8 things millennials should experience from Gen X Generation at least once

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You can get with THIS or you can with THAT:  8 Things Millennials should experience from Gen X generation at least once


Much love to my Millennials because with all generations, there are things, fashion, music, and technology that is available to you that was not available during the previous generation.  


However, I am a firm that every generation should experience a few things that the prior generation experienced just to appreciate what you have today.


So, on behalf of my Generation X brothers and sisters, here are a few things that you should experience at least once:


  1. Instead of this (GPS), try THAT (A paper Road Map)

Almost all of us probably rely on some form of GPS whether it be Google Maps, our in car GPS, or Android.   It definitely makes life easier.   However, there was a time every SERIOUS road tripper HAD to have a Rand McNally paper map in their glove compartment.  If you never served in the military, it didn’t matter because these maps forced you to learn how to navigate.


  1. Instead of this (Smart Phone), try THAT (Land line)

Question, how many of you have ever made a collect call?   How many of you have ever had use a phone with a cord that extended the length of the house?  How many of you have used (or even seen) a pay phone?  As funny as it may seem, land lines are damn near apocalypse proof.  If you know anyone who has lived in a house when the power goes it, a land line is almost the only thing working.  


  1. Instead of this (SATELLITE or online streaming), try THAT (AM/FM radio)

Try taking a road trip and NOT using your Sirius XM, or your mp3, or USB/Auxiliary connection and just use the AM/FM stations.  You will learn QUICKLY the value of music, news and sports.  Imagine going through an area with NO stations.  Yea, it’s that serious.


  1. Instead of this (Social Media), try THAT (Word of mouth)

Years ago (around 2005), I was talking to a young college protégée and he was working on a party.  I asked him how he promoted the party and he said Face Book.  I was like “That’s it?”.  He said “Yea. How did you promote parties?”.  I told him that we put flyers in dorms, contacted Frat brothers at other campuses, and talked to young ladies in the girls’ dorm.  More work, same outcome.


  1. Instead of this (TikTok, IG, Twitter), try THAT (Mall)

There are still a few floating around and if you can find one, consider yourself lucky.  In my world, they were the staple of socialization and you could determine the population based on the location of the mall.   Malls weren’t just a place to shop but a right of passage.


  1. Instead of this (Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify), try THAT (Tape Cassette)

You want to skill?  Try rewinding a cassette tape to your favorite spot.  And worse, make sure you have a butter knife ready for when your tape gets stuck (who knew a butter knife could be so handy.


  1. Instead of this (Voice Mail), try THAT (Answering Machine)

Most of us are used to having our voice mail on our smart phone attached to our hips.  There was once a time when we relied on an old fashioned robot called an answering machine that you actually could call to get your messages.   That thing was so loud that if someone stood outside your door, you could hear it clicking when it answered your phone.  And the messages were saved on mini cassettes.


  1. Instead of this (Netflix, DVR, Amazon Prime, Hulu), try THAT (VCR)

You may be able to find a VCR/DVD hybrid in Best Buy, Walmart or Target if you are trying to convert Video tapes to DVD.  However, you are probably going to need to go to a pawn shop to see an authentic VCR.  I swear you could talk to aliens from another planet on this thing.


Again, if you have the chance to try at least ONE of these things, consider yourself lucky.  You can truly appreciate all of the things that Gen X experienced.

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