Cheap But Not So Cheerful
Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has grown exponentially but it hasn't always improved. Senior citizens have witnessed these vast changes within their lifetime–– it makes sense they might get frustrated when something isn’t the same as it used to be. Nowadays, it’s all about money, speed, and mass production, leading to cutting corners and sacrificing quality. From vehicles to candy, here’s a list of the things that disappoint our grandparents.
1. Household Appliances
From washers and dryers to refrigerators, these appliances are purposely designed with a short lifespan. Back in the day, it wasn’t expected to upgrade your household appliances every ten years like it is now. If you live in an older home, you may have an old washing machine that is still washing your laundry after forty years of service. We’re lucky if our modern appliances last more than a decade.
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2. Cars
Why are we drawn to vintage vehicles? They look like art on wheels compared to the average car these days. Automobiles used to be made with better quality materials and designs. They’re still driven on the roads today which means they were built to last and not headed for the junkyard. Modern tires have to be replaced more frequently as well.
3. Furniture
New furniture is a prime example of cutting corners. We see more tables and chairs made out of plastic than wood and IKEA has taken over our homes. Not only does mass-produced furniture look cheap, they lack comfort and stability, with flimsy legs that break and thin cushions that give us sore bottoms.
4. Landline Telephones
“Hello, Alexander Graham Bell? We want our landlines back!” It’s understandable why the elderly prefer the good old-fashioned telephone–– it was simple to use and served one purpose. But most of us will sacrifice its simplicity for our mobile phones. We know we have to upgrade our dying smartphones every year but there’s no Instagram on a landline.
5. Toys
Toy stores aren’t stocked with hand-carved wooden trains or hand-sewn teddy bears anymore. Shelves are overflowing with cheaply made plastic toys and battery-operated junk. Doll clothes used to be made by your grandmother’s hands and toys didn’t break after the first playtime.
6. Tools
Tools were once hand-crafted like the things that were built with them. You made less trips to the hardware store because you owned a reliable wrench and your toolbelt was full of everything you needed. You often see antique tools on display–– imagine showcasing your new electric screwdriver as decor.
7. Toasters
Cheap toasters either take forever to toast your bread or burn your slices because you forgot about them. And just like larger household appliances, the longevity of modern toasters is young and you end up replacing them often.
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9. Light Bulbs
Many people have light bulbs in storage because we’re used to replacing them often. The world’s longest-lasting light bulb is 121 years old so we know they can be made better. Why don’t we make them like we used to?–– more bulbs, more money, baby!
10. Music
Yes, now we can have a gazillion songs at our fingertips but sound quality has taken a dip over the years. Back in the day, the sweet sounds of vinyl played from gorgeous record players and you could hear every guitar string plucked. For the vast majority, we’ve sacrificed sound quality for quantity and convenience.
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11. Computers
Computers, laptops, and tablets are faster, smaller, and can do more than they used to, but just like most modern electronics, they need frequent upgrades. Our landfills are becoming computer graveyards–– maybe we should revert to typewriters.
12. Closets
Every new condo building comes with closets that look like they were afterthoughts. The sliding doors are flimsy and get jammed easily. You can’t rely on the wire shelves to hold much weight or on the clothing rack to not start bending.
13. Doors
The doors inside the houses of many new suburbs lack design and sturdiness. Doors used to be made with natural materials and fine details, fixed with handsome hardware like brass knobs or iron hinges.
14. Clothing
Fast fashion wasn’t a term used back in the day. You had to learn to sew or knit your clothes or your mother made them for you. Materials were organic like wool and cotton, not synthetic fabric. Don’t trick us with your “vegan leather”–– at least “pleather” admits it’s plastic!
15. Candles
Battery-operated candles are not candles! We miss that smell of melting wax and flaming wicks. You can still purchase real candles but natural waxes are expensive, and cheap candles are often made with toxic ingredients.
16. Clocks
It’s rare to see a house these days with a real clock. Many of us check the time on our phones or our digital clocks on the microwave. Clocks were once as common as TVs in any home. They were artistically hand-crafted mechanisms that told the time and decorated your wall.
17. Plane Food
Not too long ago, you could look forward to your in-flight meal when you were flying overseas. Who knows what ingredients go into your microwavable lasagne and your pretzels aren’t free anymore. Unless you’re in business class, forget about free booze–– that’s rare.
18. Candy
Lollipops were once made of real sugar and not chemicals and artificial flavors. Nowadays, chocolate bars don’t need real cocoa in them to be considered chocolate. Commercial sweets are now made with ingredients we can’t pronounce at prices we can’t afford.
19. Bath Tubs
Bath tubs were once made to fit full-size adults–– our body parts didn’t have to take shifts on being submerged. Clawfoot tubs were beautifully designed and were often a focal point in a bathroom.
20. Shoes
Not only did your shoes last longer but if you lost a heel or rubbed a toe hole, they were fixed by a local cobbler. Shoemakers crafted shoes with natural materials that served your feet with purpose as well as fashion.
