Can you believe how much our society has changed over the years? It’s surely mind-blowing! As we find ourselves in the 21st century, it’s high time we look closely at some old social customs that don’t fit in anymore.
One Redditor asked, “What outdated social customs should we finally retire?”
The thread has thousands of comments, but we have selected the most fascinating ones for you!
1. The $.9 Prices
We all know that $9.99 is just a marketing trick to make us think we’re getting a better deal than we are. They’re playing a little psychological game with us, trying to make us believe that $9.99 is significantly cheaper than $10.
Come on now; we’re smarter than that!
A user said, “The .9 in gasoline prices. Round up, man – we get it.”
Another commented, “It legitimately works. I can’t tell you how many people see $13.99 and say “it’s only $13 bucks.””
2. Expensive Funerals
michaeljung via DepositPhotos.com.
A person wrote, “Can’t even die for free.”
Another responded, “Crazy that this isn’t higher up. It’s absolutely insane, and I can’t believe how many gofundmes I see asking for help with funeral costs. Disgusting industry”
When someone close to us passes away, we want to show our love and respect by giving them a proper farewell. But an expensive funeral doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more heartfelt or meaningful.
3. The Wedding
When it comes to weddings, there’s this expectation that everything has to be grand and over the top. But you can have an amazing wedding without breaking the bank or going all out!
Someone said, “Inviting everyone you and your parents know to your wedding. Makes it too big, and you don’t always know everyone there.”
Another added, “We had a relatively small, budget wedding in 2012—60ish guests, about 8k all in, a beautiful venue overlooking the city. In hindsight, I wish we had spent money on a small intimate ceremony and a lavish honeymoon. The wedding industry marketing totally got me.”
4. Taxes
stokkete via DepositPhotos.com.
Someone commented, “Filing our own taxes just so the IRS can tell us we did it wrong. Why don’t you just do it, IRS!”
Another user replied, “Seriously. Former tax preparer. They literally have 90% of the population’s information all electronically and could simply file on your behalf. The only people needing to file are the self-employed, rental prop owners, etc. Taxes are basically a racket to generate billions for big tax prep firms lobbying Congress. And as you said, generating revenue via audits on people that simply did them wrong.”
Nobody likes paying taxes, but we have to do it. It’s like that annoying chore you must tackle, like cleaning the garage or doing laundry. Do you like working on your taxes?
5. Tired Cashiers
Goodluz via DepositPhotos.com.
A Redditor said, “Cashiers having to stand.”
Another wrote, “Must be able to stand for up to 8 hours has always felt like the most absurd job requirement.”
Cashiers work long hours, often standing in one spot for most shifts. They scan items, handle transactions, and deal with customers. It’s physically demanding, and yet they’re expected to do it all without the comfort of a chair. It’s like a cruel joke.
6. Health Insurance
Someone commented, “Tying your insurance to your employment. It makes us all slaves if we want healthcare.”
Another replied, “The rich people set it up that way, so people have to enslave themselves if a family member gets sick. Only morons and our vile rich enemy are still proud to be American.”
Some other user added, “80 years ago. Tying insurance to employment was a result of Labor laws during World War II. Employers legally couldn’t give a raise due to wage/price controls. So, they tied all types of fringe benefits to your wage to attract employees.”
Do you think that health insurance should retire?
7. Workers Not Treated Well
Picture this: you show up to work every day, dedicating your time and effort to your job, but you’re not being treated with the respect you deserve. It’s like pouring your heart into something and getting little in return. It’s frustrating, demoralizing, and frankly, it hurts.
A Redditor wrote, “This is one of the things that annoyed me most during the pandemic. Service workers not only weren’t appreciated for showing up and making sure you were fed and caffeinated, but people also dared to get upset that their food/coffee wasn’t ready in 30 seconds. We’re out here DYING and working double shifts due to staff shortages, but sure… yell at us because you had to wait five minutes for your latte.”
Another said, “Abusing people that do jobs like work at gas stations, restaurants, hard labor jobs. People fail to realize that the people that do the most to keep your lives as easy as they are getting paid peanuts and abused regularly for doing so.”
8. Elbows on the Table
chaoss via DepositPhotos.com.
Someone shared, “Elbows can rest on the dinner table. No one cares anymore.”
Another user responded, “We should focus less on “looking respectful” and more on actually being respectful by, you know, not judging people as disrespectful for being comfortable.”
Some say it’s a big no-no, a sign of bad manners and disrespect. But times have changed, and so have our dining habits!
9. Customers Are Always Right
A user wrote, “I always told my employees they need to complete that sentence. Customer is always right until they are wrong, at which point we must tell them they are wrong.”
Another said, “The industry needs to get tougher on troublemakers. Start posting pictures of idiots and ban them.”
Someone else shared, “The original phrase was, “The customer is always right in matters of taste.” You want an ugly hat? I’ll sell you an ugly hat. You want a free hat? No.”
So, instead of blindly adhering to the notion that the customer is always right, how about we strive for a more balanced approach?
10. Tipping
While tipping is like a little bonus for a job well done, it can also be a source of confusion. How much should you tip? When is it expected? What if the service wasn’t exceptional? These questions can leave us scratching our heads.
A Reddit user said, “Tipping. Just charge me more in the first place and pay your employees a living wage. Tipping has always been very awkward for me.”
Another commented, “Yeah, and the people who actually prep/cook the food end up underpaid. The kitchen should be the highest paid labor in the restaurant for sure.”
11. Pennies
Pennies, pennies, pennies. They have a long history and have been part of our currency for ages. But let’s be honest; they don’t seem to hold the same value they once did. When was the last time you bought something useful with just a handful of pennies?
Someone said, “Is there something we can do to actually get rid of pennies? They are a complete waste.”
Another replied, “I believe it even costs more than a penny to make one.”
12. Tax Exclusive
A user said, “Not including taxes or fees in the total price. If a shirt is marked $20, that is what you should pay.”
Another commented, “Look up a hotel room. $100 per night listing, then add a tax of 8%, then add $31 per day resort fee, then add an unknown service fee of $18. Then add a $3.50 online booking convenience fee. Your room is now $160.”
Do you believe that this trickery should go away as well?
13. Conceiving Kids!
Someone wrote, “Asking couples when they’re going to have kids. The completely inappropriate thing to ask. It’s so odd that so many people think it’s okay to probe into something that private. There are also plenty of people who actively try to conceive and can’t because of reproductive problems. They’re having salt rubbed into their wounds.
The last time I was asked this question (I don’t want kids, for the record), I bluntly responded that I have endometriosis and nearly lost an ovary, so I’m way less likely to be able to conceive. That shut the nosey person up real quick. I’m hoping they learned a lesson there.”
Another user replied, “It doesn’t stop after you have a kid, either. “When are you having the next?” “I almost died carrying her; the doctors recommend I not do that again.” Thanks for reminding me of my past trauma and grief over kids I’ll never have. Not exactly small talk.”
Asking someone when they will have kids can be a loaded question. It assumes that having children is a given or a natural next step in everyone’s life, which may not be the case.
14. Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time is the semi-annual event that has many of us adjusting our clocks and trying to wrap our heads around gaining or losing an hour. And the idea behind this is to make the most of the natural daylight and conserve energy!
A user said, “Yes, please. I never want to spring forward again.”
Another added, “Same! It messes with my entire system. I’m not right for weeks.”
15. Don’t Be a Doormat
A Redditor shared, “Stop being a doormat just because you’re afraid to be rude or hurt the other person’s feelings.”
Another expressed, “Man, I wish I wasn’t a doormat. It’s hard af to be assertive when you’ve been through some violent stuff and just want peace.”
This user gave the tip of a lifetime, “Don’t set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm.”
16. Public Proposals
Public proposals have gained quite a bit of attention in recent years. You’ve probably seen videos or heard stories of someone getting down on one knee in a crowded setting, surrounded by family or friends. It’s like a scene out of a romantic movie!
Someone suggested, “Can we stop with the huge, high-pressure public proposals? I have a theory this practice is at least part of the reason the divorce rate is as high as it is.”
Another agreed and replied, “I would be mortified to receive a proposal like this; how embarrassing.”
17. Formal Work Attire
With the rise of remote work and a shift towards more casual and flexible work environments, the rigid dress codes of the past have started to relax. Many companies now embrace a more relaxed dress code that values comfort.
Someone commented, “Having to wear suits to work, please, for the love of god, just make it jeans and a shirt.”
Another user replied, “That’s still too formal. I’m sitting in my office in joggers and a hoodie.”
18. Restaurant Birthdays
A user said, “Having the restaurant’s staff sing you Happy Birthday.”
Another shared, “I hated doing that to birthday people when I worked at restaurants. You can tell the birthday person usually felt annoyed and embarrassed, and it was hard to get all the staff together to do it cuz nobody wanted to.”
So, if you’re planning to celebrate a birthday at a restaurant, it’s a good idea to tell the staff what you prefer.
19. The Patriarchy
Now that topic sparks passionate discussions and calls for a societal change!
Someone said, “All of the customs around marriage that treat women like property.”
Another person commented, “And the custom OP said: The man asking the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Literally a discussion between two men about the transfer of ownership from one to the other without the woman there. Most “chivalry/tradition” when it comes to men/women expectations in society are rooted in misogyny when you really get down to it.”
Someone else wrote, “Including the pressure to change your name and to give your children his name only. I flat out refused to.”
20. Handshakes
A user wrote, “Handshakes. I don’t want to touch people anymore after this Covid stuff.”
Another said, “Agreed! Can we just bow like the Japanese? Looks cool, shows respect, and I don’t have to touch your d**d** hands.”
Someone else replied, “Any more? Never did. Just know dudes are not washing their hands, and it’s nasty.”
So, whether it’s a wave or a friendly nod, what matters most is the genuine intent to connect and show respect!
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
