"Thirty Things that Need to Stage a Comeback"

[Shangas]

I found this article on another website and I thought it might be of interest to fellow loungers. Which of those thirty things would you love to see return to mainstream culture?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesley-m-m-blume/25-things-that-need-to-st_b_779005.html#s175633

 

[C44Antelope]

Not much there I would argue with. Tennis isn't my bag and neither are supper clubs and dancing (dancing around the room with FL on the PC & Benny Goodman on the ipod while eating a corn beef sandwich doesn't count I suppose). But most of the list was great. When I get a hand written thank you note, it really shows that the person who sent it is sincere - or at least sold on the idea of looking sincere.

 

[Pompidou]

I wasn't aware hobbies ever left, but if people haven't really had hobbies for some significant period of time, I vote they make a comeback. I suspect that the author simply doesn't recognize modern hobbies as hobbies.

Manners - I suspect they've changed more than gone away. I wonder, if a person votes to bring back manners, which year's manners they're voting for. It makes a difference. Folks here might be inclined to vote for bringing back manners from the 50s, since that's what this site is about, but one would be equally justified in voting to bring back Edwardian, Victorian or other manner-sets as well. Personally, I think change is good, and we should just roll with the updates to what constitutes good manners. After all, Victorian folks might think the politest of us fairly rude, and the politest of us are probably amongst the politest in the world, if only because it's a fully conscious life's focus to be polite a certain way.

I know first hand that dancing is still alive and well. I imagine the author wants whatever dance s/he did at the senior prom to still be popular. In the event the world stopped dancing, this would get my vote. I don't think it belongs.

I suppose my serious answer would be hats. I make an effort whenever it's appropriate to evangelize to people that, "You should get yourself a big, fancy hat, too. It'd look good on you." It works now and then, if the pricetag doesn't shut me down.

Most of the list I would be challenged to care less about.

 

[skyvue]

That writer has a new book called Let's Bring Back, made up of dozens, if not hundreds, of such items. I'm interviewing her soon, and if anyone has any questions they'd like me to ask her, post them in this thread, please:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?51967

 

[Widebrim]

Most of them listed, particularly hats, fountain pens, double features, discreet voices (especially in libraries), supper clubs (very much so), and train restaurants. To those I would add radio drama, real hood ornaments, patriotism in the public schools, the use of military fatigues only when in the field, and telephone exchanges (CItrus 6-3536, etc.).

 

[LizzieMaine]

1. Real local radio.

2. Cheap, unpretentious, non-ironic lunch counters.

3. The CCC.

4. Ball games with no rock music between innings, no costumed mascots, no flashing scoreboards, and no shopping malls under the stands.

5. Popular songwriting in the A-A-B-A structure.

6. A domestic manufacturing industry.

7. Actual journalism.

8. Selected short subjects.

9. Hand-cranked car windows.

10. Integrity.

 

[Steveb1]

Personal Integrity
Appropriate Dress
Family Meals
Respect

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

Lizzymaine, you have my curiosity totally piqued. What does an ironic lunch counter look like?

I don't miss the CCC. It was just an early socialist program.

I do miss hand rolled windows, local radio stations, popular songwriting in the A-A-B-A structure, and especially a domestic manufacturing industry. One of the things that has dramatically changed in my lifetime is that good old, patriotic American goods are no longer available to satisfy American needs. Forget another Pearl Harbor especially if it is instigated by China. We wouldn't make it.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Lizzymaine, you have my curiosity totally piqued. What does an ironic lunch counter look like?

It's the sort of place where when the waitresses call you "honey" they've been coached to do it, the wall is decorated with "fifties" junk bought out of a decor catalogue instead of faded black-and-white photos of the owner's father holding a bowling trophy or shaking hands with Johnny Pesky, and they get away with charging $12 for a hamburger.

Insincere restaurants are very bad for the soul.

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

That makes sense. I try to avoid insincere businesses with all of my heart--one reason I have always hated Wal Mart.

 

[Yeps]

Actual coffee cups. There should be coffee shops that actually serve coffee in ceramic mugs (or tazzine for espresso).

 

[scottyrocks]

Thats one thing I tell the owners of local businesses I frequent - with all the places to go, I come back because I appreciate their quality of service.

 

[Bebop]

How about correct grammar, wind wings on cars and yes, let's get rid of these computers and bring back the carbon paper.

 

[Link]

I have a 2009 model car with manual transmission, no power locks, and no power windows. The dealer had to order it in for me.

 

[Bebop]

I have a 2009 model car with manual transmission, no power locks, and no power windows. The dealer had to order it in for me.

Do tell, what make of car can you order without power locks or power windows. I'd love to see photos of that. From what I understand, that is not an option whatsoever. They don't make the components anymore.

 

[Paisley]

Yes to discreet voices! I really like my coworkers, but they have two volumes: loud and louder. Sometimes I have to find an empty office to do my proofreading.

As for dancing, hobbies, evening walks, etc., what's to stop most people from just going out and doing these things?

 

[Link]

2009 Nissan Versa.

I think I have to add manual transmissions to the list. So many cars are available as automatic only, and I refuse to buy them.

 

[LizzieMaine]

2009 Nissan Versa.

I think I have to add manual transmissions to the list. So many cars are available as automatic only, and I refuse to buy them.

I will never own a car with an automatic transmission. I *hate* them. I've only ever owned standards, and when the day comes when I can't find one I'll walk.

Speaking of cars, I'll add "Keys That Don't Cost $250 To Replace" to the list. I have no use for any of that microchipped security stuff, and I don't intend to ever pay for it.

What they really ought to bring back is the Original Beetle. A stripped down car for people who prefer a stripped down life.

 

[Spitfire]

Gas stations with real service. You know the sort of "Check the oil, check the water-types"....Where you just lean out the window and say: "Fill it up please!"
Instead of those halfgrown supermarkets we have now, where the girl behind the counter doesn't know anything about windshield wipers, where to find them or how to put them on but everything about making hotdogs and baking "danish".

 

[Spitfire]

How about correct grammar, wind wings on cars and yes, let's get rid of these computers and bring back the carbon paper.

made me think of the day I overheard a bunch of teenagers looking at a IBM typewriter being demonstrated at a technical museum.
One of them said loudly: "WOW - look at that! It prints while you type!!!!!!"

Amazing!