17 New Trends That Older Adults Find Impossible to Understand
Every generation has its quirks, but some modern trends seem to bewilder or irritate older adults more than others. From evolving technology to changing social norms, today’s trends often leave older generations shaking their heads in disbelief.
While younger people embrace these changes, older adults may struggle to understand the appeal or find certain trends downright annoying. Here are 17 modern trends that older adults just can’t stand — and why these differences are stirring up generational debates.
Constant Social Media Posting
Older adults often don’t get the obsession with sharing every moment online. They grew up in a time when privacy was valued, making the need to broadcast daily life confusing.
The constant flow of selfies, food pics, and personal updates seems unnecessary to them. It’s a trend they find overwhelming and invasive.
Cryptocurrency Craze
The idea of virtual money that only exists online baffles many older adults. They prefer tangible currency they can hold, making the volatility and complexity of cryptocurrency hard to grasp.
To them, investing in something that seems so abstract feels risky and unreliable. It’s a modern financial trend that’s too confusing to fully embrace.
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Influencer Culture
The rise of social media influencers as celebrities leaves many older adults puzzled. They struggle to understand how posting content online turns someone into a “role model.”
To them, real expertise and hard work should earn fame, not simply popularity on Instagram or TikTok. This trend seems shallow and lacking substance.
Streaming Everything
While streaming platforms have taken over, older adults often miss the simplicity of TV channels. The endless options and subscriptions feel more like a hassle than a convenience.
They’re nostalgic for a time when you could turn on the TV and know exactly what was on. Streaming services can be too complex or overwhelming.
TikTok Dances
The short, viral dance videos on TikTok leave older adults scratching their heads. They find it hard to see the appeal of rehearsing and performing choreographed routines for a camera.
To them, it feels like meaningless fun, and the constant loop of videos can be annoying. The rapid, fleeting nature of these trends feels wasteful.
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Constant Texting Instead of Calling
Older generations often prefer phone calls over endless texting. They value hearing someone’s voice and having real conversations, not just brief text exchanges.
The impersonal nature of texting can feel cold and disconnected to them. It’s a trend that leaves them feeling out of touch with communication today.
Obsession with New Technology
Older adults sometimes feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological advancements. They prefer the simplicity of what they know, and constant updates or new devices frustrate them.
It’s hard for them to keep up, and they don’t see the need for every new gadget. They long for a slower, more manageable pace of innovation.
Avocado Everything
The avocado craze, from toast to smoothies, is a trend older adults just don’t get. While they appreciate healthy eating, the obsession with this green fruit feels a little extreme.
To them, the price and hype surrounding avocados are hard to justify. They don’t understand why it’s become such a staple of younger generations.
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Online Dating
The shift from meeting people in real life to swiping on dating apps feels strange to older adults. They value face-to-face interactions and building connections naturally.
Online dating can seem impersonal and risky to them, making it a trend they’re not eager to adopt. They miss the days of meeting through friends or shared activities.
Gender-Neutral Fashion
The rise of gender-neutral clothing leaves some older adults confused. They grew up in a time when fashion was more defined by gender norms.
The blurring of these lines, while progressive, feels unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable to them. It’s a trend they’re still trying to wrap their heads around.
Vegan and Plant-Based Diets
While many younger people embrace veganism, older adults often see it as restrictive. They grew up with traditional diets centered around meat and dairy, making the shift feel extreme.
Plant-based substitutes can seem unnecessary or unappetizing to them. They struggle to understand why people give up entire food groups.
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Elaborate Coffee Orders
Older adults often can’t stand the complicated coffee orders younger people make. They prefer a simple black coffee or cream and sugar, not lattes with oat milk, extra foam, and syrup.
The trend of turning coffee into a gourmet experience feels excessive. They miss the simplicity of a good, strong cup of joe.
Cancel Culture
The concept of cancel culture is hard for many older adults to accept. They believe in second chances and are often uncomfortable with the idea of “canceling” someone over a mistake.
To them, cancel culture feels overly harsh and lacks forgiveness. It’s a trend they find troubling and overly punitive.
Social Justice Hashtags
While many older adults support social causes, they don’t always understand hashtag activism. The use of hashtags like #BLM or #MeToo can feel performative or fleeting to them.
They prefer direct action over what they perceive as slacktivism on social media. This online form of activism feels disconnected from real-world efforts.
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Minimalism
The minimalist lifestyle, with its emphasis on decluttering and owning less, confuses some older adults. They were raised in an era where owning things was a sign of success.
The trend of living with fewer possessions seems impractical or unnecessarily restrictive to them. They struggle to understand why younger people are letting go of material wealth.
Extreme Fitness Trends
From CrossFit to hot yoga, the intensity of modern fitness trends can be off-putting to older adults. They’re more familiar with traditional exercise like walking, jogging, or swimming.
The rise of high-intensity workouts feels overwhelming and even risky to them. They prefer a more moderate approach to staying fit.
Over-Sharing on Social Media
Younger generations are comfortable sharing their personal lives online, but older adults see it as oversharing. They value privacy and discretion, making public posts about personal matters feel awkward or unnecessary.
The constant flood of life updates can be overwhelming for them. They don’t understand why every detail of life needs to be broadcasted.
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