From barefoot walks to cassette tape woes, every generation has its “In my day” stories – part truth, part myth, and all nostalgia.
The classic “In my day…” is the universal prelude to tales of bygone hardships and superior virtues.
It’s the anthem of every generation looking back wistfully, or perhaps smugly, at their youth.
Of course, we have all heard various variations of this. We have learnt that way back when, distances were unbelievably vast: We walked 10km to school, barefoot, in winter, uphill both ways.
And prices were negligible. A loaf of bread cost 10 cents, and with that same amount, we could watch a movie, buy a cold drink, and still have change.
Or buy a whole bag full of nicker balls or toffees and had a sweet supply for a whole month. Entertainment was inventive, and mostly original: we didn’t have video games, a PlayStation or televisions.
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We played with sticks and stones, or whatever we could find, and we were happy.
By now, I have realised that every generation crafts its own version of the “In my day” story: Baby boomers: we didn’t have the internet; we read heaps of books and wrote hundreds of letters by hand.
A trip to the post office was the highlight of our week, because we were expecting letters from afar.
Generation X: we had to wait patiently for our favourite songs to play on the radio to record them on cassette tapes.
And we were very disappointed when the DJ began speaking before the song finished. That spoiled the whole song. Hence a new waiting game began to get the perfect version.
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Millennials: we connected to the internet through dial-up; no instant streaming for us. Oh, that sound, when the connection started up, was like winning the Lotto.
What will future generations say? In my day, we had to charge our devices; they didn’t run on perpetual energy like yours!
The charm of the “In my day” tales lies in their blend of exaggeration and nostalgia. While they often highlight genuine differences between eras, they also tend to embellish for effect.
It’s a playful way to reminisce and perhaps gently remind the younger folks of the resilience and creativity of earlier times.
So, the next time someone starts with “In my day…”, lean in. You’re about to embark on a journey to a time when life was tougher, simpler and, according to the storyteller, unequivocally better.
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