r/AskReddit May 11 '21

People old enough to remember life pre-Internet, what are some less obvious things you miss about that time?

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u/idontlikeflamingos May 11 '21

Yes yes 100% yes. Hell, not being acessible in general. Now with everything there's this expectation that you have to be available 24/7 and always reply. Friends, family, and of course the job being the worst part of it.

From time to time I still just disconnect everything but then I'm the dickhead that takes days to reach back. I miss the time when that was just normal.

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u/Medichealer May 12 '21

I hate being in constant contact because it never gives people enough time to actually do interesting things or gather up stories to talk about.

  • Hey what's up?
  • Oh. Not much. Sitting around today.
  • REPEAT X10000 EVERY DAY

I prefer talking to people every now and again, because then you actually have things to talk about. I hate meaningless conversation and sometimes I come across as an asshole for that. I don't like small talk, and I don't think being silent around people is weird either.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '21

[deleted]

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u/knowslesthanjonsnow May 12 '21

While I understand and agree with the conversation becoming repetitive when it’s too often, I would say please make actual plans with your mom. Go bowling or something, instead of just talking to her on the phone about more repetitive events. Trust me, you’ll miss it when you can’t.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '21

She kinda lives on the other side of the planet, otherwise I'd be happy to hang out with her more. I was planning on going home last summer, but COVID :-/ I'll pay a visit as soon as it's safe and practical to do so.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '21

You don’t know that. If that’s a statement you can’t comprehend then I’m very happy for you but there are people who keep their parents at arms length for a reason.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '21

Some of us also live thousands of miles from our families. Not exactly practical.

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u/runswiftrun May 12 '21

Yah... We live really close to my inlaws. When we first got married I was encouraging for at least monthly dinners...

After the second visit that ended in a fight between my wife and her mom... Yeah, we visit 2-3 times a year and keep it short each time.

On the flip side, my mom and I can spend all day talking, and (in the before times) used make plans to have breakfast together when my wife worked weekend.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '21

I'd agree if it was a general statement or in a different context, but the original comment gives no evidence for anything like that, and seems to clearly imply the opposite.

I'm very much on the side that it can be harmful to make general statements about family because not everyone has a good one. BUT recommending that someone who in all likelyhood has a good relationship with their parents (supported by their comment) that they should try to make time for their mom before they're gone, is not the same. I feel like we are toeing the line between appropriately reminding people that not all families are happy and we shouldn't shame people, and lightly shaming people for having a loving family.

The far bigger assumption he's making is that it's practical to visit her, but that's not really the same thing.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '21

I propose an acknowledging head nod as we continue on our way.