Mr ColinG Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 60's, 70's and early 80's probably shouldn't have survived, because our baby cots were covered with brightly coloured lead-based paint which was promptly chewed and licked. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, or latches on doors or cabinets and it was fine to play with pans. When we rode our bikes, we wore no helmets, just flip-flops and fluorescent 'spokey dokey's' on our wheels. As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or airbags - riding in the passenger seat was a treat. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle and it tasted the same. We ate chips, bread and butter pudding and drank fizzy juice with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing. We shared one drink with four friends, from one bottle or can and no-one actually died from this. We would spend hours building go-carts out of scraps and then went top speed down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into stinging nettles a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We would leave home in the morning and could play all day, as long as we were back before it got dark. No one was able to reach us and no one minded. We did not have Play stations or X-Boxes, no video games at all. No 99 channels on TV, no videotape movies, no surround sound, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no DVDs, no Internet chat rooms. We had friends - we went outside and found them. We played elastics and rounders, and sometimes that ball really hurt! We fell out of trees, got cut, and broke bones but there were no law suits. We had full on fist fights but no prosecution followed from other parents. We played chap-the-door-run-away and were actually afraid of the owners catching us. We walked to friends' homes. We also, believe it or not, WALKED to school; we didn't rely on mummy or daddy to drive us to school, which was just round the corner. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls. We rode bikes in packs of 7 and wore our coats by only the hood. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of...They actually sided with the law. This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. And you're one of them. Congratulations! Pass this on to others who have had the luck to grow as real kids, before lawyers and government regulated our lives, for our own good. For those of you who aren't old enough, thought you might like to read about us. This my friends, is surprisingly frightening......and it might put a smile on your face: The majority of students in universities today were born in 1986 They are called youth. They have never heard of We are the World, We are the children, and the Uptown Girl they know is by Westlife not Billy Joel. They have never heard of Rick Astley, Bananarama, Nena Cherry or Belinda Carlisle. For them, there has always been only one Germany and one Vietnam. AIDS has existed since they were born. CD's have existed since they were born. Michael Jackson has always been white. To them John Travolta has always been round in shape and they can't imagine how this fat guy could be a god of dance. They believe that Charlie's Angels and Mission Impossible are films from last year. They can never imagine life before computers. They'll never have pretended to be the A Team, RedHand Gang or the Famous Five. They'll never have applied to be on Jim'll Fix It or Why Don't You. They can't believe a black and white television ever existed. And they will never understand how we could leave the house without a mobile phone. Now let's check if we're getting old... 1. You understand what was written above and you smile. 2. You need to sleep more, usually until the afternoon, after a night out. 3. Your friends are getting married/already married. 4. You are always surprised to see small children playing comfortably with computers. 5. When you see teenagers with mobile phones, you shake your head. 6. You remember watching Dirty Den in EastEnders the first time around. 7. You meet your friends from time to time, talking about the good old days, repeating again all the funny things you have experienced together. 8. Having read this mail, you are thinking of forwarding it to some other friends because you! think they will like it too... Yes, you're getting old!! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":coffee:" border="0" alt="coffee.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I was in born in 1984 and that first part about being young and playing out with friends, having no mobile phones etc is so true, i remember it like it was yesterday....well nearly! I used to love making tree houses and falling out of them and making jumps for my bmx and falling off that too and i used to love playing football on the local field with coats as goal posts, kids can't do that anymore as they may hurt themselves or be abducted. But the second part about the technology etc is also a part of me, so i believe i have had the best of both worlds style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyA Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Quality and so true!!Im 29 and really starting to feel old! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridLupo Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Born in 1984 and the bulk of that is true apart from playing all day and coming home before it was dark. I used to come home for food as well lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 (edited) It's weird reading hat statement, but when you do you realise how bad thing have actually become. I used to go out all day in the summer on my bike in the sun with my mates and i couldn't have been any older than 5, i had a great time and i know for sure my mum and dad wouldn't have worried about me. I can't see that it's the same for kids today, i think with the way things are now, kids aren't taught initiative and it's very sad. Edited February 25, 2007 by db Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 35 and scars to prove it from bmx'ing, building camps ,making ramps to jump your mates whilst lying down was an everyday favourite along with playing in the blocks of derilict flats with no lifts or windows and 15 floors to hide in or throw toilets out of....lol made a mint noise as they crashed in the car park. trying to contact the dead in mates houses with the lights off and early sexual experiances usually after school disco's after consuming cider. happy day's style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Born in 1986, and I agree!Never did me any harm style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />I do feel old for my age, mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArosaMike Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I guess I'm the last of the bunch style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" /> I was an 84 kid....I very much remember life before computers and DVDs and I used to spend the whole day with my mates building forts in the trees, seeing who could make the longest skid mark on the road with their rear bike tyre and then trying to go as fast down a hill in my mates peddle tractor until one of us inevitably fell off at high speed! LOL I have to say I feel quite privileged to have know the world before the internet and mainstream computing. I can remember my dad getting an Apple PowerBook laptop in about 91 or 92 and thinking it was amazing. It had a Black and White screen and was about 5in think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreno510 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Does anyone build bogies anymore ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimlouwa Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I've read this statment before, and i love it more everytime. I was only just discussing my younger days the other day, with my dad. I was saying how privelaged i felt to have grown up with all them experiences and that i feel that as a 1984 baby, i was near the deadline of all them good times. Even as a girl, i hung out with all the lads...making go-karts, swinging from tree swings (and falling off), playing field sports (each of our dads taking turns to mow the field, lol), climbing trees, going down the woods on our bikes and daring each other to ride 'the witches ditches', the list is endless.Kids have no initiative these days, it really annoys me...but, i'm gonna stop the rant now, cos i'm starting to sound old. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad.gif" /> x Kim x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picola Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I remember dragging a kid through cow crap, and having the police visit twice.Been a kid in the 80's was ace. I mean, Dogtanian beats any of the ***** on now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramirez Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 My Dads first computer was a Commador 64, circa '82 tape deck and everything. I was amazed that it only took half an hour to load a program.5. When you see teenagers with mobile phones, you shake your head. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stig247 Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 making ramps to jump your mates whilst lying down was an everyday favouritei remember doing that quite often style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> , i was born in 83 and the early days were the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philplop Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Me and my mate used to make bike jumps all the time out of bits of wood and bricks. Made one that went up down up down up down up, etc. Course, it all fell apart when you tried to ride over it. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" /> I was born in 86. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 i had a great childhood making mud pies and playing lego. kids definately grow up way too quick nowadays! i remember my first computer was an amiga 500+ and i had 3 games captain planet, lemmings and bart simpson. you had to swap the discs over half way through to keep the games going. superb style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noddy Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 My Dads first computer was a Commador 64, circa '82 tape deck and everything. I was amazed that it only took half an hour to load a program. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />i was born 83 and so wish we were back in the 80's i used have a motor bike an would take it on to waste land and my mum would not care as she knew we would be home when we ran out of juce i'm 23 and she now rings me just to check i'm ok as she seen a amblance go passed . i wanna be a kid again style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallika_Fan Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 My Dads first computer was a Commador 64, circa '82 tape deck and everything. I was amazed that it only took half an hour to load a program. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />Hehe, i still have mine, it's in the loft at my folks place.Being an '81 kid i know all of the above. And miss it, it ain't the same these days, kids are too lazy and everything is about looking cool. No fun anymore!Not going to be the same when i have kids as it was for me... although gonna try like hell to teach them how to have fun.ps. i remember also trying to create long skid marks, especially with my bmx...with blue tyres....!!! Blue skid marks! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shades:" border="0" alt="shades.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDGM Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 1970 vintage.I remember...fitting cowhorns on my racing bike when I went to secondary school to make it cool,going to Roller City in Rochdale and coming back with bruises and blisters,my old narrow skateboard with wide, clear wheels,getting a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k for Christmas in 1982,how heavy a Raleigh Burner was compared to a Mongoose,there not being anything on telly (literally) until the afternoon,having to watch Swap Shop instead of Tiswas because my Mum said so,my Dad filling an E-type with 5 star petrol,and the local soap box derby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whyme Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Been a kid in the 80's was ace. I mean, Dogtanian beats any of the ***** on now.I remember having a Dogtanian themed birthday party!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigz™ Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 1980 here!Great thread, cant belive how true it is.I remember when all this was fields.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichC Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 *sob* the memories make me cry.... I was born in the sixties (just)Playing on building sites, riding bikes off scaffolding. Rope swings, Budgie, Chopper and Griffin bikes. I had a ZX80, Camputers Lynx, Oric & a Dragon 32 etc. 'Cheeky' comics... before they merged which 'Whizzer & Chips'Who remembers Wordy from school TV? School milk.. 'O' Levels!!!!I'll just go and grab my zimmer frame now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petes 16V Sport Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 (edited) I was born in 1986, and I remember all of these things fondly! I just wish I could be a kid again style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad.gif" />:it was fine to play with pans. When we rode our bikes, we wore no helmets, just flip-flops and fluorescent 'spokey dokey's' on our wheels. As children, we would ride in cars with no airbags - riding in the passenger seat was a treat. We shared one drink with four friends, from one bottle or can and no-one actually died from this. We would spend hours building go-carts out of scraps and then went top speed down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into stinging nettles a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We would leave home in the morning and could play all day, as long as we were back before it got dark. No one was able to reach us and no one minded. We had friends - we went outside and found them. We fell out of trees, got cut, and broke bones but there were no law suits. We had full on fist fights but no prosecution followed from other parents. We walked to friends' homes. We also, believe it or not, WALKED to school; we didn't rely on mummy or daddy to drive us to school, which was just round the corner. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls. We rode bikes in packs of 7 and wore our coats by only the hood. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of...They actually sided with the law. The majority of students in universities today were born in 1986 - I was born in 1986! and am at uni!They are called youth. They have never heard of We are the World, We are the children, and the Uptown Girl they know is by Westlife not Billy Joel. They have never heard of Rick Astley, Bananarama, Nena Cherry or Belinda Carlisle. I've heard of belinda carlisle! and Billy Joel before the crappy westlife comic relief version!For them, there has always been only one Germany and one Vietnam. AIDS has existed since they were born. CD's have existed since they were born. Michael Jackson has always been white. To them John Travolta has always been round in shape and they can't imagine how this fat guy could be a god of dance. - Not true I watched grease as a kid!They believe that Charlie's Angels and Mission Impossible are films from last year. They can never imagine life before computers. I didn't have a computer till I was 8 years old!They'll never have pretended to be the A Team, RedHand Gang or the Famous Five. I used to get in from playing, just to watch the A-team after bullseye!They'll never have applied to be on Jim'll Fix It or Why Don't You. Jim'll fix it was ace, awesome showThey can't believe a black and white television ever existed. And they will never understand how we could leave the house without a mobile phone. Now let's check if we're getting old... 1. You understand what was written above and you smile. I'm only 20 and im smiling style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />2. You need to sleep more, usually until the afternoon, after a night out. 3. Your friends are getting married/already married. 4. You are always surprised to see small children playing comfortably with computers. 5. When you see teenagers with mobile phones, you shake your head. Not teenagers, but when you see 10 year olds txting away, its madness!6. You remember watching Dirty Den in EastEnders the first time around. 7. You meet your friends from time to time, talking about the good old days, repeating again all the funny things you have experienced together. Very much like that when I get back from uni and see my old school mates, ive known some of them since I was 2!8. Having read this mail, you are thinking of forwarding it to some other friends because you! think they will like it too... Yes, you're getting old!! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":coffee:" border="0" alt="coffee.gif" />I think 1986 is a bit too old for this quiz! give us some credit, 1990 at least style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />I remember making dens - playing in the fields where there are now houses! (they took my sledging slope away! :'( ) I used to borrow my grans tools and go out and dig, climb trees and put flags up in the garden! Lego was ace, my pride and joy was a lego airport! such a good time to be a kid. We used to have birthday parties at a fish and chip restaurant. Go for walks on the chase - me and my mate used to go off with walkie talkies (remember them!) and hide from our parents, felt safe because of our radio contact lol!Aww ive gone all warm and fuzzy inside, I think society is slowly eroding into being scared to let children out of its sight, there might never be a chance to have a childhood like we had!Transformers! lol style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> Matchbox cars style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Dungens and Dragons anyone? Helping my grandad with the cement, doing some crazy paving! Skateboards big 80's style ones with neon colours lol! Football on the park, Being scared everytime you went past "the big kids" ahh those were the days! Edited February 26, 2007 by Petes 16V Sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDGM Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Who remembers Wordy from school TV? School milk.. 'O' Levels!!!!Ah yes, camp old Wordy. Don't forget 'How We Used To Live'.As for the O-levels, how is it that we used to go to school 9am to 3.40pm and the most O-levels you could do was seven (Maths, English and five options). Nowadays, kids are finishing school at 2pm and doing eleven or twelve GSCEs in between extra curricular happy slapping and being a 'soldier' on the local estate. They're not less difficult or anything, surely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philplop Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 My old school has changed (since I left) to finish at 2ish, but they start at about 8 and only have a short luch time and no afternoon break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreno510 Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 and fluorescent 'spokey dokey's' on our wheels.i've no idea what a spokey dokey isbut my spokes were always adorned with the plastic caps off the top of beer barrels, which were in great supply as my gran lived at the back of a pub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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