45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now

Times are constantly changing. I am technically part ofGen Z, but I feel like a dinosaur when I speak to tween Zoomers.Technological advancementshave caused our world to evolve rapidly, and suddenly, things that were everyday occurrences 15 years ago have become extremely foreign to theyoungest generations.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Punctuation and grammar.Seriously, it feels like even the basics have eluded a lot of folks today. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I’ve struggled trying to translate what should be basic sentences lately.

Yellow English grammar book on a desk, representing things that were obvious 15 years ago but confuse people now.

I think I’m just becoming a grumpy old woman but social awareness. Like blocking the whole sidewalk, speakerphones in public, that kind of thing. It’s always been a problem but I feel like the pandemic stunted an entire generations social growth and they’re just oblivious to their effect on others in any given space. It’s stunningly annoying tbh.

Woman in a blue sweater talking on the phone, holding coffee, on a street.

If someone doesn’t get back to you right away, it’s OK, they’re not home.

A landline phone on a desk, highlighting items that confuse people now compared to 15 years ago.

Sometimes people would lose their cool in public, we just never knew about it because not everyone had a smartphone in their hands at all times. Now, one person’s bad day can become a public spectacle that follows them for the rest of their lives.

Woman in a beige coat extending her hand toward the camera, conveying confusion.

Remembering phone number of friends and families. Even to this day I can still remember some of my friends number from over 15 years ago.

Person dialing a rotary phone, a once obvious object, now confusing to many.

Paper maps and how to use them.

Child in blue jacket holding a map outdoors, symbolizing once obvious navigation skills now confusing for many.

I’m a teacher and the kids think it is some mythological world where children leave the house, go on adventures, and return home before the streetlights go up.

Kids playing outside on a scooter and bike, enjoying a sunny day, reminiscent of activities obvious 15 years ago.

How to hold a phone up to your ear and mouth rather than holding it in front of you to shout into the mic at the bottom, apparently.

Woman using a vintage phone, illustrating things that confuse people now but were obvious 15 years ago.

The relationship between a cassette tape and a pencil ✏️.

Hands holding a cassette tape with a pencil, symbolizing confusion over once obvious technology.

45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now

Floppy disk on a light blue background, representing technology that used to be obvious but confuses people now.

You shouldn’t bring your parents to a job interview.

Three people discussing work on laptops in a modern office, highlighting changes in obvious knowledge over the years.

That being constantly tracked, surveyed, and recorded isn’t good.

A ceiling-mounted surveillance camera inside a dimly lit building, representing technology changes over the years.

Needing to ring the doorbell at your friends’ houses to see if they’re home and if they wanna play outside.

Children in costumes knocking on a blue door, representing old Halloween traditions.

That phones are unnecessary when eating something.

Person eating spaghetti with meatballs while using a smartphone, showcasing modern dining habits.

Remember having to develop film rolls at a photo lab. Instant photos are so convenient now!

Hand holding a roll of Pro Image 100 film, a once obvious technology now confusing to many.

Thinking. The ability to be bored. Context.

45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now

Downloading music off dodgy websites just so you could have a “cool” phone ringtone. Or burning CDs…

45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now

Millennials seem to really know this well, but kinda lost in Gen Z and younger: Troubleshooting your own computer. They don’t even know how powerful the Task Manager is.

Man in a data center holding a laptop, reflecting on what was once obvious but is now confusing for some.

What the sound of a busy signal means.

Man using a CRT monitor and landline phone, with floppy disks and paper stacks, reflecting old obvious technology.

A person reading a newspaper while drinking coffee, symbolizing things that used to be obvious but are now confusing.

Telling time on an analog clock, apparently.

Person in a blue suit looking at a wristwatch, symbolizing confusion over time-related changes.

PrivacyNot posting every thought that comes into your headResponsibilityConsequences for your actionsDignity and self-respectCommunity serviceRespect and care for your neighbors.

45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now

How anything was done without internet.

45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now

Handing in a paper in university on paper. I talk to university students now all they hand in all their papers online. Back when I was going in the mid 2000s everything was handed in on paper.

Person studying outdoors with notebooks and a drink, illustrating changing trends over 15 years.

Pay phones AND having money for a call AND either knowing the number or having a little black book.Similar: calling collect and blurting out “momcomepickmeup” instead of shelling out money for the call.

45 Things That Used To Be Obvious 15 Years Ago, But Confuse People Now