The 1980s were a time of big hair, neon colors, and plenty of everyday habits that seemed perfectly normal back then—but now, they feel like relics from another world. Technology, social norms, and even basic daily routines have changed so much that many things we did without a second thought in the ’80s would raise eyebrows today. From how we entertained ourselves to the way we communicated, it’s amazing to see how much life has evolved. Here are some everyday habits from the ’80s that now seem completely out of place.
1. Memorizing Phone Numbers
Back in the ’80s, if you wanted to call a friend, you had to actually remember their phone number. Everyone had a mental Rolodex of important digits, from relatives to the local pizza place. If you forgot a number, you had to hope it was scribbled down in an address book or printed in the phone book. The Ames Tribune explores the downfall of white pages not just for home phones but companies too.
Today, no one even thinks about phone numbers—our smartphones handle all of that. If you asked someone to recite a friend’s number now, they’d probably be stumped. It’s wild to think that we once relied solely on memory to stay connected.
2. Waiting for the Phone to Ring and Hoping It Wasn’t a Stranger
Before caller ID, answering the phone was always a gamble. When the phone rang, you had no idea who was on the other end until you picked up. It could be your best friend, a wrong number, or even a telemarketer trying to sell you something you didn’t need. Gen Z has this too, an affliction CBS has called “phone phobia.”
Now, we check the screen before even thinking about answering. Unknown numbers usually go straight to voicemail, and we’re more likely to text than call. The mystery of who’s on the line is gone, and honestly, most of us don’t miss it.
3. Making Plans Without a Backup Communication Plan
If you told someone you’d meet them at the mall at 3 p.m., you actually had to be there—because there was no way to check in if you were running late. There were no quick texts saying, “Be there in 5!” or “Change of plans, let’s meet somewhere else.” If something unexpected happened, you either waited or hoped your friend figured out what was going on. Interpersonal relationships came easier back then, a trend that The Everygirl says is more important than ever.
Nowadays, we have instant communication, so last-minute changes are no big deal. The idea of waiting around with no clue where the other person is feels unthinkable now. But back then, it was just a normal part of life.
4. Rewinding Tapes Before Returning Them
A trip to the video store wasn’t complete without the reminder to “Be Kind, Rewind.” VHS tapes had to be manually rewound before returning them, or else you risked an annoyed clerk or an extra fee. It was a universal part of movie nights—sitting there, waiting for the tape to rewind before popping in another one. There were even numerous devices dedicated to this task, as explored on Wired.
Now, everything is on-demand, and the idea of physically rewinding anything feels ancient. Kids today have no idea what it was like to hear the whir of a VHS rewinder. And let’s be honest—sometimes we just returned the tape unwound and hoped no one noticed.
5. Getting Film Developed Without Knowing How the Pictures Turned Out
Taking pictures in the ’80s was an act of faith. You snapped a roll of film, dropped it off at a drugstore, and waited days—sometimes weeks—before seeing how they turned out. Half the time, someone had their eyes closed, the shot was blurry, or you accidentally took a picture of your thumb.
Now, we snap, delete, and retake photos instantly, ensuring only the best shots survive. The excitement of picking up a photo envelope is gone, but so is the disappointment of an entire roll of bad pictures. Still, there was something fun about that little bit of suspense.
6. Watching Whatever Was on TV Because There Were No Other Options
If you turned on the TV in the ’80s, you watched whatever was on, whether you liked it or not. There was no streaming, no DVR, and only a handful of channels, so you made do with what was available. If you missed your favorite show, you had to wait for a rerun—no instant rewatching.
Today, we have endless choices at our fingertips, and watching something in real time feels almost old-fashioned. The days of flipping through channels just to find something to watch are long gone. But there was a certain charm in discovering a random show you wouldn’t have picked otherwise.
7. Looking Up Information in Encyclopedias
When you needed to research something in the ’80s, you didn’t just Google it—you pulled out an encyclopedia. Every home had a big set of these heavy books, and if they were outdated, well, that was just tough luck. Finding information took effort, whether it was at home or a trip to the library.
Now, a few taps on a phone bring up more knowledge than an entire encyclopedia set ever could. Kids today will never know the struggle of flipping through volumes to find a single paragraph of information. And let’s be real—half the time, we just made do with whatever was in the first book we grabbed.
8. Using Maps to Get Anywhere
Driving somewhere new in the ’80s meant unfolding a giant paper map or jotting down directions from someone over the phone. If you missed a turn, you had to pull over and figure it out yourself—no GPS to reroute you. Road trips required careful planning, and getting lost was just part of the adventure.
Now, we rely on GPS to do all the thinking for us, and even a simple trip across town is guided by a digital voice. The thought of navigating unfamiliar streets without help seems almost impossible today. But back then, everyone just made it work, even if it meant pulling over at a gas station to ask for directions.
9. Smoking in Public Places Without a Second Thought
In the ’80s, smoking was everywhere—restaurants, airplanes, offices, even hospitals had designated smoking areas. Ashtrays were a common sight on desks and dining tables, and it was perfectly normal for someone to light up mid-conversation. The idea of banning smoking in most indoor spaces seemed unthinkable.
Today, smoking indoors is practically unheard of, and designated areas are few and far between. Looking back, it’s hard to believe just how much smoke filled everyday spaces. But at the time, it was just a regular part of life.
10. Drinking from the Hose Without a Care
On hot summer days, kids drank straight from the garden hose without worrying about bacteria or contaminants. It was cold, refreshing, and the most convenient way to quench your thirst while playing outside. No one questioned if it was safe—we just knew it tasted slightly like rubber and kept us going.
Today, bottled water and filtered systems are everywhere, and the idea of drinking from a hose seems outdated, if not a little reckless. But back then, it was just part of being a kid. And let’s be honest—it did the job just fine.
11. Waiting for the Song You Wanted on the Radio
Before streaming, if you wanted to hear your favorite song, you had to hope the radio played it. Sitting by the stereo, finger on the record button, waiting for the DJ to stop talking was a universal experience. If you managed to record the song without any interruptions, you felt like you’d won the lottery.
Now, any song we want is instantly available, and waiting around for a DJ’s pick seems absurd. But there was something exciting about hearing that first note come through the speakers, knowing you’d finally caught your song. It made the music feel a little more special.
12. Typing on a Typewriter and Using Whiteout
Before computers became household staples, typing meant sitting at a clunky typewriter and hoping you didn’t make too many mistakes. Every typo required either starting over or using a bottle of Whiteout to cover up errors, which often left an obvious smudge. The sound of clicking keys and the “ding” of the carriage return were part of everyday life for students and office workers alike.
Now, we type on sleek keyboards with auto-correct, backspacing without a second thought. The idea of retyping an entire page because of one mistake seems unbearable today. But there was something satisfying about the mechanical rhythm of a typewriter, even if it was a little unforgiving.
13. Buying Concert Tickets in Person
If you wanted to see your favorite band in the ’80s, you had to physically go to a ticket outlet and stand in line—sometimes for hours. The excitement of waiting with other fans, hoping to snag good seats before they sold out, was part of the concert-going experience. There were no digital queues, no bots snatching up seats, and no instant e-tickets on your phone.
Now, ticket sales happen online, often in a chaotic rush of refreshing screens and battling inflated prices. While it’s more convenient, it’s also more impersonal, and the thrill of waiting in line with fellow fans is a thing of the past. Back then, getting a ticket felt like an accomplishment—now, it feels more like winning a lottery.
14. Calling Movie Theaters for Showtimes
Before movie listings were a click away, finding out what was playing meant calling the theater and listening to a prerecorded message. A patient voice would slowly list movie titles, showtimes, and whether a film was sold out. If you missed the part you needed, you had to sit through the entire message again.
Today, a quick search gives you all the information in seconds. The idea of dialing a number and waiting for a voice recording seems painfully slow now. But back then, it was just part of the excitement of planning a night at the movies.
The ’80s were a time of simple pleasures, everyday inconveniences, and habits that seemed completely normal at the time. But looking back, so many of those routines now feel outdated, if not downright strange. Technology and culture have moved on, making many of these habits obsolete. Still, for those who lived through it, these everyday experiences are part of what made the decade so unforgettable.
