Surprising Boomer Opinions Younger Women Now Share
"I want dumber things. I don't need a fridge that will connect to my phone. I don't need a microwave that will generate recipes and shit. I just want things to do their basic functions without needing the internet and your personal data."
"RSVPs. People either don't RSVP at all anymore, or they do, but then they end up being no-shows who don't reach out to say anything about what happened. Then, they act like nothing's wrong when you see them later, because in their mind, that's true. It's not everyone, but it's a lot of people, increasingly more each year, or so it seems. It's frustrating, especially for anything that requires planning ahead and requires money and/or time."
"I was in the mood to watch a specific movie a few weeks ago, and none of the streaming services I subscribe to had it available (at least not without an extra charge). It made me want to dig out the box of DVDs and the player stashed in the basement. At least I paid for that stuff and still own it."
"I hate using my phone for a restaurant menu, and I hate the over-computerization of everything. Not everything in your car needs to be a screen. Analog dash is superior in every way."
"I like my appliances to be objects, not robots. I HATE talking to machines. Although many boomers love this stuff. My dad is obsessed with smart home stuff."
"Concerts are better when nobody has a phone."
"Stop making everything a subscription! I just want access to said thing without having to sign up or pay another ridiculous fee. I also don't want to pay an absurd amount for something, and then have to pay more on top of that to have access to said thing. I'm so over it."
"Bring back real telephones, with real landlines. Something with good audio quality that doesn't depend on a WiFi signal. Cellphone/internet phones have terrible voice quality."
"Not everything needs to be a fucking app. We have something called web browsers that can take you to literally any website in existence. Websites did not need to be disrupted with shitty mobile versions deliberately designed with a fucking awful UX, forcing you to download the app. WEBSITES WERE FINE AS THEY WERE."
"I really do worry about children raised on screens. The emerging data is frightening, so it's not 'just whining.' The level of dopamine their minds are accustomed to is an easy pathway to early addiction, because normative, natural stimulation can't generate enough dopamine to meet their tolerance threshold."
"Social media has largely hindered people's ability to socialize in healthy, meaningful ways."
"Sometimes a phone call is just easier. You can go back and forth on text, or knock out your plans in a two-minute call. You can try to navigate a website, or you can call the business and have your question answered quickly. Also, online shopping doesn't work for everything. I want to sit on the couch. I want to lie on the mattress. I want to feel the rug under my feet. I don't want to order something substantial from a website sight-unseen and then have it not be what I expected when it shows up, and then have to figure out how to get it back where it came from."
"I really hate AI bots for customer service, and that you can't easily call the companies anymore when something is wrong with an order, for example."
"The live music in restaurants is too loud."
"'How did we do?!' surveys for EVERYTHING. The doctor's office, after I get a mammogram, the pharmacy, Amazon, and literally anywhere I've visited or spent money. I realize I'm not obligated to do them, but the emails and texts are relentless."
"I don't want to give a phone number or email to every place I shop at. Stop asking me. Yes, I do have a junk email, but should I really have to have a junk email? No. Also, self-checkout should not be the default. I like that it's an option, but especially at grocery stores, it just makes more sense to go through a real line, especially if I have a full cart of groceries."
"I want to own things. I don't want to subscribe for life."
"I want to speak to a representative! I don't want to go through your self-service phone menu. Yes, I know you have a website, but I'm calling for a reason: to speak to a human being."
"Food items that are 'app exclusive.' Chipotle, if you already have all the ingredients for the quesadillas, why can I only order them in the app? Why can't I just order them at the counter?"
"I don't get why people are so averse to phone calls. There is little to no way to foster meaningful relationships with people entirely over text. You're not hearing someone's voice, emotional vocal tics, or cues, but you think you're bonding over words on a page. It makes zero sense to me."
"The way I want to convert to a '90s lifestyle is so strong. I want a house phone. I want a dumb mobile phone. I want TV shows only at a specific time once a week (which I know is probably available now, but cable is more expensive than internet and streaming services 😩). I want to be inaccessible sometimes without worrying others. I want a desktop computer in the living room so everyone can see what you're doing over your shoulder, and it's considered rude if you're glued to tech in the presence of others. I write all this from my smartphone and as a person who works in tech who drastically wants to sever ties with tech in my personal life 😩."
And: "Please chat with me about the weather. Smiling and having a pleasant chat with a customer or neighbor doesn't hurt anyone. People are all too busy for each other these days, and it's a shame. I don't want to subscribe to everything, but I have a bunch of apps. Yes, I would like a window crank in my car. You don't always have to express everything you're feeling at every moment to everyone. There's a time and a place for expressing yourself in certain ways, and it's okay to have manners or fit into different social environments. It's not special or impressive to not like what is popular. It just sounds like you don't know how to relax and have fun."
What's your most Boomer-ish opinion? Tell us in the comments or share anonymously using this form.
Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mother-in-Law Says Grandmas 'Can Do What They Want.' Mom Says She Won't Be Babysitting Anymore
After repeatedly ignoring basic rules with her newborn, one woman says her mother-in-law is no longer welcomed to babysitNEED TO KNOW A mom set clear rules for her newborn, but her mother-in-law had other ideas A simple request turned into a months-long power struggle Now, she's drawing a line, and not everyone in the family agreesA woman looks to the Reddit community for advice following a tense fallout with her mother-in-law over a series of ignored boundaries with her newborn daughter. In a heartfelt post titled 'AITA for not allowing my MIL to babysit anymore?' she shares the details of a situation that has left her feeling disrespected and unheard. 'From the moment my baby was born, I was very clear about the basic boundaries I had with the baby,' the new mom writes. Her requests were simple: no kissing, wash hands before touching the baby and ask before taking the baby from her arms. She describes how she and her husband were living with his mother shortly after their baby girl was born, hoping for some extra support. But instead of feeling supported, she says, her boundaries were crossed 'within the first week after the baby was born.' Despite clearly explaining her expectations, she says her mother-in-law refused to listen. 'She responded with 'I'm the grandma and grandmas can do what they want,' ' the mom reveals, adding that this attitude only continued. She notes that she and her husband both spoke to his mother multiple times, attempting to reinforce the importance of their rules. But instead of improving, the situation escalated as her MIL 'completely disregarded our rules and continued to [ignore] them.' In addition to boundary violations, she says her mother-in-law started referring to the baby in a way that made her deeply uncomfortable. 'She also began to call our child 'her child,' ' she writes, explaining that her MIL would reach for the baby, saying, 'Give me my child.' These moments were not taken lightly by the new mom, who says the behavior 'made me very uncomfortable.' She also shares that each time she and her husband addressed the issue, it 'would continue to become defensive and start big arguments.' Feeling overwhelmed and increasingly isolated, the couple decided to make a major change. 'After our baby turned 2 months old, we moved out of state due to my husband's military assignment,' she explains. But the space didn't end the tension. Soon after the move, her MIL began making plans to visit and babysit, which led to the mom putting her foot down. 'I've told her and my husband that I don't feel comfortable with her babysitting anymore,' she says. Her reasoning was clear: 'Until she can respect the rules and boundaries I've had in place and until she can respect me as a mother, I no longer want her in my home.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Reddit post ends with a direct question to the community: 'So, AITA for saying these things?' And the comments come pouring in with strong support for her stance. One commenter writes, 'This is just a sign of much worse to come,' warning her not to let her mother-in-law take away precious memories from this time in her life. 'Don't let her rob you of what's supposed to be happy times that you'll never get back.' Another user echoes the sentiment and applauds her strength in taking a stand. 'Not overreacting,' they say. 'I think it's good you are setting these boundaries now.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Teen Decides to Eat at His Favorite Restaurant for His Birthday. His Parents Say He Should've Catered to His Brother
A teen finally gets his dream birthday dinner, but it leads to fights, blame, and a battle over family favoritismNEED TO KNOW A 16-year-old chooses his favorite restaurant for his birthday dinner after years of being denied it His younger brother, who usually gets his way, sulks and insults the restaurant, causing a family fight The teen is blamed by his parents, leading him to ask Reddit if he was wrong for finally picking a place he enjoysA teen seeks support from the Reddit community following a birthday dinner that sparked family tension and exposed deeper issues of favoritism. In a post, the 16-year-old explains how what should have been a joyful celebration turned into yet another reminder of how his family dynamics leave him feeling second best. 'My parents never let me eat at my favorite restaurant when we celebrate my birthday or other stuff,' he writes. 'My brother doesn't like the food there and they say any celebration needs to include stuff we all like.' But he points out a double standard that's hard to ignore. 'We always eat at his favorite place,' he says, even though it's a 'really small pizza shop' where the food is, in his words, 'awful.' 'I should like some of the stuff but it tastes so gross,' he continues. 'I'm not the only person who thinks so either but since my brother loves it they don't care if I hate the food there.' There have been times when he's had nothing but water during meals there. On other occasions, he's forced himself to eat and ended up feeling sick afterward. His dad even gets stomach issues from the food, but still goes along with it to please his younger son. Meanwhile, none of the 16-year-old's top choices are ever seriously considered — even on his birthday. 'They always go with choices I'm just okay with because my brother likes them,' he shares. 'I have tried telling them I don't like those restaurants anymore and they say I can find something but none of my top five places work for my brother.' Meals out only happen for special occasions like birthdays, graduations or really good report cards. Still, even on those rare outings, the family always defaults to places that cater to his brother's preferences. So when his grandparents came to visit in June, right around his birthday, he saw a rare opportunity to actually celebrate his way. They asked him privately where he wanted to go, and he didn't hesitate. 'I told them about the Thai place that's my favorite ever,' he writes. His grandparents, well aware of how overlooked he usually is, told him his parents "couldn't dictate to them.' When the big day came, the grandparents surprised the rest of the family by announcing they'd be eating at the Thai restaurant, taking full credit for the choice. 'They said they heard us talk about that place before and knew it was my favorite and how they wanted to surprise me,' he says. The teen was thrilled and described the night as a rare moment of joy. 'It was the best meal out I had with my family in forever,' he adds. But his 14-year-old brother sulked the entire time. 'He insulted the food, the restaurant and the staff the whole night,' he says. The grandparents stood up for him and scolded his parents for allowing the behavior. That only escalated things into a fight between the adults at the table. Despite the chaos, he says he was just happy to enjoy a meal he genuinely loved. But the joy was short-lived. Later, his parents confronted him and said they knew he was the one who chose the restaurant, even though his grandparents had claimed responsibility. 'They told me I knew my brother didn't like it,' he recalls. He pushed back, reminding them that he's expected to go along with his brother's favorites all the time. 'He knows I don't like his favorite but [I have] to go there,' he told them. That didn't sit well with his parents. 'They told me not to turn it back on him, that I'm 16 and that's old enough to know better,' he says. They claimed part of being a good host is catering to your guests. But OP told them, 'He wasn't really my guest though,' which only made them more upset. Since then, the issue hasn't been dropped. His parents have brought it up several times and have even had more arguments with the grandparents because of it. Meanwhile, his brother has been lashing out in petty and childish ways. 'He threw water all over me and tried to make me eat mushrooms (ick),' he writes. The parents didn't discipline his brother for those actions. Instead, they blamed him, saying, 'It was my fault for the stunt with the restaurant.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He ends the post wondering if he was wrong for choosing his favorite place after so many years of being denied that simple joy. The reaction from readers makes it clear they don't think so. 'Good for your grandparents,' one commenter writes. 'Also, sounds like your parents are grooming a monster AH Golden Child.' He responds that it's not the first time his brother's behavior has caused tension with the rest of the family. 'They pissed off dad's side a couple of years ago when we all went to this really nice restaurant and he was loudly insulting the restaurant and the food.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Newsweek
Owner DNA Tests Dog for Health Clues—It's the Breed That Shocks Her
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pet parent who adopted a dog about two months ago used a DNA test to hopefully find clues about the canine's health history. What she learned from the results left her stunned. Raquel, known on Reddit as u/BrushGlittering2337, told Newsweek that she adopted her dog, Belinda, from the Herding Dog Rescue of Central Oregon. The animal shelter said that the dog came in as a stray after a person found her in the middle of nowhere and searched for the dog's owners. "There is also a possibility that she fell out of the back of a truck," Raquel said. When Raquel first saw Belinda, the rescue listed her as a border collie. However, Raquel became skeptical. The short hair threw her off, leading her to believe Belinda might have been a border collie mix. But the details didn't matter. She knew Belinda would fit right at home with her. Curiosity got the best of Raquel, and she ordered a DNA test for the dog, mainly to be aware of potential health issues within her breed and personality traits. But to her shock, she learned Belinda was indeed a purebred border collie. Photos of a purebred border collie named Belinda that came to a rescue organization as a stray. Photos of a purebred border collie named Belinda that came to a rescue organization as a stray. BrushGlittering2337/Reddit The result left her questioning the reliability of these doggy DNA tests. She posted the story and pictures of Belinda to Reddit under the subreddit channel r/BorderCollie, hoping other pet parents could provide insight. "Part of my skepticism about Belinda being a pure border collie was due to her calm and quiet temperament," Raquel said. "She does not have the typical high-energy personality of a border collie, so I assumed she might be mixed with a calmer breed." Bred for herding sheep, border collies are energetic dogs and workaholics, according to the American Kennel Club. They're agile, athletic and known to be the smartest dog breeds. As far as personalities go, Belinda, on the other hand, is "so quiet." Raquel said she does not bark. She's patient with other dogs and people. And although the short fur confused Raquel, border collies have two types of coats: rough and smooth. The rough coat is medium-length and feathered, while the smooth coat, which Belinda has, is shorter and more coarse. Despite the surprise DNA result, she couldn't imagine her life without Belinda. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
