The Smartphone Addiction
Across the board, most Millennials and Boomers concur that smartphone addiction is a real problem.
Source: Freepik
The truth is that people within both generations wish there was just a way to be unavailable again, like when everyone used answering machines for their landlines.
People’s General Volume Is Just too Loud
Although many people assume only the older generation gets frustrated with raucous noises, Millennials have spoken out in agreement that many people are simply too loud.
Source: Freepik
And it’s not just people; the loud music in restaurants or in public places, as well as overly sonorous television shows or movies, also bother both generations.
The QR Menus Have Got to Go
When COVID was rampant, most restaurants changed their menus to QR codes to lessen the spread of germs, and many of them haven’t gone back to paper menus since.
Source: Freepik
However, both Boomers and Millennials agree that these QR menus have got to go. The Boomers don’t like having to use technology or read the little print to order their meals, whereas Millennials argue that the menu sites are not user-friendly.
Social Media Is out of Control
Realistically, almost everyone uses social media of some kind, whether they opt for Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram.
Source: Freepik
But even though people use it, the general consensus among Baby Boomers and Millennials is that these platforms are bad for their mental health. And they would prefer it if they and everyone else used them far less.
Nobody Wants Strangers on Their Property
Everyone’s heard the cliche of an old man sitting on his porch yelling at the local kids to “get off the lawn!”
Source: iStock
But the reality is that no one, no matter if they are 35 or 65, actually wants strangers of any age to come onto their private property.
The Next Generation Will Feel the Negative Effects of Constant Screens
Some Millennials had computers, and certainly all had televisions when they were growing up, but the amount of time they spent looking at screens was nothing compared to kids today.
Source: Freepik
And, of course, Boomers didn’t look at anything besides an old television (if they were lucky) until they were much older. Both generations now agree that the sheer amount of time kids today spend looking at screens will absolutely have negative side effects in the future.
At This Point, There Are too Many Subscriptions
These days, it feels like every time someone wants to read an article, check a price, or even view a blog posting, they need to sign up as a subscriber first.
Source: Freepik
Boomers hate this, and unsurprisingly, Millennials do, too. They want to simply enjoy what these sites have to offer at the moment without having to create yet another account.
Sometimes Buttons Are Better than Touchscreens
While many argue that touchscreens are very useful for tablets and smartphones, some in both the Boomer and Millennial generations think that, sometimes, real buttons are still better.
Source: Freepik
One of the most common complaints is touchscreens in cars, which most people agree are more dangerous as the driver has to look down to see what they’re pressing instead of simply feeling for a button while keeping their eyes on the road.
Automated Phone Calls Are the Worst
In general, the younger generation of Millennials prefer to email or text, whereas Boomers would usually rather talk to a person on the phone when they need assistance.
Source: Freepik
But everyone hates automated customer service calls. Almost everyone who weighed in agreed they almost never get what they need out of these calls, and they want to pull their hair out trying to talk to a real person.
Appliances that Last, Like They Used To
With today’s ever-advancing technology, it seems that companies are putting less stock into devices that will last and more on how to make them new and exciting.
Source: Freepik
And neither generation is pleased with this change. In fact, they both wish that appliances such as phones, computers, and even refrigerators would stand the test of time like they used to.
Not Every Device Has to Be “Smart”
Finally, although having a smart doorbell, speaker, and even dishwasher is now possible, many people in both the Boomer and Millennial generations claim they don’t need or want all their devices to be “smart.”
Source: Freepik
At the end of the day, people just want appliances that work like they are supposed to; they really don’t need to connect to the internet or talk back.