I'm 49 and thinking back to the 80s & 90s even the 2000s to a degree, everything seemed to slowly get BETTER over time. And then at some point everything started to either decline in quality and the few things that haven't declined have just stalled and there's been no further innovation. I can't pinpoint an exact year but at least since 2010 in my opinion. Seems like just about everything has been enshittified. The internet, the quality of food at restaurants, clothing quality, movies, video games, appliances, electronics, airlines, apps, streaming services. Everything is a fucking subscription now.

I know crap quality stuff has always existed and I know there were issues in the past but I don't remember anything to this extent. And that's not even getting into the cost of living now, the AI bullshit, and everything else.

My wife told me the other day, she has never tried or really cares to try sardines. I was kind of shocked! They were a staple, snack, for me during my childhood.

Just curious who less at sardines as a kid. I feel like GenX must have had a lot of canned food as kids. BTW I might be slightly high while typing this.

I’m finding myself cooking favorite meals from my childhood, watching shows like The Waltons & Andy Griffith, and wishing I could trade in my iPhone for a rotary phone.

Alvin, Simon and Theodore too!

And did you have cable TV without it or was the internet-cable-landline bundle the reason you held onto your landline for as long as you did?

If you worked from home back then, did your work pay for the landline and/or internet?

I grew up Gen X, where if you weren’t dying, you just worked it out and moved along.
As I became an adult, I discovered how important it is to exercise almost daily and eat pretty good, even if I did have a cocktail here and there.
Well, sometimes even healthy people have problems because I ran a fever for a week, which I was able to control with NSIDS, but then when I thought I should be feeling better I got pneumonia and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia that affected my heart and all of my other organs. I was there for eight days. It sucked.
Now I am living a whole new life with a whole new body because my heart is in failure, and my liver is a hot mess.
I guess it’s not so much advice as a reminder to myself that even if I grew up just shaking off any sort of illness, that now that I am a grown ass woman, I have to take a little better care of myself.

Took a digger in the shower this morning. Grew up working on farms and other blue collar work, thus have had my share of accidents.

Nothing like this morning. Living alone really got me scared this AM. Time for a bath mat.

Twofer one, eh? Take off!

Just rewatched Reality Bites and got some deep memories of the angst and why I loved the movie.
This should be in the top 10 GenX movies}
-The cameos are enough to warrant the top 10. I
-It touched on SO many of our issues.
-If nothing else, great soundtrack.

Has anyone here started getting or already have hammer toes? Why do they form? Is there anything you can do for them? Also, anyone have shooting pain on top of their foot, but only the outer half top of the foot? What other foot problems are we having? Thanks. I’m getting Achy Breaky feet and I don’t like it!

Hi everyone, Thanksgiving in Canada just passed, and our hot debate topic at the table was whether it was professional or not for someone to bring a drink (coffee, water, etc.) into a job interview with them.

My Gen X mother and aunt argued that it was unprofessional because it shows the person is unserious and casual about the job they are interviewing for, and they probably wouldn't hire them.

Myself (older Gen Z) and my millennial aunt argued that it shouldn't even be a consideration during a job interview. If someone is dressed appropriately and has qualifications for the job, them having a drink with them shouldn't have any effect.

We were able to agree that if they were drinking it excessively during the interview or showed up late to the interview with it, it's a bad look.

My mom brought up that maybe it was a difference in generations and that the younger generations are less serious about job interviews and jobs in general, so I thought I would ask here to get a consensus from Gen Xers.

p.s. This was a silly argument that doesn't have any effect on our relationships. I'm just curious at this point if it really is a difference in generations.

My grade 7 teacher Miss H gave me a lot of care and attention no teacher would. Had a lot of stuff to sort out and she put me on the right track. 15 years later when my mother passed away she came to the funeral. A little later after that I visited the same school where she was now principal. Told her I had a lot of teachers in my life but she stood out as my favourite. That made us both cry in her office

My child had a school assignment on marketing and media, so I showed them the 1984 commercial for the Plymouth Duster.

Them: I want that car now.

Gotta admit, that was my reaction to the ad when I first saw it too. Good thing I was still a kid.

https://youtu.be/c9_E_XXWP-Y?is=1R4cR7jWluYOuq0H

What the title says. Had a really bad day today at work. Got blamed for something out of my control. I cried, vented to coworkers but I’m still angry, sad, disappointed. I have no close friends to vent to. My partner is great, but I really wish I had someone else I can lean on when the time is tough. I have friend, but we only socialize. They are not people I can call to talk to when I have a bad day. I thought I was becoming friends with a coworker I talked to, but it looks like she’s not interested. No call or text after work to check-in on me even though I cried on the phone with her. I understand people have families & are busy. But I feel if we are truly friends, they would make time for me. I also recently ended a friendship, still grieving that loss. I find myself becoming more anxious as I get older. I fear the day I lose my partner. My child will be out of the house in 6 yrs. Then I will be all alone. My mind is spiraling. I am so sad. Thank you for reading.

I am 56 and own my home but money is tighter than I prefer. I have been divorced since I was 40. My daughter is moving out and getting it all figured out for herself(and I am so proud of her.) What is a good way to find a roommate? I am very self sufficient and not looking for a romantic or sexual partner. So just a roommate to help share expenses for the house.

What is the best way or place to find a person to be a roommate?

I recently used the following phrases I’ve never used before. “I don’t much cotton to that” “you can tell them to kick rocks” and “I’m at loose ends”.

Also, my wife tells me I will soon be telling people to stay off my lawn. And I understand that because of the time and money it’s taken to get it looking good.

Born in 1970, I remember going to the local barbershop and others during the 70's and early 80's and chuckle at the memory of Playboy/Hustler/insert name here magazines offered for view. Obviously Dad would shield those when he could but I remember sneaking a peak now and then to see what the fuss was about. Anyone else remember those?

Updated: I’m too tired to like and read everything right now but holy moly!! I so appreciate the feedback. Part of this was me being cheeky. I wear uncool shit all of the time. Just ask my kids. But the other part of me feels like my feet are bigger than my car when I try these fancy shoes 😆 Anyway, thank you. I think I’ll buy some Hokas for procedure days.

I am CHEAP. I hate spending money on stuff I don't love. I am not a sporty person. But I have a job where I have to stand in one place for a while and or be on my feet all day. My converse and vans just aint cuttin' it. I am also 52 and have been trying to deny my aging failing body. I was looking at Hokas and Oofos but jebus they are so expensive and UGLY. Today I tried a pair of Skechers for the first time. They were a more casual sneaker (Arcade) so not as hideous as they usually are. My lord were they comfy. The softness of those insoles was just...so so nice. Still a little pricey tho. And still kinda meh in the looks department.

Can anyone relate? Any other Gen Xers out there just giving in and considering Skechers and a moomoo for the rest of days?

I had a moment of clarity recently. I have joked that I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

Looking back, I wanted to be HAPPY when I grew up. If I work hard and be a decent person, I can have some "happy" right?

Back to the original question.

I only asked one thing from my children:

Be. Better. Than. Me.

They are. I hope I played a part.

I dont remember ever being told not to go in my parents bedroom. It was just known we weren't supposed to. Even as a small child, if I had a nightmare I would call out but I would not go in their bedroom. There were no lazy weekend cuddles or evening chats in their room. As an adult it wasn't as taboo but it was still sort of avoided. My kids have zero worries about coming in my room, will sit on my bed, run their mouths, occasionally use my bathroom and I really dont mind. I was just curious if others had it the same way.

I think this toy has been "rebooted" but these things were more awesome than they had a right to be.

Can discuss general headcanons too! My thoughts:

\-Ferris Bueller definitely went into business. He seemed like he’d have become successful for sure.

\-I could actually see Veronica from Heathers going into psychology and trying to become a therapist even though I don’t think it’d have been a good fit for her.

I’m curious about what you think came of the characters from the breakfast club especially Allison!

Was dancing with my 2-year old granddaughter this morning to it…