As time passes, many customs that were once an indelible part of American culture are slowly disappearing. Below is a list of 18 traditions and habits that remind us of simpler times.
Appointment TV
New technology and streaming platforms have changed TV-watching habits forever. In the past, people would sit on the couch, waiting for their favorite show to come on. But today, we have the luxury of watching whatever we want whenever we want. The anticipation and excitement are no longer a part of the experience, as you can now watch Netflix while waiting in line at the grocery store.
Going to the Theater
The wide availability of streaming services is also causing a drop in the number of people going to movie theaters. Nowadays, the excitement of going to a theater, buying a ticket, and watching a movie on a big screen is happening less often. Currently, only 14% of US adults prefer watching a movie in a theater, with most choosing to stream movies.
Drive-In Theatres
Speaking of theaters, another type that’s disappearing is the drive-in. In the ’50s and ’60s, drive-ins were everywhere, and families or couples would go to watch a movie and have snacks. Today, drive-ins are rare, overshadowed by streaming services and theaters. Currently, just over 300 drive-in theaters are still running in the US, mainly in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Cooking at Home
In a few decades, cooking at home might be as uncommon as gardening for most families. Thanks to advances in food preservation, better delivery systems, and quicker ways to buy, ordering food is healthier and more affordable than cooking. Cooking as a service, as it is called, saves tons of time, although it comes at the expense of some traditions.
Waiting for Your Photos to be Developed
In the past, when you went on vacation or had a birthday party, you’d take some photos. But then, you had to remove the film from the camera and send it for development. Waiting for the photos to come back was exciting. The popularity of cell phones, allowing us to take instant photos, has pushed digital cameras aside. Today, traditional printing photography is still done, but more as an art form than for commercial purposes.
Kids Going Out to Play
In the past, if you wanted to play with someone, you’d go to their house and knock on their door. Children would usually play unsupervised on the street or in a designated play area. Today, the culture of fear prevents kids from having spontaneous gatherings. Instead, they have organized playdates while their moms engage in awkward small talk with other parents.
Having One Job For a Lifetime
In the past, people often spent their entire careers at one company, showing decades of loyalty until retirement. Even if they didn’t like their jobs, many would stick with them. Today, the job scene looks a lot different thanks to the wide range of job options available. People are more open to trying different jobs or changing careers to find new opportunities. In fact, research indicates that people aged 25-34 have, on average, already worked in six different roles!
Sending Handwritten Letters and Cards
When did you last sit down and write a letter to someone? Writing letters, postcards, and greeting cards is a thing of the past. With instant messaging, email, and all the social media options, handwritten letters are rare nowadays. The frequent use of computers has even changed people’s handwriting. If you try to write something, chances are your handwriting will look like a weird scrawl.
Manual Typewriters
Typewriters were standard in offices across the US until the 1980s. After that, the rise of personal computers, affordable, high-quality printers, and widespread electronic communication has mostly replaced these typing machines. However, some people still prefer and use them for their nostalgic charm. In contrast, others appreciate their perceived security in protecting information compared to computers.
Shopping with Mail-Order Catalogs
Before online shopping became popular, many people shopped using mail-order catalogs. It wasn’t as quick or convenient as online shopping, but families eagerly waited to see the latest fashions, home goods, and tools. Circling the items they wanted and placing orders by mail was an event. It often took three to four weeks for the order to arrive, but it was worth the wait for many.
Being Fitted for New Shoes
In the old days, when the school year was near, or kids felt their shows were small, they usually went to a store and got their feet measured for new shoes. But now, thanks to technology, we can easily do this at home and buy shoes online. Even if you go to a store, they often have self-measurement options. So, you can only sometimes need help from store staff to make sure your shoes fit well.
Phone Booths
The increase in cell phones in the early 21st century caused payphones to disappear virtually overnight. In 2022, New York City, which used to have 30,000 payphones, took out its last one. Although many phone booths still exist across the US, they don’t work anymore. Over the years, these have been repurposed into various things like libraries, defibrillator units, and mini art galleries.
Collect Calls
Back when phone booths still existed, people had to deposit coins into the coin box to make a call. However, if you needed more change, you could make a collect call. This meant that the person getting the call paid for it. The automated voice asking, “Will you accept a collect call from…?” is now a distant memory for many, but it has been replaced by unlimited calling and texting plans from mobile operators.
Roller Skating Rinks
For many of us, going to the old skating rink on Friday nights is one of the fondest childhood memories. The vibrant carpets, shiny disco balls, and the smell of rubber skates gliding on the rink make those old beloved relics in today’s culture. While some rinks are still around, they’ve taken a backseat to modern entertainment like virtual hangouts.
Kids Having Paper Routes
The nostalgic scene of kids delivering newspapers in American suburbs was a reality for many years. It was more than just a job as it taught kids punctuality, responsibility, and money management. However, with the digital revolution and fewer people subscribing to print media, this tradition has mostly disappeared. Now, if newspapers are delivered, it’s usually done by adults from their cars.
Milk Deliveries
The familiar sound of glass bottles clinking on the porch in the early morning was common in mid-century American neighborhoods. People would order their milk from the milkman, and he’d bring it the next day. Some houses had insulated boxes on the porch, while others had cubbies built into the house. Interestingly, some older homes still have their milk boxes. However, home milk deliveries faded away in the 1990s after the milk industry was deregulated, allowing supermarkets and stores to sell milk.
Diner Jukeboxes
The classic jukebox remains a true icon of American culture. The 1950s marked the peak of jukebox popularity globally, and nearly every diner or bar in the United States had one. Jukeboxes are coin-operated machines featuring a selection of popular songs that patrons could play for just a nickel. Today, streaming services and digital playlists have replaced the iconic jukebox.
Community Cookbooks
Local community groups and churches have been making and sharing cookbooks with their favorite recipes for years. These cookbooks were often used for fundraising at special events or given as tokens of appreciation. However, as technology has made it easier to share recipes online, this tradition is now less common. These days, you can mostly find community cookbooks in vintage shops or garage sales.
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