Here are more things that boomers think are still “groovy.”
Pinball Machines
Oh, arcades. Even millennials know about arcades. They were big in the 90s. Still not as big as they were in the 60s - the height of the pinball age. Who knew that hitting a metallic ball around in a huge machine could be so fun.
Arcade games have come along way. Well, you can just play pinball on your phone. Progress.
35mm Video Cameras
Before digital cinematography dominated the film market, just about every film was shot on a 35mm film camera. Baby boomers insist that films shot on 35mm have a kind of depth, texture, and warmth that cannot be replicated with digital cameras.
That might be true, but nothing can really capture sharpness and accuracy like digital. So, the debate lives on.
Polaroids
Before Instagram stories or Facebook pics, if you wanted an instant memory, you had the Polaroid camera. This chunky camera meets instant mini film lab could print a picture on the spot. The result was a cute little black and white picture (later color) with a white frame. It even had that "original" Instagram filter look washed up and "retro".
Of course, nowadays that look is super fashionable, so it looks like this time, millennials still think that's cool. Another point to boomers.
Vinyl
Many millennials will never experience the richness of the sound of vinyl. That is something that baby boomers definitely pride themselves on. Whether or not old folks still hold onto their record players because they love the sound or because they can't navigate the plethora of music on the internet is something that's debatable.
Either way, listening to some old classic jazz on vinyl might be a smidge cool, so, we'll give them that.
Using a Typewriter
Did you know that one of the most famous baby boomers in the world still uses a typewriter? Yep! Woody Allen! To this day, the famous director still writes all of his scripts on his typewriter. He has done so since the beginning of his career.
We wonder how many typos he gets away with because, as you know, there is no backspace option on a typewriter. Not so cool now, is it?
The Transistor Radio
Before streaming music blew up, folks had to access their pop hits elsewhere. The transistor radio. Back then, everyone had their own little personal transistor radio. They were portable so kids could travel with them everywhere and keep up to date with all the latest songs and radio shows.
Unfortunately, unless you're driving in your car, people don't really tune into the radio that much anymore. We pretty sure if it was still an option though, baby boomers would be cycling around the neighborhood with these little things on full blast.
Smoking in Films
When people cared less about lung disease and more about looking "cool". Tobacco once ruled the media. Famous actors who smoked in films were always portraying the heroic, tough or debonaire type. There was greater than seeing a cigarette hanging from the corner of man's mouth. These images were also seen on billboards, TV commercials and magazines. Fortunately, this was all seriously outlawed.
Unfortunately, baby boomers still think smoking is cool Nothing cooler than emphysema that's for sure.
Clint Eastwood
The epitome of cool for many is none other than Clint Eastwood. The man did without a doubt have charm. Women loved him and men wanted to be him. He had the classic tough guy outlaw look that even topped that of John Wayne's (some may believe). Still, with that legendary status, it would be a lie to say that he still has it.
Though baby-boomers would definitely argue that, the Dirty Harry actor is still an icon for many.
The Rotary Phone
Baby boomers hate smartphones. The more contact, the better. In fact if pulleys and levers came with phones, we bet Gen-X'ers would love those too. Which is why they still love the rotary phone To be fair, it is kind of cool. Hearing the clinks and clonks as you dial a telephone is interesting. And they sure do look nice.
Maybe that's something millennials will bring back too, along with vinyl and polaroid cameras. We do love our vintage things, although, it does take a lot of patience to dial a number, especially if it has a lot of nines in it.
The Postman
Early boomers often reminisce about the old postal system. It doesn't seem very cool, but, to each their own we suppose. They probably still long for the days of checking their mail twice a day and having friendly neighborhood chats. The postman sure had a special place in society once upon a time.
These days, if you want to send a letter to someone, just text it. There are so many platforms available. Unless you need to send a package, in which case you may as well just buy whatever it is you want yourself on Amazon, Wish, or AliExpress.
Bonanza
At a time when not many people owned color televisions, the Western TV show, Bonanza was all the rage. This was the first show you could watch in color which meant back then, everyone would crash at the one guy they knew with a modern TV set. These folks were in high demand. The TV show was, of course, one of many Western-style shows and movies.
The show lasted from 1959 to 1973 and was the second-longest-running Western show in the U.S. Clearly, there is nothing baby boomers deem cooler than shows about cowboys. Thank heavens those days are behind him.
The Drive-in
Ah, the drive-in. A symbol of nostalgia for many Gen-X'ers. This is where a lot of the magic used to happen. Teens dazzled by cool new films, boyfriends and girlfriends getting frisky in their cars, in fact, this was probably the original "Netflix and Chill".
These things died quite a while ago but boomers still long for the days of the drive-in experience.
The Pogo Stick
These beloved toys came out in 1957. For kids in the 50s and 60s, endlessly jumping up and down on one spot was about as fun as it could get. Then came the skateboard, remote-controlled trucks, game boys and PlayStations. Still, for the boomer, the Pogo Stick is where it all ends.
In fact, you are likely to find old Pogo Sticks in many a basement. Boomers find it hard to get rid of things and probably still pray that their kids will discover these treasured toys for themselves. Alas, millennials have yet to revive the Pogo Stick, probably because they're too busy playing video games.
S&H Green Stamps.
In case you don't even know what S&H Green Stamps are, they were a line of trading stamps that were popular in the United States from the 1930s until the late 1980s. While no-one actually uses (except for boomers of course) shey are actually still redeemable to this day.
That is correct! Old folks are still spending their days mulling over what to do with their treasured book of S&H Green Stamps. A new transistor radio? A collectible model plane? There are many ways in which an old boomer can spoil themselves using stamps.
Socks With Sandals
According to some boomers, mainly old dads, of course, this is the perfect combination of casual and safe. Sandals are great for casual wear. You can just slip them on show up anywhere, add a sock for the protection. Unfortunately, this type of boomer-logic is wreaking havoc in the fashion world.
Even worse, not only is this look terrible, but it's also really, really old. Not even "boomer" old. Yep. It goes way back. According to archeologists, elderly Romans wore socks with sandals roughly 2000 years ago. So, it's a generational thing we guess.
Dictionaries
There was a time.. if you wanted to know the definition of something you looked it up in the dictionary.
But hey, sometimes they had pictures.
Writing Checks
Can I give you a check? The answer should always be no.
If someone is holding up the line in the grocery store writing a check, you can bet they’re a baby boomer.
Lighting Cigarettes with Car Lighters
Smoking? Inside your own car? You can never get rid of that smell.
No one uses these anymore, maybe to stick in a phone charger.
Offline Banking
If you really have to go to your actual bank, which is highly unlikely, at least use the drive-thru or the automatic transactions through the ATM.
Babby boomers actually still go to the bank...regularly!
Answering Machines
People used to have answering machines with little cassette tapes to record their messages when they weren’t home.
Please leave your message after the tone, BEEEEP.
Eat Margarine
In the 1950’s fats got a bad name and people were trying to eat less butter.
Somehow, they came up with margarine as a substitute, a greasy artificial product which doesn’t taste nearly as good.
Listen to 8-track tapes
The 8-track tapeis a magnetic tape sound-recording technology that was popular in the United States[2] from 1964 to 1988, when the Compact Cassetteformat took over.[3][4] The format is regarded as an obsolete technology, and was relatively unknown outside the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Japan
8 tracks are as obsolete as their replacements, cassette tapes, but especially obsolete are Boston 8 tracks.
Wood-paneled Station Wagons
The beloved “Woodie” station wagon was the classic family car before SUV’s came along.
if your dad came home with one of these beauties he couldn’t wait to run off and show it to the neighbors.
The Very First Season of Saturday Night Live
The first season of Saturday Night Live, originally aired on NBC from October 11, 1975
Do you remember when Hollywood icons were on Saturday Night Live including Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd and John Belushi?
The five and dime store
There was a time when a store full of things that cost five or ten cents existed.
These days you have to go to the dollar store for cheap, easily breakable items.
Using knobs on the TV to change channels
Can you believe that you used to have to turn a knob to change the channel on the TV?
Luckily, they didn’t have thousands of channels back then.
Payphone
Some payphones are still around, but most of them are busted in this era where everybody has at least one smartphone.
And if you ask kids today who used to change in a phone booth, I’m pretty sure they will have no idea.
Silly Putty
Some things do last forever. Silly putty was a hit with the kids in the 1950’s, I played with it as a kid in the 1990’s, and it is still around today.
It just goes to show how the simplest products can produce the greatest pleasure, no matter when they were invented.
Patterned vests
Three-piece suits include a vest, but at least it is a nice solid color with no pattern. but Some vests are meant to be a fashion piece that is worn sans jacket.
Vests are a silly item of clothing with no real function, but patterned ones are truly hideous. There is no human being good looking enough to pull this one off.
Spam for dinner
Meat in a can, pre-cooked and made with ham was a staple in every baby boomers’ kitchen for a while.
It was very versatile and was the only canned meat product that didn’t need refrigeration. Is that a good thing?
Transistor radios
Transistor radios went the way of the dodo once portable Walkmans and portable CD players were invented, but during the 60’s and 70’s these were the epitome of cool.
They gave teenagers freedom to listen to their own music and were one of the most popular electronic devices in music history.
Tin foil on the TV antenna
Before flat screens, TV’s were big boxes with an antenna on top.
This may seem silly, but people used to put tinfoil on these “rabbit ears” to improve reception and get a better picture. Take that 4K!
The Phone Book
Phone books used to be delivered to your door every year and if you needed to call someone you had to flip through this heavy book and find the number alphabetically.
What a waste of paper and after all that you had to deal with the rotary phone... sigh.
Jell-O in everything
There’s always room for Jell-O, but this jiggly dessert does not go with everything.
During the 60’s, savory Jell-O was a big hit, mixed with pork, fish, lamb, cottage, cheese, fruit and more. Thankfully this trend has gone away just like flowered bell bottoms.
Tobacco ads on billboards
In the 1960’s and 70’s before the dangers of smoking were so well known, cigarette ads were everywhere. With the kid-friendly Joe Camel and the strong silent Marlboro Man beloved by everyone.
Or as the Lucky Strike slogan proclaimed: “It’s toasted”. But as public opinion thankfully turned against smoking, tobacco advertising on billboards was banned.
Cool like Newman
It’s a sad fact that kids today only know Paul Newman from his brand of salad dressing or frozen pizza, but baby boomers know that he was one of the coolest guys who ever lived.
Not only was he a famous movie star who starred in Cool Hand Luke, but he also raced cars!
TV stations sign-offs
It’s almost impossible to believe in this day and age of 24/7 tv and video on demand, but TV channels used to end their programming at night.
They changed the screen to static and many even played the national anthem before signing off.
Swanson’s TV dinners
TV dinners still exist today but not many people remember when they were first invented.
The first Swanson TV dinners offered a veritable Thanksgiving feast with turkey, gravy, whipped potatoes, peas, stuffing and even cobbler for dessert.
Putting baseball cards in your bike spokes
Are baseball cards still a thing?
Still, the sound of the cards hitting the spokes during a fast ride was strangely satisfying.
Encyclopedias
Before the internet and smartphones, we couldn’t settle any bet in seconds just by googling the answer. People used to look up information they needed in encyclopedias.
Most families kept a complete alphabetical set that they probably bought from a traveling salesman – another thing that is now obsolete.
Stay at Hotels
Identical germ-filled cubes, no thanks.
Airbnb is so much better.
Criticize Millennials for Everything
By putting money first, you did irreparable damage to the environment, stagnated wages, created crippling debt with student loans, and siphoned off our retirement money, but millennials are the worst, right?
We are so sorry about Sears and Applebee’s.
Nationalism
Being a patriot is a good thing, but when that causes you to feel superior to all other places and people, there’s a definite problem.
A little more acceptance is always a good thing.
DVD’s and (cringe) VHS
These are a bad for the environment and prone to scratches.
Just go digital to save space and enjoy better quality.
Lands' End
I need more flannel in my life, said every baby boomer, ever.
I guess nothing is going to stop them from buying more preppy and over-priced active wear.
Newspapers
They used to say that tomorrow you will use them to wrap fish, but today they are out of date from the moment they get printed.
People get their news online these days.
The 9-to-5 workweek
How much real work gets done Monday to Friday from nine to five?
Have you ever considered that this may not be the most efficient way to work, especially for parents?
Paper napkins
Less fancy and worse for the environment than linen napkins and not as effective as paper towels.
It’s time to chuck these wasteful, waxy paper bits.
Chico's
Chico’s? really?
Even Lane Bryant is a better option than this.
Alex Jones
Hey, I know this guy’s shocking stories and conspiracy theories are entertaining.
But if he doesn’t produce any proof, can you really call this news?
Sweepstakes
It’s time to face the harsh truth.
You are never ever going to win.
Capri khaki pants
Wearing khaki clothing that is not part of a uniform is a fashion crime, and capris?
That length would make Lebron James look short.
Amway
Amway, short for American way, is the first multi-level marketing business.
What is it with baby boomers and pyramid schemes? I thought they were good at making money.
Financial advisers
How do you make so much money that you actually have to pay someone for advice on what to do with it?
The bad news is, studies show that financial advisers are less effective than no financial advice at all.
Danielle Steel novels
If they sell it at the supermarket it’s probably not going to be topping any best book lists.
On other hand, you will never run out of books to read. How many books did this woman write?
Blouses
Made of synthetic fabrics, a pain to iron and with crazy patterns.
These always have the worst patterns, too.
Display China
Just what every house needs, expensive dishes that no one ever uses with their own decorative shelf.
Go crazy people, eat off those plates!
Gendered everything
Baby boomers seem to only see the world in blues and pinks.
Someone should tell them that this is a brave new world and boys and girls can play with whatever they want.
Chain restaurants
There’s one in every city in America and they are all exactly the same.
Next time treat yourself to more than Olive Garden and check out a one of a kind local restaurant instead.
Knickknacks
They take up shelf space, collet dust and are absolutely worthless.
What’s the deal with knickknacks?
All you can eat buffet
All you can eat sounds like a good idea in theory, but there is something a little off about a never-ending supply of steak, pancakes, lobster and biscuits, all sitting under a heat lamp.
Save yourself a stomach ache, pick a food and just go with it.
Bar soap
Bar soap is gross and not for sharing, and the things that stick to it, ugh.
Liquid soap just looks and smells better.
Tax cuts for the rich
It’s about time somebody worried about the rich minority in America.
Hope you’re not too attached to the surplus economy. It was nice while it lasted.
Overly processed foods
I guess baby boomers got sick of real food and decided that processed was the way to go.
We have them to thank for the popularity of TV dinners and canned food.
Dateline
The veteran TV show has been on air for over twenty years, taking the news and making it longer.
The only question left to ask is, why?
Potpourri
Does anyone know or want to know what potpourri smells like?
It seems like the odor never escapes the weirdly shaped bowls it is placed in.
Metal detectors
There’s nothing cooler than someone walking down the beach with one of these babies.
And they can also take you to dinner and pay with tons of old bottlecaps and absolutely nothing of value.
Juice from concentrate
I’m not saying you have to squeeze an orange every morning, but fresh OJ comes in a box and all you need to do is pour.
Instead, you can take a can out of the freezer, mix with water and wait. Who thought this was a good idea?
Throw pillows
Pillows, pillows everywhere, on every bed, chair, couch and surface in the house.
They don’t have any use and it takes you ten minutes to take them off the bed before you can go to sleep.
Catalogs
Just in case Amazon and shopping malls aren’t enough for you, here’s a magazine with all the stuff we sell.
Please look over EVERYTHING before you decide what to spend your money on.
Avon
I don’t get Avon, women in pink come to your home and charge you double for pyramid scheme makeup.
Why not go to Sephora or Mac or go to the drugstore for the cheaper brands.
Bizarre salads
It’s true that millennials eat strange things.
I mean, who doesn’t love kombucha and sprouted nuts? But at least they have never made anyone suffer through the indignity of eating broccoli grape salad dipped in mayonnaise.
Infomercials
Like regular commercials aren’t bad enough, each one of these lasts for half an hour.
Infomercials are proof that people with too much money will buy anything.
Meatloaf
There is one meal each week dreaded by every child, you guessed it, it’s meatloaf night! It’s a gross rectangle, covered in brown slime with a bland taste.
And you wonder why hipster food is so popular?
Fuzzy toilet seat covers
These fuzzy butt warmers trap so many odors and germs inside that washing them even twice a day is not enough.
I have to say, cold seems better then gross.
Fossil fuels
Baby boomers are considered the greediest generation.
It’s time to stop destroying the planet and fighting wars over oil and start spending money on green, sustainable energy.
Good Old Cable TV packages
When’s the last time you checked out the farming channel? Nobody actually needs 1000’s of channels on five different televisions sets, for a large monthly fee, when you are only interested in news and primetime shows.
Haven’t you heard of Netflix?
Patterned wallpaper
Wallpaper almost always looks bad, but baby boomers put it everywhere.
Including the bathroom.
Racquetball
Just like tennis but instead of enjoying the open air you are stuck in a tiny room, hitting a ball against the wall and smelling your own sweat.
What’s the point? Why not just play tennis?
Slacks
Even Gisele can’t make these look good.
They are like regular pants but with pleats around the waist, you know, where people want to look the widest.
Home shopping channels
As if we all don’t already buy too much stuff we don’t need, now there are entire networks of useless products transmitting 24/7.
Even capitalism could use a break from time to time.
Mrs. Dash
The world is full of exotic spices and flavors, but baby boomers seem to be stuck on just one – Mrs. Dash, and use it on everything.
Hmmm, tastes... the same.
Retirement funds
Saving up for retirement is a good idea, but when you guys empty out all the money Social Security has, the rest of us will never be able to retire.
Since you helped set these systems up, that hardly seems fair.
MESSAGES IN ALL CAPS
How can we explain why this is such a problem..
IT MAKES EVERYTHING YOU WRITE SEEM LIKE YELLING
Paper bills
This is messy, hard to keep track of and bad for the environment.
Why would anyone pay their bills the old-fashioned way when you can do it online or use automatic payments?
Cruises
What an amazing idea, a floating hotel you can only leave for a few hours a day, with a set agenda, shuffleboard and all you can eat buffets.
This sounds like the prefect way for an adventurous travel to enjoy the local sights, culture and cuisine, or not.
Landlines
There’s a reason the expression waiting by the phone is obsolete.
Even though landlines are basically free these days, there’s really no reason not to use your cell phone for all your calls and other cool stuff too.
Sending emails
Haven’t you heard of WhatsApp or at least texting?
Nobody sends emails anymore.
NCIS
It seems that after a certain age, you just can’t stop yourself from following every procedural cop show on TV.
After a while the stories start repeating themselves, but hey at least you know it’s all going to work out in 60 minutes (including commercials).
Conspiracy theories
Baby boomers love conspiracy theories from the faked moon landing to the Soviets assassinating JFK.
It’s not hard to see why the popularity of fake news sites is on the rise.
Airbrushed t-shirts
These are so street style, or at least they used to be, maybe.
Whose gonna tell grandma that her name in flames is not the best fashion choice?
Word wall art
Who thought inspirational quotes hanging in the bathroom were a good idea, baby boomers apparently.
It doesn’t matter if they are decals or painted on, these are just plain tacky.
Jorts
The perfect outfit, both jeans and shorts.
They go with everything, especially Crocs, and don’t forget to tuck in your short to complete the look.
Ironing
Ironing is the worst and most boring household chore. It’s better to be a bit wrinkled than to slave away over a hot iron.
And FYI, nobody has creases in their pants anymore, you’re not in the army now.
Reader's Digest
What is so amazing about Reader’s Digest that makes baby boomers love it so much?
No one knows, but the magazine has been around for nearly one hundred years so, so maybe they’re on to something.
Crocs
If you are not a medical professional or a chef, on your feet all day, there is no excuse for these ridiculous shoes.
No matter how comfortable they are.
24-hour news networks
No news is good news, as the saying goes, but what about the same news over and over worded slightly differently for hours.
It’s faster and more informative to just go online and find out what’s going on.
Toast, hold the butter
It is easy to make fun of millennials and the amount of money they spend on avocado toast, but hey, at least that tastes good.
You know what doesn’t? White sandwich bread toasted with nothing on top. Talk about dry…
Shopping Malls
Since companies like Amazon, AliExpress, Target, and tons of other companies going virtual, malls are becoming pretty obsolete. In fact, malls have become havens for bored teens in small towns, and, you guessed it- boomers. These folks still see malls as retail paradise, while the rest of us would rather shop from the office or the comfort of our own homes.
It's also worthy to mention that many people who choose to shop online because they don't want to drive unnecessarily to shopping malls. Boomers haven't quite got the message with that one though.
Golf
The most boring sport known to man, it isn’t really exercise and actually hurts your back.
Is golf anything other than a status symbol and a place for wealthy men to discuss business?? Also, the start up costs are enormous. Count me out.
Diamonds
A girls’ best friend or not, it turns out that diamonds aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. These precious gems are released slowly into the market to drive up their prices, keeping their costs scandalously high.
How many people could enjoy free higher education with all the money spent on diamonds?