People Are Sharing The "Outdated" Life Advice They Hear That Simply Doesn't Make Sense These Days

Kelley Greene

Sat, March 7, 2026 at 10:16 AM UTC

5 min read

As an adult who doesn't always (or ever) feel like a grown-up, I'm definitely open to hearing tips and advice from older generations about how to get through life. Unfortunately, so much has changed in the last few decades that many things that worked for them just aren't really relevant to newer generations. Recently, your-reddit-plug2 posed the question , "What's the most outdated life advice that you still hear people give to this day?" and these 31 responses have me nodding along in agreement:

1. "'Stay loyal to one company.' That was advice from 1975, in the pension era. Today? Companies restructure quarterly. Loyalty flows in only one direction."

A group of business executives sit around a large conference table, facing the camera, in a professional boardroom meeting setting — Archive Photos

— DivinePotter

2. "Just go to college, and you'll succeed by default."

— Mahrez14

3. "Whoever says rent should be 30% of gross income never lived in California."

Victorian-style houses on a steep San Francisco street, with clear skies and a car parked by the sidewalk — Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

— Single_Editor_2339

4. "Just ignore the bully."

— Desperate-Cycle-1932

5. "Don't go outside with wet hair or you'll get pneumonia."

Person in a hooded jacket standing in a field, arms crossed for warmth, with a chilly expression. Overcast sky and buildings in the background — Kentaroo Tryman / Getty Images

— ComposedAndUndone

6. "Accept their pay offer. Once they see how great an employee you are, they'll pay you more!"

— Momentofclarity_2022

7. "'You should love family no matter what.' I hear this all the time, and you know what, I have some incredibly rough family members who I've borderline disowned because they are so awful."

Two women sitting at a table; one looks upset with her chin on her hand, while the other gestures with a concerned expression — Olga Rolenko / Getty Images

— Its_Days

8. "'Do good and good things will happen to you.' My experience has been that it's just random. But it doesn't hurt to be good to everyone."

— ThatsAllFolksAgain

9. "Just stop buying expensive coffees and smartphones and flatscreen TVs, and you'll have enough money to live."

Barista in a cozy cafe serves a smiling customer. Counter displays various pastries — Tara Moore / Getty Images

— ps087official

10. "Find a stable 9-to-5, get married by 25, and have kids immediately. Like, life doesn't work like a checklist anymore."

— planktonicVibe

11. "'Wear a suit and tie to any job interview.' While that advice may be true for salaried positions, when it comes to hourly positions, as long as you're not in pajamas or sweats, formal wear no longer matters."

Two men in suits shaking hands across a desk in an office setting, both smiling, suggesting a friendly or successful business interaction — JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images/Tetra images RF

— Automatic_Spread_655

12. "The customer is always right."

— tryintobgood

13. "'Eat everything on your plate.' This was great advice during the great depression, but now it just leads to poor health."

Hands reach for a vibrant mixed salad in a bowl on a dining table, surrounded by condiments — Tatiana Maksimova / Getty Images

— skeeterlightning

14. "'Just march up there and ask for an application! Show up every morning at 7 a.m. with a lunch and say you're ready to work for them!!!' Yeah, Mom, that's a good way for them to call security on you."

— zoeyysdiary

15. "Don't worry about your major. You'll probably change it before you graduate. The main thing is to go to college. You'll figure it out from there."

Person typing on a laptop in a library, wearing headphones around their neck. Other people are studying in the background — Maskot / Getty Images

— Yellow_Similar

16. "Wealth comes from hard work."

— Guerras76

17. "You must give your employer two weeks' notice before you leave a job."

Person holding a cardboard box filled with office supplies, including folders and a jacket, indicative of moving or leaving a job — RUNSTUDIO / Getty Images

— LegalGlass6532

18. "Good things come to those who wait."

— AaronFromSD1991

19. "'Don't go to bed angry.' Brother, I make bad decisions and say mean things when I'm tired AND angry, and I WILL be tired AND angry the next day if I'm up until 1 a.m. solving the world's problems. Sleep on it, revisit when rested and clear-headed."

A couple sits in bed, facing away from each other with crossed arms, suggesting a disagreement or tension — Tara Moore / Getty Images

— GetHoffMyLawn

20. "Anything along the lines of 'pray to God' or 'trust in God' rather than actually becoming the driver in one's own life."

— PublicCockroach1121

21. "If a girl says no, that means try harder."

Person sitting with hand on chin at a table with red roses, glancing at another holding a champagne glass — Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

— jarboxing

22. "Do something you love, and you'll never work another day in your life."

— No_Kangaroo_5883

23. "'Don't throw your money away on rent. Buy a house.' I have been a renter and a homeowner. I'm now back to renting. No homeowners' insurance, no property taxes, no taking care of a lawn, pest control, or maintenance. I'm older Gen X and have no desire to buy another house at the moment."

Two people work together in a kitchen; one is unloading a dishwasher while the other stands nearby, offering assistance — Maskot / Getty Images

— TheKiz

24. "You shouldn't live with someone before you marry them."

— Rawalmond73

25. "Older people know better (especially regarding mental health). Honestly, my life got so much better once I learned how to love my emotions and not hide them; it's not silly to be sad or anxious."

Two people seated, engaged in conversation; one holds a notebook, suggesting an interview or counseling session — SeventyFour / Getty Images

— meg1309

26. "'You'll figure it out' (in response to being worried about how you'll afford kids in this economy)."

— _brittleskittle

27. "When you stop looking, you'll meet someone. Nope."

Two people sit in a cafe, both holding phones and smiling, engaged in conversation. A cup is on the table beside them — MoMo Productions / Getty Images

— lalka518

28. "'Money doesn't buy happiness.' Sure, beyond basics, it plateaus, but financial security removes so much stress that it absolutely buys a happier baseline life."

— SmellGrass33

29. "Sleep when the baby sleeps."

A man sleeps in bed as a child, wearing pajamas, playfully climbs over him. They are both under a white comforter — Skaman306 / Getty Images

— Interesting_Program

30. "'Just ask them out.' No, they're at work, and they're smiling and laughing because they're being professional. Not because they'd like to solicit interest."

— TonyStark39

31. And finally, "Boys need a physical outlet like football to teach them to be disciplined." I just had somebody say this a few weeks back. Buddy, that's how kids come to be resentful of their parents, 'cause they were forced to do things like that."

Youth football team in formation on a field, wearing helmets and pads, ready for a play — Tetra Images - Erik Isakson / Getty Images

— belac4862

Now I've gotta know, what's the most outdated life advice you're still hearing today? Let us know in the comments. And if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.

You Might Like: 36 TikTok Products That Are Just So Darn Convenient And Clever

You Might Like: 36 Products From Amazon's "Most Wished For" Section That'll Make You Go "Ooooooh!"

Also in Internet Finds: "It Still Gives Me Chills": 22 Scary Unexplained Real-Life Stories That Will Make Me Sleep With The Lights On Tonight

Read it on BuzzFeed.com

Don't Miss:

1. "'Stay loyal to one company.' That was advice from 1975, in the pension era. Today? Companies restructure quarterly. Loyalty flows in only one direction."

2. "Just go to college, and you'll succeed by default."

3. "Whoever says rent should be 30% of gross income never lived in California."

4. "Just ignore the bully."

5. "Don't go outside with wet hair or you'll get pneumonia."

6. "Accept their pay offer. Once they see how great an employee you are, they'll pay you more!"

7. "'You should love family no matter what.' I hear this all the time, and you know what, I have some incredibly rough family members who I've borderline disowned because they are so awful."

8. "'Do good and good things will happen to you.' My experience has been that it's just random. But it doesn't hurt to be good to everyone."

9. "Just stop buying expensive coffees and smartphones and flatscreen TVs, and you'll have enough money to live."

10. "Find a stable 9-to-5, get married by 25, and have kids immediately. Like, life doesn't work like a checklist anymore."

11. "'Wear a suit and tie to any job interview.' While that advice may be true for salaried positions, when it comes to hourly positions, as long as you're not in pajamas or sweats, formal wear no longer matters."

12. "The customer is always right."

13. "'Eat everything on your plate.' This was great advice during the great depression, but now it just leads to poor health."

14. "'Just march up there and ask for an application! Show up every morning at 7 a.m. with a lunch and say you're ready to work for them!!!' Yeah, Mom, that's a good way for them to call security on you."

15. "Don't worry about your major. You'll probably change it before you graduate. The main thing is to go to college. You'll figure it out from there."

16. "Wealth comes from hard work."

17. "You must give your employer two weeks' notice before you leave a job."

18. "Good things come to those who wait."

19. "'Don't go to bed angry.' Brother, I make bad decisions and say mean things when I'm tired AND angry, and I WILL be tired AND angry the next day if I'm up until 1 a.m. solving the world's problems. Sleep on it, revisit when rested and clear-headed."

20. "Anything along the lines of 'pray to God' or 'trust in God' rather than actually becoming the driver in one's own life."

21. "If a girl says no, that means try harder."

22. "Do something you love, and you'll never work another day in your life."

23. "'Don't throw your money away on rent. Buy a house.' I have been a renter and a homeowner. I'm now back to renting. No homeowners' insurance, no property taxes, no taking care of a lawn, pest control, or maintenance. I'm older Gen X and have no desire to buy another house at the moment."

24. "You shouldn't live with someone before you marry them."

25. "Older people know better (especially regarding mental health). Honestly, my life got so much better once I learned how to love my emotions and not hide them; it's not silly to be sad or anxious."

26. "'You'll figure it out' (in response to being worried about how you'll afford kids in this economy)."

27. "When you stop looking, you'll meet someone. Nope."

28. "'Money doesn't buy happiness.' Sure, beyond basics, it plateaus, but financial security removes so much stress that it absolutely buys a happier baseline life."

29. "Sleep when the baby sleeps."

30. "'Just ask them out.' No, they're at work, and they're smiling and laughing because they're being professional. Not because they'd like to solicit interest."

31. And finally, "Boys need a physical outlet like football to teach them to be disciplined." I just had somebody say this a few weeks back. Buddy, that's how kids come to be resentful of their parents, 'cause they were forced to do things like that."

Now I've gotta know, what's the most outdated life advice you're still hearing today? Let us know in the comments. And if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.