Hosting friends and family can bring great joy. It can also be a source of unspoken friction, especially across generational divides. Millennials, now often hosts themselves, have noticed recurring behaviors from their Baby Boomer guests. These actions, while stemming from a different era of etiquette, can feel intrusive or disrespectful. These common guest habits highlight a fascinating gap in social norms and can create tension.
1. Showing Up Unannounced
For many Boomers, popping by a friend’s house uninvited was a normal, friendly act. For Millennials, however, an unexpected knock on the door can feel like a major intrusion. With busy work-from-home lives and a preference for texting ahead, an unannounced visit disrupts the day. Millennials often view their home as a sanctuary. A surprise visit feels like a disregard for their time and personal space.
2. Commenting on the Lack of “Real” Food
Millennials and Boomers often have different ideas about a well-stocked kitchen. A Millennial host might offer artisanal coffee, oat milk, and organic snacks. A Boomer guest might open the fridge and ask where the “real food” is. This can feel invalidating to the host, as if someone is judging their lifestyle. The comments can make a host feel their choices are inadequate or strange.
3. Ignoring House Rules, Especially Regarding Shoes
Many Millennials prefer a “no shoes in the house” policy for cleanliness and comfort. Yet, some Boomer guests will ignore the request or argue against it. This disregard for a simple house rule feels like a power play. It suggests the host’s preferences in their own home don’t matter. This is one of the more frustrating guest habits for younger hosts.
4. Giving Unsolicited Advice on Home Décor and Renovations
A Boomer guest might walk into a Millennial’s home and point out things they would do differently. They might critique the paint color or question the choice of furniture. While they may see it as helpful advice, the Millennial host often hears criticism. It undermines their pride of ownership. It makes them feel their home is a project to be fixed, not a space to be enjoyed.
5. Overstaying Their Welcome
The concept of a visit’s length can also differ greatly. A Millennial might host a dinner party that naturally winds down by 11 p.m. Boomer guests, however, may settle in for the long haul with no signs of leaving. This lack of awareness of social cues can be exhausting for hosts. This is one of those classic guest habits that can strain relationships over time.
6. Trying to “Help” by Reorganizing Things
A Boomer guest’s attempt to be helpful can sometimes backfire, particularly in the kitchen. They might help with dishes but put everything away in the wrong place. This leads to a frustrating scavenger hunt for the host later. In a more extreme case, they might reorganize a pantry, which feels like a massive overstep. The host must then spend time putting everything back where it belongs.
7. Disregarding Technology and Wi-Fi Etiquette
For many Millennials, Wi-Fi is an essential utility. Boomer guests may not grasp the nuances of shared bandwidth. They might stream high-resolution videos while the host is trying to work from home. They may also ask for endless help with their devices. This can turn the host into an unwilling, on-call IT support person.
Bridging the Generational Hosting Gap
Most of these generational clashes do not come from malice. They are born from different life experiences and social norms. Boomers often operate from a place of wanting to help or connect. The key to harmony is gentle communication from hosts and a willingness to adapt from guests. Recognizing these guest habits are often unintentional can foster more patience and understanding.
Which of these guest habits have you experienced from a visitor in your home? Let us know in the comments.
Read more:
7 Things You Think Look Clean—But Actually Repels Guests
What House Guests Do That Makes You Never Invite Them Again
The post 7 Guest Habits Millennials Say Boomers Just Won’t Stop Doing appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
