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Years go by, and things constantly change. Something that was acceptable decades ago is no longer considered normal, which means that the things we are doing now will probably be uncanny to our kids and grandchildren. Who knows what the future will be like – maybe we'll go back to the no technology times, or maybe those flying cars will finally show up and bless our ordinary lives. In this article, we'll be looking at Reddit users who were asked to share their opinions on weird things that were normal and widely acceptable 20 years ago. 

The thread received almost 40K upvotes and 17.7K comments, alongside an engaging discussion where people occasionally reminded each other that 20 years ago is 2001 and not somewhere in the '80s. 

Let us know in the comment section if there's something on your mind that you would like to add regarding the theme's question. And besides, what things that we're doing nowadays do you think will be viewed as strange by the future folks?

More info: Reddit

#1

Being at home at your TV at a certain time to catch a show, and expecting everyone to leave you alone so you could watch it with no interruptions.

You could be out with friends and you'd look and say "oh it's 7:30 I got to get home to catch my show!" And nobody looked at you like a strange social outcast.

prelegal_alien , Aapo Haapanen Report

#2

Leaving your young kids unsupervised most of the time.
 
I remember at 5 years old sitting in the parking lot of the bowling alley in my dads car for 3 hours while he was inside bowling. Also, most of the time, my parents had zero clue as to where I was. I would leave the house in the morning on my bicycle and be home for dinner. Suited them just fine.

dontaggravation , Mr Seb Report

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deathrose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kinda feel bad for kids nowadays. My sister and I use to go into the woods with our neighborhood friends and just run around and play, ride our bikes around the neighborhood or to the corner store. Our pitbull would accompany us unleashed and everyone would just stop and pet him as they passed by.

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#4

Going on road trips without a phone.

iamjcd , Cheri Murphy Report

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Kookamunga
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, had to use paper maps, too, no GPS....I remember stopping at gas stations so many times to get help with directions. And hoping they weren't sending me on a wild goose chase.

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#6

Being able to take a look in the cockpit of a plane.

The stewardesses would activly ask some kids on the flight if they wanted to take a look in the cockpit. I remember when I stepped in the cockpit of a Boeing 747 I decided I wanted to become a pilot someday.

Rijstkoekje , bfishadow Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, I used to have a little book that the pilot would sign on each flight and would usually get invited up to the cockpit to get it signed. You could only stand back behind the pilots seats, and not touch anything, but if you were lucky the pilot would show you some of the controls and instruments. Used to love it. Real shame that kids these days will never expeience that.

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#7

Paying $1.29, so 9 seconds of a song played when your phone rang.

togsincognito , Barney Livingston Report

#8

People would go to carnivals and shove their face in the same water barrel to grab an apple with their mouth. Completely bonkers in 2021.

iaml3roux , Rob and Stephanie Levy Report

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#9

That every computer on the planet was going to go nuts on New Year’s Day.

Ardothbey , Jiri Brozovsky Report

#10

My highschool had an area where we were allowed to smoke. A designated smoking area for kids under 18.

Blitz-99 , Winfried Mosler Report

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Kookamunga
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could smoke EVERYWHERE back in the day - malls, planes, hospitals, offices. What was weird then was being told you COULDN'T smoke somewhere.

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#11

Not having airport security.

Shmango9408 , Carl Mueller Report

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Fabian Meresse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also : smoking both on the airport and the plane! It was 1997, a flight to Dakar

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#12

People riding in cars without seatbelts plus four or five kids seated in the back.

battleangelred , Cristina Bejarano Report

#14

Not password protecting your devices.

Namilos_ , mk_is_here Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss the times when they didn't request you one capital letter one number one symbol for a password!!! I don't f*****g remember my passwords when they are so complicated!!! A hacker will still find a way and I'll be locked out anyway

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#15

Frosted tips.

zacharyfoxdale , Brian Omura Report

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Suz66
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ex had me frost his blonde hair with platinum blonde spikes. Totally 90's.

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#16

Justin Timberlake’s dried up, uncooked, ramen noodle looking hair.

Goldengodsrod , Gage Skidmore Report

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