The early 2000s was a magical time. Trapped between the old and the new, it was a short period of pure bliss and carefree experiences. Bright-eyed teens with low-rise jeans spent the afternoons listening to mix CDs full of the freshest hits on the radio. Kids whiled away the days watching MTV, learning Britney’s dance routines, and playing Snake while waiting for a text on their Nokia 3310. The new millennium felt like entering the future, and, yes, flying cars and anti-gravity hoverboards were just around the corner.
The world moves quickly, and many things have obviously changed over the past 20 years. So to reminisce on the good old days, one Reddit user recently asked: “What was normal in 2002 but not 2022?” Fellow community members must have been feeling nostalgic as the thread immediately became a hit!
Get ready for a trip down memory lane because we at Bored Panda have gathered some of the best responses from the thread. We hope you can get a kick out of these amusing examples from the dark ages, aka the life you likely lived in 2002. Be sure to upvote the replies you find most relatable or that take you back in time, and then feel free to share your own recollections with us in the comments!
#1
Thinking George W. Bush was the worst president ever.
Image source: ragnarkar, Wikipedia
#2
Living being affordable
Image source: Rangestalker, Jean van der Meulen
#3
Going out without a phone or any other kind of remote communication device. Imagine driving a back road without anyway to get a hold of someone if you break down.
Image source: devildunkard, https://www.pexels.com/photo/iphone-on-table-1156684/
#4
Burning CDs, then writing the names of each song with the number track on the front of the CD
Image source: floatingaway919, cottonbro
#5
MTV, VH-1
Image source: ChevExpressMan
#6
A comedian making an edgy joke and not have their career nuked
Image source: ptapobane, Wikipedia
#7
Smoking cigarettes everywhere. Cars had ashtrays and restaurants had Smoking sections.
Image source: ATXKLIPHURD, Masha Raymers
#8
Dial up internet access.
Image source: ChimpyChompies
#9
Spinning a tape cassette with a pen
#10
Describing men as ‘metrosexual’ because they took care of themselves.
Image source: RougeEmber, Monstera
#11
Fat-shaming and body-shaming. I say this after watching all the compilations of America’s Next Top Model. Those judges have a special place in hell.
Image source: MyCatsLandlord
#12
Using a phone book.
Image source: BenjaminMStocks, Waldemar Brandt
#13
Going to blockbuster and hanging out at the mall
Image source: PossibilitySimilar28, Wikipedia
#14
Floppy disks. I work at my school as a program they offer and I saw an old 2000 PC with a floppy disk.
#15
Home phones
Image source: Agamemnon66, Caden Bern
#16
VHS tapes. I was 6 in 2002. They were at the end of their life, but most of what I watched up until then was on VHS.
Image source: FeelThePower999, Jeremy Bezanger
#17
Using payphones.
Image source: Salt_Champion_8289, cottonbro
#18
Limewire
Image source: Armed_Raven
#19
Going home with your digital camera so you could upload the photos from your day to your computer and email them to your friends or upload to Friendster.
Image source: NotHappyTilUNotHappy, Lukas Hartmann
#20
Criss Angel.
Image source: epicredditdude1
#21
Saying “that’s gay” as an insult
Image source: corasivy
#22
A single paycheck buying everything I needed.
Image source: Sleestak714
#23
Napster. For all you young farts, it was the original (as far as I know) platform to download music and make mix CDs. Y’all probably don’t know what CDs are anymore either. Hey are big in 02.
Image source: HangrySkeptic
#24
Making plans. Back then your ‘Yes’ meant ‘Yes’ and you better show up on time to not miss everyone. Now, people be lazy and just text you when they’ll show up, two hours later.
Image source: Bout2Drop, cottonbro
#25
flip phones
Image source: JustCallMePicklez
#26
Being in chat rooms with people of all ages, like MSN chatrooms. It’s a good thing that it isn’t a thing anymore.
Image source: Big-Status-2071
#27
Frosted tips for guys and streaky highlights for women.
Image source: IndividualMagician60
#28
Smoking indoors even around kids
Dial up Internet was still common
Not having a mobile
Wearing jeans under a dress
Buying CDs/DVDs
Telephones attached to the wall
Not using a car seat from 4yrs+
Glitter hair mascara
Leaving your kid in the car while you go into a shop
Cheque books and using cheques to pay for things
Swiping cards no pin required just a signature
2 door cars (nightmare to climb into the back)
Food had even more junk inside of it and it wasn’t really frowned upon if you fed your family that c**p all day everyday
Image source: Spiritual-Couple-456
#29
Ringback tones
Image source: xxsoultonesxx
#30
Faux hawks — the mullet of the 2000s. But back then, they were called mohawks, which would not go down well today. I’m suddenly feeling like Grandpa Simpson. I guess Simpsons references too.
Image source: murderinthelast
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