Keeping up appearances is nothing new, and Baby Boomers—born between 1946 and 1964—are no strangers to this game.
It’s fascinating to see the lengths some middle-class Boomers will go to project a more successful image than reality might suggest.
We are not here to judge, but rather to understand.
Why? Because understanding these behaviors can give us insights into our own habits, and perhaps even help us make smarter decisions in both our personal lives and businesses.
These examples, while amusing at times, can serve as a mirror for our own behavior and a reminder of the pitfalls of pretense.
1) Flaunting high-end brands
For some middle-class Boomers, the brand is everything.
There’s a certain allure to owning items from high-end brands. Be it designer clothes, expensive cars, or even top-tier kitchen appliances, these items serve as status symbols.
They’re a way to say, “Look at me, I’m successful,” without uttering a word.
This isn’t completely surprising. After all, we live in a society where people often tie success to material possessions.
It’s an easy way to create an illusion of wealth and accomplishment, especially when the reality might be less glamorous.
But remember, the value of a person or a business is not defined by the brands they own.
Success is about more than just what can be bought in a store. It’s about the value we bring to the world and the difference we make in people’s lives.
Next time you see someone flaunting their latest high-end purchase, remember that it’s just one of the ways people try to appear more successful than they actually are.
And perhaps it will remind you to focus on creating real value rather than just projecting an image of success.
2) Keeping up with the Joneses
I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this at some point. I know I have.
A few years back, a friend of mine—a fellow Boomer—invited me over to his house.
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a lavish living room that looked like it was straight out of a home decor magazine.
This was a stark contrast to his usual modest lifestyle.
When I asked him about it, he confessed that he had splurged on an expensive renovation just to keep up with his affluent neighbors.
It’s a classic example of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’. The pressure to match or surpass our peers can push us to make extravagant purchases or decisions that are beyond our means.
It’s an attempt to project an image of success, even if it strains our budget.
While it’s natural to aspire for more, it’s also important to live within our means and not let societal pressures dictate our lifestyle choices.
True success is measured not by how we stack up against others, but by our contentment with what we have.
3) Overstating job titles
In the age of LinkedIn and social media, job titles have become more than just designations, they’ve become a way to project success.
Some middle-class Boomers have a knack for making their jobs sound fancier than they actually are.
A 2018 LinkedIn survey found that one in five people admit to exaggerating their job titles on their profiles.
Instead of a simple ‘Manager’, they might use ‘Senior Executive Director of Operations’.
While this might seem harmless, it’s often an attempt to appear more successful and accomplished than they really are.
But let’s not forget, it’s not the title that makes the person successful, but the work they do and the impact they make.
Next time you come across an overly impressive job title, remember there might be more (or less) to it than meets the eye.
4) Oversharing success on social media
Social media, a platform once used for sharing personal moments, has slowly turned into a stage for some middle-class Boomers to showcase their ‘perfect’ lives.
From exotic vacations and lavish dinners to high-end purchases, their profiles often paint a picture of continuous success and prosperity.
This oversharing is a way of saying, “Look at how successful I am,” without outright bragging.
It’s a subtle way of influencing people’s perceptions about their lifestyle and success.
But as we scroll through these highly curated feeds, it’s important to remember that social media often shows only the highlight reel, not the full picture.
Success isn’t just about the glamorous moments shared online; it’s about the hard work, struggles, and failures that happen behind the scenes.
5) Living beyond their means
I recall a time when I found myself enticed by the allure of a prestigious golf club membership.
It was more than I could comfortably afford, but the thought of the status it would confer was tempting.
I imagined the business connections I could make, the impression it would leave on my clients, and how successful it would make me appear.
This is a trap many middle-class Boomers fall into – living beyond their means to project a facade of success.
Fancy memberships, extravagant holidays, or even buying a house in an upscale neighborhood can be ways to portray an image of wealth.
In my experience, true financial success comes from living within your means and making smart, sustainable financial decisions.
It’s not about the temporary image you project but the long-term financial stability you build.
6) Name-dropping influential people
We’ve all met that one person who seems to know everyone in town. They casually drop the names of influential people in conversation, subtly implying their own importance by association.
This name-dropping habit is a common tactic among some middle-class Boomers.
By associating themselves with successful people, they aim to elevate their own perceived success.
It’s as if they’re saying, “If I know important people, then I must be important too.”
While knowing influential people can indeed open doors and opportunities, it’s crucial to remember that our worth is not determined by who we know, but rather by who we are and what we bring to the table.
After all, success is about personal accomplishments, not borrowed prestige.
7) Using jargon to sound more knowledgeable
In a bid to appear more successful, some middle-class Boomers may use complex jargon or industry terminology, even when simpler words would do.
By doing so, they hope to come across as more knowledgeable and experienced in their field.
But true professionals know that complexity doesn’t equal intelligence. Often, the ability to explain complex ideas in simple terms is a sign of real expertise.
Next time you encounter someone using unnecessary jargon, remember that true success lies in substance and understanding, not just sounding smart.
Final thoughts: Perception versus reality
The drive to appear more successful than we are is not exclusive to middle-class Boomers—it’s a human tendency that crosses generations and social classes.
It’s often fueled by societal pressure and our innate desire for acceptance and validation.
While we may be inclined to inflate our success, people generally prefer to be honest and humble.
The facade of success we sometimes put on may be less effective than we think.
The behaviors we’ve explored are not meant to be indictments, but rather a mirror reflecting some of our own insecurities and vulnerabilities.
They prompt us to question what success truly means.
Is it the image we project to the world, or is it about personal fulfillment, genuine relationships, and positive impact?
As we navigate our lives and careers, it’s an essential question each of us must grapple with.
Perhaps real success lies not in how others perceive us, but in how authentically we live our lives.
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