Have you ever watched a Baby Boomer breeze through something that left you stumped and thought, “Wow, that’s actually pretty impressive?”
I know I have.
There’s a certain set of skills and traits—call them old-school talents if you will—that many Boomers possess and younger generations often wish they had more of.
From mastering the art of writing sincere thank-you notes to being able to hold a conversation without the safety net of a smartphone, these are abilities that quietly earn respect across every age group.
I’ve personally found myself trying to pick up a few of these habits from my mom and my older colleagues—particularly the knack for genuine face-to-face communication (no texting allowed!).
Whether it’s their resilience, their people skills, or the way they remain calm while navigating life’s many twists, Boomers have a few tricks up their sleeve that millennials and Gen Z might secretly long to learn.
Below, I’ll share the seven key things Boomers do that I’ve noticed younger generations often admire—from the perspective of someone who’s only recently realized just how valuable these skills really are.
Let’s dive in.
1. They write handwritten notes and letters
When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand? For many of us under 50, it’s been a while.
Even a simple thank-you note is more likely to be a text message or an email than a handwritten card. But there’s something uniquely personal and warm about a note that’s penned on paper.
I remember how my mother, a proud Boomer, used to stock up on pretty writing paper and calligraphy pens. She’d sit at the kitchen table, carefully composing letters to friends and family.
And you know what? Those letters were cherished for weeks—sometimes months—after they were received. There’s a thoughtfulness and intention in putting pen to paper that a quick text can’t replicate.
That’s exactly why Boomers who do this stand out. They’ve kept alive a tradition that younger folks actually find refreshing.
It’s a small gesture that can forge deeper emotional connections, and secretly, many of us wish we did more of it.
2. They engage in long, meaningful conversations without distractions
Have you ever tried to have a heart-to-heart with someone who’s constantly scrolling through their phone or checking their smartwatch?
Let’s face it: in our tech-obsessed world, giving someone your undivided attention is becoming rare.
Boomers, on the other hand, grew up in a time before we had the constant ping of messages and notifications, so many of them are naturally good at focusing on a conversation.
A close Boomer friend of mine—and mentor—rarely ever looks at her phone while we talk. It’s disarming, in the best way. She maintains eye contact, responds thoughtfully, and asks follow-up questions.
It’s the simplest thing, yet I find it so admirable, especially when most of us (myself included) have a reflex to glance at our screens.
As Dale Carnegie famously wrote in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
When you offer genuine, phone-free attention, it shows that you truly care. That’s a skill we can all learn from the Boomers in our lives—and something I’m still working to master myself.
3. They value real-world problem-solving over quick digital fixes
“Just Google it!” That’s often the first response we younger generations have when we hit a snag.
Whether it’s troubleshooting a household appliance or figuring out how to fix a leaky faucet, we tend to go straight to an online solution. Boomers, however, frequently rely on practical, experience-based know-how.
I remember when my son and I had a broken doorknob at home. My immediate instinct was to open YouTube and search for a tutorial.
My mother, meanwhile, walked in with a small toolbox, fiddled with the knob for a minute, and had it fixed in no time—no smartphone needed.
There’s a type of hands-on resilience that’s been honed by years of trial and error.
And while digital solutions are incredible in their own right (we can learn to do almost anything online!), that ability to innovate on the spot—using common sense and resourcefulness—is something younger generations secretly admire.
4. They uphold old-school courtesy and manners
I’m talking about the little things here: saying “please” and “thank you,” offering a firm handshake, writing a genuine RSVP to an event, or simply opening the door for someone.
These gestures can feel increasingly rare in a busy, fast-paced society. Yet, when Boomers seamlessly incorporate them into daily life, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
I once attended a networking event with a Boomer colleague who greeted each person with a warm smile and a handshake, remembering everyone’s name by the end of the night.
Meanwhile, I was struggling to juggle my phone, gather business cards, and keep track of new faces.
Theodore Roosevelt noted, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Manners signal respect and empathy—two qualities the modern world could use more of.
When younger folks witness Boomers genuinely treating others with courtesy, we often think, I should do that more, too. It’s a subtle but powerful way to connect with people.
5. They tell rich stories from experience
If you’ve ever sat around a dinner table while a Baby Boomer recounted a tale from “back in the day,” you know what I mean.
It might be a story about their first job, how they navigated life without cell phones, or how they saved money to buy their first car. The details are vivid, the emotions are real, and there’s often a meaningful lesson tucked inside.
Yes, sometimes we joke about the “back in my day” speech, but deep down, many of us realize there’s value in those lived experiences.
Younger folks might hop on social media to share photos or quick updates, but we don’t always slow down and reflect on our journeys in a way that becomes a captivating story.
I’ve tried to take notes on how my older relatives weave humor, suspense, and vulnerability into their stories. They create a sense of connection that can’t be replicated by a quick Instagram caption.
And as you might know, at DM News, we’re big fans of fostering real human connection—and storytelling is an essential piece of that puzzle.
6. They keep their commitments and show up consistently
Ever notice how Boomers are more likely to stick to a plan once it’s been made? I’m guilty of occasionally texting a friend last-minute to cancel or reschedule because “something came up” or I got swamped with work.
Younger generations have a reputation for being more flexible—which can be great—but it also means we’re sometimes flaky.
Boomers grew up in a time where if you made plans, you showed up—or you were sure to call ahead to let people know if you couldn’t make it.
There was no instant messaging to say, “Running late, be there in 30.” Punctuality and reliability were non-negotiable.
Consistency builds trust. Whether it’s being on time for a meeting or remembering birthdays without Facebook prompts, there’s something deeply admirable about how Boomers honor their commitments.
7. They practice patience and long-term thinking
Last but definitely not least, patience—often a lost art in our “on-demand” era. We live in a world where everything from food to entertainment can be delivered in minutes, and the idea of waiting (let alone doing so gracefully) is almost foreign.
Boomers grew up when mail took days to arrive, photographs had to be developed, and booking travel required visits to an actual travel agent.
This slower pace taught patience and long-term thinking. It’s why many Boomers are excellent at saving money, planning for retirement, or devoting years to mastering a hobby. They understand that not everything happens overnight.
Sheryl Sandberg once said, “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.” I think this applies perfectly to the concept of patience.
Once we notice that we’re always in a rush—tapping our fingers while our phone buffers for two seconds—we can start to appreciate the more methodical pace of our older relatives.
It’s a trait that fosters resilience, strategic planning, and a sense of calm in a sometimes chaotic world.
Wrapping up
When I look at these seven things—handwritten notes, attentive conversation, practical problem-solving, unwavering courtesy, rich storytelling, reliability, and patience—I see qualities that can make a real difference in how we connect with others and handle life’s challenges.
Yes, some of the changes in our modern world have made life more convenient in countless ways. But there’s a unique charm and deeper humanity that comes from doing certain things the “old-fashioned” way.
In all honesty, I think most of us have a secret admiration for how Boomers carry themselves in these areas—even if we don’t openly admit it.
If you’re thinking about adopting any of these habits, start small. Write one handwritten note to a friend or relative each month. Practice putting your phone away during conversations.
Follow through on plans you’ve made. Give yourself permission to slow down a little.
The point isn’t to abandon technology or modern conveniences (trust me, I rely on them, too!). But if we can blend the best of both worlds—Boomer know-how and contemporary innovation—we might just tap into a richer, more fulfilling way of living.
And who knows? Maybe in the process, we’ll inspire someone from a younger generation to say, “That’s so cool—I want to do it, too.”
