Which things are better than they were 15-20 years ago?

[Sodukuchess]

There's been so much negativity in society recently so I thought it might be good to do a thread about things that have improved over the last 15-20 year or so in the UK.

I'd say:
Less smokers and no smokey pubs
More awareness of SEND
More televisation of previously ignored sports such as women's football or Paralympics
Huge choice of literature and some great new authors
Faster internet speeds
Greater choices of places when travelling abroad
Ability to skip TV adverts
Improved maths teaching and curriculum, particularly at primary
Young people seem to be moving away from the binge drinking culture

What do you think is better?

Mobile phones, online banking, admin is much easier.

Variety of different viewing platforms.

Discount codes for buying goods and meals out.

Travel abroad.

Speed of news

Great thread. I’d say:
Quality and choice of TV dramas
Variation on sanitary protection - cups and period pants
People more easily able to voice when they are feeling mentally unwell
Being able to listen podcasts

Oh yes, online banking is a godsend.

Safer cars

Ease of taking photos and keeping memories

Ease of talking to family and friends even when very far away

I work from home 3 or 4 days a week

I can set my alarm on my phone to go off weekdays only (honestly it’s the little things! Maybe we had that 15 years ago I can’t remember, I had babies then so didn’t need an alarm clock).

I do my life admin whilst at my child’s swimming lesson every week.

I can video call my family in other countries any time, for free.

Working via Teams/Zoom etc - so much easier than conference calls huddled around a phone.

Yes to online banking, I remember having to queue at the bank, and my mum having to go to the bank for bank drafts, and then queue again at the post office to post it

Mumsnet, obviously

People are generally kinder and more accepting and understanding - of SEN, people being gay, etc.

I like the availability of beauty treatments. I can get my nails and brows done in my small village. Ditto dog grooming

Travel is so much easier - booking, check in, etc, access to TripAdvisor reviews etc

Also silly one but I think crisps are better - fried in better oil and so much choice 🤣

Being able to find out quickly and easily how to do anything from plumbing to learning an instrument; being able to order anything needed, rather than spending all weekend phoning round shops trying to find somewhere that sells what you need.

Free and sharing groups on facebook to pass on unwanted stuff/get someone else's unwanted stuff.
Watching stuff on catchup when you want to is nice.
Much easier to find out what a problem is and work out if you need a professional. Washing machine not turning on - what can I try and when should I call?
Looking at menus in advance of going places so you are not shocked by price or choice.
Google Earth. I've now been to the Faroe islands and Northern Greenland, as well as checked places i'm visiting for good parking opportunities.

Better awareness that women should not have to put up with crap from men.

Book groups.

Speed of communication (can be a mixed blessing!)
Arguably less accepted overt sexism/homophobia/racism. I understand that this has not been eradicated and there are alarming extremes of opinion but when I was brought up, behaviour was mainstream that would not be acceptable now. My children are horrified by the TV programmes, It Was Alright in the 70s and 80s and basically think nothing was all right then!
Quick access to information.
As others have said, online banking and direct debits.
Appliances, clothes, toys etc are cheaper (but again ethical issues here!).

Also totally agree with @canopop re cars and crisps!

Phone parking apps

Cars that don't rust with every stone chip (I'm talking maybe 30 years ago rather than 20).

Online shopping is amazing - despite everything.
We’ve finally had a PM from a minority group.
I can’t remember the last time it felt notable for there to be a woman MP, vicar, business leader.
Stroke and cancer outcomes are unrecognisably better than they were 20 years ago.
This is more like 30 years ago - in my late teens there was a terrible cluster of foreseeable and preventable disasters in which hundreds of people died horribly in the UK. Safety culture has been revolutionised since then.

Chatgpt
Amazon delivery

All in one contact lens solution. I’m deadly serious. You’d have to leave the lenses in a pot of disinfectant then remember to neutralise them. If you didn’t, then it was a bit like pouring bleach into your eyes.

Online banking is great. My bank even lets me pay in cheques via the app.

Google Maps. We had a Tomtom and it was terrible. It didn’t re-route and dh managed to delete all the maps once.

You tube and Netflix.

Working from home is a big one. DH used to go into the office 5 days a week and now he wfh 2 or 3 days which makes a massive positive difference to our family.

Body positivity

Very true, and so much cheaper on WhatsApp etc than phoning abroad from landlines.

Well this is a very personal one. My eight year old had a heath condition. Ten years ago it would have been a terminal diagnosis. Now it’s treatable and they can live a normal life. Amazing science break through

Definitely online shopping
Improved awareness of food intolerances/allergies coeliacs
More choice of viewing on TV and being able to record stuff
Far more dog owners picking up but this needs to get even better

Ubers - so much safer than dodgy minicabs
Google Maps - I can't remember the last time I got lost driving somewhere.

the workplace is much better for women and in general attitudes towards sexism, sexual harassment etc have improved

better attitudes towards work life balance, flexible working, wfh, etc

better understanding of mental ill health and neurodiversity

fast internet

TV streaming on demand

technology

reverse parking sensors

mounjaro