Some traditions age like fine wine. Others just… sit there collecting dust, waiting for someone to say, “Why are we still doing this?” Every generation rethinks a few things, but 2025 seems to be pulling back the curtain on a lot more than usual. Between tech shifts, cultural awareness, and plain old common sense, Americans are starting to look at long-standing customs with raised eyebrows.
This list isn’t about shaming the past. It’s about laughing a little, questioning a lot, and realizing that just because grandma did it doesn’t mean you have to keep it going. So let’s walk through some American habits that feel increasingly out of place.
Gender Reveal Parties
It started with balloons. Then came explosions. In 2020, a gender reveal in California caused a wildfire that burned over 22,000 acres. The drama, the waste, the danger; why are we still doing this? Besides, kids grow up and may not even identify with that color-coded announcement.
Black Friday Lineups
People camp outside stores in the cold, just to fight over TVs. But with online deals starting weeks earlier and better prices on Cyber Monday, what’s the point? CNBC reports that in 2024, Adobe Analytics reported that online Black Friday sales hit $9.8 billion, a 7.5% increase from the year before. Physical store traffic dropped again. At this point, waiting outside a Walmart feels like cosplay.
Tipping Everyone, Everywhere
Tipping used to be a thank-you. Now it’s expected before service is even provided. You can’t even buy a bottle of water without being prompted for a 20% tip. A Pew Research Center survey found that some Americans think tipping has become an obligation and no longer a choice. It’s confusing, inconsistent, and exhausting.
High School Proms Costing a Fortune
Prom is supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it’s become a financial headache. The average family spends $600 – $1,200 on prom. That’s more than some people spend on a vacation. Dresses, limos, photos, tickets; it adds up fast. And for what? A five-hour dance and some punch.
Paper Checks
Why are we still writing checks? In 2023, the Federal Reserve reported that check payments were just a minor fraction of all non-cash payments. Yet landlords, small businesses, and even some government offices still insist on them. Venmo and Zelle exist. Let’s stop pretending it’s 1995.
Mailing Holiday Cards
People used to love sending family photo cards with long updates. Now? You’ve seen those photos on Instagram for the last 11 months. And stamps aren’t cheap. The USPS raised the price of a first-class stamp to 78 cents in 2025. Is that single card really worth nearly a dollar?
College Sports Obsession
Some schools pay football coaches millions while cutting academic departments. The University of Alabama pays its head football coaches millions of dollars. Meanwhile, adjunct professors at many schools earn less than $25,000 a year. The imbalance is wild, and students are noticing.
Paying With Pennies
You find one in your pocket, look at it, and sigh. Pennies cost more to make than they’re worth. Literally. According to CNN, it costs 3.7 cents to produce a penny in 2024. Canada ditched theirs in 2012. What are we waiting for?
High School Class Rankings
Being valedictorian sounds prestigious, but many schools are now realizing it creates toxic competition. It pits students against each other for tenths of a GPA point. Crimson Education cites a finding that class rank is becoming less relevant in college admissions. So why are we still stressing teens over it?
Plastic Easter Grass
You know that shiny stuff that ends up stuck in your vacuum cleaner for weeks? It serves no purpose. It’s not edible, it’s not eco-friendly, and it’s definitely not recyclable. In a time where plastic waste is a serious concern, fake grass in baskets feels out of touch.
Having to Dress Up for Air Travel
Flying used to be glamorous. Now it’s cramped and unpredictable. And yet, some people still judge travelers for wearing sweatpants. Considering flight delays in the U.S. increased by 17% in 2024, comfort should be the priority, not style.
Overcomplicated Wedding Traditions
Bridal parties, registries, and elaborate rehearsals are becoming less common among modern couples. More and more couples are opting for “non-traditional” weddings. That includes backyard celebrations, elopements, and ditching customs like bouquet tosses or wearing white. Simpler doesn’t mean less meaningful.
Singing the National Anthem at Every Sporting Event
Patriotism has a place, but singing the anthem before a Little League game on a Wednesday afternoon feels a little forced. Even the NFL experimented with moving or skipping the anthem during 2020. Fans care more about the game than the ceremony, and that’s okay.
The Senior Photo Glamor Shoot
Remember when senior portraits were just a few shots in the gym? Now it’s a full-blown fashion shoot with props, outfits, and travel. Packages can run into the thousands. We’re not launching a modeling career, just applying to college. Makes you wonder who this is really for.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was just trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
But a lot has changed. And fast. In 2025, building wealth doesn’t require a finance degree—or even a lot of money. The tools are simpler. The entry points are lower. And believe it or not, total beginners are stacking wins just by starting small and staying consistent.
Click here and let’s break down how.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
