Pre- mobiles and internet time, question for those who knew it

[Starchivore]

In semi-relation to the moaning about the modern world thread, which has been very interesting, I wanted to ask a question to those CC members who have been shuffling about a bit longer than me (I'm 23.)

I don't want to be guilty of viewing the past in a rose-tinted way, and putting aside various bad things about the sixties, seventies, eighties, etc.... there is one aspect of the pre-internet pre-mobile phones time that I find very appealing.

My basic question is for anyone who was a young person or adult in that time. Did you prefer the way social communication was back then?

Because I tend to think I'd prefer it- no Mobile Phone making you Constantly Available to everyone (for example some people get really offended if you don't get back to them within a couple of hours) no Facebook for people to get drama from (and I'm not on it so end up missing out on things sometimes, grrr), people actually having to stick to arrangements (for young people now, if you don't text someone to confirm your arrangement on the day, they'll often just assume it's off and not turn up, and I think mobiles encourage slackness and make people late more often).

You're just less available. So the quality of communication must have been better, right? If someone wanted to get hold of you, they'd have to try your landline, or knock on your door or write or something. When you were out you'd be untouchable. I know there were big downsides and everything is more convenient and easier now, but I just think it would have suited my personality better.

So what was it like? I'm really really interested to hear any thoughts, preferences, any relevant stories, how it was generally.

I will agree to add a poll if Accy requests it.

 

[classic33]

My mobile is nearly as old as you, 17 years old.

And less of the shuffling about!

 

[swee'pea99]

I was musing the other day about how my daughter is missing out on one of the great pleasures of my university life: dropping in on people. Back then, you'd finish a piece of work at 3 in the morning and if you were in the mood just go for a wander round your friends' rooms. Sooner or later you'd come across a door with light showing under it, and you could drop in for a coffee. No-one 'drops in' anymore...they'd have to check first, which just isn't the same.

The other big difference is travelling. When I did my gap year thing, I left and that was that. Communication, such as there was, took place via air mail & poste restante. I was footloose and fancy-free, and it was great! When my daughter went round NZ a couple of years back, she messaged us complaining about every lumpy bed she had to sleep in, or to tell us about her canoeing. Which was...fine. But again, it just wasn't the same, and I did feel that something had been lost.

 

[MichaelW2]

I can relate to gap year freedom. My parents got a blue aerogramme about once a month as proof of life.

 

[Markymark]

anthropigically speaking it is thought we are reverting to how we've always communicated. Human for tens of thousand of years lived in social groups of c200 people. It was very open within that community and communication was chatting.

A conversation would be informal and short. You move between groups and talk to many people at once.
The concept of being away from the group in your abode is new. The formality of communication some see as the 'correct' way existed for a very small period of time. We are now not experiencing a 'new' way of social interaction, we are just reverting to how we've always communicated except the medium has changed, the interaction hasn't.

 

[Brandane]

Did you prefer the way social communication was back then?

Absolutely, 100%, YES!
It's far too easy to keep in contact with people now, through so many mediums, that IMHO it has watered down the value of keeping in touch with someone. I think what I am trying to say is that it has lost it's specialness.
I remember from my Merchant Navy days that when you left home to go and join a ship, that meant your only contact with people at home was going to be by the occasional letter or postcard until you came home 5 or 6 months later. When you DID get home, it meant that the catching up was amazing; you had a load of stories to tell, as did those you had left behind. Now? Everybody would know your every move while you were away by logging in to FaceBook.

When I was younger still (school age, 1968 to 76) I lived in Jamaica with my direct family. Again the main communication with "home" was by letter. At Christmas time or the odd birthday, a phone call would be made - but you had to pre-book the time and be connected by the operator. It cost about £1 per minute which was expensive back then; hence why the calls were rare and only lasted a few minutes!

I dislike the fact as stated by the OP that we are instantly available these days, even when on holiday. Back in the day it wasn't possible for work to send e-mails or text you while you were getting wired into a bottle of rum on a beach somewhere. Personally, I tend to shut myself off from home while on holiday. I'll take my phone but it has an OFF switch unless needed for emergencies.

 

[biggs682]

being slightly older than 23 by quite a few years ......ahem

i like the ability the new technology gives you , but at the same time it is a pain at times

its a shame people cant all think the same and not get so umpty if no reply within 10 seconds to a text ,whats ap or call

i was around when the first mobiles came out ie the size of a 1 gallon petrol can and used them often they were horrendous

 

[Salad Dodger]

You are right, Starchivore, that we were less contactable, and had to be a bit more independent.

In 1974, I was 17 and had a motorbike. (200 Yamaha - a lovely little thing). I was a big fan of motorcycle racing, so regularly went to places like Mallory and Snetterton from my home in Kent, which meant either a long one day trip or a 2 day trip, staying at a pub or B&B. Sometimes 3 or 4 of us travelled together, but sometimes it was me by myself.

My parents didn't even have a phone at home, so I couldn't check in throughout the day/weekend. I just carried the next door neighbour's phone number, only to be rung in extreme circumstances, which fortunately never materialised.....

 

[slowwww]

Positives and negatives for me.

I work in the finance industry and so readily see the improvements that smartphones, personal computers etc. have brought in terms of payment technology, ability to access and manage your bank account without having to go in a branch, etc.

However, 20 years ago if a business wanted to borrow a large sum of money there'd usually be some financial information that I'd need from them to assess the proposition. This would often take 2-3 days to arrive through the post, and in the meantime I had plenty of opportunity to muse over their request and come up with the best financing structure.

Now, usually within 20 minutes of the initial call I get an email with the requested information and often 5-10 minutes later I get a call seeking a 'yes' or 'no'. I often tell my clients that I can give them a quick answer now, but I can give them a better answer tomorrow!

 

[Lonestar]

I loved it...Although the internet has it's good points I remember the early days of Spectrum and Atari VCS/Commodore 64 and Amiga (no internet)...Using the phone box to make calls and all that....Obviously the internet is easier to book holidays and buy stuff from China...so there are plus and minuses.

I remember seeing my first brick phone in the late 80's I think.

In those days though there wasn't people texting and driving and peds stepping out with mobile phones glued to their ears...Seems like we are mad about that sort of behaviour but it's rare you will ever see me walking down the road with a mobile phone glued to my ears.I had a call last week when I was waiting in the Salisbury waiting room but I refused to take it as for some reason I feel uncomfortable to take a call when other people are listening but I guess that's just me.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I miss letter writing. When I was at uni there was a pay phone for urgent matters but for all other communications with family we would exchange letters. I used to look forward to writing about what I'd done in the week and I always enjoyed the anticipation of picking up letters from friends and family. And when I met my future wife, then living 300 miles away, it was mostly through letters that we started to get to know each other.

 

[Brandane]

I feel uncomfortable to take a call when other people are listening but I guess that's just me.

Not just you! On public transport, in shops, in the pub etc., I won't answer my phone. In fact if I'm just going out locally for a pint or two, the phone gets left at home. If I'm in company it annoys me if someone keeps answering calls on their phone. Are these calls really so important that they can't wait, as they would have had to do pre mobile phones?

 

[Lonestar]

Not just you! On public transport, in shops, in the pub etc., I won't answer my phone. In fact if I'm just going out locally for a pint or two, the phone gets left at home. If I'm in company it annoys me if someone keeps answering calls on their phone. Are these calls really so important that they can't wait, as they would have had to do pre mobile phones?

Thank god,I thought it was just me.Had to text my ex-workmate to explain why I wouldn't talk on the phone.I don't generally take it out to shops or anywhere else and only generally take it to work.

 

[spen666]

I agree with the other posters.

Good is the ready availability of information - great for settling arguments... easier to check facts / find necessary information for work.

Bad is because it is easy to check lots of sources of information you are expected to do far more research.


On a personal communication level. You are right, less definite arrangements, people expecting instantaneous answers etc

 

[Levo-Lon]

I loved the days before..but I like the easy info and mobile phone.
I'd have struggled to run a business without a mobile to be fair But you managed ...lugging my first Nokia around was funny...not..bloody thing was heavy and large..87 vintage..but a lot better than the car footwell filler that we had before..
We had more fun back then..