1. Smoking Everywhere, All the Time
Back in the ’70s, smoking wasn’t just a habit; it was practically a lifestyle. People lit up in restaurants, offices, airplanes, and even hospitals. It’s hard to imagine now, but a non-smoking section in a diner was considered progressive. Cigarette ads dominated TV and magazines, glamorizing the habit to no end. Today, with stricter regulations and a better understanding of the health risks, smoking in public spaces is not only frowned upon but often outright banned. It’s wild to think that the smell of smoke used to be as common as coffee brewing in the morning.
2. Riding Without Seat Belts
If you were a kid in the ’70s, chances are you’ve got memories of bouncing around in the backseat or even riding in the cargo area of a station wagon—no seat belt in sight. Back then, car safety wasn’t top-of-mind, and seat belts weren’t even mandatory in many vehicles. Fast-forward to today, and you can’t drive a mile without the seatbelt alarm reminding you to buckle up. Laws have tightened, and modern cars come with an array of safety features that would’ve seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie. It’s safe to say we’ve come a long way—literally.
3. Watching Three TV Channels
Before the explosion of cable and streaming, your TV options boiled down to three major networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. Saturday mornings meant cartoons, and prime-time viewing was a family event. If you missed a show, that was it—no DVR, no on-demand. You just had to wait for reruns. Now, with endless streaming services, the idea of being limited to three channels feels like a relic from another planet. Yet, there’s something nostalgic about the simplicity of gathering around the tube without being paralyzed by choice.
4. Hitchhiking as a Legitimate Travel Option
In the ’70s, it wasn’t uncommon to see people thumbing a ride on the side of the road. It was a free-spirited way to travel and a reflection of the era’s trust (or maybe naïveté). Today, with safety concerns and countless rideshare apps at our disposal, hitchhiking feels risky and outdated. What was once seen as adventurous now raises eyebrows. The stories you hear about the dangers of picking up strangers or being picked up make you wonder how it was ever normal in the first place.
5. Leaving Kids Unsupervised for Hours
“Be back by dinner!” That was the ’70s version of parental supervision. Kids roamed neighborhoods, rode bikes for miles, and played in parks without an adult in sight. Parents trusted that everyone would look out for each other’s kids, and the world felt a little safer—or maybe people were just less aware of the risks. Nowadays, kids’ schedules are packed with supervised activities, and free-range parenting is a topic of debate. The idea of letting a child wander unsupervised is enough to give modern parents a panic attack.
6. Collecting S&H Green Stamps
Green stamps were the ’70s answer to today’s loyalty programs. Families saved these stamps from grocery stores and gas stations, pasting them into books to redeem for household items or gifts. Flipping through a catalog to choose your reward was oddly satisfying. But in today’s digital world, loyalty points and cashback apps have replaced this tactile experience. It’s hard to imagine a generation raised on instant gratification getting excited about licking stamps and waiting weeks for a reward.
7. Owning a Phone With a Cord
The iconic rotary phone was a household staple in the ’70s. If you wanted privacy, you stretched the curly cord as far as it would go into another room. Calling someone meant committing to the conversation because multitasking while tethered to the wall was nearly impossible. Today, with smartphones that fit in our pockets and allow us to text, video chat, and scroll endlessly, the idea of being tied to a single spot to make a call seems laughable. Yet, those phones never needed charging—a perk we all miss.
8. Wearing Bell-Bottoms Without Irony
Bell-bottoms weren’t just a fashion statement; they were a uniform. Everyone, from rock stars to your next-door neighbor, owned a pair. These wide-legged wonders were paired with platform shoes and colorful polyester shirts. While they’ve made a few comebacks, wearing them today feels more like a nod to retro fashion than an everyday choice. Back then, they were a symbol of individuality and rebellion. Now, they’re costume party material—unless you’re a die-hard vintage enthusiast.
9. Using Encyclopedias for Research
Before Google was a verb, encyclopedias were the go-to source for school projects and general knowledge. Families invested in hefty volumes that took up an entire shelf, and kids flipped through pages to find information. Research was slower but arguably more deliberate. These days, a quick search engine query delivers answers in seconds. The idea of dedicating an afternoon to sifting through books feels unnecessarily laborious now, but it’s a reminder of how much we’ve come to rely on instant access.
10. Decorating With Shag Carpeting
Shag carpeting was the height of home décor fashion in the ’70s. It came in bold colors like avocado green and burnt orange, adding a touch of “groovy” to any living room. While it looked cozy, cleaning it was a nightmare—good luck getting crumbs out of those long fibers! Today’s homeowners prefer sleek hardwood floors or low-pile rugs that are easier to maintain. Still, shag carpeting has a nostalgic charm that screams ’70s in the best (and worst) way.
11. Drinking From the Hose
During the summer, kids in the ’70s didn’t head inside for a bottled water break; they drank straight from the garden hose. It was a rite of passage and a refreshing way to cool off after hours of outdoor play. While it might not have been the most sanitary option, it was convenient and no one thought twice about it. Today, with concerns about water safety and BPA-free everything, the idea of gulping down hose water seems downright bizarre.
12. Making Jell-O Everything
The ’70s were obsessed with Jell-O molds. From savory creations with vegetables and meats to dessert dishes with layers of fruit and whipped cream, Jell-O was a culinary canvas. Every potluck featured at least one wobbly masterpiece. Fast-forward to now, and Jell-O has been relegated to school cafeterias and nostalgic cookbooks. The thought of a tuna salad encased in lime gelatin is enough to make most modern eaters cringe.
13. Listening to 8-Track Tapes
Before cassettes and CDs, there were 8-tracks. These bulky tapes were revolutionary at the time, allowing people to take their music on the road. They weren’t exactly user-friendly—you couldn’t rewind, and finding your favorite song was a guessing game. Today, with digital playlists and streaming, 8-tracks feel impossibly clunky. Still, they hold a special place in the hearts of audiophiles who love the tactile nature of vintage music formats.
14. Typing on a Typewriter
The satisfying clack of typewriter keys was the soundtrack of productivity in the ’70s. Writers, office workers, and students alike used these machines to churn out documents. Mistakes meant starting over or using correction tape, which required precision and patience. While modern keyboards and word processors make writing faster and more forgiving, there’s something romantic about the analog charm of a typewriter. That said, most people today wouldn’t trade their laptops for one.