“Being Able To Fix Things Yourself”: 30 Things Young People Find Odd That Used To Be Normal
Interview
It seems like social norms change annually, nowadays. It can be exhausting and confusing trying to keep track of how we’re supposed to behave in various situations, but for young people who haven’t been around to see these societal shifts, what they’ve observed is completely normal. We all have cell phones, we all should have social media accounts, and we should all be available 24/7.
Older generations, however, have a harder time accepting some of the changes that have come along, and recently, Redditors have been sharing some of the things they wish would become normalized again. Below, you’ll find some of their most insightful responses, so enjoy reading through and be sure to upvote all of the thoughts you agree with.
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The art of conversation. Just because I disagree with you on something doesn’t mean I don’t respect you.
Not being accessible all the time. Just because I have a cellphone doesnt mean I want to answer it at the supermarket, or while cooking dinner. Or while driving. Thats cool that my boss checks emails in his tesla driving 20 mins to work but I would rather not. I need a break
Before cell phones, if someone didn't answer the phone we'd just say, "Oh, they're not home," and that was normal. Nowadays, I wish it was just as normal to say, "Oh, they're not answering their phone," and just leave it at that.
Classes in high school like wood shop, home economics, culinary, machine shop, etc and just trade school training in general for those who don’t want to go to college.
US: standardized test scores are tied to funding, so no time for skill development (either manual or critical thinking). Kids learn that life is only about obedience to ham-fisted metrics analysis.
We reached out to the Reddit user who posed the question, "What things are seen as weird by the younger generation that we need to normalize again?" and lucky for us, u/Kvassalskaren55 was happy to have a chat with Bored Panda.
As far as what inspired him to start this conversation, he shared that he was just bored on a Saturday and decided to post something on Reddit. "I thought of a question to post in r/askreddit, but I had no idea that it would get this popular," the OP shared.
Can we re-normalize using headphones while listening to music or watching videos in public? Please? I should be able to study on campus without having to listen to someone else's s**t. I can't even go to the campus library without someone blasting their s**t.
Obviously not old enough to remember 'ghetto blasters' (yup, REALLY called that) These were extremely large radio cassettes with big speakers played at full volume everywhere from the 70s onwards until personal stereos became a thing. Before that it was 'portable wireless radios' These go back to the early 60s. Again, people have ALWAYS been a******s..
Being able to fix things yourself-sew hems and small holes, fix a toilet or garbage disposal, etc
We were also curious what Kvassalskaren55 would answer to his own question. "I think we should normalize talking to each other more," he shared. "I think today’s generation is missing out on getting to know people face to face. You never know who is behind the screen, it could be anyone."
On the other hand, the OP is appreciative that homophobia has become much less socially acceptable. "Everyone should be able to love whoever they want without facing backlash," he told Bored Panda.
Not having everything you do in public recorded.
Two random people arguing? Gotta record it.
Bad car wreck? Don't help. record.
Natural disaster? Don't run, stay and document it until someone has to rescue you, then get the rescue for maximum likes.
Same with concerts. I don't understand how people can't just watch a concert and enjoy it. Does anyone ever go back and watch their phone footage anyway?
Affordable housing.
Wall Street investors have been buying up housing all over the country just to make money on excessive rents and the tight housing market, which they contributed to making.
As far as his thoughts on the responses to his post, Kvassalskaren55 says he agreed with many of them. "There were a few that surprised me," he noted. "Those were the ones where people said that they were tired of people thinking that they are available at all times. That they need a break."
Having the decency and manners to verbally cancel plans or say you’ll be late in a timely fashion that’s respectful of the other person’s time and effort, instead of framing ghosting people as some kind cute personality quirk.
Being stood up or ditched on a date are as old as dating itself, but the RSVP was a contract that could only be violated at the peril of never receiving any future invitations
Actually owning the things you buy. Having the right to tinker with your devices.
Too damned many companies jumping on the product as a service bandwagon and it needs to stop. For instance, you pay (typically dearly) for a option on your new car, but you then need to pay a fee/subscription to use it? Not in this world, that's absurd.
Not having social media. Apparently now not being on whatever sites is a red flag.
Being able to handle the slightest bit of social interaction. I’ve met some Gen Z who damn near have panic attacks when making a call for delivery, let alone speaking to people they don’t know in public. Some seem to think every interaction with a stranger is potentially life threatening. The anxiety levels in that generation are off the charts.
I find the introvert memes tendency horrifying and relatable at the same time. Being an introvert myself I understand the struggle, but it seems to me it's getting worse and worse, triggering anxiety if you just let it be your lifestyle.
Knowing how to cook, even if that knowledge exists so you don't starve.
Agree knowing how to cook is a learnable skill you don’t need to be a chef.
I feel like u can't just talk to random people anymore. No one seems approachable. My mum talks to anyone wether she knows them or not. I notice alotnof the older generations are much more open to random chit chat
Some people just don't want to be bothered when they're trying to go about their day.
The hustle culture needs to go. We need to normalize working while keeling in touch with family and friends, not working yourself to death. Also, how about lowering house price, eh? It’s a dwelling, not a money making machine.
A house used to be a home not an investment for profit. It annoys me when real estate agents talk about selling a home, it is the house not the home being sold.
Pensions. The ability for current and future generations to retire.
All that has happened is the companies have shifted the risk from them to you. If you can get such good returns, they can too. Of course in most plans you do not contribute. Just more evidence of poor money management on their part, and how criminal underfunding is.
Talking to people in-person, and asking people out, and not being a f*****g weirdo if they say no.
Apps and social media have caused so much headrot.
Holding your phone to your ear when talking.
I have hearing issues and same. Although I do sometimes do it outside of the home but that's more when A. I'm running late and a taxi isn't here and B. I can't hear them because even though there's no people walking/around there is so many cars going up and down the street (its a through road to other suburbs - always busy).
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If you put your phone on speaker in public, I take that as a sign that you want me to join in the conversation.
I still hold my phone to my ear, I don't like doing it any other way.
When I see someone doing speakerphone in public I want someone to grab the phone out of their hand and throw it in a pond.
I suggest you read my comment below. Try that with me and you'll be paying for it. My hearing aids are not cheap, so I hope you have a good job. You people have NO CONCEPT of putting yourself in someone else's shoes.
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Also, even if you're not using the speakerphone, keeping your voice at a reasonable level instead of shouting your personal business to the whole room. I don't need to know what you and your ex are fighting about this week, Jan.
I only use loudspeaker when with another person so we can all talk to them
This one I'm guilty of. I put it on speaker then hold the speaker to my ear because I can hear better. I have a horrible time hearing out of it normally and headphones hurt my ears if I can even get the stupid things to stay in my ears in the first place.
Sounds like you need to go to an ENT or ear doctor. Or maybe get the earwax removed from your ears. There might be a solution to your difficulty hearing. I don't mean to sound rude by suggesting this, I am just trying to help 😀
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I hate these morons who have their phones on speaker. It's bloody annoying and rude AF. I call them out every time .
I can't wait for you to be humiliated when you and all these people on here hating, find out that the person you're "calling out" is HARD OF HEARING and uses HEARING AIDS that you LITERALLY CANNOT PUT THE PHONE TO YOUR EAR WHILE WEARING. If I put a phone to my ear, it bumps a button on my hearing aids that change the setting, so all I hear is a male voice in my ears saying, "Crowd- Outdoor- Normal". I have three options: 1. USE SPEAKERPHONE 2. Try to connect my aids via Bluetooth- this only works in areas where I have crystal clear reception, otherwise in my ears it sounds like an old radio with the dial juust a hair off of the actual radio station, you can kind of hear it but it's broken up, and often the other person can't hear me at all. or 3. Take a $3,000 dollar tiny piece of equipment out of my ear (a piece that isn't covered by any insurance policy I've ever seen), pray that I don't lose it, and have a hellacious time trying to hear the other person.
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My phone has a Bluetooth connection to my hearing aids. So don't need to gold it to my face.
The Bluetooth connection with my hearing aids only works about a third of the time. I thought it'd be fantastic, I insisted on the fancy aids with the Bluetooth and the connection to the app and all.....and they only work when I have a perfect signal.
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If they made cell phones like old landline phones - with internal speakers that didn’t cause massive pain to my eardrums - this would make holding the phone to my ear easier.
Wait, what? Who doesn't do that? Unless you have headphones on..?
Yeah this one bugs me. I do use my speakerphone, but only in the comfort and privacy of my own home. In public, held to the ear and try to keep my voice volume at a normal level. The people on the other end can actually hear me better that way (yelling into a phone or headset is 90% of why you can't understand people on the phone).
i use my headphones so i dint have to wrestle my phone out of my pocket every time it rings. also my parents usually ask when im getting home (i catch the train) so i check it while they call me. i will admit though its a little weird to see people have a conversation with an invisible person even if they are wearing headphones or airpods or whatever
I think it means not using loudspeaker and nobody else hearing your conversation.
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Not good to put phone next to your head - check it out. Can't remember the details but something about the sounds/rays or something from the phones is not good for your head/brain. I always use speaker app.
the boxy shape of phones is just too unergonomic for me to put by my ear
I wish I could put my phone to my ear. Sometimes I'd like to have a private conversation, but with the hearing aids I wear, I can not put the handset to my ear without the phone bumping a button on the aids that change the setting between normal/ crowd/ outdoors. And an automated male voice announces the changes in my ears. So I can't hear anything but that male voice. All you shallow minded people saying how you'd like to do this or that to people using the speaker, use your brain for once and realize that even though we'd like to, some of us CAN'T.
Only people i see doing this are older people who cant hear well. They basically have the speaker on because its louder snd they still hold their ears up to it
I have problems with background noise, so I have to use my speaker no matter where I am if I forgot my earbuds
I use headphones when driving or working... can hear better. Loudspeaker when at home, usually doing something else at the same time.
Oh I still do this, it drives me nuts when people speaker phone or FaceTime in public
Oh they hold it to their ear... it's just on FaceTime at 100% volume when they're doing it.
And if your phone is on speaker, tell the person on the phone first. My mum does this all the time! I don't want to have the whole world listening to my s**t.
What about the people who do have the phone up to their ear but the volume up too loud so it sounds like it's on speaker anyway? Why do they think everyone else around them wants to have to hear what should be a private conversation (even if they aren't talking about anything inappropriate)?
As if they want to. If they are doing this they HAVE to because they cant hear. Lots of people cant afford thousands of dollars for a hearing aid snd the doctors visits it requires. Insurance is also to expensive for most folks in poverty, so what are they supposed to do especially when headphone jacks are barely a thing now and Bluetooth ones are janky af to set up
Load More Replies... I never use the speaker on my phone. Who and what I'm talking about is my business only.
And why do they all hold the phone like they're holding a brandy glass when they're talking?
What about phone + ear buds? I mean, that can sometimes be a little mind-bending for a second, but we could all use our minds bent a little from time to time.
I was at a surgery center earlier this week and this woman was there in her loudspeaker just yelling away. I looked at her , like really? And she didn’t even flinch. I wanted to snatch it out of her hand so bad and toss it across the street. I wouldn’t even have a cell phone is my company didn’t pay for me having one.
I still hold it to my ear in public, the only reason I use speakerphone most of the time in private is because of the sheer number of times I've accidentally hung up on someone
I use bluetooth headphones, which makes me look like I am talking to myself, but I can hear the other person and they can hear me cause of the microphone
The reason most people use the speakerphone most of the time is because mobile phones have no convenient way of cradling the phone. Without an old-style handset, you can only lay it on a table to free both hands. Which is why I bought a retro handset for my phone.
I still do. I don't like putting the phone on speaker. I always feel like the person can't hear me.
I see a lot of people using the loudspeaker and then speaking at the camera side and listening on the other side. Or in a car, placing the phone right in front of them on the window.
Or maybe keep your "very important" phone calls for yourself in private. I literally hate these people who always feel the need to call someone especially while they are traveling by public transportation.
Just working out in a gym without the need to record yourself
Again, it's not an abnormal thing to go and not record. Going to the gym without recording is normalised.
**Getting to know your neighbours and connecting with the local community.**
How many of us actually know or have talked to the people next door?? It used to be so common to introduce yourself at least, nowadays it’s just weird and considered off-putting, making it much harder to build a strong sense of community.
This generation tends to be very isolated generally, and considering how actively hostile modern urban design is, it tends to discourage people from going outside and meeting people. This is also coupled with the rise of social media and a general sense of paranoia about feeling constantly watched, since everyone basically has a miniature recording device in their pocket. It decentivizes people from striking up more friendly conversations, due to fear of being recorded being cringe or whatever and going viral. Honestly the pandemic has f****d social skills beyond belief, but let’s get real here, the loneliness epidemic predates Covid by a long shot, quarantine just put it into hyperdrive.
I think knowing your neighbours should make a comeback. Along with neighbourhood block parties and potlucks. And for gods sake, can we please make less suburbs and anti-homelessness benches, and more free/affordable public infrastructure while we’re at it??? It’s been said already, but look at the outside we built, no wonder kids don’t want to go outside anymore.
Again depends on country and background. Low income areas in my country have good social networks and high income areas have neighbours who barely interact and mostly hate each other.
Taking your clothes to a tailor instead of getting new clothes
That individuals matter, not what groups people can be pegged as belonging to.
This is only true of individualist (ie western) culture. In Africa our community is the most important thing.
Vulnerability. Sincerity. These things seem to get lumped in with "cringe" when they shouldn't be.
Texting back too quickly is apparently a thing to younger folk? Whereas I see it as the ultimate sign of respect and interest when you're having an engaging conversation. There's so much second guessing about presentation and interest levels that many forget that it's cool, fine, and normal to just be honest with feelings and pursue them as long as they're reciprocal.
What kills me is "punctuation is aggressive" and "ok means you're mad." WTF kids?!?
Telephone skills, not fearing making phone calls
Emails and texts are too easy to ignore. I feel it takes twice as long to communicate via email.
Go to the park and join a bunch of strangers in playing a game whether it be touch football, throwing the Frisbee, even a game of TAG.
Uhh no. I would never walk up to strangers playing a game and join them.
Anyone else concerned with the lack of empathy and aggressive narcissism that are being displayed recently?
Yep. I feel those "Corona- years" have done more harm than good. 😢
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I am so sick of all of this "generational divide" b******t. "The boomers are this!" "The Millennials are that" "Gen Z is blah blah blah" can we all just please stop and reflect and realize there there and bad Apples in every single bunch and that doesn't mean the whole barrel is bad? I know PLENTY of "boomers" who are some of the kindest more understanding people around and I e met some Gen Z who would soon slit your throat than give you a kind look. It has nothing to do with what year you were born! It's how you're raised. And truthfully I will never consider myself a Gen Z. I am simply a younger person who will hopefully live to become an old person some day. That's it
Once again Generation X is forgotten. That one is true.
Load More Replies... SO much of this is really Boomers reminiscing about their childhood and not realising it seemed better because they were a child. Then there's the inherent criticism of the 'youth of today' I'm Gen X but even I can see that the current generation are the very best of us. Who saw us all through the pandemic doing all the frontline jobs? Not my generation, that's for sure. Who is more accepting of people for who they are? Again it's the 'young people of today' Good on them, nostalgia is a lie..
I hate to tell you this, but where I live, it was both the middle-aged and young transport drivers, supermarket cashiers, chemists, street cleaners, rubbish collectors, and above all health workers who got us through it. The less experienced younger people need the older workers' experience and stamina, or do you think that a whole bunch of 20-somethings just rolled up one day and took over? Enough with the generational labels, every workplace needs a mix of younger, creative, energetic people, trained and supported by more experienced staff.
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Listen, y’all, the economy is shot, corona ruined our social skills, and you can’t be anywhere without spending money, we would way rather be doing things in the world but we’re broke and many of us are disabled
I used to think our species would die from pollution and global warming, but reading these comments makes me think, the the extinction will come from nobody daring to get to know anyone, så no children will come to take over. I am a bit sarcastic here maybe.
Working on my own computer. Before windows, I could ask Doss what was wrong and it would tell me and I would fix it. After windows I could go to Microsoft help and always get trained answers. Now, I go to Microsoft help and they let any idiot on the Internet provide answers. One has the weed the actual help out from the junk.
Better title would be old people complain and suggest what they think young people must find odd because it's no longer the only acceptable option.
Yeah yeah yeah, the kids these days. Have a Werther's Original and shut up.
Sorry but gen z and alpha rule nothing. Most can't even make a phone call without experiencing crippling anxiety.
Anyone else concerned with the lack of empathy and aggressive narcissism that are being displayed recently?
Yep. I feel those "Corona- years" have done more harm than good. 😢
Load More Replies... I am so sick of all of this "generational divide" b******t. "The boomers are this!" "The Millennials are that" "Gen Z is blah blah blah" can we all just please stop and reflect and realize there there and bad Apples in every single bunch and that doesn't mean the whole barrel is bad? I know PLENTY of "boomers" who are some of the kindest more understanding people around and I e met some Gen Z who would soon slit your throat than give you a kind look. It has nothing to do with what year you were born! It's how you're raised. And truthfully I will never consider myself a Gen Z. I am simply a younger person who will hopefully live to become an old person some day. That's it
Once again Generation X is forgotten. That one is true.
Load More Replies... SO much of this is really Boomers reminiscing about their childhood and not realising it seemed better because they were a child. Then there's the inherent criticism of the 'youth of today' I'm Gen X but even I can see that the current generation are the very best of us. Who saw us all through the pandemic doing all the frontline jobs? Not my generation, that's for sure. Who is more accepting of people for who they are? Again it's the 'young people of today' Good on them, nostalgia is a lie..
I hate to tell you this, but where I live, it was both the middle-aged and young transport drivers, supermarket cashiers, chemists, street cleaners, rubbish collectors, and above all health workers who got us through it. The less experienced younger people need the older workers' experience and stamina, or do you think that a whole bunch of 20-somethings just rolled up one day and took over? Enough with the generational labels, every workplace needs a mix of younger, creative, energetic people, trained and supported by more experienced staff.
Load More Replies... Listen, y’all, the economy is shot, corona ruined our social skills, and you can’t be anywhere without spending money, we would way rather be doing things in the world but we’re broke and many of us are disabled
I used to think our species would die from pollution and global warming, but reading these comments makes me think, the the extinction will come from nobody daring to get to know anyone, så no children will come to take over. I am a bit sarcastic here maybe.
Working on my own computer. Before windows, I could ask Doss what was wrong and it would tell me and I would fix it. After windows I could go to Microsoft help and always get trained answers. Now, I go to Microsoft help and they let any idiot on the Internet provide answers. One has the weed the actual help out from the junk.
Better title would be old people complain and suggest what they think young people must find odd because it's no longer the only acceptable option.
Yeah yeah yeah, the kids these days. Have a Werther's Original and shut up.
Sorry but gen z and alpha rule nothing. Most can't even make a phone call without experiencing crippling anxiety.
