As Boomers grow old, many things they used in everyday life are slowly disappearing. Technology, changing lifestyles, and new trends are making these things less common. A recent social media thread discussed things Boomers used every day that are now fading away. Based on that thread, here are 15 everyday things that will likely disappear as Boomers age.
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Covering Up Hardwood Floors With Carpet
Some people predicted that using carpet over beautiful hardwood floors will be soon outdated. Today, trends focus on using natural materials, and polished floors are becoming more popular than carpet. People just love the clean, smooth look and feel of wood under their feet.
Yahoo News
Although Yahoo News was a primary source of information for many, it’s no longer used much. Some people believe this is because of the rise of social media and digital news media outlets. Younger generations have their own preferred apps and new digital news outlets.
Giant China Cabinets With Whole Extra Sets Of Plates That Are Used Once Or Twice In A Lifetime
Tall China cabinets that were full of fancy dishes (which were rarely used) are another thing disappearing with Boomers. Nowadays, people like to use smaller and more versatile dishes they can use on a daily basis. Those huge, fancy dinners — where we struggled to remember which fork was for the salad and which one was for the entreé — are being replaced by more informal sit-down meals with fewer dishes to clean afterwards.
Phone Books
Phone books are something you no longer see being used. They’re just lying on the ground collecting dust. Today, most everyone uses smartphones and digital contact lists — so why would anyone still need phone books? They probably will not be missed by any generation to come.
QVC
QVC was the TV shopping channel that was popular with Baby Boomers. In today’s world of online shopping and Amazon, the idea of watching TV to buy products feels outdated to many. Although it still has a fan base (mostly Boomers who are too used to it), its influence is waning.
Affordable Housing
Some social media users talked about their concerns about affordable housing. They felt that it was another thing that would disappear with their generation. Real estate prices are going up, making it harder for younger generations to buy homes. For many, the dream of owning a house is becoming more and more difficult to achieve.
Workplace Loyalty
Gone are the days of sticking with one company for your entire career. In the present day, a person is more likely to switch jobs much more frequently, and many feel that staying with one company for multiple decades isn’t practical in today’s job market.
Phoning Someone To Tell Them To Open The Email You Just Sent Them
Now this seems hilarious, but there was a time when people would call someone just to ask them to check their email. However, with the advancement of communication in recent years, this practice is soon going to be a thing of the past — an amusing reminder of how it was.
The Idea That Our Entire Lives Should Revolve Around Work
Some people say that the idea of life being all about work is changing. Younger generations are focusing more on balance, personal time, and enjoying life. The days of sacrificing everything for a job might soon be behind us. Being prepared to give up all for a job may become a thing of the past with the end of the Boomer generation.
Suits In The Workplace
The dress codes used in the workplace are changing with different generations. And traditional suits have already fallen out of fashion. With a changing pattern in culture, where comfort and personal style reign over formal business wear, people are coming to office in an even more casual look.
“I Hate My Wife” Jokes
The old jokes that worked before are not working now. And Jokes about not liking your spouse, like the old “I hate my wife” jokes, are losing their humor. People are more aware now of what makes a healthy relationship, and many think these types of jokes aren’t as funny as they used to be. As society changes, these jokes are likely to disappear.
Fax Machines
Many people are ready for fax machines to be a thing of the past. We now scan, email and digitally sign, so there is no need for fax machines. They are relics from an era when simply getting a document from point A to B involved shrieking mechanical noises and stacks of paper.
Cable TV
Cable TV is slowly dying out. As streaming services become more popular, people are not watching TV anymore. Before long, flipping through cable channels might be something we only remember from the past.
Newspapers
Printed newspapers, once a part of daily life, are struggling to survive. As the newspaper has seen its readership transition to reading online, many argued that fewer people are buying physical papers. Some are sad to see them go, but there is nothing we can do to stop the digital age from taking over.
Pressure to Get Married Before 30
The idea that you have to be married by the age of 30 is another thing that’s on its way out. People are focusing more on their careers, personal growth, and enjoying their independence, without feeling rushed to settle down. Many now believe there’s no set timeline for love and marriage.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.