30+ Outdated Life Skills That Have Lost Their Usefulness
Things were surely considerably different for our parents and grandparents when they were young. Don’t they keep bringing up the time they had to walk barefoot through four feet of snow to go to school? Even if we have serious doubts about whether they genuinely traveled so far, we do know that they engaged in behaviors that were typical at the time but are now entirely irrelevant. Let’s travel back in time to the Boomer age to discover what they had that is now nearly obsolete.
Phone Number Memorization
Sincerity compels us to admit that we are relieved we do not have to commit any phone numbers to memory. However, the majority of us made use of those fancy record books with the flip-up pages that we kept next to the landline in order to keep track of our calls. Since you now have a minimum of ten digits to remember, isn’t it a relief that we have cell phones to store all of these digits?
Phone Number Memorization
Remember the most significant numbers, like your own! Many people don’t know their numbers! Partners, kids, parents, best friends—remember their numbers. You never know when an emergency will occur without your phone.
Use Of Rotary Phones
It’s interesting to witness the expressions of absolute astonishment on today’s children’s faces as they engage with the various functionalities of their mobile devices. This look appears when people attempt to use all of the capabilities on their mobile devices. They were so simple to operate that even a child could do it, and the distinctive clicking sound they made when the dial was turned made them instantly recognisable. Oh, how I miss the days when everything was simpler!
Use Of Rotary Phones
However, dialing a number took forever, so button phones became popular quickly. If you got a manicure, you would never place your finger in that hole! However, pens worked well.
Using Phonebooks
Once a year, the phone company would compile a book containing all of its customers’ residential and business phone numbers, hand-deliver the book to each of those customers’ homes, and then compile another book with those numbers. Everything in the list has been categorized alphabetically for your convenience, so browse through everything.People would sometimes hold strength competitions to see who could rip one of those thick phone books in half. The winner would be able to brag about it.
Using Phonebooks
It wasn’t an easy task back then, but it’s probably easier now. Phone books, assuming they still exist, are extremely scarce because so few people have landlines these days. Furthermore, you can simply Google any phone number you require.
Making Clothes At Home
Sewing is a gift that, in our opinion, is best owned by those who were born with it already present in their make-up, as this is the case with those persons who were born with it already present in their make-up. In days gone by, the cost of clothing was so high that people had no choice but to construct their own ensembles because they could not afford to buy ready-made clothes.
Making Clothes At Home
Thankfully, times have changed, and dressmaking can now be left to professionals who can work their magic and be compensated for it. However, sewing a button on should be something we all know, right?
Posting Seasonal Cards
Receiving a card in the mail, whether it was a Christmas card, a birthday card, or a picture from a trip, was always a pleasant surprise. It could have been a birthday card, a Christmas card, or a letter from a trip. On the other hand, receiving a card in the mail with a personalized greeting was exciting. On the other hand, best wishes can now be sent electronically thanks to the internet.
Posting Seasonal Cards
Plus, if you want to include a gift, sites like Amazon will handle everything for you. We’re not sure about you, but we’d love to receive a Christmas card. Then then, it could go misplaced in the mail…
Reading A Map
Are you about to start your summer vacation? Are you planning a journey that will require you to drive? Because using an atlas and compass to navigate the world was common for people born during the Baby Boomer generation, you should do the same right now. Absolutely, because of the innumerable new folds that would be created to those massive pieces of cartography, they would be in a highly worn out state by the time the destination was reached.
Reading A Map
You’re lucky to have that and more on your phone or automobile. Gas stations are easy to find. Back then, you had to plan your stops or hope to find one.
Using An Encyclopedia
If you went to someone’s house and saw a whole set of the Encyclopedia Britannica on a shelf, you’d think — no, you’d know — that they were wealthy. If you spotted an entire collection of the Encyclopedia Britannica on a shelf, you’d know. They were a series of volumes, each jam-packed with facts and knowledge on a wide range of topics, from anything to everything. These novels’ subjects spanned from the everyday to the magnificent.
Using An Encyclopedia
You’ve probably seen the meme that says, “Be nice to your Boomers because they grew up without Google.” They had a lot of heavy volumes to look through for information. Hello, Google, where can we get some encyclopedias?
Newspaper Reading
Previously, the majority of important information was disseminated through printed newspapers. Those days have long passed. The vast majority of noteworthy material, on the other hand, is now available on the internet. The young boys who sold newspapers were known as newsboys, and they would shout out the day’s best stories while perched on top of a little box to urge passersby to buy their product. This approach was used when the news was exceptionally important.
Newspaper Reading
With everything moving online and being published at a rapid pace, it stands to reason that traditional newspapers are, if not obsolete, certainly less popular. Why would you spend money on news that was available online the day before?
Using Print Dictionaries
Once again, the ubiquitous availability of the internet has rendered this technology archaic and unnecessary. When you want to look something up, all you have to do is open a new tab on your computer, type in the term you’re looking for, and then click the button that says “search.” This is the case even if some educational institutions mandate that pupils bring a hard copy of the dictionary to class.
Using Print Dictionaries
A dictionary is essential during a game of Scrabble because you want to be sure Grandpa isn’t making up that term above the triple letter! And you know Grandpa isn’t going to want phone or computer proof of his infidelity!
Writing In Cursive
Cursive writing, which is considered an art form, is a skill that, when done right, can result in something that is very pleasing to look at. If you want to learn how to write in cursive, check out these services. Even if you have all of those pretty fonts on your computer, the experience will be different. Even though you have all those beautiful fonts on your computer, this is the truth.
Writing In Cursive
We believe it is unfortunate that schools no longer consider this talent to be vital to teach. Yes, it’s not as vital as Math or English, but it’s still a useful talent to have.
Making Use Of The Library Card Catalog
Before about 15 years ago, if you had a job or assignment to do and couldn’t afford an expensive Encyclopedia Britannica, your best bet was to go to your local library. If you didn’t have access to the Internet, you had to ask a friend or family member who did have access to the Encyclopedia Britannica. If you can’t afford the expensive Encyclopedia Britannica, you can always go to your neighborhood library.
Making Use Of The Library Card Catalog
Each library book has a card and is stored in a cabinet with many lengthy drawers. You would Google the card to obtain the book number, then find the book.
Changing Your Oil
The need that automobile owners submit their vehicles for routine maintenance was formerly enforced with much more severity and precision. If you had a car at the time, you were responsible for performing any necessary maintenance on it because there were not nearly as many mechanics in the area as there are now. This was due to the fact that there were less cars on the road than usual during this time period.
Changing Your Oil
We are grateful that this has changed. Who wants to change their car’s oil when there are individuals they can pay to do it for them? It’s a messy process.
Driving Stick
This makes us feel a lot older than we actually are, which is something we won’t dispute, but we also won’t lie about it either. Despite this, we will continue reading. We have never operated a motor vehicle that was fitted with an automatic gearbox; but, we have been advised that operating a motor vehicle that was fitted with a manual transmission is now considered to be obsolete and should be avoided.
Driving Stick
On the other hand, we have a skill that other people will never have and will never be able to learn. The automotive industry generally agrees that automatic transmissions offer higher performance.
Traditional Grammar
WHY?! Why are our efforts to promote correct grammar not producing the desired results?! This just makes us sad. Texting is the norm in today’s society, and we are fully aware of the truth behind this statement. Texting is an effective form of communication that goes straight to the point. However, this in no way absolves you of the responsibility to use correct grammar; it shouldn’t, should it?
Traditional Grammar
However, we are very happy that phrases like “Any1 for a night at the club?” never became commonplace. Never ever write that, not even if you have to use emojis!
Balancing Your Checkbook
Because checks are so out of date in today’s society, we could just say “write a check” here. Given that we are discussing Baby Boomer life skills that are no longer relevant, this would be an appropriate pick. They have been abolished in a large number of countries around the world. Checkbook balance is clearly a thing of the past because the vast majority of consumers now handle all of their financial transactions online.
Balancing Your Checkbook
Most of our acquaintances. If your grandmother is still writing checks, maybe you can show her the simpler life. She’ll appreciate it—or not if she’s locked in her ways.
Traditional Dating
The vast majority of people in today’s culture utilize online dating services to find a spouse with whom they may spend the rest of their lives. It is unusual for one person to approach another person in person and then ask that person out on a date. This is because asking someone out on a date in person is considered embarrassing. This is owing to the fact that it is unpleasant for both parties involved.
Traditional Dating
Open your phone’s app store and you’ll see many dating applications offering to find your soulmate. “Hey, you’re my person—let’s get together” happens on various kinds of social media, not just dating apps.
Ironing
Among all of the chores that must be completed around the house, ironing is without a doubt the one that a person finds the most unpleasant. We are pleased that the materials used to make clothing have progressed to the point where they only need to be washed, dried, and folded before they can be worn. This has been a long-term aim of ours, and we can finally announce that it has been met.
Ironing
For any occasion, clothes had to be ironed, and some had to be ironed a certain way. Crisp, starched collars were required. Dresses and pants were crease-free. The Boomers may not mind losing this one.
Writing Letters
We are now more connected than we have ever been to friends and family members that we haven’t seen in a very long time because of the way that social media has developed over the years. On Facebook, we can now contact those who, in the past, required us to take the time to write them letters with a simple message that only takes a few seconds to compose.
Writing Letters
Why write a letter, write the address on it, stamp it, and mail it when you can type something up and send it via email? Write occasionally. Compose mailman. I’m grateful.
Making Use Of A Fax Machine
Back in the day, many homes and businesses had a second phone line that was connected to a fax machine. This allowed them to transmit and receive documents over the phone instead of using a separate mode of communication. When a document was inserted into the feeder and the correct number was dialed, the feeder would make a copy of the document and then spit out a facsimile of the original on the other side of the machine.
Making Use Of A Fax Machine
It’s quite clear why this is no longer relevant. Thanks to the advancement of technology, email, instant messaging, and all of these other things are simply so much simpler and better today.
Using An Analogue Camera
What a lovely sunset! Grab your phone, open the camera, and press the button. You have a photograph of your sunset. Getting that ideal sunset image before digital was no easy task! You had to buy a roll of film, open the rear of the camera, insert the film carefully and fast (since exposing the film ruined it), wind it, and then you were ready to shoot that shot. The sun had most likely already set by that time.
Using An Analogue Camera
You had to wait until the film was full before taking it to a developer. Then you’d see if your sunset turned out right, which usually didn’t. Today you can take 100 photos and choose your new Facebook cover.
Getting Up To Change The TV Channel
Every child’s sigh of relief may be compared to the suspense with which they awaited the opportunity to get their hands on the television remote control. It meant they didn’t have to get up and change the channel whenever their father became bored with the news and wanted to watch football instead. Instead, he could just change stations without requiring them to do anything. Instead, they could relax and rest as their father watched his favorite sport on television.
Getting Up To Change The TV Channel
Having said that, Dad had control of the remote, and you could bet it would be lost in the recliner at some time. In that scenario, it’s back to you to find it. Things are much simpler now.
Calling The Phone Operator
There was no such thing as a cell phone in the early days of landlines and house phones, so you couldn’t call a friend whenever you wanted. You must schedule all phone calls ahead of time. You had to call an operator, who was a real person, and they would physically connect you to them. They were the only ones who could connect you to them physically. They were the only ones who could physically connect you to the other individual.
Calling The Phone Operator
Today, we simply ask our phones to call the person we need to chat with, so in a sense, an operator is still present. Depending on your phone, her name is either Siri or Hey Google.
Jell-O Everything
Some things must be forgotten in order for us to move forward, and they must be relegated to the trash bin of history, where they belong. This will allow us to proceed. To give you one example, there was one where everything, and we mean everything, that could possibly be placed inside a Jell-O mold was placed inside a Jell-O mold, including the kitchen sink! This was just one of many examples.
Jell O Everything
You’re probably picturing fruits and other pleasant stuff, but that’s incorrect. Cucumbers and celery were also found in Jell-O. We won’t deny that it was an odd moment. Beautiful but strange.
Using A TV Aerial
You know how when you’re out in the woods and your cell phone has no service and you start crying in front of your parents because you can’t call your boyfriend or girlfriend? You’ve most likely had it before. You’ve most certainly encountered it before. You’ve probably had to deal with that emotion at some point in your life. Televisions, in fact, went through the exact same procedure as all other electronic equipment.
Using A TV Aerial
Yes, those old massive boxes with screens needed an aerial to receive a signal in order for us to watch Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. To boost the signal, the aerial was sometimes coated in tin foil!
Using A Typewriter
The ability to type is an absolute must in order to function effectively in modern society because of the widespread use of keyboards in today’s culture. This makes learning how to type an absolute necessity. But before they were attached to personal computers, keyboards were a component of a single machine known as a typewriter. This was the case before personal computers became widely available. Before the invention of the personal computer, things were always done in this manner.
Using A Typewriter
Inside there is ribbon on some beautiful paper. When a key was pressed, a hammer shaped like a letter struck the ribbon, leaving an impression on the paper. The absence of an eraser served to deter errors.
Looking Through The Sears Catalog
Who doesn’t remember flipping through the glossy pages of the Sears catalog, oohing and aahing over all the wonderful things the shop had to offer? No, neither do we, but we can easily imagine that it caused quite a stir. At Sears, you might find everything from watches to apparel to baby products. It was a department store that stocked everything a person could possibly need, as well as catalogs from which consumers could order.
Looking Through The Sears Catalog
A fantasy! Unfortunately, the company fell out of business, but it was succeeded by other mail-order businesses operating in a similar vein. Even though they no longer provide mail-order products, Sears was a pioneer in the shift toward purchasing online.
Calculating Change
Math. The groaning that is taking place is something that not only is it brought to our attention, but it is also something that we take part in. On the other hand, those who worked as cashiers during the Baby Boomer generation were required to have a strong grasp of arithmetic and the ability to mentally compute change. In years gone by, registers did not come equipped with built-in calculators like those that may be found in modern registers.
Calculating Change
Adding up all the items, adding tax, taking your money, and calculating the change in a couple of seconds because speed is of the importance. Thank goodness we now have calculators on our phones!
Planting Vegetables Based On Moon Phases
Yes, lunar phases. It is suggested that you cultivate vegetables in your backyard; however, doing so in accordance with the phases of the moon is becoming less common and less crucial. Nevertheless, it is still a good idea to do so. It is possible that they are correct in their assertion that the growth of your vegetables would improve, despite the fact that there is not much in the way of empirical evidence to back this assertion.
Planting Vegetables Based On Moon Phases
You did, however, become more aware of Nature and her nocturnal beauty. Aside from that, nighttime gardening produced better results than any expensive “mindfulness spa.” But we think we’ll stick to seasonal gardening.
Using Cassette Tapes
Do you remember listening to the Top 40 on the weekends on your favorite radio station, with your finger hovering over the record button as you waited for the DJ to finish talking so that you could catch and record the newest songs on cassette? Those were the good old days, for sure. It took some serious talent to be able to listen to the song without the DJ or an advertisement interfering.
Using Cassette Tapes
Nowadays, we can just open an app on our computer or phone and search for our current favorite song. Gone are the days when tape cases were loaded with “playlists.” They’re incredibly simple to make now!
VHS Tapes
There is no way that we can have a conversation about cassette tapes without also bringing up the subject of VHS cassettes. It is impossible. The members of the group were unanimous in their opinion that going to the local video rental store on the weekend with their families in order to rent the most recent movies was an excellent activity for all of them to participate in together.
VHS Tapes
Young readers, this was the first Netflix and Chill! Don’t criticize the Boomers in your life—they had to choose a movie for a nice at-home date night. They had to REWIND the movie before returning it!
Using Shorthand
This definitely requires some talent! You’re aware that it’s important for individuals to record the proceedings of meetings, right? Well, back in the day, when they were recording those minutes, they did so by writing down everything that happened. Yes, we are aware of what it is you are considering. Taking notes at a meeting with more than five people presents a number of challenges, and doing so proved to be particularly difficult.
Using Shorthand
As a result, shorthand was invented. Shorthand was a symbolic language that secretaries used to keep note of crucial meetings. They’d later type these up using a typewriter. Meetings can now be easily recorded on smartphones.
Telephone Etiquette
Do you remember when you used to pick up the phone, chat to the person who was calling, and then give them your phone number? We’re still not sure why we did it, but our best guess is that it was to prepare for the chance that the person calling had entered the wrong number by accident. Even after all this time, we still have no idea why we did it.
Telephone Etiquette
Some people still don’t greet others when they meet them. It’s driving me up the wall! In today’s world, a list of your contacts would appear on the screen, and you would respond accordingly. But no goodbye? That’s not very nice!
Using Fine China
On the other hand, this does not necessarily suggest that the use of fine china has reached the point where it is no longer significant at all. The exact reverse is true, as a matter of fact. If you are the type of person who enjoys throwing elegant dinner parties, it is likely that you have some excellent china among the dishware in your collection. This is because formal dinner parties require a certain level of dishware.
Using Fine China
Young Boomers got married and purchased a magnificent china collection. At dinner parties, the nicer the china, the higher your social standing. We’re happy it’s no longer there because it was pricey!
Installing Wallpaper
The application of wallpaper, despite the fact that it looks nice, is a very labor-intensive process. You will need to locate the suitable paste, make certain that you apply an adequate amount to the sheet, and then, while dealing with a paste-covered wallpaper sheet that has a mind of its own, attempt to stick it to the wall in such a way that it is exactly aligned with the rest of the wallpaper.
Putting Up Wallpaper
Nowadays, doing your own painting is more quicker and simpler. Use wallpaperers who have been trained by Boomers or Boomers themselves to create a wallpapered room or accent wall.
Using Home Shopping Channels
The Sears Catalog was one of the resources made available to Boomer generation members, in addition to the other home shopping channels. You could go shopping on your TV if you didn’t feel like traveling to the store or if you couldn’t get to particular stores owing to their location or other reasons. This was an option if you couldn’t get to some stores due to location or other causes. Historically, many people opted to proceed in this manner.
Using Home Shopping Channels
See anything you want, pick up your landline phone, call the number on the screen, place your purchase, and pay via credit card. Today’s easier, right? Especially when certain goods can be delivered same-day!
Yahoo
We were all pretty familiar with the Yahoo website because it was one of the very first websites any of us had ever visited on the internet. This was the case because Yahoo was one of the very first search engines. It was the email platform and search engine that had the most users and the most success in its day, and it’s probable that some Baby Boomers in your life are still utilizing the services that it offers.
Yahoo
Everyone knows a Baby Boomer who will not make the transition to Google or Gmail. When looking for answers, saying “Yahoo it” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Google it.” Sorry Yahoo!
Installing Shag Carpets
Shag carpets were all the rage for perhaps ten years, but thankfully, they are not produced anymore and will never be trendy again. Shag carpets will never be popular again. It is no longer present in any significant capacity. They may give off the idea of being soft, comfortable, and inviting throughout the winter months; nevertheless, the maintenance that is necessary for them transforms them into something that is really unattractive.
Installing Shag Carpets
Nowadays, you may have any sort of flooring you desire in your house thanks to underfloor heating. So from now on, just stick to a lovely, low-maintenance area rug.
Placing Toilet Seat Covers
Oh, joy! Grandma added to our collection of toilet seat covers by sewing yet another one using her needle and thread. This one is an additional addition to our collection. It is a puzzle to me how exactly one might make something that is already repulsive much worse than it already is. Sure, it might feel cushy on your tushy, just like shag carpets do, but what happens when there’s an accident?!
Placing Toilet Seat Covers
The whole idea that the men in your life are absent makes us want to throw up. Ugh. I’m sorry, Grandma, but we’re going to have to make do with the open seat we already have.
Buying Vinyl
Before the widespread availability of compact discs in the 1980s, the most common way for people to play and listen to music was on a record player using a record made of vinyl. It was common practice to consider both the equipment that played vinyl records and the records themselves to be aesthetically beautiful components of one’s home decor. You even have cabinets that have been constructed for the sole purpose of storing your records.
Buying Vinyl
Unfortunately, these records were easily damaged, and you had to take special care of them if you wanted to keep them. They are, however, making a strong recovery, which is encouraging, even if it comes at a cost.
Typing On A Phone
Texting is a prevalent practice in today’s society, but when mobile phones were first introduced, the keypads were placed in a different area from where they are now—not on the screens. You unquestionably advanced your typing abilities as a result of using those antiquated phones. Take a look at this code and see if you can figure out what it says by reading it: 444026066 666802022666 666 633777 (the spaces are only between the letters in the same word).
Typing On A Phone
Nowadays, you only need to hit the key once, and the phone will typically pick up on what you’re saying. Despite the fact that autocorrect has been known to get us into problems… (Answer: “I am not a baby boomer”)
Using Bar Soap
The use of bar soap is not only an entirely outmoded method of washing one’s hands, but it is also, to put it mildly, an unpleasant experience. Because of the increased accessibility of more time- and labor-saving alternatives such shower gels, hand washes, and body washes, the use of traditional bar soap is experiencing a steady decline in popularity. To phrase it another way, we think that this really ought to be the situation!
Using Bar Soap
We understand that times are hard and that bar soap is inexpensive, but with time, it also becomes unsightly and untidy. A bacteria collector, especially if you leave it unclean!