The social norms of today, particularly concerning technology, identity, and personal expression, stand in sharp contrast to the more rigid conventions of the 1990s, reflecting a cultural acceleration toward individual autonomy and digital integration.
Social rules have always been tricky to pin down, and many of them have shifted so gradually that most people did not realize it was happening.
Social norms change over time, and what was once considered good manners can now come across as awkward or even offensive.
Social norms have shifted rapidly in recent years, with many changes happening almost instantly.
This list looks at ordinary behaviors that people once saw as normal but would be frowned upon today.
Many old-school TV ads once seemed normal but would now be seen as inappropriate, misleading, or outdated.