Where Does the Time Go?
People have a lot of things to say about past generations, especially Gen Xers. Though you might have some conflicting opinions, there’s no denying that some things were just simpler back then, and much, much better. We’re here to break down the little ways life has changed and all the memories this generation misses most from their childhoods.
1. Freedom to Go Where You Want
It might sound simple, but there was a time when you could just get on your bike as a kid and hit the open road. You didn’t have a cellphone or any real way of contacting your parents, and that was part of its charm. You had total freedom to spend time with your friends or cruise the neighborhood—and no one was afraid.
Alexander Nadrilyanski on Pexels
2. Visiting Without Calling First
We know it sounds rude to visit without calling, but part of old-school friendship was in-person hangouts. Whereas today’s kids are more comfortable with online communication, there was nothing better than seeing your friend on the porch!
3. Calling Out Bad Parenting
This one’s tough; you obviously shouldn’t raise your hand to a child, let alone a stranger’s, but it was once acceptable to at least call out misbehavior. If the parents won’t do anything about it, Gen Xers never had an issue correcting problems.
4. Not Cancelling Last Minute
For some reason, tardiness today is considered quirky. Gen Xers know the truth: it’s rude! It’s one thing to get caught in traffic, but it’s another to be the friend who always shows up late. It’s just as important to show up at all—many people nowadays cancel at the last minute and then complain when their friends drop off the map.
5. Letting Your Pup Roam Free
Dogs were once as free as their owners. They roamed around the yard or sniffed to their heart’s content…but not anymore. While it’s obviously crucial to have excellent recall, a lot of pet owners don’t. Nowadays, they just sort of let their dogs run around without a care in the world, which hurts everyone around them.
6. Smoking Sections
We’re not saying they were the best idea, but it’s not fair to ostracize smokers either. Plenty of Gen Xers remember the days when smoking sections kept them warm and comfortable indoors, and it’s something they often miss.
7. Always Carrying Cash
Cash seems like a foreign concept nowadays, but it’s still incredibly useful! Farmer’s markets, library clearouts, bake sales—so many little events that support your town’s community only take cash. Even if it’s just a 20, it’s worth it to have a safety stash.
8. Time at the Arcade
Sure, arcades still exist, but they don’t have the same appeal. In today’s world, arcades are more of a gimmick, which is exactly why they cost so much and seem void of real machines. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, it was the cool place to be.
9. Waiting for New Episodes
Believe it or not, there was once something called anticipation. Gen Xers didn’t have streaming services, which meant you sat on your hands for a whole week until the next episode came out. Though some TV shows still adopt this practice, a lot of them release their seasons all at once. Call us crazy, but it’s less fun that way!
10. Looking for Friends in the Phone Book
The phone book was…an odd collection. The more you think about it, the less intuitive it seems: a massive book filled with everyone’s name and phone number? A little dangerous by today’s standards, but every company has your information anyway, so it’s hardly better now. Either way, at least the phone book made connection easier.
Internet Archive Book Images on Wikimedia
11. Watching Old-School MTV
By now, MTV is pretty archaic. But back in the day? They premiered new music videos and dedicated themselves to the hottest artists of the time. It was the channel to watch for all things music—unlike now, where it’s just prank shows and sitcom reruns.
12. Spending All Day at the Mall
Strip malls aren’t what they used to be. Just a few decades ago, they were a testament to community, brick and mortar locations, and some of the best greasy food you could eat. It was a place to get lost in! But now, at today’s prices? It’s more like a trip to a soulless casino.
13. Having Legitimate Privacy
Social media wasn’t a thing in the ‘70s and ‘80s. People were all the better for it, trust us. You experienced events without documenting them. You didn’t compete with anyone. You didn’t read nasty comments that sent your mental health into a tailspin. You just lived your life and felt safe doing so.
Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash
14. Affordability
Inflation isn’t even the right word for today’s cost of living. It’s far worse than that: it’s unaffordable. Whether it’s housing or gas prices, gone are the days of living on one salary.
15. Going to the Library
Libraries still exist, and they’ll always have a place in our hearts, but they aren’t as “valuable” to patrons nowadays. With the explosion of the internet, people would rather Google something at home than head to their local branch and look it up the old-fashioned way.
16. Finding Empty Campgrounds
Have you ever enjoyed something before it became popular? Isn’t it just the best? Camping used to be like that—until everyone discovered its charm and flooded the grounds. Families used to hop in the car and set up wherever they pleased, but today’s popular spots are booked well in advance.
17. Reading the Paper
Physical newspapers still exist, but they’re different in today’s world. In the ‘70s, you opened the door to a fresh copy and sat down with your morning coffee to read it. In today’s world? People have already heard what they need online.
18. Talking to a Real Customer Service Rep
If you’re looking for service in English, press one. If you’re having trouble with your service, press two. If you want to speak to a representative, good luck. Everything—and we mean everything—is automated now, and finding an actual human to talk to anymore is basically impossible.
19. Enjoying Four Distinct Seasons
Like it or not, climate change hit us hard. What used to be four distinct seasons is now a free-for-all with hot days in October and green Christmases. It might sound like a little thing, but it’s weird (and a little morbid) to imagine the days when things were different.
20. Spending Time With Family
Don’t get us wrong—people still spend quality time together! The thing is, it’s not the same. Say what you want about the era, but Gen Xers used to gather ‘round for Sunday dinner. They didn’t have their phones at the table. They just enjoyed each other’s company.
