to want to go on a visit to the 70s

[morningtoncrescent62]

I'm not dewy-eyed about the 1970s, and I know it was a time of unchecked sexism, racism, homophobia etc., with levels of child abuse that are only now becoming evident. I don't want everything to go back to how it was then. But I do sometimes feel left behind and overwhelmed by how much has changed since I was growing up - a bit like having culture shock when you go to an unfamiliar country. I just long to have a couple of weeks in the early 70s. I'll sing a few New Seekers songs, hang out on a picket line for a bit, do some shopping in Woolworths and C&As and then I'll come back and get on with my life here. AIBU?

YANBU, as I loved the 70s and was oblivious to the sexism and racism, etc. I have nothing but happy carefree memories. But until I finish inventing a time machine, I guess the best we'll get is watching Life On Mars.

You obviously loved those tiger feet.

I am dewy-eyed about it. It's just the grass is greener though I think.

Me and dh often say this (with all the same codas and disclaimers as the op) but we always wonder if everyone stank back then? People smoked everywhere unchecked, didn't shower or wash their clothes anything like today's frequency and chip pan cooking was the norm..we all must have reeked!

Just don't visit in winter. No central heating or double glazing and woollen gloves. I had chilblains all winter.

I read my DM's back issues of Home & Freezer Digest and, I confess, feel a decidedly un-feminist pull towards the 'lifestyle' of the readers...

You could Ride a White Swan back to there ....

I was a 70s teenager.. oops showing me age

One great thing I rememeber was hearing Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars the day it was released..and (not so great) being so jealous of my friend Lin who had seen David Bowie (or David Jones as he was then ) as a supporting act in a pub..

But the frost made such pretty patterns on the inside of the window panes, LynetteScavo.

I totally know what you mean. Things are so glossy and abundant now! It's a bit overwhelming. I can remember the 70s fairly well and my impressions are of a simpler time.

I remember it being a bit shit. Stand pipes, bath sharing, no money, no holidays, no electricity, dull food.

I didn't really like what I remember of the 70s. I found the platform shoes and the big hair really frightening, people seemed like giants from an other planet. I was only 2 in 1980 so I spent most of my time in the 70s under the sideboard or behind the couch

I want to go back to the 80s for a visit.

I would love to see if life really was less complicated but wonder if I would get bored. Two TV channels that finish at midnight ish ( with the national anthem) and absolutely nothing to do on a Sunday.

Meant three TV channels obvs

I think things have been made easier but life seems more difficult now, does that make sense? Life was so simple then

I got married in 1970, both low paid but no trouble getting a mortgage.

No central heating.

No washing machine.

All visitors smoked, unthinkable to ask them not to.

Nylon sheets, anything vaguely energetic meant you slid off the bed.

Happy days.

Down to the video shop on a Friday night.

Life is way more complicated now. No FB/Twitter for a start. I am glad because the bullies would have got me even worse.

I used to get home from school on a rainy day and sit and watch the test card because there was literally nothing on TV.
And I just like to remind people about the "Top of the Tots" albums - chart music, sung by people who sounded vaguely like the originals but not enough to make up for the fact they weren't the originals. I had this one...

I was in my twenties with two young children. Working full time, children in state nursery. Huge buzz from my women's group, excitement and energy of feminist movement. Growing our own veg, shopping in local whole food store and enjoying camping holidays in south of France. Good years.

Trivia - Elton John sang on those top of the pops albums before he became famous.

I liked it when there was "nothing to do" (i.e. no shops open) on Sunday.

I'd like to go back and find my DP. He's fifteen years older than me, so was a trendy flare-wearing young thing when I was starting school in 1979.

I'd have to go back as a teen though - wouldn't want him to babysit me and buy me an ice cream

My dad made his own beer and wine, grew vegetables and learned mechanical engineering so that he could fix his own car without going to a garage. I don't think we ever had a tradesman round to fix anything ever!

Life's pleasures were simple, the Alpine man, penny sweets, school discos, Saturday morning TV, and watching Dallas.

Hmm - that accounts for my previously inexplicable aversion to Elton John.

I'd love to go back to a 70s Sunday. Playing out in the street while Mum made the Sunday dinner and Dad read the paper, listening to Family Favourites on the radio, where they used to send messages to Forces families all over the world. Top 20 countdown at 6pm, then a bath for the new school week. In the summer holidays we might drive to a pub with a beer garden for a couple of hours in the evening.
Life was simpler, my parents were content with what they had and really enjoyed life.