old style pastimes

clutterydrawer

i do feel i spend FAR too much time watching nonsense on tv/pottering on the internet/sending texts.

i don't think its bad as such but I'd like to do more productive stuff like i used to...reading, crafting etc. the trouble is when i come in from work I can't be bothered, and tv/internet it the lazy option. I think I will make it an aim for 2009 to get abetter balance though.

Ben84

I threw the TV out three months ago, and I'm not missing it. I'm glad it's gone and don't plan to ever own another one.

lindadykes

Funny I was just talking to my DD about this tonight. She has been giving her BF a hard time because she says when he goes out with his mates and her with his, he doesn't continually text her, despite the fact she bombards him with texts! I pointed out to her that in my day we didn't have mobile phones and we managed to communicate just fine, but we didn't have the means to communicate when we were apart so although it wasn't an issue I don't think it was really necessary either. A night out apart was just that and none the worse - we knew when we would meet again and when we did we had lots to talk about as it hadn't already been said.

Also I think I must be getting old now as I find it really rude and annoying when I am having a conversation with someone and they are busily texting away during the conversation. - Rant over!

rosieben

When I was growing up mother always had a jigsaw puzzle in progress on a table in the corner, and any visitor (including the doctor!) would be drawn to the table and be reluctant to leave until they'd managed at least one piece

I was the youngest of a large family and we used to play a lot of board games - ludo, snakes and ladders, monopoly; and cards - whist, sevensies, donkey, newmarket.

As my kids were growing up we played board games - operation, buckaroo, ludo, snakes and ladders, monopoly (notice a pattern here? ) and cards - whist, sevensies, donkey, newmarket, crazy eights, rummy. My dgd was a very skilled poker player at the age of 8 - 'it helps with her maths', my dd told the teacher

Over the years we acquired some new games like Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Pass the Pigs but the old ones have survived and are just as popular.

One of my favourites is the game where someone writes a name on a post it and sticks it to your forehead and you have to guess the name but then, like all of my family, I love the silly games best

I'm trying to wean myself from the pc as its become a much bigger time waster than tv for me. One of my resolutions for next year is to write more - with a pen - and that includes journalling, letters, diary and so on. I plan to get back into reading again too, proper books that is, not the screen!!

[Deleted User]

yes we read, knitted,did jigsaws,all while listening to the wireless.No t.v. when I was small, but Saturday night there was always a play on the wireless, and Mum would be mending my brothers clothes and I would be trying to knit something for my doll and my brothers would be either making a model aeroplane or the eldest one would be playing with his Meccano set.dad would listen to the news and doze in the armchair until supper time and it was usually toast and cocoa.The toast made on a fork in front of the fire. I can't ever remember feeling deprived or different as no one in our road had a t.v. it wasn't really until the Coronation that people were that interested anyway. Books were borrowed from the library, and we played Ludo or cards or dominoe's sometimes. Life was a lot quieter I think and families visited each other more often.Adults sat and chatted, and kids were expected to vanish whilst they were doing that.You weren't expected to join in the grown-ups conversation. You just went off and played with the other children until you were called for a meal

rosieben

JackieO wrote: »

... all while listening to the wireless ...

oh, the heady days of Listen with Mother and Uncle Mac on a saturday with Sparky the Magic Piano, Burl Ives and 'I love to go a-wandering'; I can hear it all now as clear as day! I used to listen to Mrs Dale's Diary with my mum ...... 'I'm worried about Jim........' and on Sundays, 2-way family favourites and Billy Cotton whilst Sunday nights we had Sing Something Simple. Happy memories.

I'm trying to get back to the radio in preference to tv, I really miss the old format of Woman's Hour though.

Penelope_Penguin

I'll add this to the existing thread on Old Style pastimes

Penny x

Lalaladybird

What lovely reading this is making. Life with radio plays, conversation and board games sounds so lovely....instead of taking turns checking emails and forums until something decent comes on tv.

lindadykes wrote: »

Also I think I must be getting old now as I find it really rude and annoying when I am having a conversation with someone and they are busily texting away during the conversation. - Rant over!

I couldn't agree more! This is a real pet hate of mine. One friend in particular is terrible for this. Her fiance constantly texts her when we are out together, which is not that often... we'll be shopping or having lunch, he is at his work and bombards her with soppy texts:rolleyes:! She will also answer her mobile if it rings:mad: I put mine on silent when I am with anyone and return calls/texts later on. :A;)

mophead

I couldn't agree more! This is a real pet hate of mine. One friend in particular is terrible for this. Her fiance constantly texts her when we are out together, which is not that often... we'll be shopping or having lunch, he is at his work and bombards her with soppy texts:rolleyes:! She will also answer her mobile if it rings:mad: I put mine on silent when I am with anyone and return calls/texts later on. :A;)

One of my pet hates too! I have a mobile that I always forget to charge, I often get told ' i've been trying to ring you why don't you ever answer your phone'. It annoys me in this day and age people assume that you should always be contactable.

Softstuff

mophead wrote: »

One of my pet hates too! I have a mobile that I always forget to charge, I often get told ' i've been trying to ring you why don't you ever answer your phone'. It annoys me in this day and age people assume that you should always be contactable.

I work in a shop and my pet hate is trying to serve someone whilst they're chatting on the phone.... they thrust a note at me, no please, no thank you and wave frantically away like swatting a fly if I try to ask them if they'd like a bag.

Most people are amazed that I don't carry a mobile phone. My husband and I own one which we switch on for emergencies or when we're away from home on work trips, but otherwise it remains switched off and away. My reasoning is I'm either contactable at work or at home, but otherwise I'm unavailable.