When we look back at the past we often want things to return to the way they were. But, on occasion, we question why we ever got away with some of the things we did. We take a look at 18 modern taboos that were once commonplace:

Drinking and Driving

People used to think nothing of having a couple of drinks in a bar and then driving themselves home. We now know the dangers of drinking and driving and the drastic consequences of getting behind the wheel when under the influence with a legal alcohol limit of 08% enforced throughout the U.S.A.

Littering From Cars

It was an everyday occurrence to see people throw litter out of their cars and roads and highways were full of trash. The impact that littering has on the planet was not fully understood way back when but now we are doing better at looking after the environment.

No Seatbelts

Seat belts are essential in every vehicle to keep both children and adults safe. The thought of not strapping into a car these days is not something anyone wants to think about yet years ago we drove around without a care in the world.

Putting Kids in Trucks

If you thought putting a kid in a car without a seatbelt was bad enough, there was a time when parents threw their kids into the front of a truck without a seatbelt or a second thought, something that would not happen today.

Workplace Harassment

People often complained of being harassed at work as it was never taken seriously as it was part of the norm. However, in the 2023 Workplace Harassment & Misconduct Insights study over half of employees said they were exposed to workplace harassment or  misconduct. These days, workplaces are keen to keep their employees happy and would not risk a lawsuit by treating them unfairly.

Leaving Children Unattended

It was the norm for children to be left home alone for a few hours or for them to wander the streets until it got dark. You would often see pushchairs left outside of stores while the parents shopped, something that would never happen today. This behavior today would likely see a call go to social services. While there is no official age that children can be left alone, parents should ensure the child is mature enough to make decisions on their own, which should be done on a case by case basis.

Making Fun of The Poor

Society is becoming more aware of the needs of others and how diverse our communities are, which means that we no longer make fun of the poor or make tasteless jokes about living in poverty. One thing we do seem to be getting better at these days is empathy as we realize that one day it could be us who needs support.

Normalizing Alcohol

It was normal to see people glorifying alcohol and living the part lifestyle but we know the harmful effects of alcohol and while some people still drink alcohol it is not promoted as much as it was in mainstream advertising and people are cutting down.

Spanking Children

Spanking was once seen as the number one way to discipline children with parents, grandparents, and teachers reaching out to spank children when they did something wrong. It is now considered a harmful practice and is not carried out on a large scale although there will be some parents who still spank their children.

Corporal Punishment

Physical punishment in schools was once the norm but it is now banished in schools, thankfully. Hurting children as a form of discipline can harm a child significantly and schools are now aware of the long-term effects it can have so now focus on positive reinforcement.

Strict Teaching

As well as corporal punishment ending, so has the heavy discipline that some schools adopted in the past. Some discipline must be apparent in school as children need boundaries and routine to thrive but there is also a focus on the individual child and the need to be more inspiring and inclusive rather than dictatorial.

Strict Parenting

Like teachers, parents have softened in their approach to parenthood and are now more child-led than authoritarian. Gentle parenting trends have brought awareness to parents that the hardline approach can do more harm than good.

Racial Segregation

Racial segregation is hard to fathom but it was a very real experience for many. It is horrific to think about people being segregated just because they looked different and we are thankful that in today’s world inclusion and equality are embraced.

Using Racist Words

Despite the end of racial segregation, there were still some people who thought that using racist language was acceptable. To be fair, there are still a lot of racist people in our community but, thankfully, racist language is not accepted by most people.

Casual Homophobia

Like racism, casual homophobia has no place in today’s world yet years ago people thought they could make flippant comments about someone’s sexuality with no comeback. Attitudes have thankfully changed and if someone does say something homophobic there is usually someone that calls them out for it.

Pulling People’s Pants Down

Pulling people’s pants down was once the number one prank and people did it everywhere, no matter how public. Fast forward to today and you would be facing a sexual assault lawsuit as it is far from a harmless action these days.

Insensitive Jokes

If you watch a comedy TV show from the 70s and 80s you are likely to cringe hard at some of the bad taste jokes. Tasteless jokes are frowned upon in today’s world as we aim to be more sensitive to differences and comedians do not want to risk upsetting their audience.

Tattoos

In the past, tattoos were formed, especially if they were visible. These days many people have tattoos and they are proud to show them off. Everyone from 18-year-olds who cannot wait to get their first ink to 90-year-olds who have wished for a tattoo all of their lives are getting bold designs that people only dreamed about years ago. 

American Customs That Confuse the Rest of the World

Non-Americans are pointing out puzzling aspects of American culture, such as the obsession with sugary foods, complex tipping customs, and the prevalence of guns and violence in media. These observations highlight the cultural nuances that can confuse outsiders.

American Customs That Confuse the Rest of the World

What Does the World Really Thinks of Americans

It’s obvious that every part of the world has something to say about Americans or knows something about this glorious country. To identify what foreigners think about Americans by leveraging general news articles and social media surveys, we bring you what we found.

What Does the World Really Thinks of Americans

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