We’ve all heard the tired stereotypes. Boomers think millennials are lazy, entitled, and glued to their phones. Millennials think boomers are out of touch, rigid, and allergic to anything that doesn’t resemble a 9-to-5. But the reality is more nuanced.
Beneath the flashy generational labels, there are age-old values millennials secretly hold dear—whether they’d like to admit it or not. Let’s explore a few of those “boomer” opinions that many of us, as millennials, quietly agree with.
1. Face-to-face communication matters
One common refrain from the boomer generation is that nothing beats a real-life, in-person chat. They believe genuine connection thrives when you can read someone’s expression, feel the energy in the room, and share a moment beyond the screen.
I used to think that was a purely old-school mentality. After all, I grew up tethered to smartphones and group chats.
But here’s the funny thing: when it comes to the conversations that truly matter—resolving conflict with a friend, surprising a loved one, or having a heartfelt talk with a mentor—I always find myself craving in-person interaction. The emotional depth you can’t replicate through endless texts or video calls is undeniable.
A study from the University of Kansas found that face-to-face conversations can foster deeper empathy and stronger rapport than digital communication. Even if we love to DM and tweet, there’s a part of us that acknowledges there’s still something special about sharing a coffee in person.
For me, it took moving away for a while—where I barely saw my family and close friends—to fully appreciate the power of being present with someone, no phones and no notifications. Turns out, I actually agree with the boomers on this one.
2. Hard work is essential to getting anywhere
There’s a popular sentiment on social media that if you’re not “hustling,” you’re slacking. Ironically, that “hustle culture” echoes a classic boomer mindset: success demands hard work, consistency, and discipline.
It’s often poked fun at when it comes from older generations, but I’ve seen plenty of my peers living the exact same principle—just under a different banner.
I remember working in digital marketing when I first started out. It felt like I had to put in long hours, respond to client emails at odd times, and be prepared to quickly pivot strategies whenever a new trend emerged.
I’d complain about how intense it was. Yet, at the end of the day, I recognized that without that effort, I wouldn’t stand out. It’s a sentiment many boomers have voiced for decades: you don’t get ahead without putting in the work.
As Gary Vaynerchuk once said, “Work ethic is the single most important variable to success.” Now, millennials often put a modern spin on it—balancing hustle with well-being, flexible schedules, and remote work—but deep down, we know you can’t skip the grind entirely.
I recall referencing the importance of self-discipline in another post, and it still rings true: no amount of fancy tech or social media clout can replace genuine commitment to your craft.
3. Real books and reading are still valuable
The image of a boomer curled up on a recliner reading a paperback instead of scrolling social media is a classic caricature.
But let’s be real: plenty of us millennials are quietly embracing that same habit—whether it’s old-school hardcovers or even reading on a dedicated e-reader. The main principle is the focus and intentionality that come with reading rather than scrolling.
As Cal Newport has noted, focus is a superpower in a world overloaded with digital distractions. We might joke that boomers are behind the times, but they’ve long understood the magic of opening a book, immersing yourself in deep ideas, and emerging with a fresh perspective.
And that’s something many of us crave. Our attention spans get bombarded by short-form videos and bite-sized tweets all day. Sitting down for 30 minutes with a book can be an almost meditative experience.
I’ve met more friends in my generation who join book clubs or collect used paperbacks than I ever expected. And while we might keep it on the down-low—because publicly we’re all about streaming the next trending series—there’s a shared belief that reading is a powerful way to learn and grow.
It’s a timeless boomer viewpoint that many of us respect when the phone’s finally set aside.
4. A stable career has its perks
Boomers often touted the idea of finding a “good job,” staying loyal to one employer, and building a career over time. Meanwhile, millennials have become known for job-hopping, freelancing, or juggling multiple side hustles.
Yet underneath that entrepreneurial spirit, there’s a sneaking admiration for the stability and predictability of the old-school approach.
I’ll admit, after spending more than a decade in digital marketing—jumping from corporate roles to freelancing gigs—I sometimes found myself missing the benefits of a traditional structure. Having a clear career ladder, benefits you can count on, and the safety net of a long-term position can be comforting.
Sure, we millennials enjoy the freedom of exploring new paths, but there are moments when I’ve yearned for the reliability that used to be the norm.
Of course, times have changed. Outsourcing, automation, and economic shifts mean few jobs are truly guaranteed these days. But the broader boomer mentality of investing in your work, growing within a company, and reaping long-term rewards hasn’t completely lost its appeal.
Even if we rarely say it out loud, a lot of us recognize there’s wisdom in a slow-and-steady approach.
5. Family (and relationships) come first
We often associate boomers with big family gatherings, staying in the same hometown, and forging tight-knit communities. Meanwhile, millennials might be traveling the world, living away from home, or focusing on personal passions.
But guess what? Many of us still hold that same deep belief in the importance of family and close relationships.
As Dale Carnegie wrote, “You can make more friends in two months by being interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” Boomers famously attend every reunion, send holiday cards, and check in on neighbors.
Even if we approach it differently—like group video calls, a quick text barrage, or social media updates—there’s an inherent recognition that our support system is crucial.
We’re social creatures at heart. Friendships, romantic partnerships, and family ties can offer a sense of purpose that echoes the boomer conviction about togetherness. I see millennials stepping into caretaker roles for aging parents or visiting grandparents more often than we might publicly mention.
We talk a big game about independence, but at the end of the day, we lean on our loved ones just as much as older generations do.
Psychological research consistently shows that strong social bonds lead to greater happiness and even increased longevity. We might not say it with the same gusto, but the idea that relationships matter above all else is something a lot of us can’t help but agree with.
6. Being financially prudent is non-negotiable
The boomer philosophy on money often goes: work diligently, save consistently, stay out of debt, and set yourself up for retirement. To some millennials, this might sound like missing out on life in exchange for a future that’s anything but guaranteed.
After all, we’ve grown up with a lot of economic uncertainty—from the 2008 recession to record student loan debt. Yet many of us still share that basic boomer sentiment: being responsible with your finances pays off.
I’ve seen friends—people who thrive on experiences, travel, and spontaneity—also get serious about building emergency funds or investing.
We just put a different spin on it, labeling it “financial independence” or “FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early).” The concept remains, though: you have to plan for the long haul if you want real freedom later.
Moreover, just like boomers who believed in living within one’s means, a surprising number of us millennials are turning to minimalism, secondhand shopping, and budgeting apps.
These may be modern twists, but the core belief is the same: mindless spending catches up with you, and a little frugality can make life more secure and enjoyable.
Putting it all together
So much for the generation wars. Sure, we have our differences—life in the internet age is a far cry from life in the decades prior—but some fundamentals remain.
Hard work, genuine relationships, financial responsibility, a focus on meaningful communication, and a desire for stability are universal values. We might call them “boomer opinions,” but it’s clear that plenty of millennials quietly embrace them, too.
Here at DMNews, we always remind ourselves that the best ideas can come from anywhere—even from a generation we sometimes jokingly butt heads with. At the end of the day, the lessons our parents and grandparents learned through life experience still shape who we are and how we operate.
We just don’t always admit it out loud. But maybe, just maybe, it’s worth acknowledging that some so-called “old-school” values deserve a bit more credit. After all, true wisdom has no expiration date.
