One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events.
The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before television was commercialised, penicillin available widely, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill.
There were no credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens.
Man had not invented panty hose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man hadn't yet walked on the moon.
Your grandmother and I got married first, and then lived together.
Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir".
And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir."
We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, day-care centers and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by good judgment and common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent or Ramaddan.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends……not purchasing condominiums for holidays.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters or guys wearing earrings. If we did, they were gypsies or sailors.
We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the King's speeches on our radios.
And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk.
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We could actually buy things for pennies and threepence.
In my day:
"Grass" was mowed and "coke" was a cold drink.
"Pot" was something your mother cooked in and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
"Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, "chip" meant a piece of wood, "hardware" was found in a hardware store and "software" wasn't even a word.
And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap.
How old do you think I am?
I bet you have this really old man in mind... Well, you are in for a shock!
I am only 60 years old!!!
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