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“I’m With The Boomers On This One”: 30 Old-Fashioned Things People Still Enjoy Doing, As Shared On This Online Thread
Interview
“Back in my day, we had to actually call each other on the phone if we wanted to talk!”
“Back in my day, we used to write each other letters on paper!”
“Back in my day, we used to meet each other in person, not on this gosh darn internet!”
If you’ve ever heard someone lamenting the way technology has changed society (perhaps you’ve even said these things yourself), know that you’re not alone. Reddit users have recently been sharing the things they stand by doing the old-fashioned way, regardless of technology, and they've raised some excellent points.
Down below, you’ll find a list of things proving that newer might not always mean better, as well as an interview we were lucky enough to receive from William A., the man who sparked this conversation in the first place. To celebrate all of the things that are best done the old-school way, be sure to upvote the responses you agree with, and feel free to share anything else you like doing the old-fashioned way in the comments section. Then if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article highlighting what else was better in the past, look no further than right here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Physical menus at restaurants. I'm with the boomers on this one
Nothing beats fresh, home-baked bread, and AI will never be able to create masterpieces that true artists can. As grateful as I am that cell phones exist, I have to admit there are certain things I prefer doing the old-fashioned way as well. For example, I love my simple, old school watch. It does have a digital screen, but all it tells me is the date and time. No frills, no internet access, no tracking my steps, and no charging required. I already feel too plugged into the world with my phone on hand at all times. The last thing I need is notifications on my watch as well.
I also find that I prefer listening to music through classic old earbuds with a cord on them. I never need to remember to charge bluetooth earbuds, I don’t have to worry about one falling out while I’m on the bus or rushing down the street, and they are so much more affordable when they occasionally need replaced. These are just my personal preferences, but I am definitely of the opinion that there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken. And if a newer way of doing something does not enhance your experience or costs you an arm and a leg, there is no need to transition to that method.
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#3
I don’t need alexa to turn on s**t for me and i don’t need to clap lights on
I can walk allllll the way over to the switch
To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to William A., the man who posed the initial question on Reddit in the first place. When it comes to what inspired him to start this conversation, William told Bored Panda, “I cannot stand taking notes for work meetings or brainstorming while typing. It's not that I'm against typing or a computer--I have a medium blog after all. It's just that for spur of the moment, or any writing that needs thought, I prefer a notebook.”
“I realized that when I was at the grocery store, and I seemed to be the only one with a paper list,” William shared. “And while I'm not young, young, I'm not that old.” He noted that he’s only 40, an “upper millennial”. “Also I don't ‘get’ TikTok, which is scary as someone with a professional background in social media,” William added. To be fair, TikTok is hard to get. I’m Gen Z, and I don’t even fully understand that app…
#4
Physical board games/card games. Most of the app versions of the games I like aren't that great. Plus, it's more fun to play with someone.
#5
I honestly prefer buying things completely instead of paying a monthly fee.
$cagsy 2 years ago
The way it's looking, everything's gonna be subscription-based soon. At the supermarket: Just £99.99 a month for our Poverty Package or you could upgrade to our Hint of Meat Package for £149.99 which includes a generous 5 grams of processed meat each week! This is the future.
#6
Physical buttons for climate controls in a car. I refuse to buy a car that only uses a touch screen for everything. Much safer to not have to fiddle with a touch screen while driving.
But it turns out that William does prefer to do most things the modern way. “Memory retention is better with writing notes I find, and it seems to bring inspiration,” he told Bored Panda. “I like the tactile feedback of writing too. The reason I latch onto this as one of the old fashioned things I do, is because I'm all the way in on tech on other things.”
“For example, I'm all about ebooks. I'm all about reading comics on a tablet. I'm all about Uber and ridesharing,” William explained. “I'm all about texting--I try to avoid phone conversations, and if I'm on one for more than 10 minutes I start to get uncomfortable. I'm even okay with digital/mobile menus at restaurants that many complain about! I use apps/Google calendar for reminders, etc. It's just the note taking, brainstorming/goal planning and grocery lists that I like on paper.”
#7
I print photos and keep them in photo albums. I like to keep the special moments of life as a book and go through it page by page.
Sarah Parker 2 years ago
So much nicer to sit with someone looking through a physical album rather than a phone screen
#8
Buy music. Unfortunately buying cds just isn't as easy as it used to be. But I prefer physical media, and just convert it to digital. I hate streaming music. I don't trust the stuff I love to always be available. I like having ownership of what I listen to
The crushinator 2 years ago (edited)
I have an older car that still has a cd player so i buy cd's from thriftshops and fleamarkets and my SO and I go driving and listen to the albums, it's so great! I just bought 10 albums for €10,-! And good stuff too, I got SOAD, Jamiroqai, Tracy Chapman, Janis Joplin etc. It took me forever to find one of those multi cd sleeve thingeys though, those seem to have dissapeared completely :p
#9
Given the choice between phone and laptop, I'll use the laptop for everything.
We were also curious what William’s reactions were to the responses on his Reddit post. He noted that not very many resonated with him, as he is typically pro-tech, but he did find some of the replies interesting. “Someone mentioned buying things instead of a monthly fee which I found interesting,” William shared. “It's a philosophical question--if you are experiencing something and it's good, or something is adding value to your life, does it matter if you own it, if the enjoyment or utility is the same anyway?”
“Someone else said given a choice between phone and laptop, they'd use the laptop for everything,” he added. “I'm 40, and it's frightening how quickly computers/PCs have been superseded by phones. It's like you sound or look ancient if you are using a desktop computer or laptop now.”
#10
Make notes on paper. I will typically use index cards because they are not as easy to "fly away" or get crumpled or lost. But hey.... that's just me!
indiecognition 2 years ago
The notebook is not just a type of computer. Pocket-size, letter/A4, etc are all great with a nice, smooth pen.
#11
Wear an analog watch. It's so easy just to glance at your wrist instead of fiddling around with your phone to get the time.
#12
I still use an old school calendar. I like looking at the entire month and being able to just “write” and not have to keyboard from my ipad or iphone. We do use the google calendar for family stuff so we are all on the same page for activities, work, babysitting etc. Each has its purpose
One response that actually did resonate with William is the love for driving manual cars. “Manual cars are a joy to drive, and GenZers and younger millennials have no idea what they're missing,” he told Bored Panda. “But that's if one actually enjoys driving and doesn't look at it as a chore to get from point A to point B. I learned as a teen on manual. I'm car-less now, have been for 5 years, but last car I had was a VW2014 CC-R Line, and it was one of the only consumer cars available as manual at the time, outside of the sports enthusiast cars.”
#13
In-person checkouts.
I don't know why but I just hate those automated self-checkouts.
Mabelbabel 2 years ago
Every time I've tried an automated check out, something has gone wrong. Either an item needs a member of staff for age validation, or something doesn't scan, or it doesn't like the way I've put the basket on one side, or the way I've put the carrier bag on the other side. So every time the alarm goes off and a member of staff has to come over and fiddle with something. It's slower, more frustrating and the waiting time for a free machine is just the same as a manned checkout desk, so I've given up.
#14
Wired headphones. I don't have to charge them and I can use them during flights.
Firstname Lastname 2 years ago
As a person with shallow pockets, if my butt forces my phone out while I'm walking, the cord of my headphones usually prevents it from smashing to the ground.
#15
Physical buttons on most things.
I understand how touch screens and trackpads are more flexible, but I really enjoy the tactile sensation, the certainty that you definitely pressed the right button.
The extra sensation that allows you to more precisely press buttons, and the ability to press buttons with things besides your bare finger, like a gloved finger or your knuckle because you're holding something, and probably a few other things I can't think of right now.
“Some of the ones that did NOT resonate with me at all are the huge number of responses that preferred physical books, though that's a common answer,” William shared. “I don't want to pile up books in my home, or have to carry a book around. An ebook is weight-less! Or paying with cash--why? Money to lose, money to have to put in your pocket, something extra to think about.”
#16
Drawing. I never really got the hang of digital art. It's much easier and more satisfying for me to have all of the tactile input from my work. Also, I sew, and along the same lines I prefer to hand-draft patterns.
Jon Clingenpeel 2 years ago
Using digital art can be fun to a point, but it’s so hard for it to mimic that feeling or texture with pencil, charcoal, brush on paper or canvas. Sure you can turn out more art and fix mistakes or “happy accidents” (if you know you know lol) on the screen buts it’s not the same in my opinion
#17
There’s something satisfying and nostalgic about seeing the physical photos. I have my favorites displayed in frames, so I can see them every day. Makes me happy.
suprstarsaturn 2 years ago
this is why i love polariods i like to have something to keep and look back on
#18
Tap water is still pretty great; just keep some in the fridge and it's all you need. F**k your bottled water.
JoJo Anisko 2 years ago
Not all tap water is created equally. Mine has a distinct odor and taste. I doubt it will kill me, but at least during summer, I want bottled wayer.
“I actually have not tried to do more things the old-fashioned way,” William shared. “I'm all in on the principle of minimalism and decluttering, both physical and mental. I don't like having ‘stuff’--especially unnecessary stuff--to have to see or think about. I'm so strict about this that even my color palette in my office is all neutrals plus one color. My clothes are all neutral, with some purple--but other than that, all neutral. I like to automate about 85% of everything I do or think about, and then be very deliberate and/or guilt-free and unapologetic about that 15%.”
#19
Cooking. I prefer to make meals from scratch. Not all of these pre made powders and dressings.
#20
Going out to eat without our phones. Leave them in the car or in a purse or something. There's very little reason to have a phone attached to you at all times. Put down the phone and pick up a conversation.
U r lovely and beautiful 🫶️ 2 years ago
I have my phone with me always because you actually don’t know what could happen while out. It just makes me feel safer but I’m not checking it constantly and always on it
#21
Writing letters. And I still love the feeling of reading a physical book, although I do also use audiobooks/psfs/ect now too.
But the smell of an old book and the crinkly pages and when it's a well loved story? Asdfdaa
U r lovely and beautiful 🫶️ 2 years ago
The smell and the crinkly pages…. ahhhhhhh. And writing physical letters is real helpful especially when a friend moves away when you don’t have a number or email. My mate moved several hours up north and she didn’t have messages or email so physical letters
“Life changes so much, and I have a high tolerance for uncertainty and change,” William told Bored Panda. “Yet I like to keep an anchor to being old-fashioned. Another version of this is how in every area in the local DC area that I've lived in, I try to keep a connection. I kept my dentist in the area where I grew up, I have a barber in a different neighborhood that I lived in. I keep those links, but then I change everything else."
"I see the principle of being all in with technology to simplify our lives as being along the lines of how Obama famously limits his daily decisions because his daily cognitive budget is limited. We can all suffer from decision fatigue having to think of all these little things. Being all in on tech can help remove many many other smaller decisions,” William noted. “But then, that wistful, romantic, sentimental part of me will hang on to just that one old-fashioned thing. Hello shopping list, and note taking with good old pen and paper. You cannot call me a robot now,” he added with a smile.
#22
shopping in person. I usually read reviews of an item online and buy it in person. The problem is, here in Canada you can't find anything decent in person anymore, everything but the most basic stuff is only online
Headless Roach 2 years ago
That's also a great way of supporting local shop owners, invaluable during difficult times.
#23
I try to raise, grow, hunt, and forage as much as my own food as possible. It's expensive and time consuming but the result for my mental health is priceless. I know my scale isn't possible for everyone but i highly recommend atleast growing something from seed to plate, the sence of pride and accomplishment you'll feel is hard to describe.
$cagsy 2 years ago (edited)
I'm a bit of a raiser, grower, hunter, forager myself. So far I have raised a puppy (we couldn't eat him when it came down to it), grown a collection of thistles, hunted for my keys and foraged for loose change down the sofa. My mental health is sh!t. What am I doing wrong? I must be doing something wrong.
#24
Shifting gears.
I know automatics have taken over and stickshift is going the way of the dodo, but I'll always prefer a stick any day of the week.
If you know when to shift and what gears you can cruise in for each road condition, you'll always get better mileage than an auto.
That's why I can get up to 34mpg in my brother's challenger.
Also, a clutch swap is cheaper and easier than a full auto rebuild.
Sure manual trans failures do happen, but it's far less common than automatic failures.
Hugo Farr 2 years ago (edited)
I am a dedicated manual shift driver. I feel like I have more control than with an automatic. I have been driving for decades and can now make a super-smooth shift almost every time. People who have been a passenger in my car say there are surprised that they can’t tell when I am shifting unless they see my hand move. And there isn't as much shifting as you might think. I skip gears all the time depending on the situation. I have done this so many times that it is a habit now and I don't even have to think about it. Also, if you get stuck in snow, it is often possible to use the clutch pedal and gas pedal to rock the car back and forth until you get out of the stuck spot.
How are you feeling about technology now? Is this list inspiring you to start trying more things the old-fashioned way, or has it reminded you how happy you are that technology and innovations exist to make your life simpler? There is nothing wrong with adapting to changing times, but if the newest way of doing something just does not suit you, feel free to fall back on your old-school ways. Keep upvoting the responses that resonate with you or that raised points you had not previously considered, and feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments. Then if you want to check out another Bored Panda article highlighting what might have been even better in the past, look no further than right here.
#25
Cooking using firewoods. It gives more aromatic flavor to your food
Headless Roach 2 years ago
It also introduces more aromatic cancerogenic potential to your food. Everything in moderation 🙃
#26
Crafty stuff in general, but in particular, sewing. Hand sewing is peaceful, quiet, portable, and just overall more satisfying. Plus I get better bragging rights on the finished product.
CatFist 2 years ago
I feel the same about making chainmail (or maille for the purists/pendants). Sure, you can buy it factory made and, though not necessarily cheap, the comparitive price when you count how many hours it takes to make a full suit might make it literally 1 in 100-1000 times cheaper, there's nothing like being able to say, "Yes, I hand coiled and connected every single one of these rings."
#27
Dating.
I feel online dating robs us of the best things of meeting new people, the thrill you get when you catch someone eyeing you a couple of times and the excitement of approaching, the fun of rejection, because it can be funny to be rejected, and the hotness of seducing each other escalating towards pleasure and the joy of meeting someone you can build a future with
None of that can be provided by dating apps, it's like cheap porn, you see an image that shakes your loins and swipe.
That's boring.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
"The fun of rejection"...my anxiety disagrees lol but I get the point.
#28
Still listen to radio in the car. No podcasts, playlists, etc.
I have a decent commute in a heavily populated area so I listen for the local traffic report every fifteen minutes, and their general talk radio in between.
RafCo (he/him) 2 years ago
I listen to NPR for the news. My personal favorite is BBC World Service. Razia Iqbal doesn't take s**t during interviews.
#29
Not sure if this counts, but I grind my coffee by hand and use a simple brewing method (either chemex or french press) to make it.
I think having full control over the process leads to better tasting coffee than I get with any automatic machine. Also, having a ritual that I do every morning and takes a little elbow grease helps kickstart my day.
Alana Voeks 2 years ago
Doesn't matter if it's an electric grinder or a manual one, the fact you're grinding the beans at home, instead of them being ground months earlier and losing their potency, will make better coffee
#30
Math.
I tried to improve it with a class a couple of years back, and I had to answer it in a word file, using some addon to make the formulas.
It takes forever. On paper it's just scribble scribble, calculator, answer.
What do you think ?
Zaineb Bookwala 2 years ago
I wonder what people will be saying 20 or 50 yrs from now. 🤔 I like seeing and touching the phone screen instead of information directly beamed to my eyeballs.😄
Hugo Farr 2 years ago
Okay, so I'm a bit older. I used a calculator for the first time after graduating from high school (and a computer for the first time after completing my first college degree). I do own a calculator, but I like doing math in my mind or on paper. I do math tutoring for high school and college students. I think it is ridiculous that there are students who can't do even simple addition or subtraction without using a calculator.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Agreed. Basic stuff should be do-able in my head, or on paper.
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Zaineb Bookwala 2 years ago
I wonder what people will be saying 20 or 50 yrs from now. 🤔 I like seeing and touching the phone screen instead of information directly beamed to my eyeballs.😄
Hugo Farr 2 years ago
Okay, so I'm a bit older. I used a calculator for the first time after graduating from high school (and a computer for the first time after completing my first college degree). I do own a calculator, but I like doing math in my mind or on paper. I do math tutoring for high school and college students. I think it is ridiculous that there are students who can't do even simple addition or subtraction without using a calculator.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Agreed. Basic stuff should be do-able in my head, or on paper.
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