Boomers Are More Polite Than Other Generations Because of These Traditional Manners

Many of us grew up learning the basic foundations of manners. Saying "please" and "thank you," holding the door open for the person behind us, chewing with our mouths closed, and many other things that don't seem to be as traditional as they once were.

The boomer generation, and even Generation X, were taught how to be respectful, but to some, it seems as though other generations, like millennials and Gen-Z, aren't as aware of proper etiquette and manners.

Some surveys and commentators have suggested that boomers are more likely to follow certain traditional etiquette rules, such as returning shopping carts or responding to invitations, compared to younger generations.

In this slideshow, we'll look at some of the unwritten rules and traditional manners that boomers still stand by, even if other generations don't practice them.

This slideshow was updated in June 2025 to reflect updated research on manners from specific generations.

There was a time when if you received a gift, you wrote a thank you note — handwritten, mind you — and mailed it to the person you were thanking. There was an entire stationery industry that thrived on creating beautiful sheets of paper and carefully coordinated envelopes to ensure that not only were the words of thanks thoughtful, but that they looked nice too.

Folks of a certain age likely recall being told to put your napkin in your lap, elbows off the table, and chew with your mouth closed. They were also taught the proper way to set a table and use the utensils, and told, "Don't forget to say grace." Now, according to a 2025 YouGov poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans watch TV while eating dinner.

The irony of phones today? No one likes to talk on them. Boomers know that there was a time when you answered the phone with "Smith residence." According to a widely cited survey by OpenMarket, 75% of millennials said they prefer texting over talking on the phone, though this data is from several years ago.

Traveling by airplane meant one thing was certain: you were to be dressed up for this exceptional travel experience. Women wore skirts or dresses, men wore suits and ties. In 2025, fashion trends indicate that young people often choose comfortable outfits, such as sweatsuits and sneakers, when traveling by plane.

Whether you were interacting with your parents, your teachers, or any other adult, children were always to address their elders as sir and ma'am as a show of respect.

Whenever an adult entered the room, children were to stand up and acknowledge their arrival as a show of respect. Bonus points if you extended your hand for a handshake.

When it comes to polite greetings, men were also expected to tip their hats as a way of saying hello or as a show of recognition for another person.

Previously, it was considered polite for a man to open his date's or significant other's car door for her and close it once she was neatly inside before he got into the driver's side.