It’s no exaggeration (or big surprise) to say that I love living in the 21st Century. I love my gadgets, TV shows, films with great special effects and most importantly of course, the Internet and all the life-enhancements it brings. However, despite all the time I spend Online, despite the fact that I would be lost without a smartphone and a data contract, I still get called a “luddite” at times by those around me. Here’s why:
* I hate reading on screens. If there’s a long blog post, or an article I need for research, I’ll print it and read it on paper. (Amidst exclamations of “ugh, hard-copy” from the boy).
* I cannot envisage a day when I will be happy swapping my book collection for an ebook reader. My desire to own books and have a beautiful, colourful bookshelf far overrides my desire for gadgetry and the convenience of an ebook reader. Ideally, I’d like to see a day when the ebook comes with the physical book, perhaps as a QR code for a digital download generated at the point of purchase or something.
* I like cheap peripherals! I can’t be dealing with super-sensitive “gaming” mice, they drive me completely insane. I like a clunky old £5 basic mouse and a similarly clunky, cheap keyboard that has keys that click in a satisfying manner when typing. Soft-touch keys make my skin crawl.
* I like to match my bag to my shoes. Even my mother says this is old-fashioned!
* Most of the time, if I receive a text that requires more than a yes or no answer (and I know the sender won’t mind), I’ll call, rather than text back. I would much prefer to actually speak to someone rather than sending them a message I can’t be 100% sure they’ll receive / look at for ages.
* I like using the “correct” wine glasses for different types of wine, even when it’s cheap plonk on a Friday night in and nobody will see me.
* Even though at times I swear like a trooper and hold my fork in my right hand, I often find myself yearning for an era where everyone had “proper” manners, and meals, trips out, etc. were more “civilised” affairs than they tend to be nowadays.
Do you have any loves, traits or occupations that others find old-fashioned?
While I prefer going paperless when it comes to bank statements, cell phone invoices and medical aid claims, I do love a good ole handwritten letter or postcard.
And I don’t really like buying things online. I prefer going into the shop, looking at the item, turning it over in my hands, pondering it.
And CDs are so much better than buying music online. Or even better – LPs!!
In technology: I cannot buy clothing online; I need to make sure that everything fits properly in the store, because I have such an odd pear-shaped form. (I’m little in the middle, but I’ve got much back, as Sir Mix-A-Lot would say).
I also prefer print media, not because of the texture or ease of it, but because of the smell of it. I could sit there and sniff books all day long. Magazines, too. I also like it how you can hold your hand against a magazine page, then tug it up and it stiiiicks, then pops off. It’s a childlike urge, I know.
There’s nothing like seeing a movie in a theater, with the smell of popcorn and the stickiness of old pop on the floor. I like previews. I like the jingle where they encourage you to buy snacks. I like that it’s always freezing in there and I have to remember to bring an over-garment. I like the responses of other people clapping or “woo”-ing behind me. I like surroundsound, loud noises, and really big pictures.
In manners: I strongly believe that people should be on time (which is old-fashioned and strange, according to most people I know, who are chronically late), and I’m extremely stern about “no cell phones at the table,” something I absolutely got from my mother. I do not talk about finances in specific detail; none of my friends know how much I make or how much is in my bank account because I don’t want to garner pity or envy in anyone. I think it’s gauche to brag about one’s material posessions. I firmly believe that everyone should understand grammar (including punctuation and capitalization) and use it correctly at all times.
In clothing: I have firm rules about not wearing sweatpants, wifebeaters, or short-shorts in public (gym excluded). I don’t feel that jeans or sweatshirts should be worn in places of worship. Flip-flops and I broke up sometime around middle school and haven’t gotten back together since. Oh, and I really dislike those skirts/shorts that are so short that the bottom of the pockets pop out the bottom. And frayed bottoms, of anything. And pretty much anything seen on the Jersey Shore (show).
I’m only 25 years old, but I sometimes think I fell out of some 1950s sitcom in which I was a stern librarian.
Old fashioned? Yea, I still prefer songs that have a tune and dancing with a partner…
Was looking to share this with my previous comment…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-mkR-KoPts
Sewing, baking my own bread, washing by hand, snail mail correspondence, and analogue photography.
I match my bag to my shoes too
. Also I cannot envisage myself using the kindle to read books either. Nothing beats having the book in your hands and the smell of books.
OH I agree about books. There’s just something about the smell of books and the notes in the margin. You don’t get that with an e-reader.
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