Your Life before Political Correctness

**Brynhild** · 12-14-2009, 01:58 AM

What were you allowed to do and enjoy before mitigating and litigating circumstances forced a change of rules, mainly because a stupid minority were irresponsible?

When I was a kid, we were allowed to light off our own fireworks in our front yard, and bonfires were also allowed. With our father's supervision, we never got hurt at all, and we had a great time letting them off. Nowadays, only the ACT allows the use of fireworks, although people still cross from interstate to buy them and knowing the risks involved.

Sledging (or name calling) is still a great Aussie pasttime - despite possible lawsuits against somebody for calling names - especially among the older generation. It's just come to the point that we need to be careful who we say things in front of.

Another moment that comes to mind is how we went home after visiting our grandmother's. Our dad didn't drive in those days, and one of his brothers drove a Ford Dodge ute. Dad jumped in the cab with my uncle, while us four kids piled in the ute. That was great fun! In the instance of driving laws changing, there are several reasons why such carrying of passeners are no longer allowed. More drivers, more idiotic drivers and worse still, drivers who can't even speak English - yet they're allowed to go for a test in their own language!

It's just interesting to know how times have changed and what has brought them about.

**Cail** · 12-14-2009, 02:18 AM

I was born in the PC era, so i wouldn't know

.

**Electronic God-Man** · 12-14-2009, 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by Brynhild

we were allowed to light off our own fireworks...In the instance of driving laws changing.

I'm not sure I would say those things were brought about by political correctness.

I was born into a PC age, but I do remember as a kid that Columbus Day was still a big thing. No one was whining about evil European colonizers, at least not enough that I knew about as a young kid.

Same with Thanksgiving.

**Loddfafner** · 12-14-2009, 02:57 AM

I read Little Black Sambo back when grown-ups wore hats, hippy communes were common, and I worried how I was going to avoid the Vietnam War when I grew up. My grandfather would yell at me for keeping a messy room saying that he saw "savages in Africa" living better than me.

**~~Brännvin~~** · 12-14-2009, 05:31 AM

"Polical Corretness doesn't exist"

Internet warrior loser, Saltimbanque

**~~SwordoftheVistula~~** · 12-14-2009, 07:21 AM

Since I grew up in political correct times, a lot of this was in place already, for example fireworks being banned.

The playground at my elementary school changed drastically over the years I was there (late 80s, early 90s). The teeter-totter, merry-go-round, and the big slide all got taken out. I think the monkey bars, tires to climb on, and swings all got taken out too in the following years.

Cars in general are now more flimsy, and made out of plastic, and thus are much more expensive to fix even after minor fender-benders.

In high school history class we had to dress up as a historical figure for Halloween and give a presentation to the class. I came as Blackbeard the pirate, and fired off a cap gun at the end of my presentation, startling some of the girls in the class. Now, since Columbine, this would not be allowed at all.

Originally Posted by Soten

I'm not sure I would say those things were brought about by political correctness.

It's the same type of mentality though: the majority has to suffer for the few, whether it's whiny minorities or idiots who can't use common sense

**Amarantine** · 12-14-2009, 11:21 AM

I had a life!

**Octothorpe** · 12-14-2009, 09:39 PM

Candy cigarettes! 'Pump-monkeys'! 'Frito Bandito' commericals! People smoking in restaurants! Women who tried to look their best all the time, for the men! Games at recess and PE class that had winners and losers! Phones that were attached to the wall, owned by Ma Bell, and WORKED.

Sure, it sounds trivial, but so many things of my childhood are gone that I often feel like an immigrant to a new country.

**Loddfafner** · 12-14-2009, 09:58 PM

Smoking! Teachers chain smoking in class, kids smoking in the theater and on the bus, everyone smoking on the airplane. You could carry a beer in the street or even while driving. At 14 I could order a shot of whiskey in a bar.