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10+ Every Day Things We Do That People 50 Years Ago Would Totally Not Understand

by Elana

If you're under 50 years-old, which you probably are if you're reading this, then you might have only a vague concept of what life really was like 50 years ago. The idea of not having the Internet or a cell-phone along is probably tragic to think about. But our grandparents did just fine. 

Actually, if you could time travel and visited the people of the past just a mere 50 years ago and started telling them about your day to day life, there's a good chance that virtually everything you tell them outside of drink a cup of coffee would blow their minds. Or make them look at you like you're absolutely insane.

That said, Reddit asked it's users a simple question: "What things do we do today that people 50 or 60 years ago would think are absolutely ridiculous?"

And Reddit, as usual, delivered with some crazy, but good, answers! Check 'em out!

1. "Having a TV that is flat and hangs on the wall."

Technology has come a long way.1. Guardian

2. "Calling someone's phone to ask them where they are."

Where else would they be?2.  Pinterest

3. "Stealing music and movies from the air."

We pirate all the things.3. YouTube

4. "Smoking outside the restaurant."

If you were born in the last 15 years you probably don't even remember that it was common place for restaurants to have a smoking and non smoking section.4. Good Housekeeping

5. "Wearing ‘distressed’ (i.e. pre-ripped) clothing."

We buy them this way, what's wrong with us? Fashion.5. Pinterest

6. "Describing every single detail of your life, publicly, on a computer that fits in your pocket."

Social Media has us addicted.6. Designtaxi

7. "Taking pictures of your food. It would be seen as a giant waste of film."

Thanks, Instagram.7.  Bluekiteinsight

8. The Moon:

"Refraining from manned space exploration. Fifty years ago mankind was two years away from walking on the moon. They'd be appalled to realize that we just stopped after getting there."8. The Moon:Nasa

9. The Throw Away Generation:

"Throwing things away and getting a new one. Fifty years ago people would have fixed anything that had some sort of hope to be fixed."9. The Throw Away Generation:WordPress

10. PAUSE Live TV? Whaaaaat?

"Being able to record TV shows, watch movies from home, skip ads, and pause live TV would be insane. It's something that we think as normal today but would be a crazy luxury back then."10. PAUSE Live TV? Whaaaaat?Wikimedia

11. "Sending your dog to 'doggy day care' so they can have fun."

Just play with your dog!11.  Funpawcare

12. "Pouring water into bottles and selling them for a dollar or more each."

And nobody drinks out of the hose anymore, either.12.  Amazon

13. "Staring at a telephone for hours."

While the world just passes us by...13.  Pcmag

14. "Locking yourself in a room and trying to escape for fun."

Metaphorical, we dig it.14. Getty Images

15. "Taking out loans to go to college."

Our debt is ridiculous.15.  CNN

16. The social divide:

"Having close friendships with people around the world, but never having spoken to your next-door neighbor."16. The social divide:Kevindailystory

18. "The fact that I can get a plane ticket, read the news, and order food in 10 minutes through a small device while sitting on the toilet."

Nobody even goes to the toilet without their phone anymore.18. HBR

19. "Driving to places less than half a mile away."

Old dude: "What's wrong with your legs?"19.  Clarkallison

20. "Charging your cigarette."

New-fangled devices.20. Vaping411

21. "Walking around with no money in your pocket. Just this little plastic card."

Cash is a thing of the past.21.  la.lv

17. "Telecommuting jobs — having a 'virtual office' in your home."

We get to wear our pajamas and don't have to get our hands dirty.17.  Workingmother

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