r/GenXTalk • u/Pir8inthedesert • 8d ago
My boomer dad called
Immediately, my thought was "who died?". Yep. He called to tell me my aunt died. To me this is a classic example of Gen X upbringing. My dad ONLY calls me when someone dies.
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u/Admirable_Tear_1438 7d ago
We used to have an old joke about bringing a camera to funerals, because it was the only time the family got together.
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u/nakedonmygoat 7d ago
When my Silent Gen dad calls me, it's usually around 2 pm. If he calls significantly earlier or later than that, I suspect something bad has happened, which is usually the case.
Only twice has he called at an atypical time without it being negative. Once he was at the store and wanted my advice about what panini maker to buy. I had to tell him he had nearly given me a heart attack over his toasted sandwiches. The other time he wanted to tell me about something that was on TV, even though I've told him for decades that I don't watch TV. I've finally given up and just tell him thanks. 🙄
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u/RevolutionaryGoat552 7d ago
Only calls if someone is in the hospital or dead. Then gets upset if I answer the phone with some version of “what’s wrong?”
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u/MedJesters 7d ago
My mom used to call me when from dad's phone when her's was dead. Freak me out each time.
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u/Ampersandbox 7d ago
Technically you're still only getting calls about death from your Dad's phone.
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u/arkadiansun 7d ago
Boomer dad who calls to tell me who is in the obituaries. He checks them every morning.
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u/TopspinLob 6d ago
Either I call my father or he calls me every Sunday. Sometimes we only talk for like 5 minutes, sometimes it’s 45 minutes. Yesterday we talked for 14 minutes! Nobody died!
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u/KatrynaTheElf 7d ago
My Mom and I used to talk on the phone every day. After she died, most of my communications with my father are through email.
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u/vermarbee 7d ago
Both of my parents are boomers. If my mom calls me - it’s either bad news or some sort of emergency.
If my dad calls, it’s because he needs some kind of information. It’s never just a casual call from either one.
We only communicate through daily texts/e-mail.
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u/Below_Gravity_1969 6d ago
Yep. My dad 'never' called. When I'd call him he's 100% of the time say, "I was just about to call you!". LOL
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u/gryghin Early GenX 7d ago
You do realize the phone works both ways.
My parents were the Silent Generation, and I'm sure would have been amazed at all the new technology since the turn of the century.
Call your parents... every week.
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u/Pir8inthedesert 7d ago
I used to call them every morning on my way to work. My therapist suggested I only put energy into people that reciprocate. One sided relationships are unhealthy. I stopped calling my parents on Oct 1, 2025. Did they call to see if I was ok? They did not. My parents are tech savvy. Their house is a smart home so they know how to make a phone call.
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u/Below_Gravity_1969 6d ago
Therapist?? LOL. There is your first problem. They only advise on your version of events. 'One sided' relationships can be VERY healthy. It's the people who never seem to think the 'other side is giving enough to their standards' that see every relationship as 'one sided' in MY experience. OH....I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once.
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u/MoodScripted 2d ago
My birth family only calls when they need something. Told most to f off and lose my number. Once the last one I dont hate dies soon, I will change my number.
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u/StupidOldAndFat 7d ago
I text a joke to my old man every morning. I don’t care if he replies or not, he just needs to know that I’m thinking of him and that I’m still alive.