In today’s world, things are progressing in ways that the older generations are struggling to catch up with. Technology has become so normal in every situation — work and home — that it’s hard for everyone to learn everything right away.
In the workplace, most businesses are integrating technology at a rapid speed. Long gone are the days when people used pen and paper for everything — now, all you need is a Google Drive to get everything shared around.
While the world is changing quickly, some people, especially Boomers, are quite slow at learning everything. Here’s why Boomers are making Gen Zers cry.
Boomers are basically our parents’ generation
Boomers, or Baby Boomers, can be considered Generation W — anyone born from 1946 to 1964. This means most of us fit into this mold, mostly our parents or even our grandparents for some.
Clearly, these individuals were growing up and living in a time when computers, cell phones, or most current technology were not around. They had to learn how to use everything when it was brand new, unlike Gen-Z, who grew up with everything around them.
Many Boomers are trying their best
Think about your parents and how they may text or use a computer — it’s sometimes laughable. But, most Boomers are trying to keep up with the times and use things that are becoming part of our everyday lives.
That, of course, doesn’t mean that it’s easy. They frequently ask for help with things such as cell phones and social media — even using a computer at all — because they just don’t know the right way.
But, not everyone is so kind
Sometimes, patience can run thin among the younger generations. When we are busy at work and someone needs help with something that we see as “second nature,” it can be frustrating.
We don’t stop to think about why the person is asking us and what the story behind this might be.
One TikTok user pointed it out to us all
TikTok user @notmaddietshiesty shared a video that is now going viral, putting this into perspective for all of those Gen-Zers who work in offices with Boomers.
In the video, the girl wipes away tears from her eyes and writes, “Every other younger person in my office getting mad because they have to explain how to print a word doc to a pdf for a boomer I’m crying after hearing ‘thank you for doing this, I’m sorry I just don’t pick things up like I used to.”
The realization is startling
When we are swamped at work and overwhelmed with tasks, it can be hard to see outside ourselves. Many young people do get mad and frustrated that they need to stop and help someone else, not realizing the person is just trying their best to not only adapt, but probably keep their job, as well.
Realizing they are just everyday people trying their best — it’s both sad and moving.
Many people on TikTok were also in tears
Some people say that they think of their relatives.
“I always think about my dad and how I would feel if I saw someone mistreating him for not knowing something,” wrote Tara Hernández.
And, some people are even leaving their industry because of it.
“One of the reasons my dad retired from being a teacher was he said he looked around and realized he was the only one still handwriting his lesson plans,” Mandoooooh added.
Some users were truly sad for their parents and grandparents
While they may not be great with computers, all the boomers and older generations were experts in their fields at one point or another.
“Whenever I see my dad do anything on the computer he’s so slow I have to take deep breaths and remind myself he was a pioneering computer programmer,” Claire revealed.
“I always think about my grandma because she is so sweet and so prone to apologizing without needing to and I can imagine punching someone if they got frustrated with her,” added gabriella.
It can be hard for them even to ask
It takes a lot for people to admit when they need help.
“I had an older teacher I worked with. Whenever I helped her she always apologized. I told her those no reason to because we’re always learning something new. She cried. Broke my heart,” Haley shared.
“As a lady of this era it’s hard and embarrassing having to ask but thank you for helping us,” joannegroper added.
The older generations can also help the younger ones, too
Despite not being fluent with technology, Boomers and other generations can greatly help the youth today.
“Elder millennial Operations Manager. My boomer office coordinator is learning excel AND helping me through perimenopause. Treat them well,” shared Taylor Brae Sade.
Others echoed this sentiment.
“Learning from each other works in both directions. Love my Gen Z colleagues. I learn from them a lot but they think the same about me. We are one team,” user184517704728 explained.
However, some people feel that it’s not always genuine
Some TikTok users shared that they feel that some Boomers don’t really want to learn and want others to do their jobs for them.
“Listen, I get it once. But when they don’t WANT TO learn and just make everyone else do it- I’m annoyed,” wrote I’dratherbesleeping.
The original TikTok user responded, saying, “Well that’s because millennials get so irritated at work with questions like that they always end up doing it. everytime they’ve asked to learn someone just does it instead of teaching.”
Others, however, believe that attitude is important
Someone who doesn’t know something can have an elitist attitude against it.
“It’s about the attitude. ‘Can you help me again with this, I don’t get it, thank you.’ vs ‘You’re young what’s the big deal, do it for me, I refuse to learn, thanking is for the weak’ are different,” medikata explained.
Many others echoed this, saying it can be a double-edged sword.
“As long as someone asks me nicely, I’ll help. Just don’t insult me and my generation while asking is all (millennial here). Like ‘show me how to do this. You millennials are always on your phones hahaha so you MUST know bc of the PHONES permanently attached to your hand HAHAHAHA,'” wrote Trash gremlin.
And, payscale, too
Other users on TikTok pointed out that they are making far less than some of these individuals asking for help.
“I can’t feel bad who makes 3x my salary and can’t retire but chooses not to learn new skills,” explained k472W.
Many users agreed.
“They’re not mad they have to explain, they’re mad that person needs help and also makes 3x what the other does,” echoed Wyatt Breymeyer.
Yet, the world is going to keep changing
Despite Gen-Z knowing everything now, things will only keep moving forward. The things we know now will eventually become “old” and we may be the Boomers of tomorrow.
“Yea helping our older coworkers because one day we will be in thier shoes,” shared ruth medina.
And, others said they now struggle, too.
“I was so judgmental and now I’m struggling so much with ai. It’s eye opening,” said Copper swing.
Clearly, the lines are drawn here
Some users think that asking for help is bold and that no matter your age, you should try your best to show everyone else kindness and grace. However, others believe that if you are at a job with expectations, you should meet those expectations to get paid.
As time progresses, it’s no secret that this debate will be ongoing.
