Times have changed a lot since our grandparents were young. What was standard back then can seem strange or even shocking to younger people today. Many habits and behaviors that were common in Grandma’s day would make Millennials shake their heads in disbelief.
In this blog, I’ll explore 25 common behaviors from our grandparents’ era that would make Millennials cringe.
Smoking While Pregnant
In Grandma’s day, many women smoked during pregnancy. Doctors didn’t know how harmful it was to the baby. Some even thought it helped reduce stress. Today, we know smoking can seriously harm unborn babies. The idea of a pregnant woman smoking would horrify most people now.
Kids Riding in the Car Without Seatbelts
Car safety wasn’t a big concern in the past. Kids often rode without seatbelts or even in the back of pickup trucks. Parents didn’t realize how dangerous this was. Now, strict car seat laws protect children. The sight of an unrestrained child in a moving car would likely cause panic among modern parents.
Using Lard for Cooking
Lard was a common cooking fat in the past. People used it for frying and baking, and they didn’t worry about cholesterol or heart health. Today, most people avoid lard and use healthier oils. The amount of lard used in old recipes might shock health-conscious Millennials.
Letting Kids Play Unsupervised All Day
Children used to play outside all day without adult supervision. Parents weren’t worried about strangers or accidents. Kids would come home when the streetlights came on. This level of freedom would shock many parents today. The idea of not knowing where your child is for hours would cause anxiety for most modern parents.
Corporal Punishment in Schools
Teachers could physically punish students in the past. This included hitting kids with rulers or paddles. It was seen as a regular disciplinary strategy. Now, this is considered abuse in most places. The thought of a teacher hitting a student would likely lead to immediate legal action in modern schools.
Drinking and Driving
People used to be much more relaxed about drinking and driving. There were fewer laws against it. Some even thought having a drink while driving was fine. Today, this behavior is seen as extremely dangerous and illegal. The casual attitude towards drunk driving in the past would horrify most Millennials.
Using Lead Paint
Lead paint was common in old houses. People didn’t know it was toxic, especially for kids. They liked it because it was durable and bright. Now, removing lead paint is a big safety concern in older homes. The presence of lead paint in a home today would likely prevent many young families from buying or renting it.
Littering Without Thinking
Throwing trash out of car windows was once normal. People didn’t worry much about the environment. There were few anti-littering laws. Today, this behavior is seen as selfish and harmful. Seeing someone casually litter would likely prompt immediate criticism from environmentally-conscious Millennials.
Doctors Recommending Cigarettes
Some doctors used to say smoking was good for you. They even appeared in cigarette ads. People trusted these recommendations. Now, we know smoking causes many health problems. The idea of a doctor promoting cigarettes would seem like a bizarre joke to most young people today.
Kids Working Dangerous Jobs
Child labor was more common in the past. Kids often worked in factories or farms, and this was seen as normal and necessary. Today, we have strict laws to protect children from dangerous work. The sight of children working in hazardous conditions would likely prompt calls to child protective services.
Using Asbestos in Buildings
Asbestos was used extensively in old buildings. People thought it was great for fireproofing, but they didn’t know it could cause cancer. Now, removing asbestos is a big, expensive job. The presence of asbestos in a building today would cause immediate concern and likely require professional removal.
Racist and Sexist Advertising
Old ads often contained racist or sexist messages. This was considered normal and funny at the time, and people didn’t think about how hurtful these ads were. Today, such advertising would cause outrage. The casual racism and sexism in old ads often shock younger generations when they see examples.
Also read: Life After 70: 21 Actions to Stop for a More Mature You
Not Wearing Helmets While Biking
Bike helmets weren’t common in the past. People didn’t think about head injuries. Kids and adults rode bikes without any protection. Now, helmets are seen as essential for bike safety. Seeing a child biking without a helmet today might prompt concerned strangers to speak up.
Using DDT for Pest Control
DDT was a popular pesticide in Grandma’s day. People sprayed it everywhere to kill bugs. They didn’t know it was harmful to animals and humans. The chemical is now banned in many countries. The idea of spraying a known toxic chemical around homes and schools would be unthinkable to most people today.
Sunbathing Without Sunscreen
People used to sunbathe for hours without protection, even using oil to get darker tans. The dangers of skin cancer weren’t well known. Now, sunscreen is a must for sun safety. The sight of someone intentionally tanning without sunscreen might prompt warnings from health-conscious onlookers.
Leaving Babies in the Car While Shopping
Parents used to leave babies in the car while they shopped. They didn’t worry about overheating or kidnapping. This was seen as convenient. Today, it’s considered very dangerous and often illegal. Seeing a baby left alone in a car would likely result in a call to the police in modern times.
Using Mercury in Thermometers
Mercury thermometers were common in the past. People didn’t realize mercury was toxic. If a thermometer broke, kids might play with the mercury. Now, mercury thermometers are rarely used. The casual handling of mercury would be seen as a serious health hazard by today’s standards.
Openly Discriminating in Hiring
Employers could openly refuse to hire people based on race or gender. This was legal and common. Job ads often specified “men only” or “whites only”. Such discrimination is illegal and shocking today. Seeing a job ad with discriminatory language would likely result in immediate legal action and public outcry now.
Kids Having Access to Guns
Guns were often kept unlocked in homes. Kids might have their rifles for hunting. Gun safety wasn’t stressed as much. Now, safe gun storage is a big concern for parents. The idea of children having easy access to firearms would be alarming to many modern families.
Dumping Trash in Rivers and Oceans
People used to dump trash directly into water bodies, without considering pollution or marine life. Some towns even had garbage barges. Today, this would be seen as a serious environmental crime. The sight of someone throwing trash into a river or ocean would likely prompt immediate protests from environmentalists.
Using Typewriters Instead of Computers
Typewriters were the main writing tool in offices. Mistakes were hard to fix and required white-out. Sharing documents meant making physical copies. The idea of not using computers for work would baffle many Millennials. Most young people today have never even seen a typewriter in person.
Ignoring Food Expiration Dates
People didn’t pay much attention to food expiration dates. They relied on smell and taste to judge if food was good. Throwing out food just because of a date seemed wasteful. Now, following expiration dates is seen as important for food safety. The casual attitude towards expired food might make many Millennials feel queasy.
Making Kids Finish Their Plate
Children were often forced to eat everything on their plates. This was seen as avoiding waste and being grateful. Parents didn’t worry about overeating. Today, this practice is thought to lead to unhealthy eating habits. Forcing a child to eat when they’re full would be considered poor parenting by many modern standards.
Using Pay Phones
Pay phones were everywhere for making calls away from home. People had to carry coins and wait in line to use them. Finding a working pay phone was sometimes a challenge. The idea of not having a cell phone would be strange to many young people today. Many Millennials have never even used a pay phone in their lives.
Ignoring Mental Health Issues
Mental health problems were often ignored or hidden in the past. People were told to “toughen up” or “get over it”. Seeking help was seen as a weakness. Now, mental health is recognized as important and seeking help is encouraged. The dismissive attitude towards mental health issues in the past would likely anger many mental health advocates today.
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