7 Things People Do in Public That Boomers Find Unacceptable

Boomers grew up in a world with clear rules about how to behave in public. You dressed properly to go downtown, held the door for the person behind you, kept your voice down in restaurants, and never put your feet on the furniture. Those lessons were drilled into them by parents, teachers, and neighbors who weren’t shy about correcting children.

Today, many boomers look around in grocery stores, airports, and restaurants and wonder what happened. Public behavior has become far more casual, and some habits that are now common would have been unthinkable when they were young. Younger people may see these habits as harmless, but many boomers find them rude or inconsiderate.

Not every change is bad, and every generation has its own pet peeves. But here are seven things people do in public that many boomers simply find unacceptable, and the reasons behind their frustration.

1. Talking on Speakerphone

Few modern habits bother boomers more than people talking on speakerphone in public. Whether it’s in a waiting room, on a bus, or in the checkout line, many people now hold their phones in front of their faces and carry on loud conversations, sometimes on video calls, for everyone to hear.

Boomers grew up using phones in private, often in a phone booth or the family kitchen. They see broadcasting a conversation as a lack of consideration for the people around you. Many say they’d rather not hear the details of a stranger’s medical appointment or family argument.

2. Wearing Pajamas in Public

In the 1950s and 1960s, people dressed up to go shopping, travel, and run errands. Women wore dresses and gloves to go downtown, and men wore hats and jackets. Even a trip to the grocery store called for neat clothes.

Today, it’s common to see people wearing pajama pants, slippers, and bathrobes in stores and airports. Many boomers find this sloppy and disrespectful. They don’t expect everyone to dress up, but they believe putting on real clothes before leaving the house shows respect for yourself and others.

3. Letting the Door Close on Someone

Holding the door for the person behind you was one of the most basic courtesies boomers learned as children. So was saying “thank you” when someone held it for you. Many boomers say these small kindnesses are disappearing.

When someone lets a door swing shut in their face, or walks through a held door without a word, many boomers are stunned. To them, these small gestures are what keep public life pleasant. They say a simple thank-you costs nothing and means a lot.

4. Putting Feet on Seats

Whether it’s on a train, in a movie theater, at an airport gate, or in a waiting room, many people now prop their feet up on seats. Some even take off their shoes. Boomers were taught that feet never go on furniture, especially furniture other people use.

Many boomers find this habit unsanitary and inconsiderate. Seats are meant for sitting, and the next person shouldn’t have to sit where someone’s shoes have been. On airplanes, bare feet on armrests have become a common complaint among travelers of all ages.

5. Loud Cursing Around Children

Boomers grew up when swearing in public, especially around children or older people, was considered shameful. Many remember getting their mouths washed out with soap for saying a bad word. Even adults watched their language in mixed company.

Today, cursing is far more common in public, in music, and on television. Many boomers are shocked to hear loud, constant swearing in stores and restaurants, especially when children are nearby. They don’t expect everyone to speak like a Sunday school teacher, but they do expect some restraint.

6. Ignoring the Cashier

Many boomers are bothered by people who talk on their phones or wear earbuds while being served by a cashier, waiter, or other worker. They don’t make eye contact, say hello, or say thank you. They treat the worker as if they’re invisible.

Boomers were taught to greet people and thank them for their service. Many worked in stores, restaurants, and gas stations when they were young, and they know how much a little courtesy can brighten someone’s day. To them, ignoring a worker is simply rude.

7. Leaving Shopping Carts in the Parking Lot

Some people call it the ultimate test of character: do you return your shopping cart to the corral, or leave it in the middle of the parking lot? Many boomers say returning the cart is a basic responsibility. Leaving it out can damage cars, block parking spaces, and create extra work for store employees.

Many boomers say the cart test reveals a lot about a person. It’s a small act, but it shows whether someone cares about others even when no one is watching. Many still return their carts in the rain.

Why These Habits Bother Boomers

Many boomers grew up in close-knit communities where people knew their neighbors and public behavior reflected on your family. Manners were a way of showing respect and keeping the peace. Many of those rules came from their parents, who had their own strict standards.

Today’s world is more anonymous and fast-paced, and many people don’t feel the same sense of accountability. Boomers often see this as a loss of community. Many still follow the old-fashioned manners their parents insisted on.

Can Both Generations Agree?

Not every boomer pet peeve is shared by younger people, and some changes, like more relaxed dress codes, have real benefits. But many of these habits come down to basic consideration for others, something all generations can appreciate.

Simple courtesies like holding doors, lowering your voice, and returning your cart make public spaces more pleasant for everyone. They’re part of the etiquette rules that many people wish would come back.

Which of these public habits bothers you most, and is there one you’d add to the list? Many readers say speakerphone conversations in waiting rooms are the worst.