17 Everyday Habits From the 1970s That Disappeared

In the 1970s, life had a pace, a pace of steady beat, the kind of beat one learns from habits such as patience, planning, and hands-on contact. Waiting by the phone, writing letters, and keeping up with the newspaper were all habits that required one to take one’s time. One had to attend to shopping for fresh food, pay with cash, and maintain an address book—all habits that were hands-on and practical. Life was also about entertainment and communication, with TV slots, constant radio, and neighbors talking to each other. Life habits such as ironing clothes, hanging them out to dry, and developing photographs encouraged a pace to life, a pace of slowness.

1. Waiting by the Phone for Important Calls

The telephone was, in the 1970s, an object shared by all, almost sacred, located in a prominent location in the house, in the living room or in a hallway, with its cord neatly coiled and the dial requiring a careful touch. No one carried around a telephone in their pocket or purse, and a call was a serious affair. When a potentially important call was expected, people waited for hours around the telephone, adjusting their schedules to ensure they were available. This was understood by all members of the family, and the line was not used for idle chatter; it was only for calls that were really necessary. Calls were short but significant, as a long-distance call was not cheap.

2. Writing and Mailing Personal Letters Regularly

Letter writing, in the 1970s, was not merely a hobby; it was a way of life. It was especially important in keeping long-distance relationships alive. People sat with their paper, pens, and a spare moment, pouring their hearts and souls into the pages with thoughts and feelings that may have been locked deep within them. They may have been common objects in many people’s lives, but stationery, envelopes, and stamps were part and parcel of many people’s lives. Many people took pride in their handwriting. Writing a letter is not something that one rushes through. It is a process that requires time and thought. Letters contained long and winding tales of one’s life, family, and struggles.

3. Watching Television Only During Scheduled Broadcast Hours

In the 1970s, television had a rigid schedule, and families lived by the clock. TV shows aired at specific times, and if you missed one, you hoped to catch a rare rerun. The evening hours had become a family ritual, with all members of the family gathering in front of the television to watch a show together. There were only a few television channels to choose from, and the options were limited but generally familiar to all. The popular shows of the day created a particular cultural moment, with all discussing the same shows the following day. After the television broadcast hours were over, the television stations went dark, with the screens either switched off or displaying a test image.

4. Reading the Daily Newspaper from Front to Back

In the 1970s, reading the local paper was a standard routine that people did each day. Receiving a fresh copy of the paper came as early as the crack of dawn. People would open it at breakfast, perusing each section with great care. The headlines ensured that they were aware of all that was happening around them. The local section connected them with their community. The classified section, comics, and editorials all added depth to the paper, ensuring that it was not just a news source but a complete experience. The routine required that people focus on each news item, thinking deeply as they went through each section.

5. Visiting the Local Market or Grocery Store Daily

Shopping in the 1970s was a daily affair, especially grocery shopping. This was mainly due to the lower level of refrigeration technology at the time. Therefore, shopping for what one needed at the moment was the norm. The small neighborhood stores were the heart of the community. One had to walk or drive a short distance to the stores to buy meat, fruits, and other essentials. The store owners knew all customers by name, creating a warm, intimate shopping experience. The shopping process itself was uncomplicated, and chatting with the store owners was a natural occurrence. This created a sense of routine and structure in one’s life. Unlike today, shopping in small doses instead of in bulk was the preferred option.

6. Using Cash for Every Purchase

In the 1970s, cash was king for day-to-day purchases. People dealt with cash and change in their wallets, purses, or those little change containers. While credit cards were available, they were not common for small purchases, especially for mom-and-pop stores. Spending cash had its own discipline because you were dealing with actual limitations. You could see and feel how much you had. When you spent money, you were literally counting it out and handing it over. This had an immediate and tangible feel. This also had an interesting impact on people’s fiscal discipline. People were more likely to be cognizant of their expenses and how much they had.

7. Keeping a Household Address Book

In the 1970s, people used address books as a way to keep their world organized. These small books were kept on the telephone or in a desk drawer, filled with names, telephone numbers, and home addresses. Each entry was written down with care, sometimes in elegant script, and was updated whenever someone changed their address or telephone numbers. There was no way to search for information with the touch of a button, so you flipped through the pages until you found what you were looking for. The address book was a low-key, indispensable tool, used for ringing up family members, mailing a letter, or planning a visit.

8. Hanging Laundry Outdoors to Dry

A drying rack hung with clothes was one of the rhythms of the 1970s. Many families did not rely on electric dryers to dry clothes. Instead, laundry day was the day that clothes went out on the clothesline to dry in the sun. Clothespins held everything in place as the sun did its magic on the clothes. It was not the fastest way to get clothes dry, but it was effective nonetheless. It was also one of the ways that families became connected to the earth and the weather. If the weather did not cooperate, the drying of clothes could be slowed down significantly. Sometimes, kids even helped out with the task by doing chores at home. It was one way to get clothes clean and fresh without using any harsh chemicals.

9. Listening to the Radio Throughout the Day

The radio was a constant presence in the 1970s, cutting through the fabric of everyday life. It was a source of music, information, and a little entertainment. People tuned it in every morning at dawn, and it was on all day, humming along. It was filled with popular music, live programs, and talk programs that kept people informed and interested. It was not like the music programs we have today, where we can choose what we want to listen to, but it was dictated by the programs that were on the radio, and we listened to what was on at that particular time. It was a way of keeping people connected, as a large part of the population was listening to the same music and information at the same time.

10. Sharing One Family Car for All Activities

For many families, the 1970s meant having just a single car, which meant that getting around was a bit of a group project. The car was a workhorse, going to and from work, making quick runs to the store, and attending social events. The timing had to be just right, so everyone could catch a ride when they needed it most. If one person had the car, the others had to adjust by walking, taking the bus, or waiting their turn. This created a culture of talking things through, as well as flexibility, as the car was often the focal point of the day’s events. It created a culture of shared responsibility, as everyone knew that the car was not just for taking people places, but for going somewhere with a purpose.

11. Memorizing Important Phone Numbers

In the 1970s, memorizing phone numbers was just a normal part of the day. You didn’t have the luxury of digital storage, contact lists, or even pen and paper, so having phone numbers stored in your memory was a necessity if you wanted to stay in touch with people. You knew the phone numbers of people at home, work, emergencies, and your kids by heart. Kids learned these phone numbers at an early age, often committing them to memory as quickly as possible. It was a great way of reducing the need to write things down, allowing you to call people quickly if the need arose, even when you were not at home. It was also good for the mind, improving memory recall as well as the ability to think quickly.

12. Using Payphones for Communication Outside the Home

Payphones were ubiquitous during the 1970s. They were installed everywhere. People used these phones when they were away from their homes. These phones were lifelines for people. To use these phones, people had to insert some coins. The coins were used to start the call. People had to keep some coins with themselves for this specific purpose. Payphones were not simply phones. They were essential phones. These phones were essential to people, especially when traveling. To call someone, people had to be prepared and had to be aware of their timing. The timing was based on the coins inserted into the phones. People had to speak efficiently and had to be careful about their timing.

13. Ironing Clothes as a Daily Routine

In the 1970s, ironing was not an occasional activity but an essential part of life. The fabric of those times was more prone to creasing and less resistant to wrinkles. Ironing was an essential activity for people, and they ironed their clothes, including shirts, trousers, dresses, and even handkerchiefs. The ironing board was typically kept in one corner of the house. The ironing process was an activity that required time, patience, and attention. One had to adjust the temperature of the ironing board so that clothes would not be burned. The ironing of clothes was an activity that reflected how much attention was given to looking neat and tidy. The clothes had to look crisp and clean, especially for going to work or school.

14. Playing Board Games as a Primary Evening Activity

Board games were an essential part of family life in the 1970s. In the evenings, families gathered around a table where strategy, luck, and social interaction were at their most engaging. Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue were at the top of the list. These games were popular with both children and adults. They promoted discussion, ensured that there was no shortage of laughter, and created healthy competition. Everyone focused on the games and the moment. There were no other distractions, and so every round became an engaging and colorful memory. This practice helped families bond and created family traditions. These evenings were something to look forward to, especially on weekends or after meals.

15. Greeting Neighbors in Person Every Day

Talking with neighbors was just part of life in the 1970s. People would greet one another as they walked by on the sidewalk, worked in their yards, or sat outside their homes. The conversations were unplanned, just a natural part of life. People were kept informed, were willing to lend a hand when needed, and formed personal relationships with one another. Children were free to roam and play in the open space, with the grown-ups on the street keeping a watchful eye. The closeness fostered a sense of familiarity and trust with all the people within a given area. It prompted people to engage in personal conversations with one another, to get a sense of what was going on in the area.

16. Keeping Coins in a Jar for Everyday Expenses

In the 1970s, many people used a container filled with loose change for small, everyday purchases. This container was usually placed on a shelf, on the kitchen counter, or near the door. At the end of the day, coins collected in change were put into the container. When people wanted to make a quick purchase, such as a bus fare, a newspaper, or a quick snack, they used the money in the container rather than breaking a bill. This was a basic system for keeping small expenses in hand without a lot of thought or planning. It was a practical way to deal with money, allowing people to avoid looking for exact change or going to the bank for small amounts.

17. Waiting for Film to Be Developed Before Seeing Photos

In the 1970s, taking pictures was a slow process. One had to use film cameras, and one could not see the pictures immediately. One had to take a picture and then wait. The film had to be sent to a store for development, and sometimes the process could take several days. In the meantime, one had no idea what the pictures would look like. The pictures were precious, as one could take a limited number of pictures per film. One had to take pictures thoughtfully. This created a habit of anticipation when taking memories. The family would gather to look at the pictures once they were developed. Some of the pictures would turn out great, while some would turn out poorly. However, each picture had a unique story to tell.

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