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Grandparents may often seem outdated or even hardheaded, but the reality is that they were once young like you. Let’s uncover some of the rich experiences in their lives. From richer social lives to simpler car repairs, their experiences show us that change isn’t always for the better.
Darker Nights
If you live near a big city, you might assume that being unable to see the stars at night is a normal part of life. However, many recall when light pollution wasn’t nearly as bad as it is today.
The good news is that you can still see the stars in many parts of the world, even if you live in the city. You may have to drive a bit, though.
A Sense of Community
You can blame it on social media or the new culture, but people aren’t as friendly as they used to be. This isn’t to say that people are more rude than before, but most are just more “online” than ever.
One user commented, “Also community doesn’t necessarily mean ‘social life’. I do fine there. But it would be nice if the other occupants of the same building I live in would return my wave as I pass them by.”
Simple Car Repairs
It’s true that new car technology makes our lives easier in many ways. For example, we have heated car seats, high-tech sound systems, and tire pressure monitors. However, the drawback is that when the tech goes bad or we see that pesky check engine light, it can take days to have it repaired.
“Back in my day, you could take your car to a mechanic, get it fixed and leave with your ******** intact.”
No Fear of Trespassing
Nowadays, when we travel across different places in the US, we can’t help but question if we’re trespassing on private property. Believe it or not, decades ago, people felt more freedom roaming around uncharted territory.
Rising Costs
It’s hard to believe, but you could pay for room and board at a state college in the 1950s for less than $1000. Now it’s anywhere from 10–20 times that. It’s not just the price of college that’s gone up—everything has risen in price. We often blame inflation, but it’s much more complex than that.
Pensions and Company Loyalty
Back in the day, people would stay loyal to their jobs because they were incentivized to do so. Not too long ago, layoffs became more common. The other reality is that most companies don’t offer a pension plan. The good news is that you can still secure your financial future, but you have to plan it out carefully.
Booming Housing Market
Depending on whether you’re a homeowner, you may not like today’s housing market. Expensive states like New York and California have small houses—less than 1000 square feet—fetching prices over $200,000. And that’s if you’re lucky. Otherwise, you’ll have to consider spending close to half a million for your dream home.
No Social Media
The reality is most of the world is now online, even for adults. Long gone are the days when Facebook was only a social platform for college students. Heck, even some grandparents spend their time scrolling endlessly, liking family pictures. This wasn’t always the case. A few decades back, you either called someone or met up in person to socialize.
Social Security
Like pension plans, social security was a sure thing a few decades back. Most people planned out retirement and could live off their social security and pension money.
Unfortunately, today’s world is a bit different. There’s a reason why you sometimes see some of the elderly working as cashiers at your local Walmart or grocery store.
Privacy
Not too long ago, when smart tech and GPS weren’t mainstream, you could go about your day knowing you had privacy. Nowadays, some people jokingly say that their conversations are being tracked as they’re speaking next to their Alexa device, and I don’t believe they’re wrong.
If you’ve ever received a personalized ad after saying something particular with your phone nearby or after arriving at a certain destination, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
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