Ah, the ’80s—a time of big hair, neon colors, and questionable life choices. While nostalgia makes everything seem charming in hindsight, some of the things Boomers did in the ’80s would raise more than a few eyebrows today. Here are some of the most head-scratching habits and trends that now seem downright ridiculous.
Smoking… Everywhere
Back in the ’80s, cigarettes were practically a fashion statement. You could smoke in restaurants, airplanes, shopping malls, and even hospitals. Imagine lighting up next to someone in a waiting room today—security would tackle you before you could say “Marlboro.”
Drinking and Driving Wasn’t That Big of a Deal
DUIs existed, but attitudes toward drinking and driving were shockingly lax. Many people considered it normal to crack open a cold one while behind the wheel. Thankfully, tougher laws and social awareness have made this an absolute no-go today.
Leaving Kids Unsupervised (Like, All the Time)
Boomers perfected the art of benign neglect. Kids roamed the streets on bikes until the streetlights came on, hitchhiked to concerts, and played in dirt lots without supervision. Today, letting a kid walk to school alone might get Child Protective Services involved.
Answering the Phone Without Knowing Who Was Calling
Caller ID was a luxury not everyone had, so answering the phone was a thrilling game of mystery. It could be a friend, a telemarketer, or your mother-in-law checking in for the third time that day. If it was a prank call, you couldn’t even block the number—just had to hope they’d get bored eventually.
Using the Yellow Pages
If you needed a plumber, you didn’t Google—it was time to flip through a massive, unwieldy book of business listings. The Yellow Pages were basically the pre-internet, but with the added fun of paper cuts.
Decorating Everything With Wood Paneling and Carpeted Bathrooms
Boomers had a love affair with brown and beige. Wood-paneled walls, shag carpeting, and carpeted bathrooms (ew) were all the rage. Now, we just shake our heads and thank the design gods for modern aesthetics.
Wearing Aerobics Outfits… Everywhere
Leotards, leg warmers, and neon spandex weren’t just for the gym; they were acceptable everyday wear. Now, unless you’re starring in an ’80s-themed TikTok, you’d probably get some odd looks.
Carrying a Checkbook Everywhere
Before Venmo and Apple Pay, Boomers had checkbooks. Writing a check at the grocery store was a whole performance, requiring careful balancing of ledgers and signature perfection. And if you were in line behind someone paying with a check? You might as well have set up camp.
Leaving Answering Machine Messages Like a Mini Speech
In the pre-text era, voicemail was serious business. People left long messages detailing everything they were doing, where they would be, and when they expected a callback. No pressure!
Wearing Huge, Teased Hair With a Full Can of Hairspray
Big hair didn’t just happen—it required half a can of Aqua Net and a strong commitment to teasing. The ozone layer still hasn’t fully forgiven the ’80s for this.
Using Payphones (and Actually Having Quarters for Them)
Need to make a call? Find a payphone. And if you didn’t have quarters, good luck! Now, payphones are basically ancient relics that Gen Z only knows from movies.
Hoarding Tupperware Like Treasure
Tupperware parties were all the rage, and every household had a towering collection of plastic containers. Losing a lid was a small domestic crisis, and reusing old margarine tubs was practically a sport.
Watching TV on a Tiny Screen With No Remote
Flat screens? HD? Binge-watching? None of that existed. If you wanted to change the channel, you had to physically get up and turn a dial. And if the antenna wasn’t cooperating, someone had to stand there holding it just right.
Owning Encyclopedias
If you needed to research something, you didn’t pull out your phone—you pulled out an encyclopedia. Every household had a heavy, expensive set of books that were outdated almost as soon as they were printed.
Saving Every Plastic Bag Like a Precious Commodity
Boomers never threw away plastic bags. Instead, they stuffed an entire cabinet full of them “just in case.” Some still do this, but in the age of reusable totes, it’s less necessary than ever.
Renting Movies from Blockbuster (and Racking Up Late Fees)
There was no Netflix or on-demand streaming in the ’80s—if Boomers wanted to watch a movie, they had to physically go to Blockbuster, browse aisles for what felt like hours, and pray that the last copy of Titanic was still available. And heaven forbid they forgot to return it on time—late fees could practically buy another VHS tape!
17 Things Boomers Got Right (and Millennials Secretly Admire)
From handwritten notes to rock-solid relationships, their “old-school” ways often remind us that not everything needs an app or shortcut. Whether we like it or not, there are those moments when you cannot help but say, “Okay, that’s actually kind of brilliant.”
17 Things Boomers Got Right (and Millennials Secretly Admire)
22 Things People Miss Most About Pre-Internet Life
People actually lived —like, in real life. No doomscrolling, no fighting with strangers for no purpose, and no urge to post everything online. Here’s what people miss most about the wild, Wi-Fi-free days of pre-internet life.
22 Things People Miss Most About Pre-Internet Life