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tblue37

(68,437 posts)

34. Remember when long distance reception was so weak that everyone in the house

Reply to edhopper (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 9, 2019, 02:36 PM

Nov 2019

had to stay quiet so you could hear?

And remember sharing a party line?

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How is it Gen Zers don't know what this is [View all] edhopper Nov 2019 OP

Remember when a ringing phone was kind of exciting? nt Laffy Kat Nov 2019 #1

And we had to be short when it was edhopper Nov 2019 #2

Yep! I miss those days. nt Laffy Kat Nov 2019 #3

Lmao, I have forgotten okieinpain Nov 2019 #4

And.......... MyOwnPeace Nov 2019 #5

You have a collect call from "Mom,come pick me up at School" KentuckyWoman Nov 2019 #172

When I was in college (60's) MyOwnPeace Nov 2019 #194

Altho you could save money by calling in the evening Maeve Nov 2019 #11

Also remember when instead of numbers as the first 2 parts of a phone number, we had letters? nt tblue37 Nov 2019 #40

I still remember our "old" number Ohiogal Nov 2019 #46

Ours was just 86. MineralMan Nov 2019 #59

FLeetwood-20498 Grammy23 Nov 2019 #81

3991-J MyOwnPeace Nov 2019 #195

GR4--GRanite 4, for Circleville Maeve Nov 2019 #124

Remember the Liz Taylor movie "BUtterfield 8"? nt tblue37 Nov 2019 #125

KEnmore1-XXXX - Mom's 90 now and has the same number and a black rotary phone. Backseat Driver Nov 2019 #146

Pennsylvania six, five OOO CTyankee Nov 2019 #185

Numbers and letters were the same thing LeftInTX Nov 2019 #186

In 1962, there were protests against the all numerics! LeftInTX Nov 2019 #187

Remember when long distance reception was so weak that everyone in the house tblue37 Nov 2019 #34

Kind of like the cell phones of today, eh? Laffy Kat Nov 2019 #93

Remember long distance, period? Codeine Nov 2019 #150

This message was self-deleted by its author LuvNewcastle Nov 2019 #201

And if it was really long distance you had to shout so loud that everyone Baitball Blogger Nov 2019 #152

Remember when calling your relative two miles away was a long distance toll charge? TheBlackAdder Nov 2019 #29

THAT one Ohiogal Nov 2019 #48

If you went through a different Exchange or Central Office. Sometimes neighbors across the street. TheBlackAdder Nov 2019 #54

because there was no answering machine! had to pick it up or not know who called Demovictory9 Nov 2019 #88

Millennials definitely know what that is. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #6

Not how to use it. edhopper Nov 2019 #7

So a better question would be, "Why don't my nieces know how to use this?" WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #8

You think they are the only ones? edhopper Nov 2019 #23

So a better question might be, why do some millennials know how to WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #30

Some have watched old movies? mucifer Nov 2019 #64

That is certainly a possibility. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #76

We're not that young JonLP24 Nov 2019 #155

The oldest millennials are pushing 40, and likely grew up with them. Crunchy Frog Nov 2019 #151

Yeah this was a rhetorical question to get the OP to think about what he was saying. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #153

We were on a party line. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2019 #9

Our first phone was a ten-party line unc70 Nov 2019 #18

Willful ignorance. I knew of at least some of the Big Bands of the 40's and the hlthe2b Nov 2019 #10

I was at a work meeting and my Gen X boss had a slide with a picture of Led Zeppelin on it ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #13

Did they? hlthe2b Nov 2019 #14

Nope. ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #53

I was wearing my Three Stooges t-shirt and my younger daughter's boyfriend CaptYossarian Nov 2019 #92

Hopefully you poked her in both eyes at once Codeine Nov 2019 #132

LOL Rorey Nov 2019 #193

That would've generated "crickets". CaptYossarian Nov 2019 #220

How about dial-up modems, or even AOL? brush Nov 2019 #16

yup...definitely hlthe2b Nov 2019 #21

A sound one never forgets. nt Codeine Nov 2019 #133

Yeah, that fizzle and popping and crackle sound...almost like... brush Nov 2019 #135

Years ago MyOwnPeace Nov 2019 #197

The alternate dial in numbers that were long distance, but it was a busy night...... MrsCoffee Nov 2019 #206

I know what that last thing is: A ballpoint pen. JustABozoOnThisBus Nov 2019 #57

As long as you can use some kind of pen to write in cursive, I'm great! hlthe2b Nov 2019 #60

Wax cylinder music records, real old! I learned from a hst museum: appalachiablue Nov 2019 #112

And many..... MyOwnPeace Nov 2019 #196

Millennials think it's funny that boomers bring shit like this up ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #12

because knowing about the past edhopper Nov 2019 #24

Not how to use a rotary phone. TDale313 Nov 2019 #38

Not sure about that edhopper Nov 2019 #41

"Any technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic." lastlib Nov 2019 #198

Millenials were taught cursive handwriting. demmiblue Nov 2019 #63

My GenZ kids were both taught cursive. Codeine Nov 2019 #134

I think most schools still teach cursive... demmiblue Nov 2019 #215

The whole "older document" thing is a red herring. Happy Hoosier Nov 2019 #77

Which older documents? Mariana Nov 2019 #159

I know nothing about telegraphs. ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #56

Knowing how to dial a rotary phone is important? Mariana Nov 2019 #157

This message was self-deleted by its author pepperbear Nov 2019 #86

How many of you wash your clothes on a rock in the stream? brooklynite Nov 2019 #15

It's not doing it edhopper Nov 2019 #26

Try not to be condescending. Harker Nov 2019 #33

ROFL edhopper Nov 2019 #43

Duzy KentuckyWoman Nov 2019 #174

The days before battery operated sex toys were interesting jberryhill Nov 2019 #65

another winner! edhopper Nov 2019 #80

You mean butter churns, right? Codeine Nov 2019 #137

I actually have done that IronLionZion Nov 2019 #111

The river silt gets caught in the seams of my yoga pants. nt Codeine Nov 2019 #136

Give me a ring on the "Ameche" Doc_Technical Nov 2019 #17

Only if Henry Fonda edhopper Nov 2019 #28

1) Of course they know what it is, 2) because they haven't used one. demmiblue Nov 2019 #19

So your continual mocking is OK alphafemale Nov 2019 #20

When a boomer says, "how is it millennial don't know..." WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #27

Read MM's reply #22 edhopper Nov 2019 #35

Can you send a telegraph or store a 50lb block of ice to keep food cold. alphafemale Nov 2019 #67

Yes to both, edhopper Nov 2019 #82

I could too (I have an old morse code manual of my Dad's) and I know how to build an icehouse hlthe2b Nov 2019 #204

That is my concern as well edhopper Nov 2019 #205

The millenials indifference to it. My grand kids (12-23) have no interest. rickyhall Nov 2019 #105

That isn't a generational thing Codeine Nov 2019 #140

You're forgetting something. Boomers like Gates and Jobs... brush Nov 2019 #130

Boomers know how to use rotary dial phones AND smart phones. MineralMan Nov 2019 #22

Well said edhopper Nov 2019 #36

While I agree with you ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #62

That's true, and I'm being facetious, really. MineralMan Nov 2019 #66

Ha! ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #70

I was impatient too.... KentuckyWoman Nov 2019 #175

And to be fair Codeine Nov 2019 #147

I'm wondering customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #25

That's an excellent question. MineralMan Nov 2019 #31

Probably an urban legend... TDale313 Nov 2019 #44

Now, that's funny! customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #49

was there a card catalog involved? handmade34 Nov 2019 #108

tx, so funny appalachiablue Nov 2019 #110

I know what that is sakabatou Nov 2019 #32

You must be one of the good ones edhopper Nov 2019 #37

Most do. pintobean Nov 2019 #50

It's probably Gen Z that doesn't know what rotary phones are sakabatou Nov 2019 #73

The info is at our fingertips all the time these days pintobean Nov 2019 #109

True, they can get at the info sakabatou Nov 2019 #120

What did you do, the first time you saw one? nt. Mariana Nov 2019 #163

Watched someone use it sakabatou Nov 2019 #164

Boomers are cool. Codeine Nov 2019 #144

I think this whole thread is hilarious. cwydro Nov 2019 #208

In the movie, "In and Out"-- Collimator Nov 2019 #39

I don't have a problem with millenials edhopper Nov 2019 #47

Why do they have to? BlueStater Nov 2019 #42

Yes edhopper Nov 2019 #45

I do. I learned Morse code when I was 12. MineralMan Nov 2019 #55

I think I learned before then from a telegrapher at the railroad station down the block from me. LiberalArkie Nov 2019 #106

I learned it around then too. cwydro Nov 2019 #212

how many of you remember your 1st phone # dweller Nov 2019 #51

I do. The number was 86. MineralMan Nov 2019 #58

I use it as a password some times. lpbk2713 Nov 2019 #83

I DO. I won't list it because it is part of my single MASTER password hlthe2b Nov 2019 #209

yeh that makes sense dweller Nov 2019 #210

That's a great idea. cwydro Nov 2019 #213

I'm a Millennial and I know what a rotary phone is OliverQ Nov 2019 #52

It isn't relevant in their lives Bettie Nov 2019 #61

I wonder how quickly some of the old Skidmore Nov 2019 #90

People would then pick them up again Bettie Nov 2019 #126

Exactly. DangerousRhythm Nov 2019 #158

I'm Gen X too Bettie Nov 2019 #167

Ha, pretty much. DangerousRhythm Nov 2019 #217

Exactly how old do you think millennials are? mathematic Nov 2019 #68

This. n/t demmiblue Nov 2019 #71

Dang nab it edhopper Nov 2019 #84

I know what that is vercetti2021 Nov 2019 #69

My great grandma had a wooden phone like that. hunter Nov 2019 #72

OMG!! ROFL!! LeftInTX Nov 2019 #188

One of my cousins built a new brick house for my great-aunt. LuvNewcastle Nov 2019 #203

Thing is this model phone is important in a crisis tirebiter Nov 2019 #74

Number enid602 Nov 2019 #75

I brought a toy phone to my substitute teaching job once and none of the kids knew what it was. kimbutgar Nov 2019 #78

I got one of those "dial phones" in my kitchen right now..and ...Yes, it works!!! Stuart G Nov 2019 #79

OldPeopleWhiningUnderground.com Codeine Nov 2019 #85

. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #89

.... A HERETIC I AM Nov 2019 #94

. demmiblue Nov 2019 #96

These Me-Mes edhopper Nov 2019 #99

ROFL! IronLionZion Nov 2019 #102

I heard on NPR that millennials were killing paper napkins LeftInTX Nov 2019 #181

That's pretty much it. We are what we are. Captain Stern Nov 2019 #113

Millennial checking in and not offended by a boomer talking about rotary phones IronLionZion Nov 2019 #119

I read somewhere that this year vinyl records will outsell CD's. Captain Stern Nov 2019 #184

I think it's funny as hell! cwydro Nov 2019 #214

You saw it on TV left-of-center2012 Nov 2019 #87

One of my treasures is a photo of my grandfather and me. TNNurse Nov 2019 #91

Why does this boomer not know how to use SnapChat or snapfilters? LeftInTX Nov 2019 #95

OK Boomer IronLionZion Nov 2019 #97

I am not a luddite edhopper Nov 2019 #100

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." IronLionZion Nov 2019 #107

My state senator requires texts before calling LeftInTX Nov 2019 #104

And exchanges having names BuffaloJackalope Nov 2019 #98

Why couldn't I figure out how to drive a hybrid? LeftInTX Nov 2019 #101

Did you go to school in Texas? edhopper Nov 2019 #103

I went to school in Wisconsin LeftInTX Nov 2019 #115

Just kidding edhopper Nov 2019 #116

If it's an automatic, just put it in Drive IronLionZion Nov 2019 #114

Oh yeah...it also had a push button shift LeftInTX Nov 2019 #117

Push button shifts are old misanthrope Nov 2019 #170

I am 71, and I drive a stick shift. PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2019 #145

My grandmother drove a stick shift but my mom never learned how IronLionZion Nov 2019 #148

Did you look in the glove compartment to see if there was an owners manual? misanthrope Nov 2019 #169

I wasn't going to experiment driving a new type of vehicle while driving alone in rural TN LeftInTX Nov 2019 #178

These new technologies confuse and frighten Unfrozen Caveman Programmer. nt Buns_of_Fire Nov 2019 #118

I am more than adept edhopper Nov 2019 #121

Not at all. I have feet firmly planted in both worlds. Buns_of_Fire Nov 2019 #123

Ok edhopper Nov 2019 #138

Im not gen x er, but i have one sitting on the telephone stand behind me AllaN01Bear Nov 2019 #122

I'm 48 and heard this same bullshit in the 90s Blue_Adept Nov 2019 #127

Mic drop. nt Codeine Nov 2019 #128

Gen X stevil Nov 2019 #149

I'm just a few years younger than you, and I feel similarly. DangerousRhythm Nov 2019 #160

I teach HS math jcgoldie Nov 2019 #129

But in all seriousness Codeine Nov 2019 #131

You make a good point edhopper Nov 2019 #139

I just now asked my daughter about rotary phones. Codeine Nov 2019 #142

That warms me a little edhopper Nov 2019 #143

No no no! It's because they're lazy and stupid! Mariana Nov 2019 #162

everybody who has ever watched LASSIE tv show knows how to work the second one. Captain Zero Nov 2019 #141

"How to dial a phone" area51 Nov 2019 #154

I'm a boomer and never heard of Latinx until 2017 LeftInTX Nov 2019 #156

I remember in high school in the '70s BumRushDaShow Nov 2019 #161

They should have been forced to watch more TV. nt. Mariana Nov 2019 #165

As a Boomer, you were just one generation behind that second phone on the bottom Polybius Nov 2019 #166

Another question is why do we expect children to know how to do something that OhioBlue Nov 2019 #168

Some older people seem to have a desperate need Mariana Nov 2019 #221

Ours looked like this until 1966 KentuckyWoman Nov 2019 #171

This seems appropriate... JHB Nov 2019 #173

I gave advice to a girlfriend of family to look for work by writing letters applegrove Nov 2019 #176

I haven't used a telephone book in a long time LeftInTX Nov 2019 #179

Yes i haven't used one in a decade. But i was amused at how out of touch applegrove Nov 2019 #182

I used one a few years ago and realized it was pretty much worthless! LeftInTX Nov 2019 #183

"OMG there's a hashtag on it? I didn't think the Internet was around 100 years ago?" Beartracks Nov 2019 #177

Ուղեկցվեք LeftInTX Nov 2019 #180

Possibly... Mike Nelson Nov 2019 #189

I'll tell you what that is - a fake rotary phone muriel_volestrangler Nov 2019 #190

my grandparents had a rotary in the basement. sadly i can't use MY rotaries w/ the new 'land' line. pansypoo53219 Nov 2019 #191

Boomers ruthlessly mocked their parents generation and Gen X, Y and Z alphafemale Nov 2019 #192

Had the old one on the bottom out at the farm... Maxheader Nov 2019 #199

This kind of sentiment is why the "ok boomer"meme has taken off Tarc Nov 2019 #200

Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it... hlthe2b Nov 2019 #207

Yep, and the rotary phone... DangerousRhythm Nov 2019 #218

That's deep. :) Kurt V. Nov 2019 #202

My impression of this board is that its mostly white boomers who are either retired... Humanist_Activist Nov 2019 #211

How is it self-entitlement to ask a simple question? cwydro Nov 2019 #216

Truer words were never spoken. Codeine Nov 2019 #219