I think every generation has their own idea of what constitutes tough.
Do any of these sound familiar?
“When I was your age, I used to walk barefoot to school, two miles—uphill, in the rain, snow, sleet, and hail.”
“When I was your age, if the teacher said ‘Jump’ we asked, ‘How high?'”
“When I was your age, we didn’t make mountains out of mole hills. We knew better.”
It’s with those past generations in mind, that I offer today’s post. Maybe it will coax a smile on this fun-filled Friday. Maybe it’ll even strike a familiar chord. Happy Reading!
You know you’re “old school” if…
- You use the term “back in my day.” As in, “Back in my day, kids were seen and not heard.”
- You remember the “blue laws”..and liked them! (These laws prohibited buying certain products on Sundays, therefore many stores and venues that sold these items were closed on that particular day.) Instead of heading to shopping malls after church, folks actually went home to spend the afternoon with loved ones.
- A “home cooked meal” didn’t come out of a box. Mamas went the whole nine yards and cooked without instant this and microwaveable that.
- Folks actually paused at funeral processions. Oncoming traffic gave the right of way and pedestrians stopped in their tracks and saluted, particularly if the one being laid to rest was a veteran.
- Men automatically removed their hats when entering a building, especially when entering in a church. They didn’t have to be reminded or cajoled into doing so. It was a little matter of respect.
- The whirr of a lawnmower on a Sunday meant you were the talk of the town. And not in a good way.
- “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir” were heard on a daily basis and not just on occasion. Jaws didn’t drop when kids said it or adults spoke it. Courtesies were the norm. Respect was expected!
- Discipline meant punishment. Not abuse. But it wasn’t fun or something to get excited about either. If a kiddo bit another child or spit on the preacher in church, generally, there was a little more than a “time-out” involved.
- “Sunday drives” were the order of the day, but there was a certain protocol to follow. If you took them too early, you might be considered a “heathen” because then everyone knew there was at least one empty pew somewhere in town.
- You turn on the radio and ask your teenager, “What on earth is that noise?!” And she responds, “It’s the same song that used to be your favorite. Thirty years ago. But better.”
***
Care to add some of your “old school” favorites?
*Photo Credit: Simon Howden/FreeDigitalPhotos
Blessings Always,
Comments 10
I remember stores being closed on Sunday. Sometimes my hubby and I drive around town on Thanksgiving and Christmas just to experience that rolled-up sidewalks feeling again.
Back in the day:
• a man held a door open for a lady, and she thanked him for it.
• people actually wrote letters on paper and mailed them.
• you wouldn’t think of taking a call when you were spending time with another person.
Author
Keli, right on the money with these! How well I remember your “old school” moments, and I must say, I miss those. (Cell phone use and its over-the-top social no-nos certainly rings a bell…)
Happy Friday!
I let out a few giggles here…I must be old school.
I’m with Keli on remembering when letters were written and mailed at the post office – It’s been so long since I wrote a letter and mailed it.
Fun post!
Author
Loree, that’s me–fun!!!
“Old School” doesn’t mean we’re dinosaurs either. It just means we’re reflective. Or maybe that’s introspective. Ha!
Have a great weekend!
Okay, so some of these I know and some of them…I don’t. Blue laws and Sunday drives? Nope. I laughed at the lawnmower crack. LOL
Where I grew up, we were respectful but we weren’t raised to say ma’am or sir. My kids have to say it. One time my mother told my kids they didn’t have to and I thought my husband was gonna hit the roof! That was a real fun day, let me tell you. ha!
Author
Jess, I suppose I dated myself. *giggles* Where I’m from, folks still take Sunday drives–you don’t know what you’re missing. It can take an hour just to drive 15 miles down the road (in my neck of the woods) when we take to our drives!
And respect? That never becomes “old school” in my book.
Happy Weekend!
I second everything Keli said. I grew up writing letters and sending thank you cards. Another big rule with my parents, which I think was old school, was that my sister and I were NEVER allowed to call any adult by their first name. EVER.
When I started dating Trevor in high school, his mom didn’t care to be called “Mrs. Johnson,” so she asked me to call her Sis (her nickname). It tooks years before I could. She was not only an adult she was my boyfriend’s mom!
I’m thankful my parents set that ‘old-school’ rule that because it created an automatic line of respect for our elders (one sadly missing in today’s society).
I am old school, for sure.:)
Hugs,
K
Author
Kerry, I agree. I’ve heard older children refer to adults by their given first names. When it happens to me, I gently correct them. And, occasionally, I’ve heard children refer to their own parents by their first names, not “Mom” or “Dad.” Always an eyebrow raiser.
And in the matter of respect for our elders, color me “old school,” too.
It’s fun to read these and remember. It’s sad so much has changed.
Author
Patti, rather bittersweet, isn’t it?
Embracing new technology is far easier than accepting laxity in social graces and homespun values.