Those who knew life before the internet and today’s technology lived an entirely different existence. It was so starkly different that many practices during those years may confuse, shock, or even horrify people today.
This was a discussion in a recent Reddit thread. Older folks looked back on a time when it was acceptable to smoke cigarettes on airplanes, walk through airline gates without a ticket, and have a phonebook containing personal information for everyone to see.
Many consider this a “golden era” filled with glorious moments. If you’re one of them, feel free to share your insights in the comment boxes below!
#21
When you sat in the front seat, the only thing that kept you from flying into the dash, was your Mom's arm flying over when she hit the brakes.
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37points
#22
No sunscreen when on the beach or out in the sun. Or worse -- using baby oil and laying out in the sun.
Habibti143 replied:
Baby oil, a reflector, and iodine.
Habibti143 replied:
Baby oil, a reflector, and iodine.
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36points
#23
Human conversation, playing outside until the streetlights came on, drinking out of the hose.
35points
#24
Riding in the back of the pick up truck, sometimes sitting on the wheel well.
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35points
#25
My mother smoked and drank during 3 pregnancies. Women thought this helped delivery by making the baby smaller. I’m not kidding.
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33points
#26
Not having a side hustle ; not trying to mix/max every aspect of your life.
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33points
#27
When i was a teenager I used to cycle around, and if i had to telephone someone, i would just knock on some (random) person's door, asking politely if i could make a call. Or even go to the toilet sometimes. Most people would be ok with it.
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32points
#28
All adults were allowed to hit kids… parents, teachers, coaches, principal, even friends and or neighbors.
32points
#29
Smoking on airplanes.
emarkd replied:
I used to ride my bike to the corner market and 'buy' my mom cigarettes by the carton. I say 'buy' in quotes because she had a tab there, literally just a list in a little flip notebook by the register. I'd take home her cigarettes as needed, and she'd stop in on the weekends and settle up the tab. I was 9 or 10 when this started.
Smoking was not only everywhere, at least where I lived; nobody cared about age laws and s**t.
emarkd replied:
I used to ride my bike to the corner market and 'buy' my mom cigarettes by the carton. I say 'buy' in quotes because she had a tab there, literally just a list in a little flip notebook by the register. I'd take home her cigarettes as needed, and she'd stop in on the weekends and settle up the tab. I was 9 or 10 when this started.
Smoking was not only everywhere, at least where I lived; nobody cared about age laws and s**t.
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31points
#30
Casual violence, sexism, racism, bigotry and bullying at a level that young people today would lose their minds.
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27points
