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ArishMell · 70-79, M
Well, we can't generalise, and never say 'never', but....
Simple ticket systems for rail travel. Unless something changes to return making a simple task, simple!
Proper customer service from banks and other big companies.
Cars the owner can service to a high level.
Filling-station pumps operated by an attendant - very rare now. Most garages are self-service. Many have pay-at-pump (by bank-card) options meaning you need not even enter the shop to pay, and can buy fuel when the shop is closed.
Convenient public transport for many residents of rural and even suburban areas. Plenty of areas never had that anyway, but the situation is worsening.
Local shops for ordinary, everyday goods.
Buying a cup of coffee in a cafe, without needing to learn American cod-Italian... and having bought it, finding the beverage fills the cup, not a load of milk-froth hiding the short-changing. (Pubs in the UK have long had to use glasses marked with capacity lines, so even where customers traditionally like a heavy "head" on the ale, the liquid is still clearly visibly the full, purchased pint or half-pint below the froth.)
Typewriters - using or seeing them used.
Film cameras - unless for photography as a serious hobby. Film is being made again, but is expensive.
Alternative ways of doing anything significant without being forced to use the Internet only.
Practical skills as both routine and virtue.
Initiative.
Patience.
Simple ticket systems for rail travel. Unless something changes to return making a simple task, simple!
Proper customer service from banks and other big companies.
Cars the owner can service to a high level.
Filling-station pumps operated by an attendant - very rare now. Most garages are self-service. Many have pay-at-pump (by bank-card) options meaning you need not even enter the shop to pay, and can buy fuel when the shop is closed.
Convenient public transport for many residents of rural and even suburban areas. Plenty of areas never had that anyway, but the situation is worsening.
Local shops for ordinary, everyday goods.
Buying a cup of coffee in a cafe, without needing to learn American cod-Italian... and having bought it, finding the beverage fills the cup, not a load of milk-froth hiding the short-changing. (Pubs in the UK have long had to use glasses marked with capacity lines, so even where customers traditionally like a heavy "head" on the ale, the liquid is still clearly visibly the full, purchased pint or half-pint below the froth.)
Typewriters - using or seeing them used.
Film cameras - unless for photography as a serious hobby. Film is being made again, but is expensive.
Alternative ways of doing anything significant without being forced to use the Internet only.
Practical skills as both routine and virtue.
Initiative.
Patience.
dragonfly46 · F
@ArishMell You must be from somewhere else because there are things on your list, as for you on mine that are still very much accessible where I live.
I see typewriters and film cameras often. Being used with the later developing their own film.
Plenty of good non fancy coffee in many diners.
Card catalogues in our libraries, along with the interest in learning how to do something without the Internet.
Also, plenty of shops for ordinary everyday goods.
There are states in the U.S. that because of insurance will not allow you to pump your own gas, so there still is attendants.
I see typewriters and film cameras often. Being used with the later developing their own film.
Plenty of good non fancy coffee in many diners.
Card catalogues in our libraries, along with the interest in learning how to do something without the Internet.
Also, plenty of shops for ordinary everyday goods.
There are states in the U.S. that because of insurance will not allow you to pump your own gas, so there still is attendants.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@dragonfly46 Oh, I know film cameras are still used and my local camera shops sells film, but it is expensive and I think really used by professional and serious amateur photographers s-me of who will develop their own work, too.
Typewriters though? I can't remember when I last saw one used. I gave mine to a charity-shop years ago; but saw another in a charity-shop recently.
Yes, the non-fancy coffee is available but even in the good, independent cafes I use they seem to want to give it silly it names!
I must admit I have not used my public linrary for a long time so I don't know what system it uses, but what I mean by using the Internet is for functional purposes like transport, money or health services and finding information, and these areas are increasingly being pushed into narrow Internet-based channels. There are plenty of people of all ages interested in doing things without the Internet but that is becoming harder in some areas of life.
I live near two moderately-sized towns and both still have a fair range of shops but there is also a depressing number of empty ones, or if not empty now hold charity or "vape" businesses, thanks to a combination of high costs and the onslaught of the supermarkets, out-of-town supermarket clusters and on-line shopping. Those who survive, seem to be ones with more individual lines, or are "convenience stores" in franchise-chains. The problem with the latter is they are like the supermarkets in holding rather narrow ranges in each category, dictated remotely by accountants who refuse to allow them to support local producers.
I didn't know about the insurance rule. I knew attended service at filling-stations is still common in the USA but I thought it was by choice. One problem with self-service is "drive-away thefts", where motorists fill up then drive off without paying, and this is difficult to fight.
Typewriters though? I can't remember when I last saw one used. I gave mine to a charity-shop years ago; but saw another in a charity-shop recently.
Yes, the non-fancy coffee is available but even in the good, independent cafes I use they seem to want to give it silly it names!
I must admit I have not used my public linrary for a long time so I don't know what system it uses, but what I mean by using the Internet is for functional purposes like transport, money or health services and finding information, and these areas are increasingly being pushed into narrow Internet-based channels. There are plenty of people of all ages interested in doing things without the Internet but that is becoming harder in some areas of life.
I live near two moderately-sized towns and both still have a fair range of shops but there is also a depressing number of empty ones, or if not empty now hold charity or "vape" businesses, thanks to a combination of high costs and the onslaught of the supermarkets, out-of-town supermarket clusters and on-line shopping. Those who survive, seem to be ones with more individual lines, or are "convenience stores" in franchise-chains. The problem with the latter is they are like the supermarkets in holding rather narrow ranges in each category, dictated remotely by accountants who refuse to allow them to support local producers.
I didn't know about the insurance rule. I knew attended service at filling-stations is still common in the USA but I thought it was by choice. One problem with self-service is "drive-away thefts", where motorists fill up then drive off without paying, and this is difficult to fight.