You know whats Not on Roids, but apparently was acceptable in the 1980s? A whole heap of stuff that would make Gen Z spontaneously combust from secondhand embarrassment and righteous indignation. Seriously, folks, I just read an article listing 25 forgotten social rules from that decade, and it’s less a trip down memory lane and more a cautionary tale about how far weve (thankfully) come.
Lets be clear: the 80s weren’t all neon leg warmers and synth-pop. They were also a breeding ground for behaviors that now trigger HR departments and therapy sessions. Like, apparently it was normal to casually drop racist jokes at work? The article specifically mentions passive racism as a prevalent norm – imagine! Saying things like “You people…” and expecting zero pushback. We’ve evolved beyond this, folks. It wasnt considered rude to openly criticize someones weight, either. Body shaming was just…part of the conversation.
And dont even get me started on workplace harassment. Apparently, unwanted advances were dismissed as “flirting.” The article points out that workplace harassment was a completely accepted norm! Can you believe it? A manager could pat you on the head and expect you to be grateful – paternalism cranked up to eleven. Its genuinely shocking.
The whole concept of personal space seems to have been optional back then. Standing too close in conversations? Totally fine! Sharing food without asking? Standard practice! Now, I’m not saying a gentle arm touch is inherently evil, but apparently 80s interactions were akin to a human mosh pit.
Then theres the casual sexism baked into everything. Women being expected to take notes in meetings, men dominating conversations, and assuming a woman’s primary career goal was marriage? It’s exhausting just thinking about it. The article highlights how significantly norms have shifted regarding gender roles – and for good reason.
Honestly, reading this list felt less like nostalgia and more like witnessing a societal cringe-fest. While some might argue were too sensitive now, I say: good! Let’s continue to be uncomfortable with behavior that actively harms and demeans others. The 80s were a valuable learning experience – a reminder of how far we need to go.
