How weird it must have been to grow up before color television. Some of the things that our parents told us made them seem so old. Well, surprise! Now it’s our turn. Here’s my start at compiling a list of things that will make me sound ancient as I impart them on Jamie.
You had to leave the house to rent a movie. It’s the weekend and you want to relax and watch a movie? We had to go to the store to rent the VHS or DVD copy. You couldn’t simply find it On Demand or through Netflix. It required its own errand.
Sometimes using the phone meant being at home and standing in one location. Phones were something that sat on the furniture, and were grounded to that location with a cord. You couldn’t just get up and walk to the other side of the house as you talked. There was also that little matter of needing to be at home to accept a phone call.
Books were the best place to find facts. The idea of Googling something didn’t yet exist. If you wanted to conduct research, you needed to consult an encyclopedia, or go to a library. Knowing how to use a card catalog was a necessary skill.
You could smoke in buildings. You used to be able to smoke in bars and restaurants. Whether you lit up or not, if you wanted to grab a beer or a bite to eat, your clothes would reek of smoke.
Bring a map. If you got lost in your car as you made a trip, you had one of two options. You could either drive around until you find what you are looking for, or you could stop and ask for directions. If you stopped at a store, you could always buy a map – on paper. Phones with maps were still a thing of the future.
Cameras had film. You couldn’t immediately see the picture that you just took. You had to drop film off at the store, and return to pick it up sometime in the following week.
What are the things that will make you feel old? Leave them in the comments.
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