ADVERTISEMENT
Article created by: Darja Zinina

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

Retro living room with CRT TV, vintage speakers, and a white cat watching, illustrating weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

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

RELATED:
    #2

    Boy performing a bicycle wheelie in a park, illustrating weird things that were widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    CD collection in a black binder on carpet, showcasing music albums and discs, representing weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    Having a binder full of CD's in your car.

    champbellamy , Luke Jones Report

    #4

    Man standing next to a minivan in a no parking zone highlighting weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    Going on road trips without a phone.

    iamjcd , Cheri Murphy Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Old computer screen showing a dial-up connection prompt, illustrating weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    Dial Up internet.

    superstition40 , Christiaan Colen Report

    #6

    Cockpit of an airplane filled with old analog instruments showing weird things that were widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Row of old mobile phones from 20 years ago showing weird things that were widely acceptable in the past.

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

    togsincognito , Barney Livingston Report

    #8

    Man bobbing for apples in a blue container outdoors, illustrating weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    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

    Data1001
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know! I watched some show with people bobbing for apples the other day and although I did that many times as I kid, looking at it now, all I could think was, "EWW!"

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Yellow painted smoking area symbol on a brick pavement representing weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

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

    Blitz-99 , Winfried Mosler Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Two people sitting in an airport lounge with coffee, illustrating weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago shared online.

    Not having airport security.

    Shmango9408 , Carl Mueller Report

    #11

    Handwritten login ID and password pinned to a corkboard, illustrating weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    Not password protecting your devices.

    Namilos_ , mk_is_here Report

    #12

    Young man with spiky gelled hair smiling with eyes closed while another person styles his hair, showing weird trends from 20 years ago.

    Frosted tips.

    zacharyfoxdale , Brian Omura Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #13

    Black fuzzy boots worn with dark pants resting on a colorful stone tile floor representing weird things from 20 years ago.

    Boots with the fur.

    Sylar546 , Lisa Brewster Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #14

    Large cartoon cat face with headphones in a window, representing weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago online.

    Shutting down Napster.

    DSPbuckle , ekkun Report

    #15

    View through a peephole showing a hallway with stairs and doors, symbolizing weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    The Patriot Act.

    billythebeefpuppet , ECP Report

    #16

    Old computer setup with CRT monitor and keyboard on a desk, showcasing technology widely acceptable 20 years ago.

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

    Ardothbey , Jiri Brozovsky Report

    Data1001
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, the only reason that *didn't* happen was because people and businesses took precautions.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #17

    Two people sitting in a car with a view of the driver looking in the rearview mirror, illustrating weird things accepted 20 years ago.

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

    battleangelred , Cristina Bejarano Report

    #18

    A large collection of vintage Beanie Babies piled on a glass table, illustrating weird things widely acceptable 20 years ago.

    People spending thousands of dollars on Beanie Babies.

    throwingplaydoh , Michael Lehet Report

    #19

    Two men hugging warmly during a public event, illustrating weird things that were widely acceptable 20 years ago.

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

    Goldengodsrod , Gage Skidmore Report

    Data1001
    Community Member
    5 months ago

    [photo not shown]

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda