20 Things You Grew Up With That Gen Z Will Never Understand

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If you grew up in the ’80s, ’90s, or even the early 2000s, you probably have memories of things that today’s younger generation, particularly Gen Z, just won’t get. From the clunky technology we used to rely on, to the nostalgic pop culture moments that shaped our childhoods, there are certain aspects of life that have long been replaced by newer, faster, and more convenient versions. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore 20 things you grew up with that Gen Z will never understand.

The Sound of Dial-Up Internet

Before Wi-Fi and high-speed broadband, we had dial-up internet. The screeching sound of the modem connecting to the internet is etched into the minds of anyone who grew up in the ’90s. If you were online, you couldn’t make phone calls, and if someone picked up the phone, your connection would be lost. Gen Z has no idea what it’s like to wait 5 minutes to connect to the internet, only for someone to interrupt your session with a random phone call! Those sounds were like a symphony of anticipation and frustration, a reminder of a time when patience was a virtue. It was a dance of technology, where every connection felt like a small triumph, a victory over the digital ether.

The Joy of Using a Landline

Who remembers the days when the landline was the primary mode of communication? No cell phones meant gathering around the family phone and hoping that the long cord would reach you to have a private conversation in another room. And let’s not forget the dreaded call waiting beep! Gen Z has it easy with mobile phones and instant communication but will never know the delight of a phone that’s tethered to the wall. Every call was an event, a chance to connect with friends or family, and the phone’s ring was like a call to adventure. It was a time when communication was intentional, and every conversation felt meaningful.

VHS Tapes and the “Be Kind, Rewind” Ritual

Before streaming services and DVDs, we had VHS tapes. The movies came in bulky plastic cases, and you had to manually rewind them when they were done. If you didn’t, someone would scold you with a “be kind, rewind” reminder. Gen Z may never understand the thrill of browsing a video rental store and picking out movies, then watching them on a chunky VCR with the potential of random glitches. It was an era when movie nights were a ritual, and the rewind process was a small act of courtesy. The tactile interaction with the tapes, the anticipation of watching, made every movie feel like an event.

Flip Phones and Texting on Keypads

Smartphones weren’t always smart! Flip phones ruled the early 2000s, and texting was an art form done by pressing the same button multiple times to get the correct letter. The character count for SMS was limited, so you had to be creative with abbreviations like “LOL” and “BRB.” No emojis, no autocorrect—just good ol’ fashioned manual texting. Gen Z has never experienced the struggle of T9 predictive text. It was a time when each message was crafted with intention, a puzzle of letters and numbers that connected us in a new way. The flip phone’s click was a satisfying closure, a mini drumroll before the message was sent.

Walkmans and Portable CD Players

Imagine being able to listen to your favorite tunes, but with the inconvenience of a Walkman or portable CD player. Whether you were battling tangled headphones or trying to keep the CD from skipping during a bumpy ride, these devices were a huge part of the ’90s music experience. Today, streaming music has replaced the need for physical CDs, and MP3 players are a distant memory. The weight of a Walkman in your pocket was like carrying a personal concert, a soundtrack to your life. The tactile nature of changing CDs or tapes added a layer of interaction that digital music can’t replicate.

Collecting Beanie Babies

During the ’90s, Beanie Babies were all the rage. These little stuffed animals were collectible, and each one came with a tag that would tell you their name, birthday, and a little poem. People scrambled to collect the whole set, hoping that they’d be worth something someday. Gen Z won’t get the obsession with these tiny plush toys or the excitement of searching for the rarest one. It was a treasure hunt, a quest for the perfect addition to your collection. The soft texture and colorful designs made them more than toys; they were companions and investments rolled into one.

The Magic of Blockbuster Nights

Blockbuster was the place to be for movie rentals. On a Friday night, heading to your local video store and browsing through rows of movies was a weekly tradition. You’d hope to find a copy of the latest release, and if it was gone, you’d settle for something else. Streaming has made renting movies obsolete, so Gen Z will never experience the Blockbuster shuffle. It was an adventure in itself, a journey through the aisles, searching for that perfect film. The smell of popcorn in the air and the tactile feel of the movie cases added to the magic of the experience.

Writing Notes on Paper

Texting and digital communication have replaced handwritten notes. Whether it was scribbling a note to your friend in class, leaving a note on your parent’s desk, or passing notes in the hallway, writing on paper was an everyday ritual. Gen Z has been raised on keyboards and touchscreens, leaving no room for the old-school charm of pen and paper. Each note was a piece of art, a tangible connection between friends. The act of folding the paper just right, the anticipation of passing it, added a layer of excitement that digital messages lack.

The Thriller Dance

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video had one of the most iconic dances in pop culture history. Everyone who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s tried to master the moonwalk or the signature zombie shuffle from the Thriller video. Gen Z may recognize the dance, but they’ll never know the satisfaction of busting it out at school dances or parties. It was a dance that brought people together, a shared experience that transcended generations. The rhythm and energy of the moves made every dance floor feel like a stage.

No Wi-Fi in Public Places

Wi-Fi was not available everywhere, and if you did find a café or library with it, you were ecstatic. Now, free Wi-Fi is almost ubiquitous, and people take it for granted. Back in the day, if you wanted to be connected to the internet outside your home, you had to rely on mobile data or dial-up connections that were often slow and costly. It was a scavenger hunt for connectivity, a journey that made every successful connection feel like discovering treasure. The thrill of finding a spot with Wi-Fi was akin to finding an oasis in a digital desert.

The Struggle of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) was how we communicated with our friends in the early days of chat. Screen names, away messages, and the constant beeping of new messages were part of our daily routine. Gen Z has probably never heard of AIM, let alone had to worry about accidentally leaving an embarrassing away message up for days. AIM was a digital playground, a place where friendships were forged one message at a time. The creativity in crafting away messages and the thrill of seeing a friend come online added layers of excitement to every chat session.

Playing Outside Until the Streetlights Came On

Before the internet, the best thing to do after school was hang out with friends outside. Whether it was playing tag, riding bikes, or just hanging out, the only rule was to be home before the streetlights came on. Gen Z is more likely to be found glued to a screen, but we spent hours outside, just being kids. The world was our playground, a canvas for our imaginations. The setting sun was our clock, and the streetlights our signal to return home, a rhythm of life that connected us to the natural world.

Pagers and Beepers

Before cell phones, people carried pagers or beepers to stay in touch. If you were lucky, you had a pager with the ability to send a short message. But mostly, it was used for receiving a phone number to call back. Gen Z can’t imagine a world where you couldn’t just pull out your phone and respond immediately. It was a time when communication was a dance of technology, a series of signals and responses that kept us connected. The beep of a pager was a call to action, a reminder of the human connection that technology facilitated.

The Joy of Tangible Photo Albums

Back in the day, physical photo albums were how we stored our memories. After a family trip or event, we’d head to the store to get photos developed and place them in an album. Gen Z can easily scroll through photos on their phones or social media, but the tangible experience of flipping through a photo album is something they’ll never fully understand. Each page was a story, a journey through time that connected us to our past. The tactile sensation of turning pages and the smell of the photo paper added layers of nostalgia to every viewing.

Using Payphones

There was a time when if you didn’t have a cell phone, you’d have to use a payphone to make a call. Digging for loose change to make a call and hoping the line was free was a routine part of life. Now, with everyone having a cell phone in their pocket, payphones have all but disappeared. It was a scavenger hunt for connectivity, a journey that made every successful call feel like a small victory. The sound of coins dropping into the slot and the dial tone were familiar companions in a world where communication was a bit more of an adventure.

The Excitement of Getting a CD for Your Birthday

Instead of downloading music from the internet, getting a CD for your birthday or Christmas was a huge treat. You’d tear off the wrapping paper, pop it into your CD player, and listen to your favorite album from start to finish. Gen Z doesn’t have the same thrill of unwrapping a new CD, since music is now streaming at the touch of a button. Each CD was a journey, a curated experience that unfolded one track at a time. The anticipation of unwrapping, the tactile interaction of inserting it into the player, made every listen feel like an event.

Using a Rolodex for Contact Information

Before smartphones and digital contacts, people used Rolodexes to keep track of important phone numbers and addresses. This old-school contact book was a staple in offices and homes, and many had an entire Rolodex dedicated to friends, family, and work contacts. Gen Z has likely never heard of a Rolodex! It was a physical web of connections, a tactile network that linked us to the people in our lives. The sound of the cards flipping was a reminder of the relationships we built, one contact at a time.

The Magic of Polaroid Cameras

Polaroid cameras captured instant memories, giving you a physical photo in seconds. The excitement of shaking your photo to dry it, only to see it gradually develop, was a moment of magic for many. Today, it’s all about digital photos and filters, but there’s something special about the instant gratification of a Polaroid. Each photo was a piece of art, a moment frozen in time that connected us to our experiences. The tactile interaction with the camera and the anticipation of seeing the image develop added layers of excitement to every snapshot.

Using a Map Instead of GPS

Before GPS and smartphones, people had to rely on paper maps or directions from a friend to get around. Whether it was planning a road trip or navigating the streets, reading a map was a skill that took patience and practice. Gen Z might not even know how to fold a map! It was a dance of exploration, a journey that made every trip feel like an adventure. The tactile interaction with the map, the unfolding and refolding, added layers of complexity to every journey.

The Joy of a VHS Movie Marathon

When you had a group of friends over, nothing beat watching movies on a VHS tape. You’d pick out a few favorite films, pop them in the VCR, and enjoy hours of entertainment. The best part? Rewinding the tape at the end of the night to get it ready for next time. Gen Z’s idea of a movie marathon is probably a Netflix binge, but there’s something special about the analog experience. Each movie was a journey, a shared experience that connected us to the stories and each other. The tactile interaction with the tapes, the anticipation of watching, made every movie night feel like an event.

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