But as the years go by, certain generational quirks start to stand out more than others.
In my experience, baby boomers have a few recognizable behaviors that reveal their age almost as soon as they walk through the door—sometimes even before they’ve placed their order.
I’m definitely not saying these habits are bad. In fact, I find them fascinating because they highlight how much the dining scene has evolved over the decades.
With that in mind, let’s explore seven ways our beloved boomers sometimes show their generational roots at restaurants.
1. They still prefer phone reservations
Ever tried booking a table through your favorite restaurant app, only to have your mom or dad (or an older friend) say, “Why not just call them?”
That’s the classic giveaway. Boomers grew up in an era where telephone calls were the main way to confirm a reservation—long before online booking systems took over.
Don’t get me wrong, calling a restaurant can still be the best option, especially for smaller spots that don’t have a digital reservation system.
But it’s always a hint about a person’s generation when you see them pick up the phone instead of reaching for their favorite dining app.
A 2019 study showed that nearly 70% of people under 40 prefer online reservations, whereas older adults lean toward phone calls. So if you spot someone doing it the old-fashioned way, there’s your sign.
In my mind, neither approach is better or worse—it’s just a reflection of how we were taught to navigate the world.
Personally, I love the convenience of a few taps on an app, but there’s a certain charm to hearing a human voice confirm your booking.
2. They avoid QR code menus
With so many restaurants shifting to QR code menus, it’s become second nature for millennials and Gen Zers to whip out their phones and scan away.
But for many boomers, QR codes can be a bit of a mystery. If I’m out with someone who eyes the code suspiciously before asking for a paper menu, I usually suspect they grew up in a pre-digital era.
“As Seth Godin has said, ‘Change is not a threat, it’s an opportunity. Survival is not the goal, transformative success is.’”
That quote fits well here. QR menus represent a quick leap into tech-forward dining—an evolution accelerated by health and safety concerns over the past few years.
Still, it’s understandable that folks who didn’t grow up scanning anything (other than grocery store bar codes) might find it all a bit confusing.
I’ll admit, sometimes I miss having the physical menu to hold in my hands.
But whenever I see someone fumble with their camera app or decline to scan, I know right away they’re likely from a generation that prefers simpler, more tangible solutions.
3. They emphasize old-school dining etiquette
Remember those times you got in trouble for putting your elbows on the table? Or when you were told to always wait until everyone is served before eating?
These etiquette rules are part of the boomer DNA. They grew up when restaurants were more formal, and dining out was seen as a special event rather than an everyday occurrence.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I grew up in a household where table manners mattered.
Even now, I hear echoes of my parents whenever I see someone in a hat at the dinner table. While it may seem old-fashioned, these small gestures were considered marks of politeness.
When I see someone diligently minding all those rules—no phone at the table, no hats indoors, wait for others to finish—I almost immediately guess they might be a boomer.
At the same time, I find it admirable how this generation values respect in a dining setting. Sure, we millennials might snap a quick photo of our entrée the moment it lands.
But boomers tend to focus on preserving those refined details of old-school restaurant culture—even if everyone around them is hashtagging or live-streaming their meal.
4. They’re quick to voice dissatisfaction
Have you ever been at a restaurant and, within minutes, the older diner in your group is already talking about how the music is too loud, the lights are too dim, or the AC is too cold?
This is a hallmark move in the boomer playbook. They’re not shy about expressing discomfort or disapproval—often out loud and promptly.
Younger generations sometimes wait until after the meal to leave a polite review online, or they’ll just deal with the problem quietly.
Boomers, on the other hand, are more inclined to call a server over and say, “Could you please adjust the temperature?” or “Why is the music so loud here?”
As Dale Carnegie once said, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.”
Boomers, in that sense, prioritize how they feel in the moment over any fear of making a scene. If something’s not right, they fix it right away. And that’s not always a bad thing.
Sometimes I appreciate that direct approach—especially if it leads to a more comfortable dining experience for everyone.
5. They talk about “value for money”
Spending time with a boomer at a restaurant often involves a conversation about cost.
It might go something like, “I remember when a steak dinner was half this price,” or “They’re charging how much for a side salad?” This emphasis on getting your money’s worth is deeply ingrained in their generation.
Back in the day, restaurant meals were a luxury, reserved for special occasions. So, it’s no surprise boomers occasionally fixate on how expensive things have become.
I once ate out with an uncle who took a good five minutes to break down the check, line by line, to make sure we weren’t being overcharged.
We had a laugh about it afterward, but it’s definitely a sign of someone who remembers 1970s or 1980s price tags like they were yesterday.
Personally, I get it. Our life experiences shape how we see everyday costs. And as inflation and dining trends change, it’s hard not to compare prices from then versus now.
Still, that quick reaction of “How can they charge so much for this?” is a pretty strong generational identifier.
6. They often prefer paying with cash (or even a check!)
Have you ever seen someone pull out a checkbook at a restaurant in 2025? You can practically hear the younger folks at the table gasp.
Yet boomers sometimes still rely on checks or, at the very least, use cash for most transactions.
Living in California, I rarely carry cash these days. Everything from my morning coffee to a quick lunch is usually paid for by tapping my phone or card.
So, it’s a bit nostalgic (and frankly surprising) to see older diners meticulously counting out exact change or scribbling a check in the middle of a busy eatery.
There’s a reason for this: for a long time, checks and cash were the only secure ways to pay. Credit cards weren’t as widely trusted, and digital payments didn’t exist.
While the rest of us have adapted to Apple Pay or other apps, many boomers still feel more comfortable with tangible forms of payment.
In fact, a Federal Reserve paper once highlighted that while digital payments are on the rise, older Americans remain the most consistent group still using cash.
That’s a habit that clearly points to someone who grew up paying bills long before smartphones were around.
7. They’re unsure about trendy food options
Finally, let’s look at the menu itself. If you ever see a diner staring at “acai bowls” or “kimchi tacos” in bewilderment, there’s a solid chance they might be a boomer.
Trendy foods, especially those with global twists or wellness angles, can be unfamiliar territory if you grew up in an era of classic American fare.
I love trying new things, whether it’s a jackfruit burrito or cauliflower crust pizza.
But I’ve also seen older diners ask, “What exactly is kombucha?” or “Who puts fruit in a salad?” It’s not stubbornness as much as it is genuine curiosity about flavors they never encountered growing up.
Simon Sinek once said, “The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today.” That applies to exploring new foods, too.
While some boomers remain skeptical, I’ve also seen many who are eager to broaden their horizons and give new dishes a shot. Still, that initial confusion is often a telltale sign of the generation they come from.
Putting it all together
These small gestures—calling for a reservation, requesting a paper menu instead of a QR code, or writing a check to pay—may seem insignificant, but they speak volumes about where someone is on the generational timeline.
Here at DM News, we find these habits fascinating because they remind us how experiences and perspectives shift over time.
If you’re dining with someone and spot these classic boomer tendencies, don’t forget that it’s all part of the charm.
Their approach to ordering, etiquette, and payment might differ from yours, but it’s just another example of how varied and colorful our world can be. After all, every generation brings something unique to the table—quite literally.
The next time you share a meal with a boomer, maybe you’ll appreciate their frankness with servers, their eagerness to ensure they’re getting good value, or the sense of tradition they bring when they insist on certain dining courtesies.
Ultimately, we all just want the same thing: a good meal and the chance to connect with the people we care about—no matter which decade taught us how to split the check. Bon appétit!
