool to watch and to learn from.