Some boomer cliches have been repeated so many times that even Gen Z — who weren’t even around when they started — are getting pretty tired of hearing them.
While some might have started with good intentions, a lot of them just feel outdated, out of touch, or just plain frustrating at this point. Some of them are dismissive of mental health struggles, others ignore the realities of the economy, and a few even push unrealistic work ethics. Either way, these things don’t land the way boomers think they do, and Gen Z (along with plenty of millennials, Gen Xers, etc.) are over it.
1. “No one wants to work anymore.”
Everyone has heard this one too many times, usually from people who had stable jobs, pensions, and affordable housing. The reality is, people still want to work, but they also want fair pay, reasonable hours, and a life outside their job. The expectation that younger generations should put up with low wages, toxic workplaces, and burnout isn’t cutting it anymore. This ignores the fact that many companies are struggling because they offer poor conditions, not because people are lazy. Gen Z isn’t rejecting work, they’re rejecting exploitative environments. If anything, they’re working smarter, not harder, and prioritising their mental and emotional health instead of blindly accepting outdated workplace standards.
2. “Back in my day, we bought a house by 25.”
This might have been true in the 1970s when wages were higher compared to the cost of living, but in 2025, it’s laughable. Houses now cost several times what they did a few decades ago, and salaries haven’t kept up. Suggesting that young people just “save better” or “cut out coffee” isn’t helpful, it’s tone-deaf. Younger people are tired of hearing financial advice that ignores economic realities. Most of them aren’t wasting money on avocado toast; they’re dealing with skyrocketing rent, student loan payments, and a job market that doesn’t provide the same security previous generations had. Buying a house isn’t about “working harder”; it’s about an entirely different financial landscape.
3. “You just have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
The idea that anyone can succeed if they just “try harder” sounds great in theory, but it ignores privilege, systemic barriers, and sheer luck. Hard work is important, but it’s not always enough. Plenty of people work full-time and still struggle to make ends meet, not because they’re lazy, but because wages haven’t kept up with inflation. Gen Z is tired of being told that success is just about effort when so many factors are beyond their control. They understand that networking, financial stability, and even where you’re born play a huge role in opportunities. Telling someone to “just work harder” doesn’t fix the real problems holding them back.
4. “You kids are too sensitive these days.”
Times change, and so do social expectations. What boomers dismiss as “sensitivity” is often just people setting boundaries, standing up against outdated attitudes, or refusing to tolerate disrespect. Gen Z is more open about mental health, inclusivity, and social issues — not because they’re weak, but because they care. Labelling every social shift as “being too sensitive” ignores the progress society has made. Gen Z isn’t looking to be offended; they’re just asking for basic respect. Dismissing their concerns as “soft” doesn’t make them go away — it just shows a refusal to adapt to changing times.
5. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
This phrase has been used for generations to dismiss young people’s perspectives, and Gen Z is sick of it. It’s often said when someone challenges outdated ideas, as if their opinions don’t matter because they’re young. But in many cases, younger generations are more informed and open-minded than those before them. Age doesn’t automatically make someone wiser or more correct. Plenty of older people refuse to change their views despite new information. Instead of brushing off Gen Z’s thoughts with “you’ll understand later,” boomers could try listening and considering that maybe the younger generation has something valuable to say.
6. “We didn’t have social media, and we turned out fine.”
Sure, previous generations grew up without social media, but that doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad. While social media has its downsides, it also allows for connection, activism, and access to information in ways older generations never had. The idea that life was better before technology ignores all the benefits it brings. Younger generations get that social media is just a tool — it depends on how you use it. Blaming everything on social media instead of recognising broader issues like mental health struggles or economic stress is oversimplifying the problem. Just because boomers didn’t grow up with something doesn’t mean it’s automatically harmful.
7. “You should smile more.”
This one is mostly directed at women, and it’s been annoying for decades. Being told to “smile more” assumes that someone else’s comfort matters more than how the person actually feels. It’s patronising, outdated, and ignores the fact that no one should have to perform happiness for other people. Gen Z, especially women and marginalised groups, are tired of being told how to present themselves. They value authenticity over forced politeness. Instead of demanding that people look happy, boomers could try asking why they might not be smiling in the first place.
8. “I worked my way through college with no debt.”
Uni tuition has gone way up since boomers were in school — they essentially got their degrees for free thanks to the government! — making this statement wildly outdated. Many of them paid a fraction of what students today are paying, so the idea that working a part-time job could cover tuition and living expenses is no longer realistic. Gen Z isn’t drowning in student loan debt because they’re irresponsible; it’s because education costs have exploded while wages have stayed stagnant. Telling young people to “just work harder” ignores the massive financial challenges they face that boomers never had to deal with.
9. “If you don’t like it, just quit.”
While leaving a toxic job is sometimes necessary, not everyone has that option. Quitting means losing income, benefits, and financial stability — things that aren’t easy to replace. Telling people to just walk away from a bad job assumes that finding a new one is quick and simple, which isn’t always the case. Younger people know that job security isn’t what it used to be. They know that workers deserve better conditions, but they also recognise that quitting isn’t always an option. Instead of giving unrealistic advice, boomers could acknowledge how much harder job hunting is today compared to decades ago.
10. “You need to toughen up.”
Resilience is important, but so is acknowledging when something isn’t okay. Telling people to basically just buck up and get over it often dismisses real struggles, whether it’s mental health, workplace stress, or discrimination. Gen Z believes in addressing problems, not just suffering through them in silence. Being vulnerable isn’t weakness — it’s human. Boomers might have been raised to suppress emotions, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to handle life. Gen Z prioritises mental well-being over outdated ideas of “toughness.”
11. “Everyone gets a trophy these days.”
Participation trophies were often given out by the very boomers who now complain about them. If anything, it was older generations who pushed for this, not kids. Yet, Gen Z constantly hears that they’ve been “babied” and expect rewards for everything. In reality, Gen Z is one of the most hard-working generations, dealing with intense academic pressure, job competition, and rising costs of living. They’re not asking for participation trophies; they just want fair opportunities and recognition for their efforts.
12. “Put the phone down and live in the moment.”
Yes, screen time can be excessive, but technology is an essential part of modern life. Gen Z uses phones for everything — work, communication, creativity, and even activism. The assumption that phones are just for mindless scrolling ignores how valuable they actually are. Instead of criticising younger generations for using technology, boomers could try understanding how it enhances daily life. Phones aren’t always distractions; they’re also tools for navigating the world in a way that previous generations never had.
13. “Respect your elders.”
Respect is important, but it should go both ways. Gen Z has grown up believing that respect needs to be earned, not automatically granted based on age alone. Just because someone is older doesn’t mean they should be free to say or do whatever they want without accountability. Young people aren’t dismissing wisdom from older generations; they just expect mutual respect in return. If someone is condescending, rude, or stuck in outdated thinking, Gen Z isn’t going to blindly respect them just because they’ve been around longer. They value meaningful conversations over one-sided authority.
14. “Nobody taught me how to do that, and I turned out fine.”
Just because previous generations had to figure things out the hard way doesn’t mean that’s the best approach. Younger people believe in the importance of education, mental health awareness, and learning practical life skills rather than being left to sink or swim. Struggling unnecessarily isn’t a badge of honour. Boomers might have been forced to learn finances, career skills, or emotional regulation without guidance, but that doesn’t mean Gen Z should have to. Making life easier for future generations should be the goal, not an excuse to dismiss their struggles.
15. “You have it so easy compared to us.”
Every generation faces different challenges, and comparing struggles isn’t helpful. While boomers may have had their own difficulties, Gen Z is dealing with a completely different world — one where home ownership is nearly impossible, wages haven’t kept up with inflation, and mental health struggles are at an all-time high. Just because life looks different today doesn’t mean it’s easier. Many young people are working harder than ever, balancing multiple jobs, student loan debt, and rising living costs. Dismissing their struggles because things were different in the past doesn’t make those struggles disappear, it just creates more division between generations.
