Boy, how times have changed! Growing up in the 1950s and ’60s, we did things that would make today’s youngsters scratch their heads in confusion – or maybe even call the authorities. From hitchhiking across town to letting kids roam free until dinner time, our everyday activities would seem downright bizarre by modern standards. Let’s take a nostalgic look at some of the things we Boomers did that would raise eyebrows today.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Hitchhiking Everywhere
- 2 2. Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
- 3 3. Smoking in Hospitals
- 4 4. Kids Running Wild Until Dark
- 5 5. Drinking from the Garden Hose
- 6 6. Handling Lawn Chemicals Barefoot
- 7 7. Leaving Babies in Cars While Shopping
- 8 8. Writing Checks for Everything
- 9 9. Kids Buying Cigarettes for Parents
- 10 10. Playing with Lawn Darts
- 11 11. Using Typewriters for Everything
- 12 12. Making Plans Without Cell Phones
- 13 13. Having One TV for the Whole Family
1. Hitchhiking Everywhere
Sticking out your thumb was practically a rite of passage in our day. Whether heading to school, the beach, or just across town, hitchhiking was our Uber. We’d think nothing of hopping into a stranger’s car, and most drivers were happy to help out. The idea of getting around this way today would send shivers down any parent’s spine.
Save for later
Want to come back to this story? Save it with your email so it is easy to find again.
2. Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
Nothing beat the feeling of wind in your hair while sitting in the back of Dad’s pickup truck. We’d bounce around on metal truck beds, holding onto the sides as we cruised down highways and backroads alike. Today, you’d probably get pulled over before making it out of your driveway.
3. Smoking in Hospitals
Believe it or not, hospitals used to have ashtrays in every room, and doctors would sometimes light up while making their rounds. Visitors, patients, and staff all puffed away freely. The idea of smoking in a hospital today seems absolutely crazy, but back then, it was as normal as watching the evening news.
4. Kids Running Wild Until Dark
Our parents’ only rule was “be home when the street lights come on.” We’d leave after breakfast and spend the whole day roaming the neighborhood, playing in construction sites, and exploring wherever our bikes could take us. No cell phones, no GPS tracking – just the freedom to discover the world on our own terms.
5. Drinking from the Garden Hose
When thirsty from playing outside, we’d just grab the nearest garden hose and take a long drink. No one worried about water quality or BPA-free materials – that rubber-tasting water was our summer refreshment. Today’s parents would probably faint at the sight of their kids drinking from a garden hose.
6. Handling Lawn Chemicals Barefoot
We’d help Dad spread fertilizer and pesticides on the lawn wearing nothing but shorts and flip-flops. DDT, herbicides, and who knows what else – we handled it all without a second thought. The idea of touching lawn chemicals without hazmat gear today seems unthinkable.
7. Leaving Babies in Cars While Shopping
Moms would regularly leave sleeping babies in the car while running into stores for “just a minute.” Windows cracked, car unlocked – it was completely normal and nobody batted an eye. Today, this would result in immediate police involvement and serious consequences.
8. Writing Checks for Everything
Standing in the grocery line while someone wrote a check was just part of life. We’d fill out checks for everything from gas to hamburgers, carefully recording each transaction in our checkbook registers. Try writing a check at a fast-food restaurant today and watch the confused looks you’ll get.
9. Kids Buying Cigarettes for Parents
Parents would send us to the corner store with a note to buy their cigarettes, and nobody questioned it. We’d hand over the note and money, and walk out with a pack of Camels or Lucky Strikes. Today, this would probably result in the store owner calling Child Protective Services.
10. Playing with Lawn Darts
Those heavy metal darts with sharp points were a standard backyard game. We’d toss them high into the air, aiming for plastic rings on the ground, while kids ran around dodging them. These dangerous toys were finally banned in 1988, but we somehow survived our lawn dart days.
11. Using Typewriters for Everything
Every office had the familiar clickety-clack of typewriters, and making a mistake meant starting over or using correction fluid. We’d spend hours carefully typing letters, reports, and school papers. Watching someone use a typewriter today would be like witnessing a historical reenactment.
12. Making Plans Without Cell Phones
We’d make plans days in advance and actually stick to them, since there was no way to text “running late” or “can’t make it.” You’d agree to meet somewhere at a specific time and just show up. The idea of not being able to instantly contact someone seems almost unthinkable to today’s generation.
13. Having One TV for the Whole Family
The whole family would gather around one TV set, watching whatever Dad chose for the evening. No streaming, no personal devices – just three channels and family compromise. Try telling kids today they have to watch what their parents are watching, and you’ll probably hear “OK, Boomer.”
