From writing cursive to preserving food, Boomers possess many old-school skills that Gen Z has never even tried. Our world has become increasingly digital, causing many analog activities like film photography and painting to fall by the wayside. Older generations tend to be wiser and more experienced, so it makes sense that Boomers have mastered many more disciplines than Gen Z. Here are 9 areas where Boomers can show Gen Z the ropes.
1. Cursive
Cursive is a valuable old-school skill that’s completely foreign to Gen Z. This elegant form of penmanship used to be a standard part of curriculums, so Boomers learned to master it. Sadly, most members of Gen Z weren’t taught how to read or write cursive. This knowledge gap could make it hard for Zoomers to understand and interpret historical documents, which are all handwritten in fancy script.
2. Film Photography
Zoomers grew up with iPhones with built-in cameras, allowing them to take selfies instantly. Many of them don’t know their way around a DSLR, let alone a film camera. Gen Z probably couldn’t fathom the amount of time and energy it used to take to develop photos in darkrooms. Boomers couldn’t retake photos to get the perfect angle because they would’ve wasted too much film. There weren’t any apps like Facetune that allowed you to retouch your photos either. Zoomers don’t know how lucky they are to be able to take photos so easily and conveniently.
3. Gardening and Canning
Another old-school skill that Boomers have mastered is canning. Boomers’ parents and grandparents lived through times of food scarcity and rationing. So they made sure to pass down essential survival skills to Boomers, such as gardening and food preservation methods. Gen Z’s gardening experience is often limited to caring for houseplants, and canned vegetables are just something they buy at the store. We hope that Gen Z never needs to grow victory gardens to help feed themselves because many of them would have a steep learning curve to overcome.
4. Driving a Stick Shift
Manual transmission cars used to be commonplace. But now that the vast majority of vehicles are automatic, diving a stick shift has become a lost art. Driving stick and shifting gears is challenging but enables motorists to adapt to road conditions better. Plus, many people find that manual cars are more fun to drive, so it’s worth the effort to master this old-school skill. We feel bad for Zoomers who will never get to enjoy this unique driving experience.
5. Reading a Map
Zoomers have always had smartphones with built-in GPS, so they’ve never had to learn how to read maps. Because they rely on digital apps like Google and Apple Maps, their natural sense of direction can be pretty bad. They’ve never had to find their way through unfamiliar terrain using only a paper map and their internal compass. Boomers faced this challenge many times, helping them build self-reliance and become better navigators.
6. Reading Books Regularly
According to YouGov, 46% of Americans did not read a single book last year. Only about 20% of adults read regularly, finishing more than 10 books in 2023. Unfortunately, reading for pleasure and education is an old-school skill that’s slowly dying out. Apps like TikTok that feature short, entertaining video clips have depleted the attention spans of younger generations, making it difficult for them to get through even short books.
7. Repairing and Mending
Gen Z came of age in the era of online shopping and convenience. If you need anything, you can get it shipped to your door via Amazon with just a few clicks. The availability and affordability of online merchandise has created a throwaway culture. If something breaks, Zoomers are used to putting it out on the curb and getting a new one delivered to their door within a few days.
On the other hand, Boomers were taught the value of repairing and mending their belongings. If they had a hole in their jeans, they patched them. They learned DIY skills like basic auto maintenance and home repairs. Boomers understand the value of their belongings and have worked hard to maintain them over the years. Unlike Gen Z, they aren’t tempted to upgrade to the newest model or throw things away without even trying to fix them.
8. Creating Physical Art
Painting and drawing were the go-to mediums of expression for hundreds of years. Now short-form videos, photos, and digital art have taken over social media, which is starting to make sketching on paper an old-school skill. In a one-year period, only 13% of U.S. adults painted, drew, sculpted, or made prints. While many members of Gen Z have an appreciation for beauty and aesthetics, many of them are too busy scrolling on their phones to participate in the mindful hobby of creating physical art.
9. Sending Mail as a Primary Method of Communication
Before email and text, Boomers relied on sending postcards and letters to their friends and loved ones to keep in touch. According to Newsweek, many members of Gen Z view this mode of communication as a relic of the past. However, about half of them still send “snail mail” on a monthly basis. So maybe letter writing is an old-school skill that’s making a comeback.
Still, Gen Z is unlikely to understand all the ins and outs of physical communication, such as the different meanings of stamp placement. An upside-down stamp in the top left corner, for example, means that the sender loves the recipient. And Gen Zers probably can’t write their letters in cursive, making their notes a lot less elegant.
Generations Can Swap Skills
Boomers outperform Gen Z when it comes to old-school skills like mending and reading maps. However, younger folks who grew up with computers may have stronger digital proficiency. Older and younger generations can swap skills and learn from each other, developing a bond in the process. Passing down your wisdom to youngsters will also help ensure that these important survival skills don’t die out.