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The year 2020 has brought us a slew of new headaches and hoops to jump through, all in the pursuit of efficiency.
Unfortunately, efficiency is often just code for 6 tabs open on my smartphone, a forgotten password, and that same smartphone untimely end upon being launched into a nearby concrete slab.
But it wasn't always like this. There was a time when human hands, pens and paper, and eye contact held sway. Sometimes this was, no doubt, cumbersome, and the new virtual alternative is absolutely a step up.
But sometimes the change to a new, supposedly streamlined way has merely added 3 unneeded steps to do a simple task.
u/Innsmouth_Resident asked, "What old fashioned way of doing things is better than how they are currently done?"What old fashioned way of doing things is better than how they are currently done?"
Whippin' It Old School
Whipped cream. Just learned how to whip my own - not only is it ridiculously simple, it makes that canned stuff taste like a joke. Plus you can add chocolate powder to it when you whip it yourself.
Seriously people... whip your own cream.
At Least I Got a New Username Out of the Deal
old: send your resume, if it's a match they get in touch.
new: send your resume, fill out all the information in your resume on our custom site so that you can apply to 1 job and then we will never get back to you even with an automated response, thanks for taking 30 minutes to do all the inane bullsh*t tho.
That App Needed a Few More Dry Runs
Apparently paper ballots.
Sucks to be Iowa right now.
Where'd the Drama Go?!
Arguing about things in a bar. Now it's just opinion 1, opinion 2, Google to see who's correct. Light-hearted arguments used to last for hours on end.
One Edge, No Fussing
Shaving. I always had problems with shaver burn and with the expensive brand name razors. Then I tried an old fashioned 1 blade safety razor and my morning routine changed forever, for the better.
Those Were Simpler Times for Whackin' a Guy
Murder investigations. None of this silly fingerprinting or DNA or surveillance or forensics.
You used to murder someone, dig a hole in the woods and they wouldn't be found for centuries, much easier to get away with.
Why I'll Never Be a Blacksmith
Apprenticeships!
Most people I speak to feel they learnt more from their first job than from the actual college courses. A training program followed by an apprenticeship sounds amazing to me. Less expensive, incredibly hands-on and to the point.
Trigger Finger at the Blender
Analogue dials and sliders to adjust settings on appliances!!! They're so much better than the infuriating "digital" way of having to repeatedly press a button over and over to change things such as volume on a stereo or grind size on a coffee grinder.
The Fog Machine Stock Has Taken a Serious Hit
Practical effects.
I work in VFX and let me tell you, as good as we are, as advanced as the programs have become, and as amazing as some of colleges have proven to be nothing replaces actual light and textures on real environments.
Set for the Nuclear Winter
Our grandparents canned what they could can from their own vegetable and fruit gardens.
All winter long, the canned veggies and fruit tasted so much better than what you get in the can today.
People Break Down Which Modern Day Practices And Beliefs Will Be Considered Barbaric In The Future
It's hard not to look back on history and be disgusted by a number of things which were at one point deemed acceptable, even not so long ago in the grand scheme of things.
The endless list includes segregation and women not having the right to vote.
We'd certainly like to think that we've come a long way.
But when we look back on how much we, as a culture, have evolved for the better, it also makes us stop and wonder what current customs or practices accepted in society today people twenty years from now will look back on in disgust.
This piqued the curiosity of RedditorSalt-Campaign6402,leading them to take to Reddit to ask:
"What modern day practice/ belief is most likely to be considered barbaric and outdated in the future?"
A revaluation of medical practices
"The way that f*cking speculum is shaped."- PopK0rnAndMMs
"Gynaecology procedures being done with out sedation or some type of proper numbing agent."- baconbutt96
"Chemotherapy."- sphygmomanometito
The end of stigma
"The entire system surrounding mental health."- crapgarbage
More respect for the environment
"Deforestation hopefully."- CrumbledTheCookies
More sustainable materials
"Single use plastics."- Lemilli000000n
Improvements in wages and working hours
"Working long hours to the point of sleep deprivation and exhaustion."
"Right now people brag about it."- HonestlyPizza
"Hustle culture."
"It's a scam made up by the rich to make the poor feel good about being exploited."- whythatusername
More humane treatment of animals
"Breeding dogs that can’t breathe."- username-alrdy-takn
Possible life saving advancements in science?
"I feel like organ transplants from strangers will seem bizarre in the future."
"I imagine we will be able to grow genetically-identical organs and use those instead."- thunderbiird1
Twenty years from now, we'll likely find ourselves relieved that some things have finally changed.
Then too, we might look back in horror at many things we wouldn't even take a second thought about at the time.
For some, showering is a chore, and as a result, they will do their best to get in and out of the shower as quickly as possible.
For others though, showering is an indulgence, and take their sweet time enjoying it.
It does beg the question, does it really take 20 minutes or more to wash one's hair and body?
Or do people get up to other things while enjoying the solitude and the (presumably) hot water.
Redditor Famous_Assistance683 was eager to know what exactly people who linger in the shower are really up to, leading them to ask:
"People who take the longest time in the shower, what the hell do you do in there?"
I just don't want to get out!
"Mostly think about how miserable it will feel to get out of the shower."- 14-stars
It just takes that long to get clean!
"Wash away the dirt: 5 mins."
"Wash away the pain: 45mins."- Overall_Outcome_392
Daydreaming
"Thinking about random situations that will probably never happen."- Dyl-thuzad
"Some ppl my think I play with myself since I take really long showers, but in reality i just stare into nothing and everything at the same time and lose track of time while thinking about stuff I would never think anywhere else."- ClaraSG
It's a safety issue!
"I suck at shaving my legs in a timely fashion. oops."- SwagLordious420
"Shaving my entire body."- AnnaTraaa
It's all about the hair...
"Anyone with long curly hair is detangling it."- Krombuchar2
"Hair sh*t."
"I started growing out my hair like 5 months ago, and the longer it is the more of a pain it is to take care of."
"I’m getting better with it, but I was never really taught how to take care of long hair so it’s hard."-
It's easy to let our curiosity get the best of us.
But then we all must remember, whatever people get up to in private is none of our business.
It's nice to be noticed every now and then.
But for some people, now and then isn't nearly enough time to be the center of attention.
As a result, these people will often behave in a certain way, or say or do specific things to ensure that all eyes are on them at all times.
While some of these tactics might easily go unnoticed, oftentimes these cries for attention are about as subtle as a freight train.
Redditor nextsperi was curious to hear of the different types of behavior people exhibit when they demand to be the center of attention, leading them to ask:
"What screams 'Give me attention!' ?
Can't you see how sad I am? Everyone else can!
"Cries then takes a photo/video."- Philmeiweep
Meow!
"My cat."- scottyy2189
"Cats."
"I swear to f*ck, the moment I move my hand away from them to try and pick something up, I'm suddenly treated to the screams of purgatory from the drama queen."- Dumbass438
Let's talk about something more interesting, ME!
"In my experience with groups, loudly interrupting me right as I am explaining something or telling a story to immediately take over the conversation with their own input or story."
"For my ADHD and anxious talker friends, don't worry, I wasn't poking at you."
"It happens to all of us sometimes."- Lyclownthropy
I can bear the pain if you're all looking at me!
"Faking an injury."- the_pinky243
The lack of specificity is telling...
"When people make vague posts to social media which start something like: 'THAT’S IT, I’M DONE, you just can’t trust SOME PEOPLE'.”
"But then don’t disclose any details about what was indeed the problem."
"If you listen very carefully, you can hear the gentle brushing by of tumbleweed while they wait for attention."- Environmental_Foot54
This is where I stand, and I'm RIGHT!
"Political bumper stickers."
"Especially the really obnoxious ones."- Cinco1971
My life is so interesting, see for yourself!
"20 Instagram stories a day."- ReddyAyden
Get out of my way, it's me!
"Extreme rudeness is the ultimate attention tantrum."- PM_ME_YOUR_THEREMIN
When we see this type of behavior, we can't help but wonder why these people are so determined to have everyone's attention.
Might be out of loneliness, possibly desperation, or maybe it is just pure selfishness.
One hopes that whatever their motives, these people might soon realize that being the center of attention isn't always something to celebrate.
Joking among friends is common behavior–especially if they have history and every individual within their circle knows they can handle the ribbing
We even see this in the entertainment industry where comedians often hold roasts to ruthlessly mock their colleagues, no holds barred.
As long as the recipient is able to handle the mockery while cognizant of all the criticisms aimed at them, regardless of their veracity, can be taken in stride.
But sometimes, comedians, or friends who think they have humorous cred, can go too far.
To hear examples of where to draw the line in comedy, Redditor DeltaName asked:
"What do you see as the lowest form of humour?"

Not everyone can handle being pranked.
It would behoove the jokester to really know their victim's limits before committing to something that can be potentially harmful.
Disguised Attacks
"When 'pranks' are really just bullying/assault."
"Its only funny if the person being pranked can laugh about it as well, if not, its not a prank."
– Cleverbird
Just A Jerk
"Another thing, in an extremely simplified scenario to illustrate: the victim suspects it's a prank and calls BS on it. '600 paper bags? Is this a prank?'"
"The perpetrator plays innocent and swears it's on the up and up: 'No, we really DO need 600 paper bags!'"
"Victim gets the bags, perpetrator laughs and reveals it was 'just a prank.'"
"I see this play out pretty often. If the jig is up, admit it and move on. Otherwise, you're just being a jerk-- not a funny prankster."
– hmmm_thought_pig
Too Stage-y
"I also hate pranks that are obviously staged. A prank isn't funny because of what's being done, but because a good prank will be based somewhat in reality - so for a second the person being pranked believes whatever is happening is actually happening to them."
"So when a prank is staged, I see no comical value in it whatsoever. They're just really poorly acted, low budget sketches at that point."
– tmobilekid
For The Sake Of Clicks
"Pranking kids. Making them cry just for a sh**ty tic tok video."
– Outcasted_introvert
Unfair Target
"Cheap shots on a persons physical appearance."
– Alternative-Poem-337
People think joking about a traumatic past should be off-limits.
There Are Limits
"'Pranking' others about serious matters."
– Sa-lin
The Difference
"Prank: covering someone's room in tinfoil."
"Not prank: faking a traumatic emotional event"
"It's a pretty easy line to spot if you're not a jerk, but people suck."
– APearce
Taking Advantage Of The Gullible
"Yeah I hate these. Like I said a pretty innocuous joke and dude got all serious and said he was abused or his mom died or something. I felt bad and stopped joking around and apologized. And then it was like 'haha look how dumb he is for believing that HARDEEHAR!'"
"I'm just like wtf, u think I'm gonna call u out as a liar over sensitive stuff like that?? Of course I choose to believe you. And you're kind of a dick!"
– iFlyskyguy
A Lost Opportunity
"I had a friend I was close to in high school. One day he confessed to that me was dying from a terminal illness. I pitied him and did my best to be a good friend for the next two months, and then found out he was lying for apparently no reason."
"Obviously I was confused and angry so I stopped hanging out with him and to this day I still have no idea why he did that. If he wanted attention, he had it already -- he never knew, but I had a slight crush on him at the time."
– gekigarion
These workplace pranks are anything but hysterical.
At The Expense Of Co-Workers
"F'king with workers for a video."
– KiraSandwich
Who Does This?
"Throwing a drink at someone, especially a food worker after they hand you the drink. My f'king god I hate seeing that sh*t."
– suddenAlcoholic
Taking Another Person's Property
"Saw a video of a guy stealing a worker's ID and running in the hallway while the worker was chasing him.. he did it as a 'prank' apparently."
"Really hate that sh*t."
– ballistic-dumba**
As an Asian-American, I've often been subject to racist humor.
"I'm just kidding. I have tons of Asian friends," is the excuse I've grown numb to hearing, and I often laughed it off. I always thought that if I expressed my humiliation, I would be accused of being "too defensive" or lacking a sense of humor.
I realized, embarrassingly late, that by going along with their mockery of me using Asian stereotypes, that I was complicit in perpetuating casual racism towards people who look like me.
When non-White people are constantly made fun of based on their ancestry and/or color of their skin, it's never funny.
My statement may invoke others to call me "woke."
For me, it's more like "I've had it, I'm tired, and I'm no longer taking your racist bullsh*t."