Due to differing perspectives, young people and older generations frequently misunderstand each other regarding values, habits, and life experiences. From communication styles to work ethics, here are 25 aspects that younger generations might not completely understand about their elders.
Using a physical wall calendar
It’s not that they shun online schedulers for managing their appointments. However, a wall calendar appears to have so much more of an official quality. In addition, it aids in fortifying your memory. Research has indicated that students who take notes using pen and paper, as opposed to typing on their laptops, retain more of the information presented in class. It is the same principle that causes elderly people to be attracted to paper calendars.
Not feeling guilty about staying home on a Saturday night
Older people not only do not feel guilty about staying in on weekends, but they also regard every Saturday they manage to avoid going out as a victory. Should you have lived life to the fullest, you will have had plenty of experiences involving dancing until 2 a.m. or drinking with friends until dawn. As you age, you gain the privilege of turning down social events in favor of your favorite Netflix series and a bowl of popcorn.
Power walking at the mall before it opens
For old people, a not-yet-open mall is like a private walking trail where the scenery is a veritable forest of empty Gaps, Macaroni Grills, and Jamba Juice. A mall at dawn can be a remarkably peaceful place, as we all eventually learn when we reach old age and we’re looking for someplace safe to exercise at 6 a.m.
Reminiscing about the glory days
The elderly enjoy reminiscing about their idyllic childhoods, where they could run wild and take risks without the intervention of overprotective parents, and always drank from the garden hose. The phrase “drinking from the hose” has come to symbolize the carefree innocence of childhood—an experience that, it seems, children today will not have.
Taking naps
Everyone should be taking more naps, but for old people, it’s not just an occasional guilty pleasure. They take naps like it’s their job like they’re being paid to do it.
Wearing uncomfortably high pants (and showing your socks)
Explanations have been heard that older people wear their pants well above the waist due to muscle loss as they age. Die einst perfekt sitzende Kleidung ist nun so sackartig wie eine Charlie-Chaplin-Hose. That might be partly true, or perhaps the torsos of elderly people are simply diminishing in size.
Getting up early when they don’t have to
It’s an odd irony that as you age and have fewer responsibilities, you become more inclined to get up early. No matter how long ago the children left home, and no matter how many years of happy retirement the older person has enjoyed, he or she will still be awake and dressed before dawn every morning.
Having a landline
People over 50 rarely abandon landlines entirely, be it due to a lack of WiFi and the necessity for AOL (which seniors also adore) or the concern of “What if there’s an emergency?” There’s no need to explain why having a mobile phone would be more advantageous in an emergency, or that the majority of landline calls are from aggressive salespeople and bill collectors.
Wearing house slippers
Mr. Rogers shared the habit of changing out of his shoes and into a comfy pair of house slippers upon entering with others. After a long day of walking on hard surfaces, or even just going outside to get the newspaper, seniors appreciate the cozy, warm foot embrace that slippers provide.
Caring more about checking their mailbox than checking their email
Though email might be quicker, it can never rival the excitement of getting a real paper letter. If it’s in handwriting, that’s even better. It requires both time and effort to write a letter, not only in composing it, but also in delivering it to the post office, purchasing a stamp, and ensuring it goes into the correct mail slot.
Playing bingo
For those who have spare time, bingo might appear to be a languid game. However, this is not the case. It can be filled with drama, featuring more suspenseful twists and turns and a greater emphasis on strategy than one might anticipate.
Ignoring the GPS
The majority of elderly people are in agreement that GPS devices have been designed by individuals lacking a sense of direction. Moreover, systems like these are definitely unaware of the shortcuts that every elderly individual has spent a lifetime mastering.
Being able to write in cursive
Cursive is becoming a lost art, but old people refuse to let it go quietly into the night. They’ll write in cursive whenever possible when signing a check, writing a letter, or even just leaving a note on a Post-It.
Still using Facebook
Not only are older adults still using one of the earliest social media platforms, but they are also enthusiastic users. Whether it’s pictures of children and grandchildren, links to news articles (often “news” stories), and sometimes even memes, they simply can’t get enough of Facebook.
Drinking tea
A cup or two won’t cut it. Senior people drink enough tea in an average day to fill several bathtubs. And now you know why they’re up all night for repeat visits to the bathroom.
Going on a cruise
Everything about a luxury cruise ship caters to older adults: the endless buffets, the corny shows, the shuffleboard, and the plethora of complaints (rooms are too small, lines are too long, the sun is too intense). Essentially, it is a paradise for older individuals.
Being obsessive about the weather
As a youth, you can get by with just a broad understanding of the day-to-day weather. For instance, will you require a jacket and snow boots, or merely a pair of shorts? However, seniors seem to require more specifics and prefer to receive updates on an hourly basis, or, in light of the seriousness of the weather, every couple of minutes.
Taking photos of people and things besides themselves
An elderly person takes a photo to capture a particular moment or experience, be it the joy of being with loved ones or the chance to see a beautiful place they may never return to. They seldom take selfies, if at all, and when they do, it’s from an angle that doesn’t flatter them.
Wearing a jacket even when it’s not cold outside
You may believe that 70 degrees is not jacket weather, but older individuals have varying definitions of what is considered cold. With age, the blood vessel walls begin to lose their elastic properties, leading to reduced circulation and a quicker onset of cold sensations. Honor your elders and keep that thermostat turned up, will you?
Eating dinner at 5 p.m.
Many eateries and diners offer senior discounts or blue plate specials, allowing older patrons to enjoy meals at significantly reduced prices. With age, you will come to love a good deal and grasp the appeal of saving money, finishing dinner while daylight lingers on, and having several hours left in the day.
Leaving voicemails
These days, when a young person makes a call that goes to voicemail, they simply end the call. In case of urgency, they will send a text. However, elderly people do not find this meaningful. If they have something to communicate, they will record a lengthy and yes, possibly meandering message on your voicemail. And they think you will hear all of it.
Watching movies from another century
When an elderly person is offered the choice of viewing either a recent superhero hit or a black-and-white film featuring Humphrey Bogart or Clark Gable, they will invariably opt for the latter. An older person will never be wowed by Avengers: Infinity War in the same way they are after seeing The Maltese Falcon for the 100th time.
Ignoring the latest trends
No matter what is in vogue this season, you can be sure that the elderly will not be emulating them. Trends may change over time, but for older individuals, a pair of khaki chinos will always be the more comfortable option. And yes, they are aware of the Saturday Night Live commercial parody of “mom jeans,” and they genuinely don’t mind if you’re mocking them.
