The people in our lives have a lot of wisdom to share with us—so long as we’re willing to listen. However, while some tips are incredibly helpful, others might no longer be all that useful for surviving and thriving in 2023 and beyond. 

One Reddit user sparked an interesting but provocative discussion online. They asked members of the younger generations to share what pieces of work and life advice they’ve gotten from older people that they feel might be outdated. You’ll find their opinions as you scroll down.

Keep in mind that this doesn't automatically mean that everything suggested by members of older generations is 'wrong' or that younger people are always 'right'... or the other way around. The world's far more nuanced than that.

#1

*If you work hard, show up on time and give your heart and soul to a company, you'll get promoted and be financially successful.*

In 2023, if you work hard you will never get ahead and die in the harness.

Image credits: Local_Sugar8108

#2

If hes / she’s picking on you, it means they like you

Image credits: NYTX1987

#3

“Don’t say you can’t afford a kid. You always can make do. Our first kid slept in our dresser drawer”

Image credits: Hot-Bint

First of all, it’s vital to keep in mind that just because someone belongs to a certain generation doesn’t mean that they behave exactly like their peers. There’s a lot of variation. Assuming that all Baby Boomers are identically “outdated” in their beliefs would be just as hurtful as telling someone that all Millennials and members of Generation Z are “lazy” or lack ambition.

However, certain general trends and outlooks toward work and life do exist, even if there are plenty of exceptions and nuances.

The viral Reddit thread confirmed that different generations do have broadly different attitudes toward work, family, success, and life in general. And while that’s expected to a certain extent, in some cases, it seems like there’s very little overlap. Well, at least at first glance.

#4

“You can buy a house. It’s so easy”

Image credits: tashrader

#5

Go right into the store and ask for the manager. Give a firm handshake, look them in the eye, and get the job.

Image credits: mzialendrea

#6

As an older person, this is hard.

Here are my best guesses for the worst old people advice:

1. Vote Republican. They are good for the economy and for national defense.
2. Keep some dimes in your pocket to leave for tips.
3. Don't bother to vote. They are all the same.
4. You don't need a union. Only losers need unions.

Image credits: BillTowne

Sure, someone telling you that you’ll get a job if you head on over to a store, ask for the manager, look them in the eye, and give them a firm handshake isn’t all that helpful in the 21st century. However, the idea behind the advice—the importance of confidence, body language, and being proactive—is actually timeless. The specifics might change, but the context remains the same. 

What really doesn’t help, however, is if someone tells you just how easy it is to buy property. The economy and job industry have changed enormously over the decades. Unless someone puts in the effort to keep up with the news, they might assume that everyone can afford a house on their day job salary.

#7

Work a summer job waiting tables in the Hamptons and you'll have enough money to pay for a year of college, room and board, books, and still have extra spending money for the weekends.

Image credits: Flaturated

#8

"Work overtime, holidays, nights, weekends, whatever you can. The boss will be so impressed by your commitment that you'll get a promotion and a raise!"

Nope. He'll get the raise. I'll get f**k all. And then I'll be expected to stay over every time. Goodbye, family, friends. Goodbye, work-life balance. Hello burnout.

#9

dress for the job you want, not the job you have. b***h, i work in a factory. cant be wearing a suit and tie with all this machinery trying to kill me. also, osha said i couldnt.

Image credits: indeedicus18

CNN reports that US home prices hit a new all-time high in July 2023, as property inventory hit historical lows. Homes in Chicago, Cleveland, and New York saw the biggest price increases in July, as well as June. What compounds the problem, aside from high prices and fewer properties to choose from, are the sky-high mortgages. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to over 7% in August of this year. This is the highest level in 20 years.

As we’ve written on Bored Panda recently, members of each generation tend to think that they see things far more clearly compared to members of older generations. For one, people tend to think similarly to their social circles. So if you’re surrounded with folks who think that Baby Boomers and Gen Y have outdated beliefs, you’re likely to think that, too. 

What does undoubtedly change, however, is the (rapidly advancing) technology, as well as the culture of the times.

#10

When I was 23, somebody told me I was "significantly behind the curve" because by 23 you're supposed to own a house and a car. I still can't wrap my brain around it. Putting aside how wildly out-of-touch that is, even if you had the cash... who looks back on their 23yo self and thinks "yep, that person is totally ready for the responsibility and harsh reality of homeownership?" Not me, that's for sure.

Image credits: therearesomebirds

#11

People usually reply something about tattoos making you unemployable, but I was once told you couldn't even have a beard or mustache at a job interview.

Image credits: RagnarHedin

#12

My mother : "Women like it when men take charge and show they know stuff".

Image credits: Dominarion

#13

My grandma used to tell me never to get tattooes, or I won't find any work. Now I live in a society where even grannies have tattooes and nobody cares. Nobody. Cares. Just don't be an a*****e.

Image credits: HoboBonobo1909

#14

Don’t get divorced

Image credits: Crystal_Marie_Rose

#15

Work hard at your job and you’ll get a promotion/raise.

Give at least 2 weeks notice to maintain good relationships.

Don’t buy Starbucks or Avocados and you will be able to buy a home in no time.

Image credits: justhereforpics1776

#16

Save your money, it will be useful in the future. Lol! What money? What future?

Image credits: Noobeaterz

#17

I love how Dave Ramsey will say get 32 more jobs delivering pizzas to pay off debt. Well Dave, I would love to work and pay off my student loans. However, my job takes up 60 hours of my life. I’m salary and make no OT. Then you factor in that I have kids and have to take care of them. school events, sports, and just regular daily being a family s**t. Oh, and while I don’t go to church. That’s part of his bs advice too. Now, please explain to me how I’m supposed to do this?

Image credits: mrtouchybum

#18

If you're loyal to that company they'll take care of you.

Image credits: rrrdesign

#19

‘Hard work will pay off’

(Simply because there’s a ton of young people who work really hard every single day and they aren’t recognized for it)

Image credits: Wecanbuildittogether

#20

“Respect your elders”

I respect everyone until you give me a reason I shouldn’t. You don’t need to earn my respect but that doesn’t mean you’re obligated to it just because you’ve been around the block. The most disrespectful and judgmental people I have ever met or dealt with are all “elders”

#21

I went to the hospital and somehow managed to stay overnight without anybody asking for my insurance information. Eventually received a hospital bill in the mail for $1200; I was billed the "uninsured" rate.

I asked my parents for advice. "If I submit this to my insurance, it will likely go down, right? Worst case scenario I end up paying the entire $1200 out of pocket?" I said. They told me yes. So that's what I did...

Couple weeks later, I received another bill from the hospital. They had submitted the claim to my insurance. The insurance company negotiated them down to my $6000 out of pocket maximum and stuck me with the rest. I called the hospital and explained the situation, and asked if I could "unsubmit" the insurance claim and just pay the uninsured rate. The representative laughed at me and said something like "I'm afraid the cat's out of the bag now!"

The American healthcare system, ladies and gentlemen.

Image credits: WittyUnwittingly

#22

“Just get a job in the summer to pay for tuition.” Yep

Image credits: chemastray

#23

Anything involving bootstraps.

Image credits: fra_bahlaan

#24

At this point? Nearly all of it. They give advice for a world they purposely destroyed.

Image credits: AutisticHobbit

#25

My older male neighbour keep telling me I can get a girlfriend if I'm persistent and don't take no for an answer and court her at her home and work everyday because that's how he got his now wife, like mate that's F*****g stalking it's not the 60s anymore

#26

I’ll play. My MIL just hit me with “both political parties are the same”, this afternoon on a 2.5 car trip. Needless to say I had a lecture prepared…

Image credits: SamJackson01

#27

If you burn your finger cooking, stick it in the butter.

A big, solid car will keep you safe! You know, like a big old studebaker made of steel with no crumple zones to absorb the impact.

Don’t sit close to the TV. The radiation will ruin your eyes.

Circa 1936 -
Lionel Logue: I believe sucking smoke into your lungs will... will kill you.
King George VI: My physicians said it relaxes the... the... the throat.
(From “The King’s Speech” (2010)

Image credits: blueSnowfkake

#28

Drug dealers will offer you free drugs in an attempt to get you addicted.

#29

You need to always have six months' salary saved, just in case.

As if the current pay and cost of living make this possible.

#30

Don’t take “No,” for an answer

#31

If you can't pay your bills, work harder. It worked for me back in 1970.

#32

My dad: If you want to work somewhere, you have to show up there in person asking for a job!!!

1. I have no company I “aspire” to work for

2. I have a feeling the receptionist would just go, “uhhh I don’t give the jobs around here, please check our online job postings and leave weirdo”

#33

"After you put in an application for a job, keep calling. That shows initiative that you want the job." A friend kept doing that because his dad kept telling him too. Didn't get a job until another friend told him to stop

#34

Get a college degree so you can get a high paying job, do whatever it takes, take out a loan if you have to.

#35

1: go in to apply in person - they are just going to tell you to go online.

2: ask to meet the manage to make an impression - the manager doesn't care and wants you to f**k off so they can work

3: send a thank you note for the opportunity - unless they plan on hiring you, they have already forgotten who you are.

4: go above an beyond to get a raise - f**k that. Act your wage because otherwise they are going to take advantage of your hardwork and never reward you for it.

5: buy a house in cash - literally impossible nowadays

6: all debt is bad - you literally need debt to build up a credit score and you need a credit score to be able to get any kind of housing.

7: don't take days off if you don't have to - look perfect attendance is a lie they hammer into grade schools to make you feel guilty for taking your paid time off that is part of your total compensation. If you don't feel bad collecting your paycheck, do not feel bad taking the paid time off you are entitled to.

Image credits: sunnysideHate

#36

Don’t get in a car with a stranger. Uber

#37

Women don’t belong in the work place

#38

“Send a thank you note” — more than once I’ve gotten a job and the hiring managers said it was because I was literally the only candidate to send them an email thanking them for their time. That’s just being polite, and people do appreciate politeness.

#39

Anything having to do with your “permanent record”.

#40

Skip the $5 coffee. Assuming you do that 5 days a week, every week in a year, that's $1300. Assuming you stop doing that and go without for the next 10 years, you'll have saved $13000, which still isn't even half the deposit on a s****y house. I'll take my cold brew instead, thanks

#41

God has a plan

#42

That we *need* to know cursive.

I use cursive more than I use block/print but that's only because my hand gets lazy and my letters drag anyway. I'm a grown person with a grown up job in an attorneys office. I have never once had to use or read cursive nor have I been asked if I can

Image credits: asexualrhino

#43

Carry change for the payphones.

Image credits: Sewingmink160

#44

"15 dollars an hour is PLENTY!"

#45

Don’t take a shower or bath during a storm, you can get electrocuted

Image credits: Agent865

#46

Try not to change jobs too much, it looks bad on your résumé. Just stay at the same company for as long as possible. If you’re loyal to your company, they’ll be loyal to you.

#47

If you break the law and try to take over the U.S. government, you will never be able to be president.

#48

Golf is a business skill. Gotta hit the driving range if you hope to be employable.

#49

My mom LOVES to say people need to walk into businesses with a paper resume, and ask to speak directly to the manager to introduce themselves.

She thinks this will almost guarantee a job at any business. She told my boyfriend to go to BOEING and ask for the manager to introduce himself. When I point out that most places want applications online, or that a lot of businesses have people outside of the manager do the hiring, she gets mad and says that’s just to weed out the people who aren’t willing to put in effort….

#50

"You'll never get a Job paying Videogames"

Image credits: Booziesmurf

#51

Why keep paying high rent prices when you could get a house?

#52

We can’t bust heads like we used to—but we have our ways. One trick is to tell them stories that don’t go anywhere like the time I caught the ferry over to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for my shoe, so I decided to go to Morganville which is what they called Shelbyville in those days. So, I tied an onion to my belt which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel. And in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on ‘em. ‘Give me five bees for a quarter,’ you’d say. Now, where were we? Oh, yeah! The important thing was that I had an onion on my belt which was the style at the time. They didn’t have white onions because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones.

#53

Wear a suit to any job interview when a nice shirt and pants are just fine. Thank god my wife saved me from looking like a dork.

Image credits: Muffinhunter69

#54

Put a hat on or you're gonna catch a cold.

#55

Go to church

#56

"If you want a raise talk to your boss" Sir this is a corporation where raises are set for everyone on a scale based on the company profit and how nice they are not on your performance.

Also when they think "ask them for a 10%+ raise", yeah i'll be surprise if they even give a raise at all

#57

They give you step by step directions to get somewhere

Like they’ve never heard of google maps and refuse to acknowledge it.

F**k off with your directions just give me the address

#58

As an old guy, I can say that the interview barely matters to get the job, if at all. Employers are notoriously poor judges of character and will decide if they like you or not based on your resume/CV. They will usually spot something on the resume/CV that impresses them. Examples include a prestigious education, like an Ivy League school, or an employment at a prestigious company. That’ll be enough to get hired, but the employer will then go through the formality of the interview where you will start to realize early that they like you or not and that it’s all for show. Unless you make a mistake and draw attention to a red flag, you’re already hired. You are unlikely to be asked any questions pertaining to the job or to your own performance of that job, and will be expected to ask the employer questions instead, so be ready with those questions. This has been my experience in 90% of interviews. Also, the employer will lie, often by omission.

#59

“Learn how to do mental math, you won’t always have a calculator on you”

Image credits: Logrologist

#60

Here's a little notebook to keep in your glove box. Write down the date, gallons, and odometer reading *every. single. time.* you put gas in your car and calculate your mpg. If the mpg changes, you'll know there's something wrong with your car before it becomes a major problem.

#61

If your hand is bigger than your face, you're smart.

#62

Don’t take any wooden nickels?

#63

You need to know how to balance your checkbook.

#64

People love to share posts about Buccees paying $20/hr starting out, but they don't hire anyone with visible tattoos.

#65

work hard to be successful