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.

Would people moaning about things being too politically correct now with everyone moaning about saying racist and disabling things really like to go back to the good old tolerant days of the 70s where all sorts of hideous stuff was said? Blimey. And I am 43.

such a great thread!

Throwaway culture bugs me too. But our entire economy seems to rest on people buying stuff. It's a worry.

Err disablist not disabling. Stupid phone.

Do you know love this thread.

Have agreed with OrangeVase on all her points.

I grew up in the 1970s and society had changed so much as to he almost unrecognisable for people today.

Watching some of the 70s tv shows with my teens was funny. They seriously were totally shocked at the sexism and racism which was totally normal then.

I spent my childhood playing out, being terrified by public information films of strangers and train/firework accidents. At tte end of the school day you just left. Even aged 5 no one bithered to see if an adult collected you. Kids walked home. Schools were open to anyone wandering off the street. Teachers smacked you, parents smacked you. If you fell over at school tough luck, no forms were filled out. You just went on the school trips if you were in school. No consent needed.

Your bike was your passage to the world and we cycled miles and just went back for tea.

No mobiles, internet, health and safety culture, no maternity benefits or pay. No equal pay.

I never knew anyone at my school with special needs or even badly behaved. No tantrums or allergy sufferers. No ADHD. Not sure why but can guarantee you that if you stepped out of line you were slapped and slapped hard.

My teenagers are far nicer to their friends than we were. But they are far needier and much much less street wise.

As with everything some better but a lot worse.

Great thread.

Plus..people moaning about Facebook ..I never understand this..just don't have it if you don't want to read what people are saying. Maybe I am still youthful at heart

"I never knew anyone at my school with special needs or even badly behaved. No tantrums or allergy sufferers. No ADHD. Not sure why but can guarantee you that if you stepped out of line you were slapped and slapped hard."

Really?

This is a good thing?

Best just slap the autism out of my DD. And slap her if she starts being allergic to things and swelling up.

Thank god people are more educated now.

Or maybe you were saying that was a bad thing? I hope so.

I'm about to turn 30 but feel much grumpier and older... thought I'd fit right in on this thread but clearly I am more part of the terrible younger generation than I thought! - Thank you Mumsnet for reminding me I'm not old!

Though I have to disagree with Orangevase about it being better that shops are open on Sundays - it's not better for the people who have to work in them! I like the idea that everything possible winds down for one day a week, so as many people as possible can spend time with friends/family together. A day to remember we're human, not just a cog in someone's money making machine.

YY to driving everywhere/ferrying DC's around unnecessarily, and throwaway culture! Then again in my experience it's the older generation who are worst for this, I always assumed because they'd lived through the time when disposable stuff took off and was seen as a convenience thing, but before the "oops what are we doing to the planet" started. Also because they - on the whole - have more disposable income to replace stuff/have a car etc. Although in other areas - eg. fashion - it is massively the other way round.

Also diabolical money management... Not understanding what it essential, or being able to forfeit certain non-essentials now to save up for something you really want later. This seems to cut across class boundaries/income levels too - very odd. (People assumed I was rich due to backpacking as a young person quite a lot. No - I just scrimped and saved on minimum wage and it was so worth it!)

Oh God oh god oh god why does everything have to be a little bit shit... I've been trying to set up internet banking for two bloody months now, is this really an improvement? Apparently I can pick up a security device over the counter, hooray, something in my control at last bet they won't have one in stock

Nothing ever works first time, nothing ever fits right, everybody is so rude and pushy, weddings are bigger than a state funeral (faraway castle, hen week in Venice, kilts, 6 bridesmaids, harpist, fucking owl fgs and they already had two kids together!), I feel so old sometimes

Feel better for saying all that though.

If the phone rings in a shop, the actual customer in there takes priority

It's not compulsory to check your mobile every 5 mins (I know I've been guilty of this before though)

Flip flops, you are so right. Its these individual things that when compounded make me seethe.

Throw away culture is shocking. Natural obselence is built into goods so they break and you have to replace them.

Fanjo, I don't believe most would like to go back to the non PC days of the seventies, but please can we not confuse that with nonsense speak.

Why is the surveyors report " being generated" not just written? Why is my request being "facilitated" rather than just answered. Why is my statement "Not a problem" when I've just responded to the question put to me?

English language is dynamic, but please don't mash it up with idiocies and incomprehensible inanities.

Last week, a dreaded "We can help you claim back.." cold caller referred to me as " babe". BABE!!!! I am 45 with teenage children. I would have hung up, but that would be rude. I politely declined, put the phone down, then seethed at his temerity for the rest of the afternoon.

Such a great thread! :D

Heres another- 'Gender reveal' when I hear it it just makes my skin crawl! Especially when they throw a big party with a cake thats blue or friggin pink inside! Just have the baby!! D:

The fetishing of ridiculously overpriced designer handbags. Appears to afflict women of all demographics.

I often want to say that nobody but nobody notices apart from other gullible idiots like you. Really you would have been better of spending the money on nicer glasses / a decent haircut / bariatric surgery / blepharoplasty.

The first thing that people notice about you are your face or figure, not that bloody appendage you're lugging around.

Joining in as I am in so much agreement about so many of these.

There's a lack of respect of other people today (it's all me me me) and children are now little Princesses/Emperors instead of adults in training who need guidance rather than constant indulgence.

And don't get me started on grammar/text speak and the use of apostrophes.

I sound like a right grumpy person now, don't I?

'Playdates' 'date nights'.

What happened to 'going over to play with Susan'.

Or

'John and I are going to the pictures tonight?'

Elvish I was in a card shop today and you can't scratch your arse without there being a card to celebrate it these days. Does anyone actually buy that stuff? There are congrats on your divorce cards, and 'Troubled Relationship' cards, whatever the fuck they are and next to the new baby cards were 'Parents to Be' cards.

No doubt had I looked there would have been a Parent to be card as well.

I do not want to give my mobile number, my email address and my inside leg measurement every time I pay for some minor item.

I also do not want to be given a customer feedback card to fill out every single time I eat in some chain restaurant.

I want to be left alone to make my purchases and eat my meals in peace thank you.

Hashtags give the rage as well. I'd like to read a facebook status update that doesn't feature a totally pointless hashtag.

Who on earth came up with "gender reveal", surely the baby is born and that is when the gender is revealed? Always worked previously.

Adults in training, excellent phrase Dido. We don't need to indulge our childrens every whim, to encourage selfish behaviour, or to "be friends with them for the lols".

We need to parent our children ie love, nurture, guide, cherish, support and lead by example.

Think of others, be considerate and remember our manners should be our new mantra.

YY to the cards for every little thing, and kids 'graduating' from primary school.

Gender reveals are hideous. Even having a baby has been turned into a pantomime. It's like everyone is starring in their own reality show these days.

ResponsibleAdult I think its an American thing, but its wafted over here!

Its so tedious, everyone is so disappointed we are not finding out the sex of the baby at our scan because 'what are we going to do at the baby shower?!'

The WHAT?! D:

fango I wasn't making any point just merely stating a fact.

Do you know what? We had a table in our class that was referred to by everyone, including teachers,as the dim table. I have no idea if these children has special needs as we just didn't mix with them but I suspect not.

I really really hope this thread isn't going to he policed by those who actually don't remember the 70s so will object to the people who are just sharing the realities of the time. That will be so tiresome.

Oh and I hate the way Christmas has been turned into a big competitive spend fest. What happened to a few knick knacks in your stocking and one big present under the tree, and family calling over for sherry and Christmas cake, and Christmas jumble sales in aid of charity (with some of above knick knacks being purchased there).

Now it's all colour co-ordinated decorations (complete with facebook photos), a pile of presents as high as the Eiffel tower, road rage in every shopping centre car park, and going out to restaurants who have trebled the price and halved the quality of their menu.

well Soduthen, yes these children probably did have SN. Shame for them that noone mixed with them. What you are recounting is terrible sad.

And a) I am not "policing the thread"
and b) I was born in 1972

and yes my typing is a bit off, I have concussion.

this appeared to be a thread about how things were better in the 1970s so your post, to me, needed qualifying.