One of the Things I Miss Most About Yesteryears ...

[libertybele]

One of the things I miss the most is calling a company and actually talking to a receptionist or member of a company to resolve an issue or get a questioned answered, rather than having to go through a very long, ridiculous and inept phone que only to wind up speaking to a foreigner who doesn't have a clue as to how to respond nor has command of the English language.

[berdie]

One of the things I miss the most is calling a company and actually talking to a receptionist or member of a company to resolve an issue or get a questioned answered, rather than having to go through a very long, ridiculous and inept phone que only to wind up speaking to a foreigner who doesn't have a clue as to how to respond nor has command of the English language.

One of mine as well.

Hello, this is Peggy.. (if you ever saw that commercial)

I had phone problems not long ago (yes, landline, I am a dinosaur). The repairman that finally came out told me that the call centers have a preset list of responses...no matter what you say. So, since I got past the automated preset responses, the people that answer the "help line" in some distant country do the same.

[DB]

For things like banks, regardless of what you are actually calling about, say you want to "open new account". That gets the quickest service to a live person.

For a cell phone company, again regardless of what are calling about, say you "want a new phone". That also gets you a live person quickly.

It bypasses the automated phone trap that often doesn't have the issue you are calling about as an option giving you a dead end.

It works...

[libertybele]

One of the things that I miss the most is shopping at a brick and mortar store instead of having to order through Amazon or company catalogs.

So many have closed up; Hudson's, Penny's, Sears, K-mart, Kinney shoes, Circuit City, Woolworth's, Bed Bath & Beyond,  Sport's Authority, Service Merchandise, Radio Shack, Ben Franklin, even grocery stores like A&P.....

Indoor malls are a thing of the past around here; you used to be able to shop, have lunch, shop some more and have dessert all under the same roof.

Shops in strip malls come and go.

[Bigun]

I miss being able to go fishing with my boys without worrying about what's happening to my country all the time I'm there.

[mountaineer]

I miss restaurant servers handing you a menu, instead of telling me to scan the QR code, as they walk away. I don't do QR codes, and pleasantly but firmly request something printed on paper.

I miss the department stores, too. In the 1970s, the JCPenney near us offered everything from tires and brake service to clothing to sporting goods to housewares.

[libertybele]

I miss being able to go fishing with my boys without worrying about what's happening to my country all the time I'm there.

I worry about this country a lot too. Prayers for this Republic. 

[libertybele]

I miss restaurant servers handing you a menu, instead of telling me to scan the QR code, as they walk away. I don't do QR codes, and pleasantly but firmly request something printed on paper.

I miss the department stores, too. In the 1970s, the JCPenney near us offered everything from tires and brake service to clothing to sporting goods to housewares.

Sears too, you could get car service, tools, clothes, shoes....

It's really a shame that we're to this point.  With AI now here, who knows.

[libertybele]

One of the things I miss the most is people wishing each other Merry Christmas during the season and not offending anyone and also either going door to door singing Christmas carols or getting a knock on the door and people singing carols.

[Smokin Joe]

Just a few things...
Grabbing a bite at the lunch counter at Woolworth's when I was in town.
Drive-in movies.
The sacred solemnity of a Latin Mass.
Full rifle racks in the pickups at the High School.
Please and Thank You.
Not hearing constant F-bombs from teenagers (and younger, and older for that matter).
Perversions in the closet (not my closet, but socially).
Dragnet.
The Alfred Hitchcock show.
Quality pre-CGI animation (one thing Disney did do right back when).
Civility, and the ability to rationally discuss differing beliefs without histrionic sh*tfits.
Politeness, even if I never seemed to quite master 'parlor manners'.
When chivalry was almost universally welcome.
Glass bottles, 6 oz tuna, and toilet paper that was close to an inch wider.
Silver coins in change, and the occasional Indian Head penny or buffalo nickel.
Being able to roam the farm (as a kid) with a .22 and no one had a problem.
Tobacco Barns (all gone except one).
Being able to hike off-trail in the mountains without worrying about stumbling on someone's grow plot.
Big cars, big engines, cheap gas, three on the tree or four on the floor.
Letting kids be kids, protected and watched over by all (from the older kids to the adults).
A nation where, whether you agreed with the politics of the day, everyone deeply believed it was the best country on Earth, and professed that love for America. (That really started changing with the street tantrums of the 60s).

[GtHawk]

I miss restaurant servers handing you a menu, instead of telling me to scan the QR code, as they walk away. I don't do QR codes, and pleasantly but firmly request something printed on paper.

I miss the department stores, too. In the 1970s, the JCPenney near us offered everything from tires and brake service to clothing to sporting goods to housewares.

Ditto, I also miss Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery wards, five and dimes….

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Only thing I miss is sitcoms... traditional TV.

[libertybele]

Just a few things...
Grabbing a bite at the lunch counter at Woolworth's when I was in town.
Drive-in movies.
The sacred solemnity of a Latin Mass.
Full rifle racks in the pickups at the High School.
Please and Thank You.
Not hearing constant F-bombs from teenagers (and younger, and older for that matter).
Perversions in the closet (not my closet, but socially).
Dragnet.
The Alfred Hitchcock show.
Quality pre-CGI animation (one thing Disney did do right back when).
Civility, and the ability to rationally discuss differing beliefs without histrionic sh*tfits.
Politeness, even if I never seemed to quite master 'parlor manners'.
When chivalry was almost universally welcome.
Glass bottles, 6 oz tuna, and toilet paper that was close to an inch wider.
Silver coins in change, and the occasional Indian Head penny or buffalo nickel.
Being able to roam the farm (as a kid) with a .22 and no one had a problem.
Tobacco Barns (all gone except one).
Being able to hike off-trail in the mountains without worrying about stumbling on someone's grow plot.
Big cars, big engines, cheap gas, three on the tree or four on the floor.
Letting kids be kids, protected and watched over by all (from the older kids to the adults).
A nation where, whether you agreed with the politics of the day, everyone deeply believed it was the best country on Earth, and professed that love for America. (That really started changing with the street tantrums of the 60s).

Quite a list and things that I miss as well, especially the sacred solemnity of a Latin Mass.

Hubby and I were talking about drive-in-movie theaters last night.  When we met there was still one in town that we went to when we first started dating.

As a kid, we had a drive-in that had a playground, and then once it got dark they would play a cartoon. We would take our blankets and climb up on the roof of the car and watch it, often falling asleep.  You used to be able to watch a cartoon, and two movies.

[Free Vulcan]

I miss the days when any Joe Schmo with skills and a decent set of tools could work on just about any car. I remember as a kid swapping out engines with dad and even doing a replacement of the water pump on our '76 Ford truck by myself at age 12.

These days what's under the hood might as well be the warp drive to the Starship Enterprise.

[libertybele]

I miss the days when any Joe Schmo with skills and a decent set of tools could work on just about any car. I remember as a kid swapping out engines with dad and even doing a replacement of the water pump on our '76 Ford truck by myself at age 12.

These days what's under the hood might as well be the warp drive to the Starship Enterprise.

When I was in high school and going through driver's training we had to be able to change a tire and change the oil in order to pass.  I have no clue what's under the hood these days of newer vehicles, but I get the feeling that changing the oil may be a bit more involved then it used to be???

[Free Vulcan]

When I was in high school and going through driver's training we had to be able to change a tire and change the oil in order to pass.  I have no clue what's under the hood these days of newer vehicles, but I get the feeling that changing the oil may be a bit more involved then it used to be???

On some yes because the filter is actually up inside the engine body and requires special tools.

[mountaineer]

When I was in high school and going through driver's training we had to be able to change a tire and change the oil in order to pass.  I have no clue what's under the hood these days of newer vehicles, but I get the feeling that changing the oil may be a bit more involved then it used to be???

It's hard to find things under the hood anymore. I used to change my oil, air filter, occasional hose, but no more.

[berdie]

I miss leaving the windows at night and feeling safe.

[libertybele]

I miss leaving the windows at night and feeling safe.

Indeed...we used to also leave the house unlocked.  Those days are certainly gone.

[DefiantMassRINO]

When classic rock was new.

When metal scared Tipper Gore, and other Senators' wives.

When FM Radio Stations were locally owned and played a wide diversity of music:

KISS 108.1 FM Boston (Disco)
WAAF 1073. FM Worcester (Rock, Metal)
WBCN 104.1 FM Boston (Rock, Alternative)
WHTT 103,3 FM Boston (Top 40)
WFNX 101.7 FM Boston (Alternative)
WHJY 94.1 FM Providence (Rock, Metal)

When AM Talk Radio was worth listening to:

Jerry Williams - WRKO 680 AM
David Brudnoy - WBZ 1030 AM

The local over-the-air music video channel - V66 - that was only with us for the Summer of 1985.

[Lando Lincoln]

My youth.
Courting Mrs. L.
Holding my boys.
Coaching Little League.
Being there for my boys.
Talking to my Mom and Dad.
Aunts and Uncles.

As for society, I miss the romance of the times. I miss pure patriotism. I miss common courtesy. I miss respect. I miss compassion. I miss the innocence.

[Bigun]

My youth.
Courting Mrs. L.
Holding my boys.
Coaching Little League.
Being there for my boys.
Talking to my Mom and Dad.
Aunts and Uncles.

As for society, I miss the romance of the times. I miss pure patriotism. I miss common courtesy. I miss respect. I miss compassion. I miss the innocence.

 

[GtHawk]

I miss leaving the windows at night and feeling safe.

We used to leave the sliding door open 24/7 so that the dog could go in and out whenever he wanted, when we tried to keep him outside he would just shake the door somhard it would pop the lock and open, so we  just gave up. Of course I didn’t worry to much because anyone that tried to get past that 150 pound dog would get what they deserved.

[SZonian]

Running behind the mosquito spray truck...
Buying a comic book and a soda for $0.25
Swimming and fishing in the Chagres River with my friends
Hanging out at the pool on Thursday nights
The "Gamboa Women's Club" donuts
Innocence of youth
Wolfman Jack
Surfing in the Pacific with my friends
Talking with my maternal grandparents...(Paternal passed before I knew them)
My 1966 Barracuda
to name a few...

[libertybele]

Running behind the mosquito spray truck...
Buying a comic book and a soda for $0.25
Swimming and fishing in the Chagres River with my friends
Hanging out at the pool on Thursday nights
The "Gamboa Women's Club" donuts
Innocence of youth
Wolfman Jack
Surfing in the Pacific with my friends
Talking with my maternal grandparents...(Paternal passed before I knew them)
My 1966 Barracuda
to name a few...

Ok .... so I'm not quite sure what the 'running behind the mosquito spray truck' entailed or why you use to do it????

[Bigun]

Running behind the mosquito spray truck...
Buying a comic book and a soda for $0.25
Swimming and fishing in the Chagres River with my friends
Hanging out at the pool on Thursday nights
The "Gamboa Women's Club" donuts
Innocence of youth
Wolfman Jack
Surfing in the Pacific with my friends
Talking with my maternal grandparents...(Paternal passed before I knew them)
My 1966 Barracuda
to name a few...

My first brand new car was a bright red 1966 Plymouth Barracuda @SZonian

[SZonian]

My first brand new car was a bright red 1966 Plymouth Barracuda @SZonian

Mine was a used rustbucket...but she was mine. My first car and one of my retirement bucket list items.
They're not that popular being A Bodies, but that's probably why I like it. It's "uncommon".

[Bigun]

Mine was a used rustbucket...but she was mine. My first car and one of my retirement bucket list items.
They're not that popular being A Bodies, but that's probably why I like it. It's "uncommon".

I loved mine! It was named "The Mustang Eater".

[SZonian]

Ok .... so I'm not quite sure what the 'running behind the mosquito spray truck' entailed or why you use to do it????

A truck that drove around every evening spraying mosquito killer (DDT I believe)...leaving a cloud behind it.
We did it because we were kids and we could?

[Bigun]

A truck that drove around every evening spraying mosquito killer (DDT I believe)...leaving a cloud behind it.
We did it because we were kids and we could?

Amazingly we all lived through it and the birds still sing! That murderous witch Rachel Carson can KMA! She has much blood on her hands!

[catfish1957]

Not being paranoid about offending someone.

[Free Vulcan]

My first brand new car was a bright red 1966 Plymouth Barracuda @SZonian

We used to call 'Cuda's race engine on a roller skate.

[Lando Lincoln]

Personal responsibility.

[libertybele]

Nationwide pride in America and patriotism!

[catfish1957]

True story.....

About a year ago, we went out to California to see our grandchildren.  One afternoon I told my grandson the Wizard of Oz story surprisingly well and accurate from memory.  (Who doesn't have it committed to memory?)

Well the next day, my son griped at me because our grandson was reprimanded for calling a fellow day care resident a "Munchkin". And the Daycare teacher made it a point to highlight it.   

At what point do you just give up. 

[DefiantMassRINO]

Watching Red Sox and Bruins for free via over-the-air television on WSBK TV38 Boston.  Now get charged for NESN on Basic Cable package.

At the time, many Patriots home games were blacked out becase they sucked and hardly every sold out Schaeffer / Sullivan / Foxboro Stadium (which was literally built in a gravel pit when the Pats moved out of Fenway Park).

[libertybele]

True story.....

About a year ago, we went out to California to see our grandchildren.  One afternoon I told my grandson the Wizard of Oz story surprisingly well and accurate from memory.  (Who doesn't have it committed to memory?)

Well the next day, my son griped at me because our grandson was reprimanded for calling a fellow day care resident a "Munchkin". And the Daycare teacher made it a point to highlight it.   

At what point do you just give up. 

Never surrender your core principles, values and beliefs.

[mountaineer]

I miss the days when people didn't get offended by the word "munchkin."

[mystery-ak]

Running behind the mosquito spray truck...

LMAO...that brings back memories

When my dad was stationed Nouasseur Air Base in North Africa in the 50's...we lived on base and every couple of weeks they would spray for mosquitos and my sister and I would get on our bikes and follow them all over..I'm surprised we are still alive..lol

[DefiantMassRINO]

Send Daycare a box of Dunkin' Donuts munchkins as a backhanded peace offering ...

[GtHawk]

True story.....

About a year ago, we went out to California to see our grandchildren.  One afternoon I told my grandson the Wizard of Oz story surprisingly well and accurate from memory.  (Who doesn't have it committed to memory?)

Well the next day, my son griped at me because our grandson was reprimanded for calling a fellow day care resident a "Munchkin". And the Daycare teacher made it a point to highlight it.   

At what point do you just give up. 

we used to call little kids munchkins, not just ours but others too and never once was a parent or anyone else offended. Heck the definition is a child or short person so what exactly is offensive when used in the case of a small child? The problem is the teacher is ignorant and should be told to look up a word before reprimanding a child for it being offensive.

[mountaineer]

We always used to call little children "monkeys," but now it's racist, or something.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

See, I think there's no time like the present...

[berdie]

In the spirit of the day...I miss the little kids coming  to the door for trick or treat. Sure, they have trunk or treat and other controlled activities...but it's not the same. I used to dress up myself to hand out candy.

[banddag]

I do miss many of the things mentioned.


That being said, best times are today even with the problems we face.

[libertybele]

In the spirit of the day...I miss the little kids coming  to the door for trick or treat. Sure, they have trunk or treat and other controlled activities...but it's not the same. I used to dress up myself to hand out candy.

Yes, I miss seeing all the little kids (and some teens) coming to the door all decked out for Halloween.  I too used to dress up for to pass out candy too.  It was fun.

[DefiantMassRINO]

The new music blows ... but that might just be me getting old.  I mostly listen to 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and early 2000's.

I do miss many of the things mentioned.


That being said, best times are today even with the problems we face.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

In the spirit of the day...I miss the little kids coming  to the door for trick or treat. Sure, they have trunk or treat and other controlled activities...but it's not the same. I used to dress up myself to hand out candy.

We do it here. My son had trunk or treat AND trick or treat, we walked the neighborhood with him.

[jafo2010]

Used to buy three huge bags of candy, get ten kids, and tell them to take what they want.  Most kids would take one piece of candy.  I would end up saying, please take more, and they would take one more piece.  I would grab a handful and throw into their bag or plastic pumpkin. etc.

Last night, not one kid came to the door.  As a kid, it used to be one of my favorite days.  I would go about with my friends, and we would get so much, when we got home, we were exhausted.  I think Halloween is one of the fun days for kids, and our society has destroyed it.

Looking back, I used to see my extended family frequently, dinner at my maternal grandmother's every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  Family reunion in the summer, and every birth, Communion, Confirmation, wedding, or just seeing them at my aunt's lake cabin half a dozen times a summer.  Lots of family gatherings.  The prior generation, they are all dead but one who is 91, and I have not been to a family gathering in 25+ years.  I miss seeing them.  I had 11 1st cousins, 1 is dead, the one I was closest to, and I still have contact with one other a couple times a year.  The rest, I have not seen since 2007.

Amazing how the years go by!

[Smokin Joe]

As a younger kid, it was Christmas at my Paternal Grandparents, with all the aunts and uncles and cousins, and Thanksgiving at my Maternal Grandparent's house with all that side of the family's aunts and uncles and cousins. Great food, Christmas, we'd be allowed to go in the bar my Grandfather owned and play pool, Thanksgiving, we'd cut and split wood and fill my grandparent's woodshed for the year (especially the winter). But there was plenty of time to play and eat.
When I got to North Dakota, where i live now, we'd gather at my wife's grandmother's house, with 11 uncles, an aunt, her mom (her dad had passed of a heart attack), and all the kids and grandkids and great aunts and there would be music and food and a great party.

You were only a stranger once there, and once accepted into the family, it was permanent.
Saturday nights in Grandma's huge kitchen were a lot of fun, as just about everyone played some instrument or two, from guitar and banjo, to fiddle and harmonica, and the huge kitchen allowed ample room for dancing, too.
Those gatherings are a thing of the past, with only one aunt surviving, and a mess of kids...who have their own grandchildren now. But I feel blessed to have been part of that era, and wish it could be revived. Who knows, perhaps I will live to see that.