To ask what you miss the most about the past?

[Appalonia]

Been thinking recently about how much we've lost due to the internet, although of course there are lots of amazing things too. For me, I think I miss things like record stores, long conversations on the phone with friends, so many high street shops that are now gone forever, online shopping just isn't the same, especially as you can't try something on, mix tapes, seeing a film in a big cinema, bookshops, lots of independent shops, so much is commercialised now, department stores, in my city, there was only Debenhams and now that's gone, I miss going into town and browsing, there's nothing left other than pound stores, it's so sad.

What do you miss that modern life has robbed you of?

We were having this same thought at the same time ;)

The early days of facebook, where it was just uni students and it was somewhere to share your pictures from nights out and keep loosely in touch with school mates from other unis. No ads, no news feed, people i was interested in actually posted & communicated.

Now no one really posts and its so boring/irrelevant, its full of junky ads, crap videos and rubbish.

I only stay with a profile because there's a really good advice & support group for a health condition i have on there.

Paper tickets for football. I have a collection and on the odd occasion I look at them, it brings back great memories. Times with my dad, times with my mates - now I won’t have that reminder of the kids first game ect.

Football without statistics. How I miss the days before everything a footballer did wasn’t overanalysed and forums weren’t full of anoraks discussing “financial fair play”.

Going out. People don’t seem to go out as much. That’s admittedly a stage of life thing in our group (young kids) but pubs and bars certainly aren’t what they used to be. Someone above mentioned super clubs - take me back!!!

Butchers & bakers. Growing up there seemed to be a butchers everywhere, and most high streets had at least 1 bakery. They mostly died off when supermarkets really kicked on in the 90s. Now supermarkets have all but withdrawn from having onsite butchers and bakeries, there is a glimmer of hope that they’re coming back.

The ability to do nothing- just absolutely nothing. So much pressure to plan and be organised all the time. Calendars running 18 mo the in advance sometimes. Removes a lot of opportunities to be spontaneous.

Oh it is absolutely awful now. I only stick around because it’s easy to share pics that the grandparents can see, and the local group is utterly insane (but great entertainment value)

My parents and sister.

I miss my childhood - out from dawn til dusk, racing around on my Chopper bike or careering towards the lamppost at the top of our cul de sac on my rollerskates. Munching cubes of jelly sitting in the sun with my mates. Being allowed 5p to spend on the way home from school on a Thursday so I could watch Carries War & eat what I bought every week - 3p packet of salt & vinegar crisps & 4 gobstoppers. Being taken to some amazing places by my parents. My DM has had Parkinson’s for quite a few years & can’t really manage much anymore. No mobiles or internet.

The excitement of getting your camera film developed, not knowing what was on the reel and laughing with your mates when you finally (after waiting a week) picking it up from boots

Yes! Google is rubbish now compared to what it was. If you're looking for niche or specific information then most the time it just doesn't work, even if you use all the tricks.

Social mobility.
Or family suffered a serious calamity and ended up at the bottom of the heap, but there were social security ladders you could use to climb out (funded adult education being one) So although I grew up in poverty my parents were able to use the social mechanisms available to change our circumstances and make us net contributors. Also, sister got full grant to go to uni and did, her life was transformed and she has contributed to much society in the NHS.
By the time it was my turn there were no grants, I was very financially risk averse given my background so didn't go and my life has not seen the same surety of success, though I've done ok.
For those at the bottom of the heap now, there are far fewer ways for you to turn things around for those who want to, so you're trapped.

Yes getting photos developed! Always seemed like your holiday was never really over until you’d seen the photos. Poring over the photos and lovingly putting them in an album.

I miss peace and quiet. At home, someone always has a gadget on that’s making noise (tv, social media etc). It’s affecting my mental health, but it’s hard to explain to dh, dc that the constant noise is annoying.

I miss the family-friendly, funny tv shows like the sitcoms of the 80s and 90s. They were usually on once a week and the storylines were lighthearted. Nowadays most tv shows are dark and gritty, usually dealing with controversial themes or have unnecessary levels of sex and violence.

I remember not having to print out tickets and do more admin for companies on a tiny smaetphone screen. Yes it was more hassle to deal with post but there seemed to be less paperwork than there is nowadays.

I also miss the spontaneous playing the fool pranks. I think everyone is worried about being filmed and put on YouTube nowadays.

Also people had to ask each other out on dates and you'd find out things about them as you got to know each other. Nowadays you're more likely to meet someone online and go for a Costa after looking at their carefully put together profile page which takes a lot of the excitement and mystery away.

I was shopping in December once and randomly witnessed the arrival of the Jenners christmas tree. They had to remove side doors to get it in, and a very jolly bunch of rugby players were roped in to carry it! Happy days.

A dear friend was a manager in there and I had a backstage tour. Bloody fascinating building. You could still see the outlines where they had maids room type accommodation in the top floor for shopgirls. Totally insane layout for modern needs, but I'll never forget the world's smallest escalator or the steps down to the toy department as long as I live.

I grew up in the 60s/70s and remember small independent toy shops. They had an intoxicating exciting smell of new plastic and rubber that you just don’t get in Hamleys and the like. Even Waterstones doesn’t smell like the bookshops of my childhood.

Optimism, social mobility, affordable housing and the security/work opportunities/flexibility that it gave, affordable education and being able to learn a new skill or build/change careers by studying after work for a few pounds, having swishy hair

70s and 80s music and real pop stars with ability- today's "music" is awful.

Recording the week's top 30 every Sunday on a cassette recorder trying to avoid recording the announcer between songs amazing sense of achievement when you timed it right!

Top of the Pops

Small shops on nearly every street corner before the supermarkets killed them off.

Being able to be spontaneous when attending events and attractions - just turning up and paying at the door. Now everything has to be booked in advance which can often be stressful with having to pre-plan everything and risk losing your money if plans change, bad weather, transport problems etc mean you can't get there.

Being able to chill and do nothing, especially when hanging out with friends, where silent pauses didn't feel awkward and there was no pressure to "entertain" - now with SM, everyone seems "high" all the time, either on their phones or feel pressure to tell each other what they've seen on SM, sharing images/videos etc. Back before SM, just sitting and occasionally chatting was akin to meditation - you had time to empty your head but now we have constant bombardment.

TV shows in the 70s/80s used to have much more memorable theme tunes. There was a TV drama called The Brothers on a Sunday evening that I would watch with my parents as a teen. Listening to the theme brings back the most piercing memories of those Sunday evenings.

Smash Hits, Chelsea Girl, a 10p mix up, sledging on your mam's tin tray every winter, giving four rings from the phone box for a lift home, bigger chocolate bars, Schofield's department store...

Labour government.
Manners.

How tidy everywhere seemed
People dressing up more, taking pride in their appearance rather than slobbing around

See this i disagree with, i think the shift to relaxed, comfortable, warm clothing is much better. I remember as a child not being allowed near my mum all dressed up with a face of makeup on, same with my dad in his work suits etc, worried we'd crumple stuff or get grubby marks on it. Everything was so formal. My children get a lot more hugs and everyone gets more exercise now.

Waiting for your holiday photos to arrive
Reading newspapers
Going to a travel agent
Being slim
Smoking

70s and 80s music and real pop stars with ability- today's "music" is awful.

I agree. I feel blessed to have grown up with the lush romantic melodies and joyous disco anthems of the 70s and early 80s. Disco Inferno anyone?

Earning more money than my bills cost
My youth, energy and looks
Fewer cars on the road, although the roads were worse so travel took longer
Independent shops
Quality department stores
Service at petrol stations (someone to fill up the car for me)
Slower pace of life
Traditional big family Sunday roast lunches - adult DCs have too much else to do these days or are vegan or on other diets, etc.
GPs doing home visits
Local village policeman who knew everyone
Cleaner town centres
Less bad behaviour, drunks or homeless making the place feel generally unsafe.
More fields and greenspace