23 Things We Used To Do On Holiday (But Don’t Anymore)
While the fundamental idea of taking a break from work to recharge hasn't really shifted—most of us still pause our daily grind, escape to somewhere with a hint of sunshine, and return feeling rejuvenated—the real essence of what constitutes a vacation has evolved dramatically over the past three to five decades. The old-school norm was perhaps a week-long stay at a coastal town in Britain or a trip to the Spanish coast, but now, our destinations span the globe. Moreover, many of the travel practices we once held dear have disappeared, made obsolete by advances like social media, low-cost air travel, and shifting societal views.
Which travel practices, you ask? Consider the following examples:
1. Choose a hotel from a brochure
"Hey, what's this hefty catalog? It's full of hotel photos that all blend together. Is it supposed to be a fantasy book? I doubt the ocean is really that shade of blue."
"Just put it down, honey. It's going to the dump with the rest of grandpa’s old things."
2. Be out of contact
Decades ago, saying "see you in two weeks" meant just that. Nowadays, you're likely updating your family every step of the way, from a text about leaving the driveway to a tweet about navigating roadworks.
The promise of "see you in two weeks" disintegrates the second you video call from the airport to gripe about the long lines.
3. Say goodbye to people at the departure gate
Back in the mid-1990s, you could accompany your loved ones right to the plane. Now, there's a fee just to drop them off at the airport, and trying to pass security without a boarding pass might just get you acquainted with some eager lawyers.
4. Smoke on planes
The idea that open flames or cigarette smoke could coexist safely with thousands of gallons of jet fuel seems almost ludicrous today, as does the notion that smoke knew where to stop between the smoking and non-smoking sections.
5. Watch the same film on planes, en masse
Before personal screens were the norm, you might have watched a communal screen showing a single film during a flight—whether you liked it or not.
6. Eat well on planes
The contrast between first-class and economy dining is stark, going from gourmet cheese and vintage port in the past to being tossed a packet of pretzels nowadays.
7. Use a big key
The shift from metal keys to card keys means occasional trips to reception to reactivate a demagnetized card—a minor hassle compared to the bulky keys of old.
8. Worry about getting sunburnt
Getting sunburnt used to be a common hazard of summer vacations. These days, it can lead to a quick trip to the hospital for serious burns and treatments.
9. Let it all hang out
Years ago, a holiday might mean complete disconnection and indulgence. Now, it’s about fitting in gym sessions and healthy diets even while away.
10. Send postcards
The tradition of sending postcards has nearly vanished, replaced by instant updates via smartphones.
11. Cash traveller’s cheques
Once a staple of travel, dealing with traveller's cheques is now a bygone hassle, remembered more fondly in the imagination than it perhaps deserves.
12. Ride elephants
Views on elephant rides have changed drastically, with increasing awareness of the ethical implications overshadowing any nostalgic allure.
13. Ride donkeys
While still possible in places like Blackpool, the practice has waned significantly, with weight restrictions reflecting changing attitudes toward animal welfare.
14. Buy souvenir castanets
Where once stereotypical souvenirs like castanets were the go-to, travelers now might opt for local delicacies or even artwork, reflecting a deeper appreciation of the cultures visited.
These shifts in vacation habits highlight how much travel has transformed, adapting to new technologies and changing ethical standards.
15. Stare at knobbly knees
The old-fashioned holiday camp beauty pageant, where a local notable or the camp's entertainment head would comment on young women in swimwear without any apparent controversy, has thankfully faded away. But surprisingly, so too has the peculiar “knobbly knees” competition.
“What’s on the agenda today?”
“We’re off to judge some middle-aged men’s legs in shorts.”
“Really? And that was considered a holiday activity in 1933?”
16. Get confused by multiple currencies…
Journeying through Europe in the Eighties meant navigating through less-traveled paths, not yet trivialized by low-cost airlines and short breaks. However, it also meant wrestling with multiple currencies. “What’s the rate for the Deutschmark?” “Is the Swiss franc the same as the French franc?” “What currency do they use in Holland?” “Is that really how it’s pronounced?”
17. …while hauling around piles of foreign loose change
“Are you telling me this whole kilogram of Italian lira is worth only 17p?”
18. Take a guidebook
Two decades ago, the essential travel companion to any obscure Greek island or hidden corner of Thailand was a hefty guidebook. This tome, burdening your baggage, listed every potential lodging and dining spot nearby—complete with quaintly provided phone numbers. Today, a quick Google search practically checks you into your hotel, and AI might even start your meal without you.
19. Get lost
1994: “This is really stressful. I have no clue where we are. This city is a maze, and our hotel might be miles away. Should we ask the police for help?”
2024: “Looks like our hotel is just three blocks away. Want to walk, or should we grab an Uber?”
20. Think Normandy was a long-distance holiday
Indeed, traveling to Normandy used to feel like an expedition. Endless driving, queuing for ferries, and the constant worry about car damage—all to realize you’d spent a whole day traveling and were just at Cherbourg, whereas you could have been to Greece and back in the same time.
21. Believe that camping was a family-friendly holiday option
Forget today’s luxurious “glamping”; the camping of the early Eighties involved rocky pitches, musty groundsheets, and leaky tents. Ants invaded from all sides, and rain was almost guaranteed. Yet, despite the misery, leaving early was never an option.
22. Remortgage for the sake of a phone call
While today’s spotty hotel Wi-Fi can be frustrating, it pales in comparison to the nightmare of making a phone call in the pre-internet days. Staggering bills for brief, crackly calls were the norm. “£47 for a 30-second call filled with static? Was that even my mother on the line?”
23. Have photos developed
Unless you’re among those reviving old-school photography, the smartphone era has all but obliterated the once-familiar ordeal of developing photos. Gone are the days of dusty film canisters and disappointing prints dominated by accidental thumbs.
“Is that a dramatic close-up of the Leaning Tower of Pisa? No, that’s just my thumb.”
“Should we actually put these in an album, or just leave them in the sleeve again?”
