25 Old-Fashioned Things People Refuse To Give Up

Living in the digital age as we are, we’ve gotten quite used to technology taking over everything. But if it’s working, does it need fixin’? Just because something is new, doesn’t make it automatically better.  internet user u/Tall_Mickey, recently inspired an interesting discussion on the r/AskOldPeople subreddit when they asked people to name a seemingly ‘obsolete’ or old-school thing that they’re glad are still around. Folks were quick to submit their opinions from physical maps to calendars and more as you can see in the gallery below. 

#1 Printed books. We stare at screens too much already.

Image source: Ok-Abbreviations9212, Pixabay/pexels

#2 Stick shift. I drive twisty roads in my Miata and I like having control over my car. Paddle shifters are an ok alternative but I really like the feel of the actual shift.

Image source: AotKT, Raduz/pexels

#3 Knobs in cars. I rented a Ford Bronco last week, and while I would never buy one, I was amazed that it HAD KNOBS for EVERYTHING. No f-ing touch screen. So much safer and that tactile response was like a warm hug. Kudos to Ford for the knobs on this model!

Image source: C02_Maverick, Athena Sandrini/pexels

#4 Fountain pens. I just really like writing with them.

Image source: wwaxwork, Andrew Gustar/flickr

#5 Not ‘obsolete’, but out of fashion with younger generations - physical media: books, CDs, records, blurays etc. My house is overrun with these things, but it’s nice to actually own things I buy.

Image source: Sweatytubesock, Eduardo Romero/pexels

#6 I still love the radio. Baseball on the radio while you’re outside in the yard or doing chores - heaven.

Image source: brookish, Skylar Kang/pexels

#7 And when the power goes out for longer than a few hours, longer than a few days even - what will people so dependent on tech do then? I can read a map, read a compass, read a non-digital clock; use a watch, do basic math in my head, build a campfire; set up a tent, etc. A lot of lost and soon to be lost life skills.

Image source: Minimum_Sugar_8249, Pixabay/pexels

#8

Postage stamps. There’s something really satisfying about affixing a stamp of Uranus to hate mail, and pretty stamps on nice mail. (Law office. We use a LOT of postage.). Image source: OryxTempel

#9 Apparently printers are becoming obsolete. Mine isn’t going anywhere, though I don’t need it as much as I used to.

Image source: dcphoto78, George Milton/pexels

#10 Film cameras and automatic (mechanical) watches.

Image source: Blueberry_Mancakes, cottonbro studio/pexels

#11 Wall calendars. I can't miss seeing it, it's right there, I don't have to open an app.

Image source: Granny_knows_best, Leeloo The First/pexels

#12 Physical keys. The push start and keypad deadbolt of my daily driver and main house door are nice, but there is something about turning a mechanism with a key that I hope never fully goes away.

Image source: sator-2D-rotas, George Becker/pexels

#13 Wooden spring-hinge clothes pins. They're cheap and perfect for holding bags closed (chips, cookies, popcorn, cough drops, etc.).

Image source: juxtaposition-1, Chrissie Sternschnuppe/flickr

#14 CDs. No matter what , my music is MY music. Of course I put the music on my computer, phone and tablet but it's easy to lose that stuff so I'll always have backup. I can make my playlists on PowerAmp, listen to what I want, when I want and jam to my heart's content with NO ads!

Image source: Dazzling-Treacle1092, cottonbro studio/pexels I may get verbally stoned for this but I took advantage of Napster and ensuing iterations of file sharing until my ISP threatened me. I have always been a very poor girl and though many of my CDs are purchased, I would have nowhere near the collection I do without the wild west era of file sharing. I wouldn't have access to some of the beautiful long versions of the best classic rock. I also was able to expand my tastes in music. Napster I miss you! But they cant take away all my burned music.

#15 A regular coffee maker, that you only have to Puggle on and off one switch. Lol. Even though I have a Keurig, because it was given to me, because some family members got a new one. Lol. I still kept my old coffee maker just in case.

Image source: KissMyGrits60, Gary Minnaert/flickr

#16 I love pinball machines. So physical and visceral and more interesting and dynamic than a lot of computer games.

Image source: AmericanScream, cottonbro studio/pexels

#17 Day planners. Yeah, we can add events, appointments to our electronics, but I like the paper ones.

Image source: Aunt-jobiska, George Milton/pexels

#18 Pencil and paper. If I ever get lucky enough to teach math, that's all I will allow to be used! No pressing a button to get the answer!

Image source: HornyOldBoomer, Tirachard Kumtanom/pexels

#19 A combo vhs and dvd player.

Image source: Naked-Snake5566

#20 Menus!

Image source: OliveJuiceII, Andrea Piacquadio/pexels

#21 I love maps, we keep an actual map of the states we travel in all of our vehicles. Yes we use navigation apps, but you can't always depend on them, so an actual map is great to have on hand. Plus one of my special talents is folding maps, how would anyone know about this talent if I didn't have maps to fold.

Image source: Wisdomofpearl, Francesco Paggiaro/pexels

#22 Cash.

Image source: Super-Diver-1266, Lukas/pexels

#23 I still use a crockpot from the seventies. I heat water in it every now and then to test the temperature and it’s still perfect.

Image source: General_Sea3871, Rhonda/flickr

#24 Printed bills. It just makes it easier to track. I get the bill in the mail when I get home, pay the bill, and throw it away when it's paid. I know the bill is paid because it'd be in the trash if it wasn't. And I've established the process of getting the mail, and paying the bill. This is largely credit-card bills, and utilities.

Image source: Ok-Abbreviations9212, Jason Deines/pexels

#25 Double-edged safety razors - a much better shave than the currently multi-bladed monsters. They have experienced a resurgence with many smaller companies creating lovely artisan versions.

Image source: CaptainTime, Carol VanHook/flickr