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?

Supermarket home delivery.

Oh yes - treatment for cystic fibrosis.

Oh yes reverse parking cameras!

The Me-Too movement. I was watching the first Bridget Jones. I think it was written late nineties but the first film must have been noughties? The casual every day sexism she had to put up with. I know it’s fiction but as a young woman working in a very male world then I did recognised it. While it does still happen it’s not something we just accept and laugh off anymore.

-Gluten-free options in restaurants and cafes
-Uber
-Apple Pay
-Google Maps
-Spotify
-Better facials and skin treatments
-More independent coffee shops
-More gyms and exercise studios

I’m sure Skype was around 15 years ago (which was free) or am I misremembering?

I read the title and thought of sandwiches, but everyone else seems to have given the question more gravity.

There was plenty of travel abroad 15 years ago and it wasn’t prohibitively expensive for some people as it is now. Flights to Europe used to be dirt cheap.

But not everyone had Skype. 15 years ago we called the landline the aunty-phone as it was mostly our elderly aunties who phoned us on it. Now even my aunty in her 80s calls me on WhatsApp, the landline never ever rings,

Is it cystic fibrosis? The change in treatment for it has been truly amazing with the triple combination therapy, and not many people know about it at all.

I would say society has generally become fairer but events in recent times have shown a step backwards in some quarters. However, setting that aside, there are more opportunities for education and training, children and young people are listened to, respected, are far more confident than they were and, on the whole, seem to have highly developed social consciences.

15-20 years ago means 2005-2010 for reference, not the 1980s which some seem to be referring to. I can’t think of much that’s actually improved over that time, sorry.

Yes to less smoking & better TV programmes in general.

On the thread question — totally agree with app-based banking. Even ten years ago it was a nightmare to do online banking with all those passcodes and “secure key” devices you had to put a card into and then generate a number then add three digits of your auntie’s dog’s birthday or whatnot — so much easier now!

Chip payments rather than signing or chip and PIN.

Choice of food in supermarkets is wider and better, even if prices have absolutely soared. Especially healthier food, salads, non-dairy and grains.

Apple Pay, PayPal, etc.

Weather predictions and real time traffic and map apps like Apple maps are much better.

Biological and chemo infusions like Rituximab which are much more effective for autoimmune conditions and cancer are now routinely used. Cancer treatments are improving all the time.

The UK primary school national curriculum is now really good and much better taught in schools than even 10-15 years ago. (Not so much secondary in fact probably the reverse for secondary).

Much better widespread awareness of sexism, homophobia etc. Even looking at the awful Hollywood comedies of the 2000s, eg. American Pie type stuff, what’s acceptable to say or to laugh at has really changed a lot.

This is a lovely post! I would say comedy is a big one, my instagram is just bursting with amazing, hilarious, original comedy content - some of it is the weirdest niche stuff that perfectly tickles me and makes me feel less alone - this form of short form video comedy straight from creator to audience simply did not exist 10 years ago.

I would say food options are absolutely amazing - cool coffee shops with interesting fresh food offerings, amazing French quality baked goods on London high streets. Sexy cool little wine bars everywhere. Restaurants have really levelled up.

Another one is ease of investing for the average consumer - can invest into basically anything in the world and watch how your portfolio is doing on YOUR PHONE with ultra low fees.

Food delivery, online banking, video calls, teams basically anything that means I don't have to leave the house

Hai straighteners. The years and years horrid frizzy hair. Urgh…

More eco friendly cars, not only the electric ones but petrol ones are also better than in the past.
Electric trains replaced some of the noisy, smelly diesel ones.
I don’t live in London but Elizabeth Line is such a great addition to TFL.
Quicker internet, which is also cheaper than the old fashioned one.
A lot of mobile phone companies to choose from, which makes mobile contracts more affordable.
A lot of streaming services at reasonable price.
Having an option of a phone appointment with a doctor or a nurse. Though it should be an option not the default. However, sometimes you know what is wrong and just need the doctor to prescribe medication.

Sorry, didn’t mean to quote you.

Agreed - some of the things mentioned were definitely 100% around in 2010, e.g. YouTube, or definitely better/more affordable e.g. international travel.

But it’s quite common to get decades mixed up on MN or generally misremember the recent past. Saw on a thread recently someone referring to “quite a few years” of lockdown - it was 16 months start to finish.

That is absolutely amazing. I am so happy for you and your child.

I guess I’m think how easy everything is now re booking excursions, research, tickets on phone etc. Travel seems so much easier now.

I miss smokey pubs.

Noodles of the ramen variety have definitely improved ! Such a selection these days.
Online learning has improved, moocs are brilliant.
Loungewear has been brilliant since we stopped getting dressed for covid and they made it too expensive for us to heat our homes.

Much more choice for vegetarians, vegans, and people with allergies — supermarkets and restaurants cater far better.

I’m often glad of YouTube, for finding out quickly how to do various things.