Older Folks Share Shocking Things That Younger Ones Get Wrong About The Past Decades

The younger generation might feel confident about their knowledge of what life was like back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, thanks to social media, books, and movies. However, those who actually lived through these times had a few misconceptions to correct via Reddit.

A user asked older Redditors about the things younger people get wrong about the past, and the thread was soon filled with rather shocking things most people of today did not know. These cut across social life, style, entertainment and so much more. Here are a few things to know about past decades.

Life in the ’80s and ’90s meant having limited shopping choices

Unlike now when you can shop for clothes and nearly everything else at your fingertips and have them brought to you at home, people only had a smaller range of items to select from back then, and on top of the limited choices, deliveries took up to 6 weeks, and the alternative was to shop in the mall.

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In further contrast from today, malls are becoming increasingly few and far between, eliminating yet another rite of passage the older generation is used to that younger people today wouldn’t recognize as readily.

Smoking everywhere

Smoking was more common in the past, so much so that restaurants and bars had smoking sections, and even non-smokers could arrive home smelling like cigarette fumes after a long day. It was allowed on the buses, trains, planes, and even in designated school areas and offices unless stated otherwise.

Improvising entertainment

These days fun is everywhere, but back then, kids had to make things up and use their creative side to kill boredom. There were only a few channels on TV, with nearly none catering to kids, so they would go out in the street to entertain each other, play pretend, climb trees, or just read some fun book in the library.

Life in the ’80s and ’90s was all about searching for answers

Doing intense and patient research was almost inevitable back then since there was no Google or AI to help you find answers. Students had to spend time in the library to do homework, mostly as a last resort when older knowledgeable folks could not help.

Movie rental

Before the rise of streaming platforms, you could rent movies to watch with friends and family. Rental places served as conversation points in social settings since people would likely rent the same movie that was the talk of the town at every given point.

What are some other things that younger generations don’t realize about ’80s and ’90s life?