“Out With the Old”: 18 Old-School Etiquette Rules That Are Practically Extinct

Remember when life was full of quaint customs that told you exactly how to act, what to wear, and when to tip your hat? Yep, those were the days of old-school etiquette, but let’s be real: most of these traditions have hopped on the nostalgia train and left the station. Sit back, and let’s stroll down etiquette memory lane!

Gone With the Wind, the Indoors Hat Rule

Way back when, men had this unspoken rule that they’d remove their hats once indoors, particularly in homes and churches. This practice was a show of respect. However, today’s casual environment has taken over, and some folks barely take off their baseball caps, even during dinner.  

The Lost Art of Table Patience

Before, nobody dared to dig into their meals until the host had taken the first bite. This was like the go signal at a car race. Skip to now, and it’s a food free-for-all. A mix of busy lifestyles and our need for instant everything has made waiting for the host a bit of an ancient rite. There’s nothing wrong with being patient!  

The Vanishing Act of Elbow-Free Dining

Grandma used to wag her finger at you for putting your elbows on the table, remember? Old-timey etiquette was strict about this. But today, elbows are just the tip of the iceberg. We’re so glued to our smartphones during meals that elbow placement is the least of our concerns.  

Dressed to Impress, but Why Bother Now?

There was a time when people would actually dress up just to go to the grocery store. Can you believe that? But let’s face it, dressing up nowadays is pretty much reserved for weddings or job interviews. The casual revolution has happened, and comfort is apparently more important than anything else.  

Thank-You Cards, Now a Fossil

A handwritten thank-you card was once a must after receiving any kind of gift. It was all about expressing sincere gratitude. But now? A hastily typed text or email seems to be enough to say ‘thank you’ for that amazing birthday present. Blame it on digital convenience and our busy bee lives, folks.  

Where Did All the Letter-Writing Go?

Speaking of cards, people used to write letters, actual letters, to communicate. Imagine spending an hour or more just to share news or feelings. Today, why write when you can text, tweet, or update your Facebook status? Speed and convenience have trampled this beautiful tradition to the ground.   

Cramped Spaces, Where’s the Bubble?

Having a chat in the past meant respecting the other person’s bubble of personal space. Today, the personal bubble has pretty much popped. We’re more engrossed in our gadgets than being aware of the physical space around us, which has naturally led to many people making silly mistakes!  

Maybe Attending, Maybe Not—The RSVP Uncertainty

RSVP literally means “please respond,” but people seem to have forgotten its essence. Before, not responding to an invitation was unthinkable rudeness. Nowadays, a casual “maybe” on a Facebook invite is as good as it gets, instead of taking the time to respond with a letter. Social commitment, who?  

First-Name Basis, the New Formal

The times when you called people Mister, Missus, or Miss seem to have faded away like last year’s fashion trends. In fact, even the term “Ms” is beginning to lose its popularity! The world has gotten more casual and less structured, leading us to ditch these formalities in exchange for a first-name basis with almost everyone.  

Flowers, Now Just for Wallpapers

Sending flowers was a surefire way to make someone’s day or to court a lady. It was a universal symbol of thoughtfulness. But now, a quirky GIF or an emoji can serve the same purpose – especially if they’re funny ones! As romantic as that is, it’s just not the same as sending a bouquet, is it?  

Dial M for Midnight—Phone Etiquette Takes a Siesta

Once upon a time, telephones were more than just gadgets for playing games or checking social media. People actually used them to, you know, call each other. And there were rules! Calls had to be made before 9 PM; otherwise, you’d get the stink eye from the other end of the line. These days, we get notifications for texts, emails, and social media messages 24/7.   

Unwrapping the Mystery—Gift Giving Gets a Digital Upgrade

In the good old days, giving a gift was a grand affair. First, you’d pick out something that screams “You” for the person. Then, you’d wrap it up in shiny paper, complete with ribbons and a heartfelt note. Today, that whole shebang has been replaced by a 16-digit code sent via email. The nuanced art of present-picking is now a one-click wonder!  

The Rise and Fall of the Gentleman—Chivalry is Out of Service

The term “gentleman” meant something more than just a guy in a tux. We’re talking about opening doors, pulling out chairs, and giving up your seat on the bus. These gestures weren’t just for show; they were baked into the social fabric. Fast-forward to today and chivalry has been replaced by a more equal but less ceremonious system.   

Romance, Supervised—Chaperones are Now Just a Footnote

In the past, young love came with a sidekick—the chaperone. This was usually an older, wiser person responsible for keeping things, ahem, honorable between you and your date. But now, thanks to the magic of GPS and smartphones, your whereabouts are always known, making chaperones as irrelevant as a pager in the age of smartphones.  

Board Game Anarchy—Where Rules are Merely a Suggestion

Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, and Scrabble—all games that used to come with rulebooks as thick as a novella. Everyone played by the rules, and disputes were settled by referring to the book. Nowadays, it’s a freestyle world where house rules dominate, and everyone becomes a game designer. Cheating? Sore losing? Nah, just creatively interpreting the rules!  

Suburban Wilderness—Who Even Are Our Neighbors?

Used to be, you’d know your neighbors. You’d greet them, maybe even go to their barbecue or borrow a cup of sugar. That was neighborly etiquette. But with the rise of digital communities, that’s all but evaporated. Now, we know 400 people on Facebook but wouldn’t recognize our next-door neighbor in a lineup.  

The Twist and Shout Era is Over—Dance Floors are Free-for-Alls

Remember when going to a dance meant you had to actually know how to dance? Steps were learned, partners were formally asked, and the waltz was, well, the waltz. Those days are long gone. Modern dance floors are a jumble of freestyle moves and spontaneous grooves, and the only rule is to have fun.   

Table Manners—What Happened to the Forks?

Once upon a time, sitting down for a meal was like navigating a battlefield, only with forks and spoons instead of swords and shields. You had a specific utensil for every dish, and woe betide anyone who used the salad fork for their steak. Fast forward to today, and it’s a cutlery free-for-all. And let’s not even talk about eating with our hands—once a no-no, but now entirely commonplace.

Lost in Southern Translation: 18 Baffling Phrases from the South That’ll Leave Y’all Reaching for a Dictionary

  The Southern United States has a rich linguistic tradition that can often be a puzzle to those unfamiliar with the region’s unique vernacular. It’s not just the charming accent, but also the colorful phrases and expressions that add a dash of spice to the language. Let’s decode 18 such Southern phrases.

Lost in Southern Translation: 18 Baffling Phrases from the South That’ll Leave Y’all Reaching for a Dictionary

 

The Unpopular Yet Lucrative: 13 High-Paying Jobs Few Choose to Pursue

Despite their attractive salaries, there are specific high-paying jobs that need help to attract candidates due to various reasons. These unique professions offer financial rewards but often require more individuals to undertake the associated challenges. Let’s explore 14 such occupations that require specialized skills or involve demanding conditions but come with significant monetary compensation. The Unpopular Yet Lucrative: 13 High-Paying Jobs Few Choose to Pursue

Unmasking the Unpleasant: 12 Telltale Signs You Might Just Be a ‘Terrible Person’

You can tell if someone is a good person based on their words and actions. You can also use the same standard to determine if someone isn’t a good person. But what should you be looking for? An online community asked its members to describe the characteristics of someone who isn’t a good person, and the results were eye-opening Unmasking the Unpleasant: 12 Telltale Signs You Might Just Be a ‘Terrible Person’