With Gen Z navigating life with record-high levels of digital sophistication, there is an increasingly high value placed on the hands-on, practical skills that are second nature to their Baby Boomer grandparents.
Growing up in an era with fewer technologies, the Boomers cultivated a resourcefulness and self-reliance that many Gen Zers increasingly wish they had. This is not about one generation being superior to the next; it’s about recognizing the value in the other lifestyle.
Many young adults are now looking back with regret at not having had the opportunity to learn these classic skills. Here are 17 skills that Baby Boomers share, which Gen Z regrets not learning, recognizing the timeless value of these skills in the modern world.
Expert Car Maintenance
For most Baby Boomers, understanding how a car operates was a rite of passage. They didn’t just know how to check the oil; they knew how to diagnose strange engine noises, change spark plugs, replace a fan belt, and get the car tuned up.
This increased mechanical knowledge provided them with a sense of independence and saved many thousands of dollars in car repairs. Today, as cars increasingly resemble computers on wheels, the majority of Gen Zers wish they had been taught this simple know-how, so they’d have been more confident and less reliant on expensive mechanics.
Aggressive In-Person Negotiation
Baby Boomers negotiated in person, whether haggling over the price of a car, negotiating compensation, or bartering at a flea market. They had learned how to read body language, remain calm, and build rapport to close a deal.
In a world where the overwhelming majority of negotiations are being done through email or text, Gen Z loses out on the subtlety and assertiveness required for these high-stakes, in-your-face negotiations.
Being able to stand up for oneself in the moment is an invaluable skill that many wish they had practiced more.
Food Preservation and Canning
Prior to the advent of giant freezers and year-round produce, canning and preserving the harvest were basic family skills. Boomers learned how to can vegetables safely, make jams from fresh fruits, and pickle just about anything to get them through the winter.
As Gen Z becomes increasingly interested in sustainability, food waste reduction, and the origins of their food, the lost art of preservation is making a comeback. They consider it a way of being in touch with their food and more self-reliant.
Carpentry and Woodworking Basics
Boomers learned carpentry techniques in their early lives at home, often with a workshop or garage, and had access to use it. They could build a sturdy bookcase, repair a creaky chair, or even experiment at home with small do-it-yourself house repairs.
This practical carpentry skill enabled them to create and repair things for themselves. Gen Z, who generally has less spacious living spaces and fewer gadgets, looks upon this ability of creating something out of wood that one can touch and use with a hint of awe and envy.
Driving Without GPS
Baby Boomers relied on road atlases, paper maps, and an innate sense of direction to get around. They would plan a road trip across the country by charting a course and approximating time, all without the aid of a satellite signal.
Gen Z, as much as they are experts on GPS apps, panics when their phone is out of battery or when they lose signal. Having the ability to get one’s bearings and determine the direction using landmarks and a map is a state of self-sufficiency that is beautifully empowering.
Gardening for Sustenance
For most Baby Boomers, a garden in the back yard was more than an interest; it provided fresh produce for the household. They understood how to till the soil, when to plant various vegetables to have a steady crop, and how to repel pests organically.
Now that grocery stores are increasing prices and concern for organic food is on the rise, many in Gen Z regret not having a green thumb. The skill of producing food yourself is one that is profoundly sensible and fulfilling.
Professional Letter Writing and Etiquette
Boomers mastered formal communication. They could pen a professional cover letter, a poignant thank-you note, or an assertively phrased complaint, all in proper tone and format.
Although Gen Z excels at quick, informal communication, they often feel they don’t measure up when the context requires a more traditional, refined approach. The nicety of respectful, well-worded correspondence that existed during the Baby Boomer era is a skill they admire.
Pen-and-Paper Money Management
Prior to the advent of banking apps, Baby Boomers managed their finances using checkbook registers and handwritten budgets. The low-tech method provided a tangible connection to their cash and a sharp awareness of every dollar spent.
While technology is convenient, Gen Z would occasionally envy their self-control and in-depth understanding of their finances that came from this tangible method.
Guesswork and Mental Arithmetical Calculations
In an era when calculators did not fit in every pocket, Baby Boomers learned to perform math with ease in their minds. They could easily calculate a tip, estimate the cost of groceries in their basket, or change measurements for a project in their heads.
The ability to rapidly calculate without technology is one that several Gen Zs look up to and find desirable in daily life.
Clothing Repair and Alterations
Boomers viewed clothing as an investment to be preserved. They knew how to actually hem a pair of pants, fix a torn seam with a neat stitch, or darn a sock to extend the wear.
Fast fashion made these processes increasingly rare. Gen Z, who are more concerned about sustainability, want to repair and tailor their own clothing instead of contributing to textile waste.
The Skill of Rich Conversation
With fewer digital distractions during their childhood, Boomers were better equipped to have deep, unbroken conversations. They’d learned to listen carefully, tell a good story, and explore ideas with respect without the incessant intrusions of beeps and buzzes.
Many Gen Zers crave this depth of connection and respect the art of being fully present for someone else.
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Resourcefulness
Boomers operated with the mantra “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” They were expert improvisers and repairers, making the most of what they had.
Such self-sufficiency, the product of a less throwaway culture, is a skill Gen Z sees as highly valuable. Having the skills to repair a broken machine or repurpose an old item is viewed as a sustainable and empowering approach.
Patience and Delayed Gratification
The Boomer generation grew up in a world where patience was part of daily life, from waiting for a favorite song to play on the radio to waiting for film to be developed.
This created a skill for waiting out short-term payoffs and pursuing long-term payoffs. Following an era of instant gratification, Gen Z recognizes the mental strength that comes with delaying gratification and wishes it came more naturally to them.
Holding Important Information
Without the phones to recall every piece of information, Boomers relied on their memory to recall phone numbers, appointments, birthdays, and directions. Exercise of their memory on a daily basis is a skill that has atrophied in the digital era.
Gen Z will often say they wish to be less dependent on their devices for recalling information about their own lives.
Read more: 13 common annoying phone habits in public
Hosting and Entertaining with Grace
Baby Boomers knew how to throw a dinner party or social function with a sense of effortless elegance. That involved planning a menu, setting an appropriate table, and greeting and making guests feel comfortable.
With today’s more casual and social media-driven atmosphere, the practice of formally entertaining is less common, and many Gen Zers lament not knowing how to create such memorable and organized social encounters.
Recognizing Quality and Longevity
Growing up in an era when items were made to last, the Baby Boomers learned to be extremely discerning about quality craftsmanship. They could tell whether furniture, clothes, or tools are well-made based on the material and construction.
With an ocean of worthless products available in the market nowadays, Gen Z wishes that they had such an ability to judge true value and spend money on something that will last.”.
Civic Responsibility and Involvement
Baby Boomers were very active in their communities, participating in civic groups, neighborhood associations, and local politics. They understood that showing up and being a participant at the community level was essential.
While Gen Z is interested in global issues, many observe the consistent, grassroots-level participation that Boomers were known for.
Key Takeaways
Self-Reliance is Timeless: Skills such as repairing cars, maintaining a home, and gardening evoke feelings of independence and autonomy, which are highly valued by Gen Z.
Physical Skills Are Satisfying: Since the world has transitioned to a virtual realm, the ability to create, repair, or cultivate something oneself is considered highly satisfying.
People Skills Matter: Gen Z admires the Boomer ability to engage in meaningful conversation, negotiate face-to-face, and build close community relationships.
Sustainability through Frugality: Boomer “making do” and repair habits still resonate with Gen Z’s desire for a more sustainable, less wasteful lifestyle.
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