To start a thread for grumpy old ladies who think things aren't what they used to be

[susanstryingterm]

I'm probably a bit older than the average age on here, and totally emphasised with someone who said, in slightly despairing tones on a thread yesterday 'I sometimes think nobody knows how to behave anymore'.

So:

I think children should stand up for older (60+) people on public transport.
I think weddings should be a 'cut your cloth to suit your measure' exercise.
I think children should be called in by 9pm at latest during the Summer, so that neighbours can get some consideration.

Calling teenage girls tarty needs challenging IMO.

They look like ducks though

Teenage duck faces

Yes it does look daft.

But we all do daft things when teenagers..I remember black tights and white stilettos.

Challenge away! My opinion and aside from 'tarty' it's plain unattractive- all that close up puckering. Why not a nice smile instead of posturing like that..? The very pose has 'a connotation' and this, I have heard form the horses mouth ( teenage girls themselves ) have a peaceful night ??

I wish young children still called their friend's parents Mr or Mrs. Smith. I am always startled by a four year old belting out "Hello Alexandra" to me.

I would outlaw drive through lanes in fast food places. How lazy are you, that you cannot walk into an establishment and place your order?

magimedi, YY to modern cars! Our car tells me there's ice on the road when the temperature drops below a certain point - despite the fact that there never is any ice. It also tells me when to change gear. I took a driving test, for Pete's sake, I know when to change gear. Anyone driving a car who needs a little flashing arrow to tell them when they need to change up shouldn't be driving at all.

There are lots of things that are better nowadays: the fact that racism, sexism, homophobia and disablism are at least theoretically unacceptable; modern medicine; our understanding of environmental issues and initiatives to deal with them; and yes, the fact that we no longer have to have a plan in case they drop the bomb. My mum had a plan, and a place to hide, because it was a real possibility in the 80s. We've got new horrors now, but at least they don't (currently) involve the wiping out of the entire planet tomorrow.

I think its a case of proportionality. Very few want to go back to the attitudes of the seventies. As someone said previously everything is a little bit shit. These are first world problems so no need for anyone to get challenging. Nobody is in mortal danger because of loud music in shops, or barging on the pavement, or inconsiderate cyclists.

However it is reassuring to know that there are plenty of like minded people wandering about with their internal monologue tutting at pre school prom cards and people spitting in the street. Makes me feel better anyway

Crikey, I'd been enjoying this thread since yesterday, until Loaf et al got hold of it? You really don't get subtlety, loaf, do you? Reminiscing about the positives of an era doesn't mean people are saying absolutely everything about that era was perfect. As others have said, we've lost a lot of good things without even noticing alongside all the progress.

Anyway- back on the point. My biggest bugbears:

• consumerism and it's evil twin novelty. People are totally infantilised now with a total fixation with everything new and shiny. Yet another pop up bar or whatever, virtually identical to the last. And yet everyone will make such a big deal out of it. I actively enjoy having ( within reason) limited choice and things staying the same. Now everything is expected to change just for sake of it. New is good. Newer is better. And the hilarious thing is that this attitude has only been created to sell us yet more rubbish. And we've internalised it so much.

• shops closing on Sunday. I loved the ritual and the certainly that Sunday was a day for family meals, walks, or not doing very much. Now every day is the same, and shop workers never get any regular time off at the same time as other people. Again, we think it's a good thing but the real winners are the companies selling us yet more stuff we don't need.

• I think boredom can be brilliant. It's only by being bored that you learn the essential skill of how not to be bored. Kids now will be the most needy, fidgety adults. I'm never bored - I can find what I'm doing tedious, but I can always find something to occupy myself and my brain with.

I'm 34.

Yes it's loaf 'et al' who are in the wrong and not the people making the offensive comments which they are objecting to. Obviously.

I think selfies are the height of self-absorption. I would be very unhappy if my kids got in on the trend.

I think it is sad that you have to think twice before talking to children. I was I a park with my youngest child a few years ago and started talking to a little boy of similar age. His mother said 'Do you know this lady X?'. He told her he didn't, so she said 'Well you mustn't talk to her then.'

Sleepy - and shops being open on bank holidays feel awful but people in retail they need a rest too

Yes it's loaf 'et al' who are in the wrong and not the people making the offensive comments which they are objecting to.

Yes, in this case on threads like this it is. You're sucking the fun out of it. Please stop.

Invisibility.
Over 50 and we become invisible. I never knew that was going to happen until it did.

Well, BUM to that! I'm still here!!

Reminiscing about the positives of an era doesn't mean people are saying absolutely everything about that era was perfect.

I grew up non-white in america, so my whole viewpoint on the "good ole days" is colored by the fact that it was just routine to make fun of people of different races. And that wasn't the half of it. if you had a disability, good luck. gay? forget being a shy teenage gay, even well adjusted adult gays had an incredibly rough time. So, for me, the little things we lost were well worth it. I have so little nostalgia for that time.

Again, we think it's a good thing but the real winners are the companies selling us yet more stuff we don't need.

And women. A lot of these things change because women entered the workforce.

All I can say is watch Wall-E again. Its not so far fetched!

Springsprang yes it's great fun to call teenagers tarts and bemoan it being able to say racist homophobic and disablist stuff.

Sorry for spoiling that fun. How dreadful

"Come on then- what jokes would you be telling which would get you accused of that unfairly then? Am intrigued."

I was actually talking about the fact that a few people laughing and reminiscing on this thread were basically being accused of also wanting to return to the bad things about the past.

God, some people really do know how to throw a dampener on things. This was a light hearted fun thread, but as usually the permanently offended have come clomping on with their 'down with that sort of thing' caps.

Please Fanjo. I think the title made it clear that this was just a bit of light hearted bemoaning of some of the negatives of modern life. You've had your say and obviously this thread isn't for you, but a lot of us are enjoying it in the spirit in which it was intended. Can you not just let us get on with it, instead of reading things into the thread that really aren't there?

Blimey, the people sucking the fun out are the 'grumpy old ladies' complaining about other people coming on and saying that the good old days were a bit shit. I have been good humoured about it, why does it 'derail' a thread?

Re selfies - you know ever since a caveman filled his mouth with some pigment and spat it out over his open hand, people have been doing selfies. Rembrandt loved them, did about 100, he would have loved a selfie stick! People are self absorbed, especially small children and teenagers, it'sone of the things that makes us human, our self awareness and inward looking.

These are some of my favourite selfies -

Anastasia

Frida Khalo

George Harrison

Helllooooo???
Did anyone notice my post about invisibility? Thought not.

(That's a joke in case anyone was unsure)

Did someone speak?

Shoes!

Shoes made from canvas or fake leather used to be cheap as chips and a sign of poverty.
I'm amazed nowadays at the prices of cheaply made canvas shoes such as Vans and Converse (overpriced plimsolls in my book). How did we fall for this? Also the premium prices for 'faux' leather; it is cheap nasty plastic.

Also; the 'green' label attached to consumerism. If you want to be green don't buy unnecessary stuff, patch things up mend or do without. Like people always used to do.

Light heart bemoaning of the negatives of modern life is fine.

Bemoaning of not being able to make racist and disabling jokes..not light hearted.