Ever wondered what life would be like if you traveled back in time to the 1960s? Younger people today would definitely struggle to survive even a week in the 1960s. There were no smartphones, no streaming & no Instagram influencers – just a whole lot of waiting, paper maps and some serious social etiquette. Back then, people had to live at a slower pace and surviving needed patience, good manners & the ability to actually talk to people face-to-face. Let’s explore 13 reasons that show how surviving the 60s would be extremely difficult for today’s generation.
Featured Image Credit: Krakenimages.com /Depositphotos.com.
No Instant Communication
Whenever you wanted to talk to your friend you needed to pick up the phone to call them – there were no texting or DMs. And if they weren’t home? Too bad. You could leave a message but there was no guarantee about when they would receive it. Your conversation could also feel awkward because you couldn’t use emojis to help lighten it.
No Fast Food Delivery
Feeling lazy and want pizza? You needed to get out of your house to pick up some pizza but sometimes you got lucky enough to eat it at the restaurant. You wouldn’t find any “30-minute delivery food service” available and getting delivery options in smaller towns was virtually impossible.
No Streaming, Only TV Antennas
Forget streaming your favorite show on Netflix. Watching a television program meant you had to sit down at its scheduled time and hope for a clear reception from your TV antenna. A single mistake and you’ll find yourself staring at a snowy screen.
No GPS, Just Paper Maps
Want to get somewhere? If you want to find your way without getting lost, you should always carry a paper map or a traditional road atlas in your vehicle. Google Maps isn’t directing you to “turn left in 500 feet.” Without guidance, you’ll likely become lost and nobody will know until you locate a payphone.
Social Etiquette Was Everything
If you didn’t greet people properly, you were considered rude. None of this “hey” or texting a casual “sup?” You had to say “Good evening” or “How are you?” with the right tone, and don’t even think about not saying please and thank you. Conversations were also a lot more formal. You’d never just blurt out random stuff or talk over people.
Long-Distance Phone Calls Were Expensive
Calling someone outside your local area code meant you had to be prepared for high telephone charges. Calling your best friend across town? Fine. Across the country? Your wallet would hurt. People used to save money for these calls yet often decided against making them because it wasn’t worth the expense.
No Air Conditioning, Just Open Windows
Those summer days when it’s sweltering hot? You didn’t have the luxury of blasting AC. Instead, you opened the windows, put up with the heat, and prayed for a breeze. If you lived in a city, good luck getting cool with the noise and street smells wafting in.
No Cell Phones for Emergency Situations
Say your car breaks down. There’s no texting your friends to come pick you up. You have to get out, walk to the nearest gas station, or find a payphone. And if you’re in the middle of nowhere? You better hope you can hitch a ride or figure things out on your own.
Strict Dress Codes
Jeans? A no-go in most fancy places. Back in the 60s, if you wanted to go to a restaurant, a job interview, or even church, you had to be dressed to the nines — meaning collared shirts, skirts, dresses, and sometimes hats. People would look at you sideways if you wore anything too casual. No sneakers in the office either.
No Internet for Shopping
You needed something? Shopping needed you to physically visit a store. People did not have the option to spend hours online browsing through hundreds of different styles and deals. You had to visit malls or local stores and sometimes couldn’t find what you wanted.
No Social Media Influencers
Imagine building a career without Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. If you wanted to get noticed, it was about in-person connections, word of mouth, and maybe a few appearances on TV. There was no influencer culture, and if you wanted to build a following, you had to actually show up and be there.
Longer Work Days and No Remote Jobs
The whole “remote work” thing? Absolutely unheard of. In the office, workers punched their time cards and worked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or beyond before returning home to have dinner. Working from home in your pajamas to make your work easy wasn’t an option. Taking a sick day meant you would most likely work through your illness because time off was not an easy option.
More “You Can’t Do That” Culture
Are tattoos and piercings your way to express individuality? Nope, not without a lot of judgment. People were expected to follow a certain code — both in how they looked and how they behaved. People saw tattoos as signs of rebellion and something only sailors or criminals had. People would give you strange looks if you decided to dye your hair in an outrageous color. People would definitely stare.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.
Read More:
