20 Things Gen Z Pennsylvanians Do That Boomers Think Are Hilarious

Boomers lived through bell-bottoms, the rise of microwaves, and MTV.

But nothing quite prepared them for Gen Z—and certainly not for watching their Pennsylvania grandkids film dance videos in the driveway between DoorDash deliveries.

Whether it’s the sudden popularity of Crocs, the confusing nature of “rizz,” or the fact that someone makes a living reviewing snacks on YouTube, it’s all enough to make the over-60 crowd laugh out loud—or shake their heads in disbelief.

These are some of the things that are a generational comedy goldmine for baby boomers.

They Text… From The Same Room

Boomers grew up in a world where if you needed something, you walked into the next room and asked for it.

Gen Z? They’ll send a text—even if you’re on the same couch.

Boomers find this baffling and funny.

“Why would you type it out when you could just say it?” is a common refrain.

For Gen Z, texting feels natural. It’s efficient, discreet, and lets them multitask—usually while watching YouTube, listening to music, and scrolling TikTok. All at once.

They Use Odd Slang

To boomers, Gen Z slang often sounds like a different language entirely.

Words like “cheugy,” “rizz,” “bet,” and “no cap” leave them blinking in confusion.

Is “slaps” good or bad? Why is everything suddenly “mid”?

Boomers chuckle when they hear this stuff. It reminds them of when they got in trouble for saying “groovy” or “far out.”

Language evolves. But Gen Z’s version evolves so fast, it leaves the older generation spinning.

They Wear Baggy Clothes On Purpose

Boomers remember a time when loose clothes were a sign you’d lost weight—or your belt.

Now? Gen Z lives for oversized hoodies, dad jeans, and thrifted T-shirts that swallow them whole.

Boomers often ask, “Why don’t you buy something that fits?”

To Gen Z, the look is intentional. Comfort meets cool. But to boomers, it just looks like someone raided a stranger’s laundry basket—and they can’t help but laugh.

They Record Everything—Even Themselves

Gen Z loves documenting life. But not just birthdays or trips. They film themselves brushing their hair, making toast, reacting to other videos, or just… sitting and talking.

Boomers, who were taught not to “toot your own horn,” find this endlessly amusing.

“Why are you filming that?” is a question asked daily in multigenerational households.

But for Gen Z, creating content is just how they express themselves—and sometimes, how they earn a living.

They Treat TikTok Like Google

Boomers trust Google, maps, and phone books (RIP). Gen Z? They search TikTok.

Want a recipe? TikTok. Need a restaurant review? TikTok. Looking for life advice? You guessed it—TikTok.

To boomers, this is laughable. “How can you trust a dance app over a proper article?”

But Gen Z finds the short-form format more real, less filtered—and more fun.

It’s not about credentials. It’s about vibes.

They Make Jobs Out of Thin Air

Influencer. Streamer. Digital nomad. Meme consultant.

Boomers are still trying to figure out what “content creator” even means, let alone how it pays the rent.

They chuckle at job titles that didn’t exist five years ago and still don’t make sense to most HR departments.

Meanwhile, Gen Z is making careers out of brand deals, online shops, and digital hustle.

It’s not your traditional 9-to-5. But it’s working for many of them.

They Talk To AI Like It’s a Friend

Boomers might use Siri to ask for the weather. Gen Z? They ask AI to write essays, plan parties, and fix their relationship texts.

They even say “please” and “thank you” to voice assistants, just in case.

Boomers find this both impressive and hilarious. “It’s a phone, not a person!”

But Gen Z grew up with smart tech, and they treat it like a sidekick. A polite, all-knowing sidekick.

They Get Dressed Up For the Airport

Back in the day, boomers wore suits to fly. Then, they got practical—jeans, sneakers, travel comfort.

Now, Gen Z shows up at the gate in full outfits: cropped tops, matching sets, claw clips, and carefully curated travel ‘fits’ made for the ‘gram.

Boomers laugh and shake their heads. “They’re dressing up just to take their shoes off in security!”

But for Gen Z, travel is content. And content is king.

They Say “I’m Obsessed” About Everything

To a boomer, obsession means something serious—like a true crime documentary or an unhealthy relationship.

Gen Z? They’re “obsessed” with a sweater, a soup recipe, a person’s vibe, or a new water bottle.

Boomers can’t help but grin. “Are you really obsessed, or do you just like it?”

It’s hyperbole, sure. But it’s also Gen Z’s favorite form of enthusiasm.

They Turn Everything Into Aesthetic

Boomers grew up with decorations and style—but Gen Z has aesthetics.

There’s a name for every vibe: cottagecore, clean girl, Y2K, dark academia. Even their coffee order has to match their mood.

Boomers joke, “In my day, coffee was just coffee.”

Now? It’s part of your brand.

It’s fun to watch, a little over-the-top, and deeply entertaining from the outside.

They Call Everyone “Bestie”

Boomers worked hard to earn titles—boss, friend, mentor.

Gen Z calls strangers “bestie” on the internet and says it with total sincerity.

To boomers, it’s hilarious. “You just met them!”

But for Gen Z, it’s a term of endearment, comfort, and sometimes sarcasm. Context is everything.

They Think Avocados Are a Personality Trait

To boomers, avocado was something you found in a 1970s Tupperware set.

Gen Z turned it into toast, tattoos, merch, and memes. They love it so much it’s practically an identity.

Boomers joke, “Did you even eat breakfast if it didn’t have avocado?”

And honestly? Gen Z might say no.

They Ghost, Soft Launch, and Hard Launch

Boomers might end a relationship with a letter—or at least a phone call.

Gen Z has a whole playbook: ghosting, breadcrumbing, soft launching a new partner on Instagram, then hard launching them two months later.

Boomers can’t keep up—and they laugh at how complicated it all seems.

But Gen Z sees it as normal. It’s love… with a digital twist.

They Think Typing Periods Is Aggressive

Boomers were taught grammar rules. Complete sentences. Punctuation.

Gen Z? A period at the end of a message means you’re mad. A thumbs-up emoji is passive-aggressive. And don’t even get started on using ellipses.

To boomers, this is baffling. “It’s just good writing!”

But Gen Z reads tone into everything. And boomers find that both funny—and a little exhausting.

They Make Everything An “Era”

Boomers had phases. Gen Z has eras.

There’s a gym era, a healing era, a red flag era, and even a silly little mental breakdown era.

Boomers find this hilarious. “Back in my day, you just moved on.”

But for Gen Z, naming the era helps them process and define chapters of life.

And hey—Taylor Swift does it too.

They Venmo for $3.17

Boomers used to lend a few bucks and forget about it.

Gen Z? They’ll split a smoothie three ways and Venmo for the exact amount, down to the cent.

Boomers laugh at the precision. “Is it really that serious?”

To Gen Z, it’s not about money—it’s about boundaries. Fairness. Digital etiquette.

And maybe a little notification ping satisfaction.

They Treat Pets Like Influencers

Boomers love their pets—but Gen Z? They give their pets Instagram accounts, matching outfits, voiceovers, and treat them like lifestyle brands.

Boomers laugh when they see a dog with a ring light or a cat in a stroller. “We just let our pets be pets!”

But for Gen Z, pets are content gold. They’re family and internet celebrities.

It’s cute, confusing, and very, very Gen Z.

They Use Apps for Everything—Even Breathing

Boomers relied on calendars, clocks, and common sense. Gen Z uses apps for sleep, breathing, budgeting, water tracking, and emotional check-ins.

Boomers chuckle, “You need an app to drink water?”

To Gen Z, these tools feel like support systems. Helpful, motivating, and (sometimes) necessary to keep life on track.

It’s wellness—but with push notifications.

They Treat Crocs Like High Fashion

Boomers once wore Crocs for gardening and house chores.

Gen Z? They wear them with socks, decorate them with charms, and treat them like runway-ready footwear.

Boomers can’t help but laugh. “We used to hide those in the back of the closet!”

Now, they’re cool—again. Comfort has become a flex.

They Can’t Talk On the Phone Without a Script

Boomers grew up with phones glued to their ears. Calling someone—even a stranger—was no big deal.

Gen Z? A spontaneous phone call might as well be a jump scare.

They rehearse what to say, write talking points, and sometimes text before calling to make sure it’s okay.