Things that make you wonder....

[Grand Torino]

1.  Back when thrift stores were just called “the place where we get our clothes,” you could actually find affordable secondhand items. Now? They’re “vintage boutiques” where trust fund kids in berets “curate” old Levi’s for $200 a pair. The same jacket that was $5 last year is now “authentic retro streetwear” selling for your entire grocery budget. And don’t even get me started on the resellers who camp out at Goodwill with their price-checking apps, snatching up anything remotely valuable before actual low-income families can find it.

2.  One day you’re living in your perfectly fine working-class neighborhood, the next day some real estate agent is calling it “charming” and “authentic”—and that’s when you know you’re about to get priced out of own zip code. First comes the craft coffee shop where a latte costs more than an hour’s minimum wage, then the “artisanal” pizza place that doesn’t actually sell pizza by the slice, and suddenly your rent has doubled because your building now has a “vintage industrial aesthetic” (translation: they didn’t fix the exposed pipes

3.  It used to be that fixing things yourself, growing your own food, and making clothes was just called “being poor.” Now it’s “artisanal crafting” and “urban homesteading.” The same skills people used to survive are now expensive hobbies for people who can afford to fail at them. Your grandpa wasn’t a “master craftsman”—he just couldn’t afford to buy new furniture. But now hand-made anything comes with a price tag that would make him faint.

4.  Pour one out for instant ramen—the OG broke food that got many of us through college. While you can still find the instant stuff (for now), ramen has gone from 25-cent survival food to $20+ “authentic dining experiences.” The same noodles that got you through your broke college days are now being served with a backstory longer than your student loan repayment plan.

5.. Once upon a time, mason jars were just… jars. They were how poor folks preserved food to make it through winter. Now they’re wedding centerpieces that cost more empty than they did full of food. People are paying premium prices to drink out of the same jars your great aunt used to store green beans, and somewhere she’s either laughing or crying.

6.  Remember when having multiple jobs was just called “trying to make rent”? Now it’s been rebranded as “entrepreneurial spirit” and “the gig economy.” What used to be a sign that one job wasn’t paying enough has been glamorized into some sort of lifestyle choice, complete with workshops on “hustling” that cost more than what you’d make hustling

7.  Carhartt went from actual work clothes to fashion statements. The same jackets and boots that factory workers wore because they were durable and affordable are now “heritage pieces” selling for ten times the price. People are paying premium prices to look like they might know what a wrench is.

8.  ulti-generational households used to be a sign that nobody could afford their own place. Now it’s been rebranded as “intentional co-living” and “returning to traditional values.” The same living arrangement that used to get you pitying looks now gets you featured in lifestyle magazines about “choosing community over consumption”—as if it was ever a choice

9.  People who used to pick berries and mushrooms, because they needed food, are watching in disbelief as foraging tours charge $200 to teach people how to find the same stuff. Now there are apps and expensive guides for finding “wild edibles,” and somehow the free food in nature comes with a premium price tag. Your grandmother who knew every edible plant in the county would be charging consultant fees if she saw this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gun sane]

When I was a kid, gas station air was free.  Now it's $2.  That's inflation for ya.

 

[papa61]

yep, us poor people can't get a break. 

[DJTC45]

Deleted comment for personal reasons.

Edited Saturday at 11:50 AM by DJTC45

[Snaveba]

11 minutes ago, DJTC45 said:

The Gen X is something else for sure.

Are you saying us Gen X are something else “good” or “bad”.
 

We (Gen X) aren’t the ones doing everything in GT’s post. We are the last generation to understand everything from the times before. 

[DJTC45]

Deleted comment 

Edited Saturday at 11:51 AM by DJTC45

[10-Ring]

Just now, DJTC45 said:

No, but this new generation doesn't have a clue. Take it how ever you want to.

Every generation has it's share of people who don't have a clue. We can blame the faults of this generation on the generation that raised them. 

[DJTC45]

Your right, and I posted my opinion. Deleted previous comments.

Edited Saturday at 11:53 AM by DJTC45

[Snaveba]

No offense taken. 

[Burnman5000]

[peejman]

6 hours ago, 10-Ring said:

Every generation has it's share of people who don't have a clue. We can blame the faults of this generation on the generation that raised them. 

Exactly. That goes back hundreds of years. 

The primary thing is the rate of change has increased dramatically in the last 30 years or so.  Technology has enabled so many things. It's likely to continue to increase. 

[NoBanStan]

10 hours ago, DJTC45 said:

Your right, and I posted my opinion then some seem to take offense, I  thought this forum  was someplace to do that but I guess I'm not entitled to do. Everyone have great Thanksgiving and enjoy it.

Gen X here. Definitely not offended, maybe confused?  Gen X was born from like 1965 - 1980.  Then you had millennials followed by Gen Z.

[BigK]

Part of this reminds me of a story I heard John Chaney tell. He said:

"My grandfather walked 10 miles to work and my father walked 5. I drive a Cadillac and my son is in a Mercedez. My grandson will be driving a Ferrari, but my great-grandson will be walking again because tough times create strong men; strong men create easy times; easy times create weak men; weak men create tough times. Many will not understand, but you have to raise warriors."

[Links2k]

It’s Thanksgiving. I’m wondering how so many people always have stuff to complain about. We do still live in the greatest country in the world, right? We’ve just elected an incoming president who is going to make things even better, right? What’s to complain about? Things change, and I’d hate to live in a world that doesn’t. I’d suggest some of you start looking for the good instead of clinging to the past. There’s  abundant life happening now!

“Time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister, but boring stories of…glory days.” - The Boss

 

Edited Friday at 04:40 AM by Links2k

[gun sane]

40 minutes ago, Links2k said:

I’d suggest some of you start looking for the good instead of clinging to the past. There’s  abundant life happening now!“Time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister, but boring stories of…glory days.” - The Boss

Thank you, @Links2k  for the biblical reminder that Christians should forget the past and embrace the good, abundant life that Jesus provides....and future glory days with the Real Boss.

[ianb]

Old geezers like me have been complaining about the younger generations since before Aristotle, plato and Socrates. It wouldn't surprise me too much to learn that my grandfather complained about my generation. Of course, I was the exception. 

And let's not even start about the complaints those kids have about us boomers!

Happy Thanksgiving and leftover day to all!

[Burnman5000]

10 hours ago, NoBanStan said:

Gen X here. Definitely not offended, maybe confused?  Gen X was born from like 1965 - 1980.  Then you had millennials followed by Gen Z.

Into Gen Alpha now too

[papa61]

10 hours ago, Links2k said:

It’s Thanksgiving. I’m wondering how so many people always have stuff to complain about. We do still live in the greatest country in the world, right? We’ve just elected an incoming president who is going to make things even better, right? What’s to complain about? Things change, and I’d hate to live in a world that doesn’t. I’d suggest some of you start looking for the good instead of clinging to the past. There’s  abundant life happening now!

“Time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister, but boring stories of…glory days.” - The Boss

 

You never cease to surprise me sir. Well said. But we cannot ignore the obvious degradation of our society either. I'm from the end of the boomer generation and I see that the slide has increased dramatically over the last ten years. The upside is that those of us who see things as they really are have become vocal. That is education. 
"But if this ever changing world in which we live in makes you give in and cry"

[gregintenn]

12 hours ago, Links2k said:

It’s Thanksgiving. I’m wondering how so many people always have stuff to complain about. We do still live in the greatest country in the world, right? We’ve just elected an incoming president who is going to make things even better, right? What’s to complain about? Things change, and I’d hate to live in a world that doesn’t. I’d suggest some of you start looking for the good instead of clinging to the past. There’s  abundant life happening now!

“Time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister, but boring stories of…glory days.” - The Boss

 

^^^This!^^^

[monkeylizard]

I gotta disagree with #4. Real ramen from a good ramen place is nothing like Maruchan instant or Cup-O-Noodles. That's like comparing Waffle House T-Bones to Ruth's Chris

[BigK]

1 hour ago, monkeylizard said:

I gotta disagree with #4. Real ramen from a good ramen place is nothing like Maruchan instant or Cup-O-Noodles. That's like comparing Waffle House T-Bones to Ruth's Chris

I love good ramen from a Japanese restaurant too. You get a lot for the price too.