Boomers share 20 life skills they're proud they learned but are rarely used today

Boomers share life skills they learned but rarely use today, reflecting a generational contrast highlighted in a Resume Builder survey and a Reddit discussion on r/OverSeventy. The survey cited says 42% of Gen Z—defined as those born 1997 to 2012—are currently pursuing or working in blue-collar jobs, contributing to the nickname “the toolbelt generation.” In the Reddit thread, people over 70 shared “seemingly useless” skills they still remember, with examples ranging from sewing basics and cursive to manual-transmission driving and paper-map navigation. The article reports multiple responses emphasizing practical know-how, including proofreading and editing without AI, canning foods, and estimating change mentally at fast-food work. It also notes Gen Z’s interest in trade skills and frames the discussion as a source of envy toward older generations’ everyday competence.