11 things people actually did before smartphones
Eat, sleep, LIKE, repeat
Last updated 15th Apr 2020
Cast your mind back a few years and there was a time before smartphones, mobile internet and everything that came with it. Do you remember when we actually sat down to chat to our friends, without our mobiles buzzing with notifications, or when you sent a postcard to loved ones?
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Here are 11 things people actually did before smartphones:
1. When you met up with friends, you TALKED and caught up with each other
Remember chatting to people without the distraction of a mobile phone? These days the atmosphere isn't quite the same when you sit next to them in silence, and tag them in comments on Facebook.
2. Dating meant actually meeting someone without checking their social media
Back in the day, you wouldn't know everything about your date from social media, before meeting them.
When you were introduced to a person, there was a chance you didn't already recognise them!
3. No one knew where you were ALL OF THE TIME!
The only instructions you needed was, "Be back for tea."
You could go for a walk and wouldn't have to worry about someone tracking your every move, or calling you to see when you'll be home.
4. Gigs were watched using your eyes 👀
Nowadays it's pretty hard to resist photographing/filming every single thing that happens at a gig. However, you often end up missing that special moment yourself.
Back in the 00s you'd enjoy every moment and have your memories with you forever.
5. You couldn't Google every symptom the second you felt ill…
These days if you're feeling just a little ill it's likely you'll try and play doctor by Googling your symptoms, even though the answer might be completely wrong.
It wasn't THAT long ago that we would actually go to the doctor if we were ill.
6. Travelling was a whole different adventure
Travelling involved actual maps and a knowledge of roads. Of course it meant that you had to know how to map-read, but you learnt that at Scouts or Brownies right?
7. You didn’t know every thought that floated inside a person's head
Everyone knows someone whose social media update is what they had for lunch, or what they're thinking about.
We don't need those updates, but thanks!
8. To get to know a celebrity you signed up to their fan club
These were the days when the PO Box was king and you wrote them a letter, rather than having the freedom to tweet them directly. Every 30 seconds.
9. There were no apps to make you move
It was very tempting to sit at home with a cuppa, because you did have a fitness app telling you to run every other day, or try out an online workout.
10. Hashtags were not an appropriate use of language
These days it's all about the hashtag and they're becoming part of our every day language more and more, 'Love the new track from P!NK! #NewMusic'.
However, back in the day we'd talk about things without saying "hashtag".
11. People ate food straight away
There was no need to take photos of every delicious looking meal because there wasn't anything to do with your pics! After all, you'd have to get your cumbersome camera out to take the photo anyway.
Eating out these days is rarely enjoyed without a quick snap of your scran before you dig in.
So there we have it, life has changed pretty drastically since we got one of these handy little hashtagging machines. How has a smartphone dominated your life? And do you remember back when it was a lot simpler?
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