Every generation has its own set of fads and favorites that seem to stick around until they don’t. As baby boomers are starting to slowly step out of the spotlight, a lot of the things we used to think were normal are also on their way out. Let’s take a look at 18 things that will disappear along with boomers.
The Decline of the American Mall
Malls were practically a second home for many boomers because they were places to shop and meet friends. But with so many people choosing to shop online, retail has changed completely, and so have malls. Lots of them have turned into ghost towns or have simply been repurposed, marking the end of an era.
Cleaner Energy
Coal mines used to power a lot of our homes and industries. Nowadays, we’re more aware of the alarm bells of pollution and have moved towards greener sources of energy, meaning the fossil fuel industry is also suffering. Even though we’re going to lose a lot of jobs, the need for a more sustainable future is more pressing than ever.
Smoking No More
Smoking will never truly go away, as lots of people have now moved to vaping instead. But traditional cigarettes? They’ll probably die out in the next few decades, especially since so many places are toughening up on regulations about them. Don’t be surprised if you’re only able to buy a vape instead of a cigarette in 20 years.
The Thrill of the Hunt
Once upon a time, people would hit up garage sales on the weekend, just before noon, to find those hidden gems. But now, you don’t even need to change out of your pajamas because you can find some treasure on Facebook Marketplace instead. It’s an easy way to find a steal, although you’ll miss out on the thrill of the hunt.
Signatures Lost to Time
Having your own fancy stationery used to be pretty important because it was perfect for everything, whether you were writing a heartfelt thank-you note or a fancy invite. Today, people would rather write quick texts and emails, meaning the charm of something handwritten is fading. Soon enough, these personalized paper goods will just be a collector’s item.
Buffed Out of Business
You used to see a shoeshine stand on every busy corner and airport to get a quick shine and a quick chat. These days, sneakers and casual shoes have taken over, so those stands aren’t as popular. They’ve already become more nostalgic than practical, and they’ll likely disappear completely in a few years.
Calling Us In
When dinner was ready, parents would ring the dinner bell across the yard or block to call everyone home. Many boomers grew up with this sound, especially those living out in the country. Fast-forward to today and parents are more likely to send a text, and that older dinner bell’s just a nice piece of decor.
Out of Pocket
Every well-dressed adult used to carry a handkerchief around in their pocket, but now, they’re more of a relic. Of course, there are some refined people who still carry one, even though most people tend to use tissues. It’s just a lot more convenient and hygienic to grab a Kleenex, even if it’s not anywhere near as classy.
Fade to Black
Forget your smartboards and high-tech equipment because slide projectors used to be the hottest thing in classrooms. Boomers loved sitting by and watching those slides click by with school projects. But now? We have digital slideshows and online sharing, which means no more fiddling with carousels or bulbs. In a few days, people won’t even know what a slide projector is.
Folding the Cards
Bridge is a pretty important game for many boomers because it gives them a reason to get together and have some fun. These days, you’re more likely to find people playing digital games than sitting around a card table. The community part of bridge clubs is disappearing, and online entertainment is going to replace it completely.
Time’s Up
Cuckoo clocks are certainly a unique way of telling the time, thanks to their charming chirps and quirky mechanic dancers. Unfortunately, you’ll mostly just see them in antique shops instead of in people’s homes. We have digital clocks on every device now, and this has made these clocks cool pieces of furniture.
Magazines to Mobiles
In the past, when you went to the doctor, you’d just flick through the magazines while you were waiting to be seen. But in today’s world, we’re all staring out our phones, and that stack of well-thumbed magazines is gathering dust. One day, they’ll probably just go straight in the trash, never to be seen again.
Making a Decision
Back in the day, when you wanted to know what was on TV, you had no choice but to use a TV guide to plan ahead. Of course, it’s a lot easier now since streaming services mean you can watch whatever, whenever, and any TV guides are all digital. What’s the point in looking at pages when you just scroll with your remote?
Toss It, Don’t Fix It
Boomers remember a time when if something broke, you fixed it, and if you didn’t know how, you’d just take it to a local repair shop. Today, replacing things is much easier than repairing them because tech moves faster, and most young people don’t even know how to repair their clothes. Sadly, this means repair shops are probably going to disappear completely.
Tipping Our Politeness Goodbye
It used to be that no respectable adult would ever leave the house without a hat. In our current world, people wear hats more for fashion or function than actual etiquette. The culture of wearing a hat every day has largely vanished unless they’re caps or beanies. One day, the idea of wearing a hat to be polite will seem like ancient history.
Who Writes Those Anymore?
When was the last time you wrote a check? In the age of Venmo and PayPal, writing checks already feels like a chore. Some boomers might still whip out a checkbook now and again, but it’s more of a rarity than anything. Checks are getting sidelined, and they’ll soon be extinct completely.
Keeping in Contact
Whether it’s the look or the feel of dialing, there’s something charming about a rotary phone. It’s a piece of history, really. While boomers might still remember the pain of having to call one of these, most people see them as a cool antique instead of something practical. They’ll probably be in museums pretty soon.
Almost Gone
In officers, printers are starting to disappear, and fax machines are long gone. Email and digital documents are a much faster and clearer way to communicate, so it’s hard to justify the space of a fax machine anymore. Statista reported that only 70 fax machines were sold in America in 2010, and that number’s likely a lot lower now.
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