In the 1980s, the mullet hairstyle was everywhere. From celebrities to regular folks, the unique style captured the attention of young and old. The bi-level hairdo punctured popular culture and wearers often modified the look to suit their individual personalities. Remember Billy Rae Cyrus’ mullet? Now compare that to Rod Stewarts. Very different in some ways, but the “business up front, party in the back” was what made the style both unique and memorable.

"Business up front, party in the back!"

That's what the popular 80s hairstyle - the Mullet - was all about. From celebrities to regular folks, from grandmas to elementary school kids, the unique coiffure was everywhere in the 1980s.

Boasting both style and coolness, the mullet-wearer made a definite statement when rocking the 'do. They showed the world that they were tuned in, trendy and most importantly - cool.

Visit Living in the Past on Substack to read a full post on this popular hairstyle, as well as to see images and learn some fun facts about the mullet.

With a roll of the dice, Gen-Xers dodged a bullet by making all of our mistakes before digital technology existed. Whew! Not having to have our most embarrassing moments “stitched,” shared and ridiculed is a small mercy from the gods.

Read the full post here:

I’m So Glad That Social Media Didn’t Catch My Cringiest Teenage Moments

Before cellphones, texting and digital technology in general, there was a quaint thing called a "phone booth." Conveniently installed on most roads and streets in many cities, both urban and rural, these relics from the past provided a connection to our loved ones, our friends and more.

Phone booths also served many other purposes, not the least of which was a place for Clark Kent to conveniently change into Superman; a place where one could take shelter from an unexpected storm, and a place that one could go to just get away from that irritating person that one just didn't want to see.

With the advent of mobile technology, the decline of the phone booth and the stationary pay phone was to be expected; sadly the phone booth's presence in society is missed in a much hurried time when all calls seem to be made on the go, and perhaps worse - without privacy.

Those of us who went to elementary school in another time remember the rite of passage that cursive signified.

The lined paper.

The strangely-shaped letters.

The repetitious copying and practicing of said letters until we got it right. The transition from a pencil to a pen, when our teacher thought that we were ready, and that we had mastered to some degree, the ability to write script.

Kids today text, type on laptops and FaceTime. They don't know what they're missing.

Living in the Past is an email newsletter that recalls all things Generation X, the good, the bad and the ugly! Oh - and the hilarious as well. Some installments are free, some are for paid subscribers only. Interested? Sign up here: http://livinginthepast.substack.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: Long before this site, I had a little blog where I posted for 11 years. It was the genesis of Living in the Past on Substack. For many years, I lived in the past over at Multiple Mayhem Mamma. From a Parenting lens, I looked at the "then and now” and even hosted a podcast by the same name: Parenting Then and Now. Every so often I’ll post some of these classics from early days. Enjoy!

Every Gen-Xer who watched TV knows the words to the limited script:

Boy 1: “What’s this stuff?”

Boy 2: “Some cereal. It’’s supposed to be good for you.”

Boy 1: “Are you gonna try it?

Boy 2: “I’m not gonna try it. YOU try it!”

Boy 1: “I’m not gonna try it.”

[enter lightbulb moment/stroke of genius here]

Boy 2: “I know! Let’s get Mikey!”

Boy 1: “He won’t eat it. He hates everything.”

Camera pans to Mikey, who has been given the unwanted bowl of cereal.

Mikey, completely unawares, starts eating and doesn’t stop.

Boy 1: “He likes it!! Hey Mikey!!”

Cue voiceover with a call to action about how Life Cereal is good or you, etc.

Never again could four words in simple succession immediately become the catch-phrase of the era.

You can read the full post here: He Likes It! Hey Mikey!

This hardline regarding one’s life choices - as important as the choice of a career or life partner, and as insignificant as what was on the menu for brunch (quiche if you had a double-x chromosome) - was one that was not to be crossed. You were on one side or the other. Quiche or steak. Choose your side.

When we look at pictures and videos of people in the past - say the 50s, 60s and 70s - don't you find that they look a lot older than people of the same age now? Why is that? What are the reasons that a 15-year-old in 1972 looks so much older than a teen of the same age today? What the heck is going on?