The 90s

[Claire903]

Anyone else feel like the 90s were just peak life? Honestly, what a laugh that decade was. You could crack a joke and no one was instantly offended, people weren’t on edge or “at work” 24/7-even though I’m posting this from my phone, which is a bit ironic, considering how we actually spoke to each other back then!

Remember when the Spice Girls ruled everything? Union Jack dresses, platform trainers, “girl power” on every magazine cover, and all of us desperately trying to decide if we were more Sporty or Baby Spice. I still remember choreographing dance routines in my mate’s living room, belting out “Wannabe” and thinking we were destined for Wembley. And the fashion! Butterfly clips, chokers, slip dresses, and those chunky shoes that could do some serious damage if you tripped over them on a night out

The weather honestly seemed better-proper summers, ice pops from the corner shop, and not a mobile phone in sight unless you count the odd Nokia 3210 (which was basically indestructible and only used for Snake anyway). No one was glued to screens; we were out knocking for each other, hanging out in the park or at the precinct, and if you missed an episode of “Byker Grove” or “Live & Kicking,” you were genuinely out of the loop until Monday at school.

TV was golden: “The Crystal Maze,” “TFI Friday,” “The Big Breakfast” with Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin, and of course, the absolute chaos of “Noel’s House Party.” And who else had a Tamagotchi that died a tragic death because you forgot to feed it for a day? Or a window full of Beanie Babies you were convinced would pay your mortgage one day (still waiting on that one)

Music was unreal-Oasis, Blur, All Saints, 5ive, and the whole “Cool Britannia” vibe. Even the football was iconic: Euro ’96, Three Lions on the radio, and everyone thinking Gazza’s dentist chair celebration was the height of comedy.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but it really felt like life was simpler, funnier, and just a bit more carefree. Anyone else wish we could go back, even just for one more night out in a dodgy club, dancing to “Spice Up Your Life” in our best crop tops and cargo pants?

Would love to hear what you all miss most!

How did a Sunday morning thread about 90s nostalgia tumble into political debate.

Fuck knows!

It was a much happier, more carefree time. I agree with you that people are working 24/7 now.

Mental health issues aren’t a modern phenomenon by any means.

No, they aren't, but surely anyone can see that they appear to be out of control at the moment. Friends were discussing just this week how there were no school refusers when we went to school in the 1970s, and we don't recall any kids having anything but minor behavioural issues - it was a small school, everyone knew everyone else, their family, their history etc. At my last workplace they had people dealing with kids who refused to go to school, as well as a group of teachers who taught kids who couldn't/wouldn't attend regular school - unheard of when I was at school. One young girl had real issues - although I'm pleased to say she did improve. Those who insist mental health issues are no worse are usually those who weren't around in earlier times.

Would you actually like to go and buy a regular camera

Actually yes, I use a regular camera and intend to carry on doing so. There are a lot of people who prefer to learn the skills required to use one, including young people. That's another bad thing about modern technology, people no longer learn skills that once were commonplace.

I’m just not claiming it’s unimportant because I’m unaware of it!

How many fecking times? Why would growing up in London with Irish family make me unaware of the Troubles?! When I think about my youth & the 90s I recall optimism, excitement, hope, the fashion, the music. I don't think about the lack of public bins.

no one has said otherwise - the OP says ‘really felt like life was simpler, funnier, and just a bit more carefree.’ It wasn’t. There was conflict, in our country (hence the mention of the troubles) as well as abroad, there was crime and violence, there were riots and displacement, there were attitudes that were accepted which we would now be appalled at, there was bullying, mental health issues and problems

If you enjoyed it that is grand and no one is trying to deny that. What is wrong is to claim that because you (general you, not specific) found it to be a wonderful time then so it was, end of discussion, no questions asked.

👍🏻 @ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews

I used my landline during lockdown - you know, like people used to do!

Ella you are the one who said it didn’t overshadow the 90s because you lived in London. Not me! Anyway …

just feck off & ruin someone else's thread!

Landlines meant you were tied to one place and had to talk to one person for the duration of the conversation. I was actually living alone during lockdown - I did rather appreciate being able to speak to multiple people at all hours of the day and night!

I guess this is where people are egocentric about things, mobile phones might be a terrible invention (although I bet you’re all MNing on them!) if you are surrounded by family and friends. If you live alone and would otherwise be isolated, not so much.

you are even shitting on landlines now, you must be fun at parties!

I loved the 90s but I think it’s a feature of older age to romanticise the era that you yourself were happy, free and young.

My elderly mother says the 50s were the best days and the way she describes it I can see why. My DH bangs on about the music and the cars and the free and easy lifestyle of the 70s…

It’s a lesson in allowing young people to have their innocent freedoms but also as an older person to try and enjoy the present and not live in the past.

It isn’t ruining a thread to point out that ongoing conflict spanning three decades in the UK might have meant that some people’s memories of the 90s are not the same as yours. Literally all I’m saying is that just because you weren’t really aware of it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

I am actually

Why is pointing out landlines and smartphones aren’t the same ‘shitting on them’?

Wasn't aware of what? Growing up in parts of NI during the troubles was nothing like growing up in other UK cities. That's what gave me awareness & perspective as I said. Half the shite wasn't even reported on here hence why so many don't understand what happened or why.

I know - you grew up in London so disagreed with me that the troubles overshadowed the 90s. I pointed out that it did if you lived in Belfast. Many pages of abuse being hurled at me have followed!

Right, one last time. This is what I actually said in my first response to you.

"I disagree with this, if you lived in NI then yes but the rest of the UK then no"

I'm glad that you finally agree with me.

I agree with you that people are working 24/7*

The world of work has definitely changed. When I listened to my older colleagues & family members work seemed a lot more relaxed in some ways & less pressured.

I have a theory about the 90’s and why it was so brilliant. We were on the cusp of emerging technology, so there was excitement about that, but it was no where enough to take over our lives and we were happy to pick it up and put it down as we wanted.Everything was fun and exciting- music, films, TV.

I agree with this.

What I miss for my dc is you could go out clubbing or raving, dance till you drop & be a hot sweaty mess & it was normal. So many youngsters now are too worried about letting loose because the image is everything. I worry they will all be repressed & have huge mid life breakdowns.

I have cracked several jokes in the last 24hrs and nobody’s been offended.

There was plenty great about the 90s, and plenty that’s better now. If you were born in the late 70s / early 80s like me then it would have been a golden time due to your age. It’s not objectively a golden time.

The 90s were great. But OP’s written by AI are lazy shit and anybody who wants to start talking about why a time was good by focusing on being able to crack a joke without offending people has messy priorities.

Do you think MNs encourages the AI threads?

To me the 90s were great but that's cause I was born in 1981, so it was the time of fun and no responsibilities for me. Most people's favourite era will be be the time they were growing up.

I miss going into Woolies, listening to the UK top 40 every Sunday and buying Smash Hits magazine. No social media pressure. I was 17 when I got my first phone with no predictive text. Spending ages writing out a message, but it seemed absolutely amazing. The days before the Internet became common place at home. It was actually great to just go into a shop and buy something, instead of spending ages studying every review and wondering if you've made the right decision. My first holiday abroad in the 90s. Look at a brochure, pick your hotel etc and go. Modern life seems much more stressful now than back then but maybe it's rose tinted glasses!

@CeeJay81 so much choice is paralysing in a way. I can spend hours researching a handhold hoover etc and then get confused and put off buying it and then repeat the process again

Yep, takes me ages to buy anything especially if it costs a fair bit of money. We'd have just gone to Argos or Dixons back then. Loved looking through the Argos catalogue.

@Vipersgonnavipe totally agree. The 90s were so very carefree. Adulting is utter shite. I spend my whole time cooking/cleaning/tidying up/washing/giving lifts/ taking DC to appts/admin for DC. I wanna take off, even for just 1 day, and go have just 1v more carefree wild time