Update
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

A few here can relate

Where's my X-ers at?

If you were a high schooler in the 1990s, you know we lived in a golden window of time: right between rotary phones and social media, landlines and iPhones, mix tapes and Spotify playlists. And man, was it fun.
We didn’t have smartphones glued to our hands. We had to memorize phone numbers, call our friends’ houses, and actually talk to their parents first before we could even think about making plans. Friday night plans? You made them at school or hoped your friend called your house before your dad picked up the phone and said, “Who is this?”
Music was everything. We had real variety- grunge, gangsta rap, pop, R&B slow jams, and skater punk all living together in perfect harmony. You recorded your favorite songs off the radio on a cassette tape and prayed the DJ wouldn’t talk over the intro. If you got a CD, it was a prized possession. If you had a Discman with skip protection, you were high-tech royalty.
Fashion? It was chaotic in the best way. Baggy jeans, flannel shirts, chokers, Starter jackets, and Airwalks. We dressed like we were either going to a Pearl Jam concert or about to skateboard through a Mountain Dew commercial. And those who dared wore JNCOs so wide you could smuggle an entire boombox in one pant leg.
We passed notes in class, folded like origami masterpieces, and absolutely no one texted. If someone liked you, they had to tell you. In person. Or they’d ask their friend to do it and circle “yes,” “no,” or “maybe.”
School dances were full of awkward slow dances to Boyz II Men and No Doubt, with sweaty palms and butterflies. There was no filming it for TikTok, just living it in the moment. Half the photos were blurry because your disposable camera only gave you 24 chances.
We watched TRL after school, recorded our favorite episodes of Friends or Fresh Prince on VHS, and stayed up late to watch Unsolved Mysteries even though it gave us nightmares. If you missed an episode, you just missed it. No streaming. No spoilers.
We drove around with no GPS, just vague directions like “Turn left after the old gas station,” and nobody ever knew exactly where they were going, but somehow we always found our way.
Being a teen in the ’90s meant real freedom. It meant making mistakes without everyone seeing it online. It meant being present, laughing until your stomach hurt, and making memories that weren’t for content, but for life.
We were the last generation to grow up just before the world changed forever. And honestly? We got the best of both worlds.
So here’s to the teens of the ’90s. We didn’t have it all, but somehow, we had everything.
Top | New | Old
Sazzio · 36-40, M
I understand! But here's the thing. I asked my car mech about a question regarding the new cars these days he said... "I hate new models I keep old models. My car is 06 plate, no Auto switch so motor keeps running..."

Here's the point. If u asked your Grandparents which era was better? Of course they would say "40's! No one drove. Only one person had a TV in the neighbourhood. We all gathered there once a month. We had to yell out the window to another guy to tell them to yell and pass on the message to so n so. VHS? we couldn't even record anything! OR car ask them about cars! "These new cars out in the late 70's? Absolutely horrendous! And don't get me started on the 90's cars. Are they driving toys these days?"

The point is every generation enjoys their time. But old scool mentality kicks in "OH why do they have it easy?" I mean I will be there! We hate new cars but in 20 yrs? "Actually that VW I had of 19 reg was beta than this new piecea junk!"
Keeper · M
@Sazzio great insight, appreciate the comment 👍🏼
I'm right at the tail end of millennial. I graduated in 2001, so I remember doing all these things. It was really good times. My son can't fathom that I was alive before the internet. I wish he could know what it felt like to have freedom and fun, but it's just not like that anymore.
WaryWitchWandering · 36-40, F
@ScreamingFox same, graduated 2005
Keeper · M
@ScreamingFox yeah, kids minds are blown.

We couldn't wait to get out of the house 😂
Kids now a days, not so much.
Fallflower · 46-50, F
Ah, I was just talking about MTV with my son yesterday. He was astounded that in order to watch a music video you liked, you had to watch all day in hopes of it coming on!
Great post!
Keeper · M
@Fallflower Nice. Thank you. And this as well....
https://similarworlds.com/lifestyle/freedom/keeper-of-imperfect-balance/5313896-Sunday-AM-I-Want-My-80s-MTV-Has-been-my-jam-the-last-few
It meant being present, laughing until your stomach hurt, and making memories that weren’t for content, but for life.

This. ♥
We lived those years and those experiences.
I miss those days ..I feel fortunate to have grown up during that time ..i miss the innocence...
Keeper · M
@catastrophecarnival Truly was an innocence to it, everything wasn't so damn "connected" then....and that was ok.
skmokisses · 46-50, F
We definitely had the best of it all!!
Keeper · M
@skmokisses I worked at the airlines in my early 20's and was fortunate to fly for free. While internet was around, sites like Expedia and GPS in general were in their infancy.

I'd literally hop on a plane, try to book a rental car when I landed and drive around with no directions in a new city. See a cheap hotel, stop and book a room (cash of course).

Just figure it out...On. My. Own. No google.
skmokisses · 46-50, F
@Keeper Yep!! At 18 my girlfriend and I got a wild hair one weekend to go to Mardi Gras. Hopped in the car and headed out in the general direction of LA. Once we got 3/4th way there we pulled over and got a MAP to get us the rest of the way. LOL
Ravens80 · 46-50, F
@skmokisses absolutely the best time for sure! Graduated in 93 and loved every minute of it. I miss those times a lot nowadays. Wish we could jump in a Time Machine and go back. I’d meet you there!
I was talking to a friend about this just the other day… those were good days 🙂
@Keeper exactly!

Talk to my kids about how things were when I was growing up… they can’t wrap their minds around it.
Keeper · M
@submissivelittlewoman We weren't really equipped for it.

I compared it to the generational gap between us and our grandparents....There was that same amount of change & technological advancement. Completely different landscapes almost overnight.
@Keeper I wish we could go back to the way things were when we were growing up…a simpler time, but I’d never have met you or other friends I have here.
HowtoDestroyAngels · 46-50, M
The absolute best years of my life, that's for sure.
Keeper · M
basilfawlty89 · 36-40, M
Nah, I'm a thorough millennial.
Y'all did have the best music and tv shows though.
Keeper · M
@basilfawlty89 Rap scene was fun as well, lots of heavyweights back then. East Coast/West Coast

Those speed metal guys were heavy. I was more of a STP and Allice in Chains guy, deep dark...slower anger.
basilfawlty89 · 36-40, M
@Keeper definitely.

While I'm mainly a metal head, I listen to lots of different genres.

Love Public Enemy, Run DMC, Tupac, DPG, etc.

Also with grunge bands, my favs are AIC and Soundgarden.
Keeper · M
@basilfawlty89 PE was fantastic. Here we go again (Chuck D in the background) ⏰

Dudes would fire me up.
Lostpoet · M
. If you had a Discman with skip protection, you were high-tech royalty.

Even with skip protection you still couldn't jog with a Discman without it skipping. Thank God for mp3 players.
AdaXI · T
Yes I was created by a mad scientist sometime in the 70s.

He didn't quite get the formula right though so every time I sneeze it bends space time and someone winds up being turned inside out...

You know the usual gen x there was an accident at the science lab type problems🙄
乂^◡^乂
Millenial here. We had lots of that too :)
Keeper · M
@V00doo Def some carry over between the two 😉
basilfawlty89 · 36-40, M
@Keeper yeah, lumbago.
HowtoDestroyAngels · 46-50, M
@basilfawlty89 "You Jackson, you look like a Jackson"!
buriedalive · 46-50, M
Im 1975 gen x represent
Keeper · M
@buriedalive welcome
Lilymoon · F
Keeper · M
@Lilymoon you sure 😏
Lilymoon · F
@Keeper these young whippersnappers I tell ya 🤭 👵🏻

 
Post Comment