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by animules on 21 March 2011 - 23:03
I don't know who wrote this, but oh so true.....
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'They' certainly didn't have the green thing back in my day.
In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”
That’s right, they didn’t have the green thing in her day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, using the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But they didn’t have the green thing back her day.
In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But she’s right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.
Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used wadded up newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.
They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty, instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But they didn’t have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But that old lady is right. They didn’t have the green thing back in her day.
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'They' certainly didn't have the green thing back in my day.
In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”
That’s right, they didn’t have the green thing in her day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, using the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But they didn’t have the green thing back her day.
In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But she’s right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.
Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used wadded up newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.
They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty, instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But they didn’t have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But that old lady is right. They didn’t have the green thing back in her day.
by Mystere on 21 March 2011 - 23:03
Excellent, Tina!! Funny, though very true.
by alboe2009 on 22 March 2011 - 04:03
I think we need to go back to those times. Another post talked about what America uses from other countries? And I said look at a #2 pencil.... we can't even make a pencil? I spent 5 yrs in Germany while being in the military. I lived 9 miles from my base but my village, population @ 330 with 6 Americans was strictly all German. Unless you were right outside the base or like a half and half German/American community or off base housing it was totally German living and lifestyle.
For my area, the "Hunsruck", I considered to be @ 60 yrs behind. BUT life was much simpler! And quality of life was much nicer. The average homeowner had built his own house, with his own hands. And they were beautiful. Craftsmanship and woodwork were fabulous! Food, life, living was much better than the majority of America. Certain days of the week a vehicle; meat truck, dairy truck, flower truck, bread truck etc. would come into your village. They would park every so often, distance wise, honk their horn or ring/chime their bell and the residents would go out to the curb and get whatever they needed. Now each day had an item, so say on Mondays the butcher would be in the village and on Tuesday the dairy man. The average German household refrigerator was a small to medium almost like a dorm fridge. Very little waste.
I remember when we would have wine feasts or gatherings with Germans and Americans that one of the most stated comments by Germans or other Europeans were that "Americans are so wasteful, especially with food". Someone would take a bite of something and then throw it away. Take a drink and throw it away. Not many Europeans will do that. One of the biggest "things" my German friends would freak out over was having my drinks, (water, pop, juice etc.,) any drinks with ice! They don't do that. And when you went to the grocery store up against the front or side wall was a ton of cardboard boxes. At the register you walk over grab a box or two and pack your own groceries. YOU! (Could you see that happen here!?) Then when you come back to the store just bring your box.
A much simpler life with a nicer quality.You would think we could learn from other countries but we don't. Health care: Senior citizens riding bikes and walking EVERY day! Just a different life and lifestyle. Very little waste and very industrial and agricultural.
For my area, the "Hunsruck", I considered to be @ 60 yrs behind. BUT life was much simpler! And quality of life was much nicer. The average homeowner had built his own house, with his own hands. And they were beautiful. Craftsmanship and woodwork were fabulous! Food, life, living was much better than the majority of America. Certain days of the week a vehicle; meat truck, dairy truck, flower truck, bread truck etc. would come into your village. They would park every so often, distance wise, honk their horn or ring/chime their bell and the residents would go out to the curb and get whatever they needed. Now each day had an item, so say on Mondays the butcher would be in the village and on Tuesday the dairy man. The average German household refrigerator was a small to medium almost like a dorm fridge. Very little waste.
I remember when we would have wine feasts or gatherings with Germans and Americans that one of the most stated comments by Germans or other Europeans were that "Americans are so wasteful, especially with food". Someone would take a bite of something and then throw it away. Take a drink and throw it away. Not many Europeans will do that. One of the biggest "things" my German friends would freak out over was having my drinks, (water, pop, juice etc.,) any drinks with ice! They don't do that. And when you went to the grocery store up against the front or side wall was a ton of cardboard boxes. At the register you walk over grab a box or two and pack your own groceries. YOU! (Could you see that happen here!?) Then when you come back to the store just bring your box.
A much simpler life with a nicer quality.You would think we could learn from other countries but we don't. Health care: Senior citizens riding bikes and walking EVERY day! Just a different life and lifestyle. Very little waste and very industrial and agricultural.
by beetree on 22 March 2011 - 20:03
Alboe, I hear you on the ICE thing! I've noticed it traveling outside the US, too, not just in Germany. Must have ice. And milk should be served ice cold. Do not put ice in milk. 
by Mindhunt on 22 March 2011 - 21:03
Alboe, I remember vaguely those communities in Germany where my mom's family is from. We used to go out early in the mornings to "steal" a little milk from each of the cows for breakfast (my cousin ran a huge dairy farm). Fresh cow's milk was the best. Unfortunately in my area, we have had so many elderly hit by cars and left that it has become a serious problem. Many of the elderly in my community are from other countries and still like to walk to the store or a friend's home.
Great story Animules
Great story Animules
by Red Sable on 22 March 2011 - 21:03
"And when you went to the grocery store up against the front or side wall was a ton of cardboard boxes. At the register you walk over grab a box or two and pack your own groceries. YOU! (Could you see that happen here!?) "
We have a large grocery chain here in Canada where we do that. Food Basics.
It is a great idea.
We have a large grocery chain here in Canada where we do that. Food Basics.
It is a great idea.
by CrysBuck25 on 27 March 2011 - 05:03
Back in the day, being frugal was just being smart. This "green" thing has gotten way out of hand. Oh, for the good old days!!!
Crys
by clee27 on 27 March 2011 - 13:03
Another thing I've noticed as a military wife is a lot wives I meet do not cook very much or the use lots of prepackaged foods. My Mom lives with us now and she cooks nightly, I admit I probably would not cook nightly any longer since our daughter is grown up now but I used to. Great post!
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