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“Total Ignorance Of Science”: 40 Older Adults Point Out Weird Things That Are “Normal” Nowadays

Interview With Expert

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Many cultures have proverbs about respecting your elders. In theory, they've lived for longer, so they automatically have more experience, and with experience comes knowledge, right? Maybe some people would like to argue that wisdom doesn't come from how old you are. Yet you can't deny that people who have more years under their belt might have a different perspective on current trends and events.

Well, one netizen had the idea to ask older adults which current social norms and things they find strange. The user u/-----Diana----- wrote: "What's socially normal now that you disagree with?" The people on r/AskOldPeople shared some things they're not entirely on board with. And their answers are actually insightful, not the old-man-yells-at-cloud kind.

To know more about the 'Grumpy Old People' myth and why older people tend to disagree with modern social norms, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Julie Erickson, a clinical psychologist and author of The Aging Well Workbook for Anxiety and Depression.

We also managed to have a conversation with the Redditor who started the discussion, u/-----Diana-----. The user from Romania was kind enough to tell us why she was curious about what older adults think of today's social norms. Read both interviews below!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Our society being ok with total ignorance of science and some are even praised for it.

Sufficient-Grand3746 , Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

311points

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It's natural for people to have differing opinions. Sometimes, these opinions can differ because of age. And that's completely normal, too. Clinical psychologist and author of The Aging Well Workbook for Anxiety and Depression, Dr. Julie Erickson, says that different generations commonly have conflicting views over norms, values, and beliefs.

"Each generation has 'cohort beliefs,' which are beliefs held by people born at a similar time period," Dr. Erickson tells Bored Panda. "These beliefs are shaped by a variety of different social, political, cultural, environmental, technological, and economic factors of the time."

But to say that "all elderly people hate technology" would be too simplistic and untrue. And, honestly, pretty ageist. There's much more nuance to it than that. "It's important to recognize that there is tremendous individual variability in the extent to which older adults accept new social norms," Dr. Erickson observes. "Some older adults are quite capable of evolving their worldview. It's an ageist assumption that older adults are stuck in their ways or more resistant to change."

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#2

The widespread inability to spell words correctly or use them properly ( e.g. Their , There , They're ) and don't get me started on grammar.

Highway-Organic , Ivan Samkov/ pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

258points

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#3

Everything. I'm old. Get off my lawn.

spyder_rico , RepentAnd SeekChristJesus / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

206points

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The clinical psychologist says that some studies suggest the personality trait we call 'agreeableness' increases as people age. "That being said, as we get older, we tend to prefer what is familiar and personally meaningful," she also notes. "This can make some people less open to new experiences or worldviews."

When the world's changing so fast and in so many ways, it can become harder and harder to keep up with current trends. And that includes not only knowing who the most popular celebrities are or what the latest fashion trend is. It's more about things like what words or phrases might be inappropriate to use.

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#4

Kids (and some adults, but I mostly see kids) with tablets or phones at full volume out in public. I have no interest in hearing other people's games, videos, music or phone conversations.

Amesaskew , Julia M Cameron / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

199points

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#5

Me: Hey, how have you been?

Them: Haven't you seen my posts on [social media platform]?

Me: I'm trying to have a conversation with you, not subscribe to your newsletter.

Myrindyl , Christina Morillo / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

198points

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#6

Being mad at me because I don't automatically know your pronouns... Just tell me if I'm wrong in a nice way and I'll adapt.

BloopityBlue , Alexander Grey / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

198points

Captain McSmoot 8 months ago

People changing their naturally born pronouns and expecting the entire world to magically know something which took them years to find out for themselves and exploding on them is the biggest douche move. Congratulations! You know yourself more fully now, but it doesn't give you the right to be a rude a*****e about it when others don't know. They expect people to know in an instant what took them years, maybe even decades, to find out for themselves. You're an idiot who thinks you now have an excuse to be rude and the masses will back you up because you are "different". People aren't hating on you because your pronouns don't align with the "traditional" sense; they're hating on you because you are an obnoxious, entitled a*****e.

34points

Wren 8 months ago

I'd only get upset if someone flat out refused to use correct pronouns after me telling them kindly what they are (and not like them forgetting, just refusing to acknowledge them and being homophobic about it). Otherwise, my pronouns are she/they but if you accidentally call me a he I do not care whatsoever. Online/in comments I might not even bother correcting it lol

3points

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Randy Sanders 8 months ago

I really don't care what your pronouns are. I will, however, address you with respect.

26points

titansterritory 8 months ago

I think it's all stupid. IMO

26points

Manana Man 8 months ago

I'm just not interested in what anybody's pronouns are. Do your thing, but don't put it on me.

10points

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Corvus 8 months ago

Indeed, no one's pronouns are written with big red letters on their forehead.

24points

TheGoodBoi 8 months ago

Hmmm 🤔. Gave me an idea.

5points

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HolyDiver 8 months ago

nobody cares. Live your life but don't expect me to cater to your fantasies.

23points

Týr Máni 8 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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censorshipsucks 8 months ago (edited)

This is a distinctly western controversy. In africa we're still trying to get countries like uganda to not give death sentences. Fortunately SA (my country) has enough western elements to be less traditionalist about it. But we don't do the thing of putting pronouns after our names.

19points

MayaGeGe 8 months ago (edited)

Yeah my parents come from North Africa. I wouldn't imagine that topic arriving there either... I feel that many Westerners don't realise how far we've gone on tolerance, as the 'Bigot' / 'Racist' accusations are overly common in Western Europe....Which is the region which has the greatest number of homosexuals, women, or people of foreign descent as high ranking public officials, without the population making a big fuss about it.

4points

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Albert De Peña 8 months ago

You don't own grammar. Be mad all you want or just treat me the way you like to be treated.

15points

CrazyKnitter 8 months ago

Please!! Don't assume that I'm a d**k, correct me. I may forget also, I have a s****y memory, I am not trying to be rude, I genuinely don't remember. I know someone who's pronouns have changed, I rarely interact with them but I always forget when I'm referring to them, not because I don't care, I just genuinely forget about it in the moment.

11points

CrazyKnitter 8 months ago

Adding: I knew them for 20 years under one way, I try and get internally excited when I do remember, but it slips out more often than I'd ever like to admit.

4points

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Display_Name 8 months ago

If we just met for the first time and you inform me of your pronouns, it's easy for me. But if I've known you a couple of decades and you decide to change your pronouns, then bare with me. I have a friend who got married 5 years ago and I still forget to use her married name.

11points

William Teach 8 months ago

I'd rather use people's names.

10points

Jaya 8 months ago

Really? I have the opposite, I find using people's names instead of pronouns so incredibly uncomfortable. "Mike told me he needs to go to the store because his phone is broken" is an easy sentence, but "Mike told me Mike needs to go to the store because Mike's phone is broken".... I just cannot get through a sentence like that, I find that so awkward to say.

-1point

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Ąåřţđęşịɠŋȿ 8 months ago

That is WAY too confusing to even address. Give me a f*****g break if I have never even met your a*s before. How the hell should I know what specific flavor you prefer.

9points

Just-A-Black-Cat-Lover 8 months ago

Exactly. And don't get so offended right away. How do I know? I don't even care! I'm probably only going to see you once in my life, so why make such a big deal about it?

2points

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tori Ohno 8 months ago

Those who care about their pronouns don't give a rat's patoot about being nice about it if you get it wrong.

8points

madbakes 8 months ago

Not true

0points

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Casey Payne 8 months ago

I am in a rather queer centric environment and for the life of me this is a situation that has never come up. It's just courtesy. It's not that big of a deal and easy to navigate through social circles. This is such a non-issue that has been blown out of proportion to the point of hostility. People are writing op-eds against using preferred pronouns for newspapers. Declaring they will only use God given pronouns and telling everyone that THIS IS THE HILL TO DIE ON and stop... being polite? Wow. Okay. Minding your manners is now a minefield.

7points

Montanavanna 8 months ago

When someone reacts by being upset for being misgendered I get a glimpse into how their mind works. Oh, you are not able to separate someone's intent over your need to be seen. I just use they for everyone now. Is that safe? Or are people gonna have a problem with that, too?

7points

Two_rolling_black_eyes 8 months ago

My name was way too popular when I was born. Out of 21 kids in 2nd grade, 11 boys and 2 girls had the same name. I grew up with people calling me the wrong thing because "it was confusing what I wanted to be called". I grew up with people making up nicknames because "I can't keep you all straight". I learned there are 3 types of people. Those who make an effort right off the bat to get it right by asking. Those who correct themselves once they know. If they do it again, its an honest mistake and they will fix it. The last type don't care and won't make an effort because it's all about them. Stop trying to fix the third type. Its about their ego, not about you and you can't fix a narcissist. You actually strengthen their ego by arguing because their brain just sees their opinion matters.

6points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 8 months ago

Especially if they haven't transitioned and it isn't immediately obvious. I'm perfectly happy to refer to you as "she/her" but if you have a five o'clock shadow and don't LOOK feminine, mistakes will be made by me. I'm fully okay with owning up to them as long as you're okay owning up that your pronouns are different--instead of getting mad at me. I'm not a mind reader.

5points

Nizumi 8 months ago

Yes! Mind you - I've danced around not calling a family member anything at all for the past 12 years and no one's caught on yet. As a Canadian I never thought I start using "y'all", but it is a fabulous word! :)

5points

madbakes 8 months ago

They're your family member. Do you not want to call them by their preferred pronouns?

4points

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Robert Millar 8 months ago

Henry Beard: He or She or It. Horshit for short.

5points

El Dee 8 months ago

No one (I know, there's ALWAYS one) is getting annoyed if you don't know or forget. People are angry if you deliberately do it or deadname them deliberately. The above idea is pushed a lot be people who resent the very idea that someone can change their gender or even name..

4points

DB 8 months ago

I don't have pronouns I have adverbs. Mine are "loudly" and "frantically". Please respect my choices.

2points

Captain McSmoot 8 months ago

I also find it a bit ironic that the same people who expect their new pronouns to be used instantly by default are also the same people who refuse to call "Twitter" X when that's the platform's new, legal name...

2points

BookFanatic 8 months ago

Someone asked me my preferred pronouns the other day. I kinda wanted to say goddess/diva but didn't want to be perceived as mocking people.

2points

Ms. Mack 8 months ago

In writing I use the person's name or they/them. I no longer use Ma'am or Sir. It costs me nothing.

2points

madbakes 8 months ago

I wonder how many of the people commenting have come across a trans person, and said person freaked out over a wrong pronoun. Sure, they exist, but I have yet to meet someone who is an a*****e about it.

2points

Wondering Alice 8 months ago

I do in fact encounter this regularly. However, these are young teens who are struggling to gain acceptance and are simply reacting to one too many problems. I would urge anyone who is freaked out on for inadvertently misgendering someone to remember they are likely going through a lot, a simple apology and stating you will not make the mistake again will go some way to helping the person feel respected and safe. Making a massive deal about the fact you were made to feel bad for 2 minutes is the overreaction.

3points

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Namor 8 months ago

All I need to know is your name

2points

MayaGeGe 8 months ago (edited)

I guess I could go with the English and French standard neutral pronouns, do go with calling transwomen like biological ones. But I can't do the customized makeshift personal pronouns. Especially when they evolve every 2 months (was really the case for one of our interns). She ended up passing as an entitled person, as by the end of the 6-month internship she 'went back' to the she/her.

2points

BROmanicus85 7 months ago

This! And also, being called CIS as a heterosexual man, without being asked in advance if it bothers me or not! Kind of a double-standard, in my book...

1point

Glenn Cuneo 8 months ago

I don't give a f**k about your silly assed pronoun b******t. Just tell me your name.

1point

PixxelDust 8 months ago

What I don't understand is that the same people who complain about people getting uncomfortable when you use the wrong pronouns seem to often be the same ones complaining about people introducing themselves with pronouns. Seems like some people just want to get to decide other people's gender for them

1point

Vishy 8 months ago

You pronouns can take a hike. I will address you by your name. That's it.

1point

Jaya 8 months ago

Has anyone ever had that happen in real life though? I meet lots of transgender and nonbinary people, and have accidentally misgendered many of them, nobody has ever been angry. And I've asked my trans/nonbinary friends and they also say they never get angry, unless someone keeps repeatedly misgendering them purposefully to hurt them. I think it's just a couple of crazy people who have been filmed and put online, and that's made us think this is common, when it really isn't.

1point

Vinny DaPooh 8 months ago

Ask me nicely and I'll use them with you. Be rude about it and my pronoun is "your esteemed master of time and space" and I demand you use it every sentence.

1point

Tiddlez 8 months ago

If it's online and I don't know your pronouns, I just default to the ever neutral They/Them until notified

1point

Macro____________________Polo! 8 months ago

I find it honestly hilarious that people can't handle using they/them. These are literally the pronouns used when you don't know what gender you are referencing, or referencing multiple genders. Expand your mind a smidge and use they/then more frequently.

1point

PixxelDust 8 months ago

Exactly! It's really funny when transphobes will say "they is not a singular pronoun" and then say something like "someone's parked THEIR car badly" or "looks like someone lost THEIR hat" etc

0points

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Thatkamloopsguy 8 months ago

mine are Beer/Whiskey

1point

Mystery Kitteh 5 months ago

Please tattoo them to your forehead so no one will forget

0points

Joanne Earle 7 months ago

Or forcing others to declare their pronouns.

0points

Lotekguy 8 months ago

I have a hard enough time remembering names. Adding pronoun fluidity just makes me feel tired.

0points

Mark Ward 8 months ago

There are 2 pronouns when it comes to sex. M or f. Wtf is they

0points

Sophia L. 8 months ago

Nope, ain't gonna adapt. Stop forcing people to play pretend with you.

0points

Allen Packard 8 months ago

Thank you for this! I have no idea what your pronouns are. But I have no problem with it. Just give me a minute and also a little understanding if i mess up.

0points

eykntspel 8 months ago

I've honestly only ever seen people politely reminding others when they accidentally use the wrong pronouns. I've never seen people get mad at others when they mess up, it's when the person purposely uses the wrong pronouns or doesn't care and makes a big deal about it that people get mad.

0points

Aiden Brough 8 months ago

I saw a some BBC news interview and the woman being interviewed had a difficult name to pronounce. The interviewer struggled to pronounce her name correctly but instead of showing grace and some humility she choose to humiliate the poor man by repeatedly says "Try again". We do not have an inbuilt ability to know how ALL letters, vowels etc are pronounced depending on their origins and this was just poor. But then again, not surprising of how people react in todays 'I expect you to accomondate ME' society we now live in.

0points

Stephanie Barr 8 months ago

I don't know why people are so bent out of shape treating people as who they see themselves instead of how other people think they should see themselves. Is there too much happiness in the world already to let other people have a little?

0points

Kimbowa 8 months ago

It’s kind to honor a person’s choice whenever possible.

0points

Nicole Barnes 8 months ago

I’m happy to adapt but PLEASE can we agree on a non/gendered SINGULAR pronoun. “Them they” doesn’t work for a single person. Grammar is still important to communicate meaning. He/Him. She/her. Xe / Xer would work so much better!

0points

BebeR 8 months ago

Nicole. They/Them has been around for ages, it's not new and you probably use it all the time without noticing. Think about it - if I ask you what colour water bottle a random person (and you don't know the gender) should buy - your response would be ''I think THEY should buy xyz''

-1point

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Jill Rhodry 8 months ago

I've not been able to understand this - who says s/he hers/his to a person's face? - I use their name. Pronouns are for when you're referring to them to someone else eg "Lisa did a good job today, I think she's learning quickly' vs " Hey great job Lisa, you learn pretty quick!" - please make it make sense - seriously.

0points

Michelle 8 months ago

Aren't everyone's pronouns, when speaking directly to them, first person: You, Your and You're?

0points

Jan Olsen 8 months ago

Don't talk about anyone present in the third person....

0points

David 8 months ago

Within reason I'll try to call anyone by what they prefer to be called. But in day to day life in person (not typing about a person) I find I rarely use pronouns. Say my friend is "Sally". If I am talking in person I just talk because we already know who each other are. If I am asking a third person about Sally, I say, "Where did Sally go?" Not - "Where did he/she/they/it go?" I spend most Saturdays with an old friend. She would go by she/her. But I can't remember the last time I used those words in relation to her - except for just now when typing. It just rarely ever comes up in actual conversations with people.

0points

Jenn Olges 8 months ago

I have no issue with this except one. My mind cannot process calling a single person by a plural pronoun. I fight to do it every time.

0points

LB 8 months ago

I (agender) find it hard in my native language also, but not in Englisch. They/them is also used for a single unknown person (someone left their umbrella, wonder if they will come pick it up) so it works easier for me.

5points

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TennesseeHomesteadUSA 8 months ago

Mr and Ms/Mrs are the only correct salutations for humans I know of...

0points

Chilli 8 months ago

There is also Mz (Mizz) another term for women who don't want to disclose their marital status, and Mx (Mix) a term for non-binary people

0points

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Chelsea McKee 8 months ago

This is what happens when we listen to children.

-1point

Týr Máni 8 months ago

Just use gender neutral pronouns until you know for sure. It's not that hard. Y'all just want to make excuses.

-2points

Týr Máni 8 months ago

Just use gender neutral pronouns until you know for sure. Not that hard.

-2points

Queeqec 8 months ago

In my language it is a problem.

0points

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M Kovacs 8 months ago

The extreme hate if you don't get it right. Or feel the need to participate. Yes it is like religion.

-2points

moggie63 8 months ago

If you feel the need to tell me your pronouns, I'm pretty sure we have nothing to discuss.

-2points

madbakes 8 months ago

I'm sorry that you're not open to learning about those unlike yourself.

3points

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Deeisabird 8 months ago

Or ya know, accept the gender you were born as and there won't be an issue 🤷🏻‍♀️

-3points

Cosmikid 8 months ago

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Jaya 8 months ago

Don't you yourself have a preference for people to say he or she when talking about you? I don't think I know any women who don't mind being called 'he' or any men who don't mind being called 'she'. Pretty much everyone has a really strong preference to be called the gender they feel, it's just that for most people the gender they feel and their biological sex happen to be the same so nobody ever uses the wrong pronoun for them.

1point

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Feathered Dinosaur 8 months ago

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Smiley! 8 months ago

It's not your decision to make.

0points

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Steve Hall 8 months ago

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Jaya 8 months ago

Also known as: "I love to bully people. I am not aware yet that this is a completely ineffective way to deal with my own pain or frustrations. I think not having any empathy towards others is a good trait."

2points

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Some people grow more anxious as they age because they feel like the world might be leaving them behind. Dr. Erickson says that this is a concern for people who subscribe to the narrative that it's all downhill from a certain age.

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"We forget about everything we gain as we get older: wisdom, maturity, emotional stability, a clearly defined sense of self, not sweating the small stuff as much, and plenty of experience solving problems. It's about finding a way to use these strengths in a changing world," she explains.

#7

Its now socially normal to not use caps or punctuation so that your thoughts are all one single stream of consciousness and really hard to read like reading ulysses but the kids dont even know or care what that is because they just want to get their thoughts all out at once without any regard for the reader and the annoyance it is to try to figure out what they are saying Signed: A pained English major.

ktappe , Charlotte May/ pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

183points

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#8

Being around others while obviously sick. It’s been normalized because we have a garbage safety net that doesn’t allow people financially to take care of themselves and not make others sick. Or allow them to be off work to care for sick children. 40 years ago when unions were strong there were lots of sick days in lots of jobs and people mostly were able to stay home when really sick, in professional or union jobs anyway. There’s always been a segment of the working population that got screwed. But now more than ever we need generous sick leave policies in place for EVERYONE.

Reneeisme , Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

165points

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#9

Since this is the Ask Old People category, I disagree with people being dismissive because I am old. I have at least one more sucker punch left in me for the next ‘ok boomer’ comment I get in person.

MissHibernia , Nashua Volquez-Young/ pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

147points

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Bored Panda also had a short chat with u/-----Diana-----, the author of this thread. "I got the idea for the question one morning when lying in bed," the young Redditor tells us. The user shared how she lives in a Romanian village where a big portion of the population is over 50. "They have lots to complain about," the Redditor chuckled.

#10

I'm really not comfortable will all the ads for betting and sports book platforms.

Flaxscript42 , Jose Francisco Fernandez Saura/ pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

143points

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#11

Not being willing or able to just be superficially nice in social settings. Sometimes it's *okay* to just be pleasant instead of making your unique and specific viewpoint heard.

stealth_bohemian , Yan Krukau/ pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

134points

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#12

Tipping on everything. Especially with those iPads that spin around and awkwardly ask you for 10% because someone got you a muffin from behind the counter. Make it end.

larryhood35 , Dan Smedley / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

131points

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The inspiration for the question came from a lady in her mid-70s, u/-----Diana----- tells us. She overheard the woman complaining about how her grandchildren were always on their phones. The Redditor then went to r/AskOldPeople to ask the older adults what things the younger generation does nowadays that bother them. "The answers there tend to be intriguing generally," the user adds.

#13

The assumption that if you say one thing you automatically believe something else. For example if you say that we should look at tightening up our gun control laws, that automatically means you're anti-gun and want to take away everybody's guns.

Th3TruthIs0utTh3r3 , Jessica Da Rosa / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

125points

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#14

Playing with your phone while in the presence of live conversation.

aprehensivebad42 , Eliott Reyna / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

124points

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#15

Politics being your entire identity. They did this to us on purpose to divide us.

CatCiaoSki , Marco Oriolesi / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

120points

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u/-----Diana----- also told us that she's heard her fair share of complaints about young people from her grandparents. "They're both about to turn 70 years old this year," she says. According to the Redditor, they like to talk about how the young generation is self-absorbed and how people became worse and worse after the demise of Nicolae Ceaușescu and the fall of the communist regime in Romania.

#16

Peak Cpitalism; the wealthy amassing even more wealth and not caring about a decent life for everybody.

theora55 , Daniel Thiele / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

120points

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#17

Declarations of "body count" to dating partners. I don't like the violent implication of the term, and I don't like intimate history being tallied like a score.

meddit_rod , René Ranisch / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

113points

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#18

Never saying NO not your child.

It sounds very «boomer» - I know.

But I have two kids born early 2000s and one child born 2015, and just wow how many more kids are brats now.

Don’t get me wrong, kids have always been kids and act out, but now they are more rude.

We have always had the whole class in kids birthday and it has always been insane and loud, but with my youngest class I just can’t do it.

HereWeGoAgain-1979 , Monstera Production / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

110points

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However, u/-----Diana----- agrees with some things the older people shared in this thread. She feels sad about how many young people of her generation seem to spend too much time on their phones and are not living in the moment. And while she thinks that the rise of loneliness might be imminent, she remains optimistic. All we need is some meaningful human contact, she says.

#19

My grandfather used to tell me that who you vote for is private. He and his wife never even shared with one another which candidate won their vote. I wish that was the case in modern times.

Learn_as_ya_go_ Report

Final score:

108points

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#20

A couple of things but the biggest one by far is the ear bud culture which just bleeds into a level of rudeness and isolation that’s unsettling. You might find small talk tedious but I promise you, the connection to the outside world that small talk creates is a gift to you. Humans aren’t meant to be so isolated.

As a parent I give a lot of rides. I can’t tell you how many teens have gotten into my car without even a simple hi or hello and sat there silently with their head in their phone and their ear pods in.

Say hi. Talk about the weather for a minute. It might be dumb but we are human and civility and connection matter. Otherwise all you’ve got is that phone and your ear buds. It’s kind of a bleak existence.

WildIris2021 , Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 / unsplash(not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

105points

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#21

The way that men are starting to call women "females" but when referring to men they say "men".

We are not lab specimens dude.

My_fair_ladies1872 Report

Final score:

104points

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#22

That every white woman who complains is a Karen. Sometime it’s a legitimate complaint.
Calling someone a Karen on Social Media has become such a lazy comeback for when you don’t agree with someone who appears to be female online.

Gloomy_Researcher769 Report

Final score:

103points

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#23

I don't get why it's wrong to use punctuation when texting.

whineybubbles Report

Final score:

101points

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#24

Recording everything.

Recording fights. Recording car crashes. Recording traffic stops (your own or others) when cops have body cams and dash cams already. Recording people in the gym (yourself or others), recording in public and getting mad at pedestrians for ‘ruining the shot’.

Heck, people were even standing there like insane people recording the Super Bowl parade shooting. Like dude…LEAVE THE AREA OR HIDE. Don’t stand there drooling with a phone in your hand for internet clout or to sell it to the news.

anon , Sebastian Enrique / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

101points

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#25

Children having access to social media.

I think nothing good comes of it.

I got other parent friends who have no issue with their kids scrolling tiktok, or being on whatsapp groups (I was an older mum, my kid is still primary school age).

(She says, acknowledging the irony of posting this on reddit).

nettie_r , Tim Gouw / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

99points

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#26

I went for a walk at a park recently. There was a guy entering the trail while holding his phone out and talking into it. Everyone got to hear his c**p instead of the relaxing nature sounds. Isn’t he special?

writer978 Report

Final score:

96points

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#27

People posting their entire lives online. I'm probably excessively private but it's really crazy how people are so willing and even eager to broadcast their personal lives to the world.

I don't think people fully appreciate how possible it is to string together little details from multiple sources and form a detailed picture of someone's life. That should scare people.

PicoRascar , Plann/ pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

94points

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#28

Wearing pajamas and slippers to go shopping. People, if you can't be bothered to put on fresh clothes, don't go out in public. Also, do they then wear those pajamas to bed? Ew!

catdoctor , PNW Production / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

86points

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#29

Emotional support dogs/pets pretending to be service dogs Dragging your dog every f-ing where. I love dogs,I foster dogs,I train dogs,I have 4 huge dogs....that don't go shopping/to festivals/everywhere with me. Also letting your dog with c**p recall off leash and thinking that screaming he's friendly makes it better. And not picking up your dogs s**t on hiking trails,that's just rude and ignorant. And petting strangers dogs,um no keep your hands to yourself please Those disgusting long nails some women sport like little wearable petri dishes. Talking about politics,money or religion in every social setting. It was so much nicer when people realized that not every gathering needed to be bombarded with contentious subjects.

WoodsColt , Frames For Your Heart / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

86points

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Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

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Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#30

The thought of if you can't accept me at my worst you don't deserve me at my best.

Th3TruthIs0utTh3r3 Report

Final score:

76points

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#31

That the following are OK with a large swath of the population:

Shoplifting

Fighting

Shooting each other

Yelling

Using outdoor voices indoors and drawing everyone's attention to you

Lack of customer service.

ladeedah1988 Report

Final score:

74points

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#32

Vaping in public really bothers me. I hated it when restaurants and bars were filled with cigarette smoke before 1990 (or whenever that changed). Now, I hate seeing people vaping everywhere I go. I see it at concerts, in bars, restaurants, grocery stores, the gas station -- everywhere.

ta12022017 Report

Final score:

69points

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#33

Basic manners. My gran must be affecting about 500 rpm in her grave, right about now.

Bleedingeck Report

Final score:

68points

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Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#34

Interrupting someone while they’re talking.

Maybe it’s just me bc it’s a huge pet peeve but I feel like I’m constantly being interrupted or people are always talking over one another. When I politely say, “excuse me, I was in the middle of talking” or “hold on a sec please so I can finish what I was saying” I get looked at like I have 3 heads or like I’m totally out of line when I say something about it.

Again maybe it’s just me, but imo interrupting people mid sentence and talking over others is now for some reason socially acceptable - by both adults and kids no matter the setting - and I don’t get it. Now I feel like the abnormal one for thinking that’s it’s rude or for feeling slightly offended when someone does it to me. Tbh I literally physically cringe when I’m there and witness it happening to someone else while they’re talking lol. It’s wild to me.

GoodbyeXlove Report

Final score:

63points

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50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#35

Sharing every aspect of yours and also your children's lives on social media.

Telepathic_Meow Report

Final score:

59points

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#36

Yaknow...... I wish people still dressed up *a little* more. I dine at some seriously nice restaurants and it's while overall I guess it's OK if someone decides to dine there in a t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip flops but I gotta say it sorta reduces my own experience, especially if we're celebrating a special occasion.

OK, I'll stop being grumpy now.

MrsChickenPam , Helena Lopes / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

59points

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#37

Texting instead of sitting down and having an actual conversation especially about difficult topics.

Th3TruthIs0utTh3r3 , fauxels / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

55points

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#38

Constantly doing stuff on your phone. The gym had to put up little signs on all the weight machines asking people to give others a turn instead of just sitting there on their phones – and the place is still full of people sitting on the machines glued to their phones. The effect when you walk into a room like that is eerie.

I’m much more of a phone addict than I’d like to be, but I’m trying to be more mindful and not just automatically reach for it every time there’s a lull, whether between sets or waiting for an elevator or whatever. Practicing my lost art of just looking around and thinking my thoughts and tolerating boredom.

sqplanetarium Report

Final score:

54points

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Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#39

Mine is that nobody is taught cursive anymore, and they surely can't read it! My fdil's little brother (19) couldn't sign his name for his driver's license and had to ask her to do it for him.

Dangerous_Pattern_92 , Anna Tarazevich / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

53points

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#40

Refusing to go one teenie tiny step outside your job description. If we all want to have a smooth work process sometimes you need to reach out to the other people involved in the process and work together to make things efficent.

Also, its no ones JOB to order more vacuum bags or sponges at work. If you see something that needs addressed for the good of the office, just f*****g do it.

This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.. lol.

Jessawoodland55 Report

Final score:

40points

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#41

Ghosting people, both professionally and personally. This is only appropriate if you’re in a dangerous situation where your safety is at risk, otherwise it’s a cowardly and inconsiderate way to handle a situation. If you need to break away from any kind of relationship or commitment for any reason other than imminent danger, you need to tell the person(s) so they don’t waste time waiting on you or wondering what happened to you. It’s common courtesy, and ghosting shows a huge lack of consideration for everyone involved.

Atheist_Alex_C , mikoto.raw Photographer / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

23points

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Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#42

Intentionally lying, then doubling down on it.

longines99 Report

Final score:

19points

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#43

That elders deserve zero respect unless earned.

For some reason it is demanded that elders respect the every wish and desire of younger generations (pronoun choices for example), but I read constantly that elders deserve zero respect unless they earn it, and often distain unless they can prove their innocence. It’s a complete double standard. Even in many “ask” subreddits I will get aggressive and any responses like, “we’ve heard enough from your generation” usually calling be a ‘boomer’ even though I’m not. But there’s such hatred for older people that ‘boomer’ has become a standard put down for anyone over 40.

Old-Man-of-the-Sea , Philippe Leone / unsplash Report

Final score:

18points

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#44

Going no contact with anyone who moderately does anything you don't like.

Th3TruthIs0utTh3r3 Report

Final score:

17points

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#45

I you work in customer service I expect you to acknowledge my existence and be polite. I don't care how oppressed you feel because you're "only" making $15/hour. I did the same job for $3.35/hour and managed to be professional. (And before you go off on my about the cost of living, my rent was $350/month at that time, meaning I had to work 105 hours to cover it. Sorry, Zoomers, but your generation isnt the first to experience poverty.).

Rich-Air-5287 , Ketut Subiyanto / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

16points

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"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

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Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#46

Erectile dysfunction ads everywhere.

Final score:

14points

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#47

Posting yourself naked online.

ItaDapiza Report

Final score:

13points

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#48

Wearing headphones everywhere you go.

Th3TruthIs0utTh3r3 Report

Final score:

13points

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#49

I read a book last week about climate change migration, one section of which dealt with seasonal flooding in a Virginia neighborhood.

people would buy a house in the neighborhood not knowing it was flood-prone. then they'd get flooded and either rebuild and sell or rebuild and stay.

those who wanted to sell were apparently not required to tell prospective buyers that the house was in a flood area (but not officially on a flood map). so the seller has a dilemma: keep quiet and sell the house for as much as possible, or tell and watch the offers and price dry up. the author described the situation as the seller holding a lit stick of dynamite: seller has to time it just right so that he/she hands off the dynamite to a buyer before kaboom (another flood), or get kaboomied him/herself.

as i'm reading, i'm thinking: is this who we are now as Americans? we'll just hand off the dynamite to the next guy and feel glad we escaped? we won't even warn others that this is, ya know, dynamite? do we bear no responsibility to others?

i get that it's a terribly difficult decision for those who got, all unknowingly, handed the dynamite themselves. the consequences of fessing up are pretty appalling and financially ruinous. i'm certainly glad i'm not one of those homeowners.

so that's what is apparently socially normal now that i disagree with. you can hand a stick of dynamite to someone else knowing that it's dynamite, but convincing them its a bunch of roses.

former_human Report

Final score:

13points

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College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

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#50

Going up to veterans to thank them for their service. It's not wrong, but my dad got very tired of it. He had to quit wearing his cap with his destroyer number on it.

EnigmaWithAlien Report

Final score:

11points

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#51

Not being able to work your way up at a company.

Corporations going right to layoffs as a form of saving money, instead of a last ditch effort to stay in business.

Companies being bought out and half the staff being let go, while those who remain take on more responsibility without a chance to negotiate higher pay.

Oaken_beard Report

Final score:

10points

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#52

The idea that people aren't grown-ups until their mid 20s, because their brains aren't fully developed until then. Adulthood used to start at 18, then 21, then 22 after college, and now who knows when. You can enlist in the military at 17-18.

I apprenticed at 17, married at 21, had two kids by 25. My career, marriage, and kids all turned out fine.

Building_a_life Report

Final score:

9points

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#53

I notice there’s some younger people who just don’t say hi at work. You should say hello to everyone you work with.

Norwegian27 Report

Final score:

8points

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#54

I don’t disagree with it exactly but using the word “f**k” and some other choice words has gotten to be used in every other sentence. It’s coarse and boring.

WastingMyLifeOnSocMd Report

Final score:

5points

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#55

Mainstreaming/inclusivity. Kindness and humanity have to be taken to illogical extremes so that there is no chance of offending anyone different.

uncre8tv Report

Final score:

5points

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Kornelija Viečaitė

Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

Kotryna Br

Kotryna is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Graphic Design. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a freelance graphic designer and illiustrator. When not editing, she enjoys working with clay, drawing, playing board games and drinking good tea.

Kotryna is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Graphic Design. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a freelance graphic designer and illiustrator. When not editing, she enjoys working with clay, drawing, playing board games and drinking good tea.

What do you think ?

ZGutr 8 months ago (edited)

Hey !! You forgot to mention the QR-code menu cards which are finding their way more and more often into (fastfood)restaurants. Give me one and i'm so fast out the door, you won't even know for sure I was there!

14points

2WheelTravlr 8 months ago

I love that I can look at the menu on my phone rather than a sticky old menu that hundreds of people before me have handled. I also am just fine with touch screen ordering, I can take my time to decide what I want rather than worry I'm wasting everyone's time being indecisive in a regular line.

2points

Load More Replies...

Lisa T 8 months ago

It’s not just Boomer perspective. I’m Gen X and agree with most of it. A lot of it is mostly about younger people having no self respect or respect for others. My three adult children were raised to have manners, show respect, consider others. I still have comments all the time from people about how well adjusted and polite they are, like it’s a rare thing these days.

5points

Guess Undheit 8 months ago

Boomers whining about younger people are the worst sort of hypocrites, complaining about the very thing that boomers caused. You don't like young people's lack of scientific knowledge? Then WHY did you remove science education from schools and decide that beating curiosity out of kids was a "good thing"? You don't like young people's manners? Then WHY did boomers act so entitled and make the government act only in their own interests for 50 years? Nobody cares about you now because you NEVER cared about anyone but yourselves.

3points

ADZ 8 months ago

Most of the anti science spread online is by boomers as well.

3points

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Nimitz 8 months ago

Most of this thread was just the end result of boomer behavior over the years. It's whining from people who f****d around and found out and don't like the consequences. Welcome to the world you helped make. The kids are all pissed because we get to spend the entire rest of our lives dealing with the consequences of older generations...

2points

ADZ 8 months ago

Who would've thought using and abusing whilst stripping your millenials kids of everything would back fire? "Respect is earned" - boomer saying. Ha.

2points

Load More Replies...

Ian Webling 8 months ago

I was amazed at how many times I read one of these and it made me think of an orange man.

1point

WonderWoman 8 months ago

The orange clown has certainly encouraged people to be more open about how they are racist, homophobic, anti-immigration, misogynistic, blaming everyone else for their own shortcomings, and sadly the main stream media has helped him in this.

6points

Load More Replies...

Captain Kyra 7 months ago

I think that we as a society should absolutely respect and understand the perspective of older people. I also believe that about adults, children, and (as much as they are capable) animals. But respect and understanding isn't agreeing. If you believe respect equals agreement we have a problem.

0points

ZGutr 8 months ago (edited)

Hey !! You forgot to mention the QR-code menu cards which are finding their way more and more often into (fastfood)restaurants. Give me one and i'm so fast out the door, you won't even know for sure I was there!

14points

2WheelTravlr 8 months ago

I love that I can look at the menu on my phone rather than a sticky old menu that hundreds of people before me have handled. I also am just fine with touch screen ordering, I can take my time to decide what I want rather than worry I'm wasting everyone's time being indecisive in a regular line.

2points

Load More Replies...

Lisa T 8 months ago

It’s not just Boomer perspective. I’m Gen X and agree with most of it. A lot of it is mostly about younger people having no self respect or respect for others. My three adult children were raised to have manners, show respect, consider others. I still have comments all the time from people about how well adjusted and polite they are, like it’s a rare thing these days.

5points

Guess Undheit 8 months ago

Boomers whining about younger people are the worst sort of hypocrites, complaining about the very thing that boomers caused. You don't like young people's lack of scientific knowledge? Then WHY did you remove science education from schools and decide that beating curiosity out of kids was a "good thing"? You don't like young people's manners? Then WHY did boomers act so entitled and make the government act only in their own interests for 50 years? Nobody cares about you now because you NEVER cared about anyone but yourselves.

3points

ADZ 8 months ago

Most of the anti science spread online is by boomers as well.

3points

Load More Replies...

Nimitz 8 months ago

Most of this thread was just the end result of boomer behavior over the years. It's whining from people who f****d around and found out and don't like the consequences. Welcome to the world you helped make. The kids are all pissed because we get to spend the entire rest of our lives dealing with the consequences of older generations...

2points

ADZ 8 months ago

Who would've thought using and abusing whilst stripping your millenials kids of everything would back fire? "Respect is earned" - boomer saying. Ha.

2points

Load More Replies...

Ian Webling 8 months ago

I was amazed at how many times I read one of these and it made me think of an orange man.

1point

WonderWoman 8 months ago

The orange clown has certainly encouraged people to be more open about how they are racist, homophobic, anti-immigration, misogynistic, blaming everyone else for their own shortcomings, and sadly the main stream media has helped him in this.

6points

Load More Replies...

Captain Kyra 7 months ago

I think that we as a society should absolutely respect and understand the perspective of older people. I also believe that about adults, children, and (as much as they are capable) animals. But respect and understanding isn't agreeing. If you believe respect equals agreement we have a problem.

0points

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