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People Are Sharing Normal ‘90s And ‘00s Things That Weirdly No Longer Exist
Interview With Expert
It’s easy to forget how drastically our world has changed over the past few decades. Watching films and TV shows from the ‘90s and early 2000s feels like observing a different planet, and it’s difficult to even recall how simple our lives were before smartphones had taken over.
But if you’re interested in taking a trip down memory lane, you’ve come to the right place, pandas. Redditors have recently been discussing things that were totally normal only two or three decades ago that seem to have gone extinct. From telephone books to smoking inside at fast food joints, enjoy scrolling through these nostalgic replies. Keep reading to find a conversation with Kathy Kenzora, host of the History of the '90s podcast, and be sure to upvote the things you had almost forgotten about!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A congress willing to impeach a president for blatant illegal actions.
Regina Holt 7 months ago (edited)
Well, the Supreme Court said that anything the president does is not illegal. Big a$$ can of worms opened there!
RELATED:
#2
The concept of a "Tomboy" with literally no inclination of gender identity or sexual orientation. The girls just like boys stuff and it was perfectly fine, if not awesome.
#3
Spending an hour at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video searching for the perfect Friday night movie.
Pittsburgh rare 7 months ago
Now you spend an hour scrolling through Netflix or HBO for the perfect Friday movie
To learn more about this topic, we reached out to Kathy Kenzora, host of the History of the '90s podcast. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and remind us of some of the things that have gone extinct over the past few decades.
"VCRs - Watching TV was so much harder in the 90s!" Kathy says. "If you didn’t happen to be home for an episode of your favorite show, you wouldn’t get to see it until summer reruns. Unless, of course, you could figure out the totally complicated procedure of setting up your VCR to record the show. I can’t tell you how many times I sat down to watch a show that I thought I recorded only to find out that it didn’t work!"
#4
Critical thinking.
#5
Civility in politics. Even if you hated the other guy you were still polite and civil.
That, along with America as a whole, seems to have been tossed aside.
#6
Making a call in a phone booth.
The Yellow Pages.
Forrest Grump 7 months ago
There are still public phones in some places in the US - especially in areas where there is a population of Amish and/or Old Order Mennonites. There is a pay phone about two miles from my house. I haven't tried to confirm this information, but I was told that the pay phones are privately owned. The owner pays a monthly fee for service and then keeps all the money that is used in the phones.
Kathy also noted that trashy TV talk shows are mostly a thing of the past. "The 90s was the era when trashy daytime talk shows dominated TV," the host shared. "Shows hosted by people like Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones and Maury Povich regularly devolved into wild physical fights between guests who were cheered on by riled up audience members. I have to admit I was not a fan and was happy when the fad died out. But it never really went away. Today, viewers get the same kind of voyeuristic entertainment from reality shows."
#7
Privacy. You're filmed everywhere now.
Charles McChristy 7 months ago
Kids cannot get away with anything these days. They will never know the freedom we had.
#8
“It’s back oooooonnnnnnn” followed by the sound of galloping feet and a leap over the back of the couch.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
If I had the energy, this still might happen, because I do still watch things on sites/tv that have ads. Instead I don't worry about missing part of the show and take my time.
#9
Memorizing phone numbers.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
There are still a number I have memorised for emergencies, and to fill out on forms, like my work number which I have to put on incident reports.
Finally, Kathy reminded us of ska and swing music. "Life was good in the 90s, and the music reflected it! Ska and swing music burst onto the scene with unexpected mainstream hits that infiltrated pop culture, including that famous Gap khaki swing commercial. Their fun upbeat sounds and retro clothing trends were a perfect fit for the times, and I miss them both!"
And if you'd like to hear even more about life during the 1990s, be sure to check out Kathy's podcast History of the '90s!
#11
Having hope for the future. F**k, I miss that feeling of believing that we had all turned a coroner. That even though nothing was perfect, that we were on our way to seeing a future where we could be. The walls were coming down, Mandela was free, the Cold War ended, the u"internet highway" was going to lead us to the age of information and enlightenment. Just hope, everywhere you looked.
Then it all turned to s**t when those planes hit the towers.
#12
Being able to sleep through the night without having to get up and go to the bathroom.
Pittsburgh rare 7 months ago
God, how l miss good, uninterrupted sleep. It's 5 am now, for reference 🙄
#13
Kids playing outside. When I grew up kids were EVERYWHERE, couldn’t throw a rock without hitting one. Today, you just don’t see them.
Little Bit 7 months ago
When my youngest daughter was about 9, one day she asked me if I ever had play dates when I was her age. I replied, "no I jest went outside and played with whoever else was out playing. If nobody was out I would go to my friends' houses and ask if they were coming out." I think it's quite sad that these days parents literally have to make an appointment just so that their kids can play together.
#14
Third places. Malls, parks, places where we used to go and just hang out at.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
These have all stuck around in Australia. Shopping centres are busier than ever (which is why I avoid them) and young people commonly hang out there for hours. Parks, beaches, walking tracks etc also well frequented. When the train lines are taken underground or become sky rail (to get rid of street level crossings) in my state, the space where they used to be is turned into more walking/bike tracks, seating areas, skate parks, outdoor gyms, basketball courts etc. This is really good, because school yards, even state schools, where the public often used to hang at outside of school hours to play sports and stuff, are almost all fenced and locked by 5pm.
#15
The terror of calling your boyfriends landline...
Ring... (Please don't let his mum answer)
Ring... (Please don't let his mum answer)
Ring... (Please don't let his mum answer)
:click:
:gulp: is Kieran there please?
The embarrassment.
Hassel Davidhoff 7 months ago
When I was 16 I went and got really high with my mate Brad. Came back home and my Mum says "someone named Susan called for you". This was good news as Susan was a girl I kind of fancied. So, I call back and Susan answers to tell me that there is this girl Jessica that wanted to date me. Not Susan. Total bummer. Being that I was astronomically high I was not prepared for all of this.
#17
Optimism.
#18
Maps when driving. Like big a*s maps that you had to unfold and figure out where you were.
Lyone Fein 7 months ago
I love maps. I went out and bought a 50 state road atlas for long trips. But it is also great for simply browsing to see what things are just a day trip that I just don’t know about: parks, lakes, museums, etc.
#19
Having a phone cord so long that it can stretch between several rooms.
Sharing a phone line with 4 other people.
Picking up the phone and disconnecting someone's internet connection.
#20
Mom’s smoking a cigarette inside at the kitchen table talking on the house phone with a long cord.
Jason Kennith 7 months ago
Smoking in a house that kids are growing up in should be illegal. They'll easily get secondhand smoke.
#22
Fireflies It was a normal sight after dark; I haven't seen a single one in decades in our backyard.
Eileen Gormly 7 months ago
They need the dead leaves to lay eggs on. Rake up all the leaves or chop them up ... no fireflies
#23
Not being expected to be available and immediately reachable by employers during your free time.
#24
Kids today will never take “computer lab” as a course. Literally a class where you f****d around on a computer and did whatever, maybe learned a few basic things or just played games the entire time. It was the only time of the day in class when you were on an electronic. Now, laptops are pretty much used for everything, from elementary to high school level. I’d guess the only class now where you don’t use a laptop is PE.
#25
Being anonymous online. Today people on WhatsApp expect me to use my real name and picture, what the hell?
Arthur Waite 7 months ago
I use my real name for all my letters-to-the-editor, commenting on BP, etc. Keeps me honest, reasonable, and polite.
#26
"Get outside and don't come back until you hear me call you."
No concern for RR tracks nearby or the random transient, just gtfo of her house and sight.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
There was concern, but parents believed (or liked to believe) that telling their kids not to go near train tracks or waterways etc would do. My mum told us not to go further than a certain part of the parkland we lived next to and not to go in the storm water drains or creek because of flash flooding. I did listen to her about the drain, but my brother didn't, though he only went down once that I'm aware of and survived. Given that she apparently did know we were lighting campfires in the park (we thought we hid it well) and didn't stop us, I'm guessing she just trusted that we were knowledgeable enough about safety and that we would look after each other.
#28
Inside thoughts.
With social media taking over SO much of the internet, there are LOADS of people who just s**t out all their dumb thoughts directly into Facebook comment sections or TikTok videos.
It's one thing to be open about things, and share things that you may be experiencing that can help others that we used to see as something shameful to talk about, and there are things people share that should still be shameful, haha.
TotallyNOTAFox 7 months ago
It's especially bad for politicians and celebrities because suddenly they don't have PR managers filtering their output
#29
Radio Shack.
Charles McChristy 7 months ago
I honestly wish there was a place where I could sort through components like the original Radio Shacks in the early 80s. By the late 90s/early 00s all they sold were crappy phones and little gizmos.
#30
Being polite to others.
Jorie 6 months ago
A lady called our medical office today looking for a doctor who does not work for us. She obviously had the wrong number and sounded so upset because she couldn't remember the name of the office the doctor worked at. She was obviously elderly. I asked for the name and location of the doctor and was able to find the number on Google. This lady was so grateful that someone had actually helped her! She said no one is willing to help each other anymore. She said goodbye and God Bless You. I won't forget her.
#31
The phrase “Oh, I wish I had a camera!”.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
I still say this a lot! I am the only person I know has said it in the last 10+ years though. I have a s**t phone camera so try to take my DSLR everywhere but don't.
#32
VHS.
#33
Writing letters and thank you cards. Calling friends. Blockbuster nights.
nicholas nolan 7 months ago
We finally moved on as a species, in ways that will echo into a bright future, when we quit sending thank you cards. Hated writing them and refused to do so at my eighth grade graduation, and hated receiving them even more. "You wasted your time on sending me a sentiment you already gave me in person?"
#34
Yugoslavia.
#35
Low rise jeans, Jeans that were too long so got wet and frayed, Jean-shorts... denim has become very standardised .
Upstaged75 7 months ago
I miss low rise jeans. Because I'm so short waisted that they were the only ones that fit me correctly. :) Having my jeans ride all the way up to my bra is not cool.
#36
Landlines. They are practically nonexistent. Even if you happen to have one because of your cable provider, they just aren’t used.
Regina Holt 7 months ago
I just keep my landline so that I can call my cellphone so I can find it in my house.
#37
Leaning more towards the 90s: Common sense and trust in news (and news being trustworthy).
Geoffrey Scott 7 months ago
You can still find that. Am routinely harassed for citing NPR/PBS as my source. Do they lean left? Sometimes, and I have given them pushback on it. But they pride themselves, rightfully, on both sides of a story to allow you to decide.
#38
Neighborhoods going hard for Halloween and Christmas.
I remember as a young kid, from like 2004-2011, the decorations went crazy. There was one year I remember in lots of detail where, on Halloween, multiple houses had created haunted houses/mazes, and one house had a doorbell that bit your finger. And for Christmas my parents would drive us around to look at all the intricate Christmas decorations throughout the neighborhoods.
I hardly see people getting into any kind of festive spirit and decorations for Halloween and Christmas are few and far between. The lack of trick or treaters these days, more people keeping their porch light off, houses doing the bare minimum for Christmas.
It makes me really sad. I hope that once I'm able to get a house and especially when I have kids, that I'll be able to go hard for those holidays. They're my favorite.
#39
Watching movie on a Saturday with the whole village together because not everyone had a tv or the power (literally electric power) to do so.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
My dad grew up in country Australia, so they had tv service about 10 years later than Melbourne so even if people could afford a tv in his town, it wouldn't have helped! The movie theatre in town was very popular though, and they would see a lot of newsreel footage, cartoon shorts and some tv specials as well as the movies.
#41
Floppy disks.
Aka the save icon in software that kids these days can't identify. .
#43
The pop in. It was completely normal to show up at a friend's house unannounced.
Little Bit 7 months ago
I miss this. Now that most people live their entire lives through social media, I feel like I'm intruding when I go to someone's house, even if I've been invited.
#44
My abs.
Geoffrey Scott 7 months ago
Oh... mine are still there, but are well protected. Yes, I stay in shape and yes, round is a shape.
#45
Houses having colour. You would go in and there would be terracotta walls, Aztec pattern sofas, sun moon curtains. Now it’s whitewash or grey.
#46
Night games! All the neighborhood kids would meet at the manhole in the middle of the cul-de-sac at night and play hide and seek. We knew which yards to stay out of and which ones were cool with it. We made up rules on the fly and it was a different game every week. Kids would leave based on when their parents said they had to be home by.
#47
The oldest kid in charge of all the younger kids at home while our parents went out and lived their lives.
athornedrose 7 months ago
this has not disappeared in the slightest. i see this more and more now than ever. especially with how expensive everything is. both parents working multiple jobs and elder kids either also working or looking after the younger ones. especially in lower income and immigrant communities. the parents aren't out "living their lives" but they are out.
#48
Calling a movie theater to get the showtimes and listening to the whole recording.
#49
Striking up a conversation with a stranger in a public place because you're both bored. That doesn't happen today because the instant boredom approaches, everybody pulls out their phone.
#50
Burning CD's.
#51
This is the song that Doesn’t End…
Yes, it goes on and on my Friends
Some people STARTED singing it, not knowing what it was
And they’ll continue singing it forever just because….
#52
Downloading a song (that was 50% likely to not even be the song you think you're downloading) for like 5 hrs,. Lol.
#56
Getting girls s*******d drunk to sleep with them. Consent was hardly an afterthought then, so that was considered a valid strategy. The world's a better place today in that regard.
Boris Long-Johnson 7 months ago (edited)
It was done the other way too - when I was in uni I was party to a memorable conversation about it being difficult to get the “right amount” into a guy as you risked “brewers droop”. Consent is definitely something that’s a positive in todays society!
#57
Jimmy Saville being someone kids looked up to and aspired to meet.
Jesus H Christ.
#58
I hear sleep-overs aren't really a thing anymore, due to overprotective parents. Trick-or-treating pretty much entirely died out where I live as far back as the mid-00s (rural place). And suburban neighbourhoods used to crawl with kids on Halloween, now it's far fewer. Maybe 15-25% of what it was. I guess they do that lame trunk thing. Bah.
#59
That feeling of being completely disconnected from your school friends over Summer vacation. I had my neighborhood friends and my school friends (went to a private school).
You came back the following school year, eager to catch up.
If not completely, you probably communicated seldomly over AIM (or another messenger), but for the most part, you didn’t see/hear them.
#60
The way we listen to music when we're on the go. All streaming apps nowadays such as Spotify but back then it would have been MP3 players, iPods etc. Even back then listening to music at home would have meant listening to music on the radio or using the likes of discs.
Little Bit 7 months ago
In some ways I miss cassettes and CDs but I enjoy the convenience of Spotify.
#61
Gameboy/Gameboy Color 😃.
Rinso The Red 7 months ago
I've still go my Gameboy Advance SP and bunch of games. The peak of handheld tech imo
#62
Pagers.
#63
The little black book.
It was a small address book that guys carried around, to write down girls' phone numbers before cell phones. It was a plot device for a lot of 80's and 90's sitcoms, since it was a big deal if you lost it.
I made a reference to a "little black book" recently and no one knew what the hell I was talking about.
#65
Paying by cash. It hasn't entirely disappeared in the UK but you get some funny looks from retailers when you attempt it.
Little Bit 7 months ago
I use cash whenever I can. I don’t think that retailers should be allowed to refuse it as it is still legal tender.
#67
Talking to people. Normal communication. Dealing with life issues without a life coach. Want a girl? You better get your balls together and make a move, no hiding behind apps and filters.
#68
Never experienced the 90’s but from what I’ve learned from this period (may be biased towards what books I’ve read show, please tell me in this case):
- Practically no security in airports
- Things coming from the US being something extraordinary, like some kind of seal of quality (for european kids)
- Physical PC games
-OS-less game consoles.
FlamingZombies 7 months ago
Yeah, You really didn't an onscreen OS when the games were on cartridges, since all the interaction between the the game and the system was done through the console's board. But once the Playstation came out, that changed with games being on discs.
#69
Prior to cell phones, I had to buy a calling card for payphones when traveling for business.
Huddo's sister 7 months ago
This is what I was given when I started high school in 2003 because I wasn't allowed a mobile until I turned 15, two years later. I think I only used it once.
#71
Send chains of Emails or SMS because “if you don't you will have bad luck for 10 years”.
#72
My in laws gave us a couple of audio books on CD for Christmas as we're about to have a major road trip across Canada
They were STUNNED to find out we had no CD player in the car ....
#77
Answering machines.
#78
Boredom.
What do you think ?
Peter Bear 7 months ago
Yeah we've never had that in the US. Open a history book.
Load More Replies...
Magenta Blu 7 months ago
Loyalty. Saying the truth Not discarding people after manipulating them for self convenience
Peter Bear 7 months ago
Yeah we've never had that in the US. Open a history book.
Load More Replies... Magenta Blu 7 months ago
Loyalty. Saying the truth Not discarding people after manipulating them for self convenience
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