# I used to make fun of people who.... and now I am one **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 5, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128 "2018-08-05T14:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/41 "2018-08-06T16:49:52Z")
Whenever I watched TV with my mom she’d spend the whole show saying “who’s that actresses? Wasn’t she in [some obscure tv show]. And him- he was in that movie we liked” etc. I’d be exasperated with her the whole time Yup. That’s me now. ---
**Author:** ![Panther\_Modern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Panther\_Modern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panther_Modern)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/42 "2018-08-06T16:52:26Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Whenever I watched TV with my mom she’d spend the whole show saying “who’s that actresses? Wasn’t she in [some obscure tv show]. And him- he was in that movie we liked” etc. I’d be exasperated with her the whole time > > Yup. > > That’s me now. IMDB is your friend. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/43 "2018-08-06T17:03:29Z")
> [@Panther\_Modern](#): > > IMDB is your friend. Not really! At least with mom if we couldn’t recall the movie or show, the conversation ended there. Now we can debate, pull out our phones and go to IMDB, read their filmography, discuss every movie they’ve done that we liked/disliked/never saw etc. All while “watching” a show together. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/44 "2018-08-06T17:48:30Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > How old are you? The first US patent for seat belts was applied for in 1885. Seat belts were standard on some cars by 1958. PSAs urging everyone to use seatbelts were shown on television no later than 1964, possibly earlier. Obviously pretty old. While seat belts may have been standard on some cars by 1958, my family weren’t buying new cars off the show room floor. So, we continued driving around in the pre 1958 beaters. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/45 "2018-08-06T19:06:43Z")
People that listened to talk radio in the car. How boring. I do that now, except it’s mostly podcast (same diff). ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/46 "2018-08-06T20:08:24Z")
I’m a reformed running snob. In that, if someone was ambulating for exercise and wasn’t running, I assumed they weren’t working as hard as I was. Because I was a _runner_, dammit. And I’d run 3 marathons and that was somehow better. Fast forward to age 42. If I get out for a 30 minute walk I feel awesome about myself. I used to roll my eyes when my mom would tell me, “Overly, I’m done making decisions for the day. Please, go find something to do that doesn’t involve me doing something or telling you what you can or can’t do.” Now I have my own kids and holy crap can they talk. And talk. And talk. And ask so many damn questions that equate to me having to do something or plan something I just can’t sometimes. So sometimes I find myself saying, “Babes, let’s take a breath and let me just be, ok?” I also used to think that getting fat was some type of moral failure. I didn’t make fun of fat people (that would make me an overt asshole, not just a closet asshole), but I did think that fat people just crammed cheeseburgers down their throats until they were ready to explode. Then I had children. And stopped running marathons because that hurt when I was pregnant. I wouldn’t classify myself as morbidly obese, but I could stand to lose a good 40 pounds. It just crept up on me. Five pounds here. Seven pounds there. Oh, just a little baby weight. That’ll come right off. Ahem. And weight loss after kids is hard as hell - it takes constant vigilance, endless patience and a hell of a lot more self compassion than I had before. And it doesn’t help that you have to do it for the right reasons. At 42 I’m not so much worried about looking good in my mom swimsuit; not dying early and not feeling like shit are far better motivators now. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/47 "2018-08-06T20:21:34Z")
I’m sort of a reverse in that I judge joggers more harshly if they are going faster than me since I’m thinking they probably aren’t going as far as me, whereas I’ll respect people who are just shuffling along, assuming that they are also running a long distance. I don’t judge all-out sprinters or walkers at all though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/48 "2018-08-06T20:35:36Z")
As a teen in the eighties, I got mad at my grandma one time for “pretending” she didn’t know who Madonna was. Now I’m 48, and have only the vaguest idea who Beyonce is. I’m sure there are some other famous musicians and I don’t know who they are either. Demi Lovato? She took some drugs, right? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/49 "2018-08-06T21:05:01Z")
I’m a redhead. When I was young and all natural, I’d occasionally spy that older woman with her bright, obvious dye job and sadly shake my head. Not I, would come the unbidden thought. When I’m too old to be a natural redhead, I’ll take it gracefully. I found my first grey hair when I was 27. Now I’m the older woman with her (hopefully not too bright) obvious dye job. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch me wearing a slash of too-red lipstick to complete the Mutton-Trying-To-Pass-For-Lamb look, and you can quietly tsk-tsk-tsk-how-sad under your breath. ---
**Author:** ![Panther\_Modern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Panther\_Modern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panther_Modern)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/50 "2018-08-07T01:46:49Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > All while “watching” a show together. I usually save the discussions until after the movie ended. Nothing worse than talking during a movie! > [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Now I’m 48, and have only the vaguest idea who Beyonce is. She’s released some interesting music but nothing to write home about. Many people, including young adults, worship her. I would be interested in seeing her live. From watching YouTube videos of her performances, she puts on a hell of a show. > [@](#): > > Demi Lovato? She took some drugs, right?[ Resident young person here: Yes, she overdosed on drugs and had to be hospitalized. She is fine now. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/51 "2018-08-07T01:57:31Z")
> [@Panther\_Modern](#): > > I usually save the discussions until after the movie ended. Nothing worse than talking during a movie! For the record we do not do this is theaters. Never ever. It’s casual, at-home watching. Just a me becoming my mom thing. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/52 "2018-08-07T02:25:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > When I was younger, I’d drive down the street and see some **old lady** putting out the trash or raking leaves in an tacky housedress or baggy pants, mismatched socks, scarf on her head, and say to myself, “Geez, doesn’t she realize what she looks like?” Sometimes I’d just feel sorry for the old bird, figuring no one ever sees her anyway… > > Today I became her. > > Just took the big recycle can out to the curb wearing a baggy housedress and woolly Alpine-patterned knee socks (hey, my feet get cold, even in the summertime), and crocs. A car drove by as I was doing it and I had this weird flashback/then & now sensation. You may have inadvertently proved time travel exists. Did you get a look at the driver? Did she look like a young you? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/53 "2018-08-07T02:44:06Z")
[I have my Mother’s hands](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_XDQjv_XGM) (The Four Bitchin’ Babes) ---
**Author:** ![postpic200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@postpic200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postpic200)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/54 "2018-08-07T12:24:58Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > How old are you? The first US patent for seat belts was applied for in 1885. Seat belts were standard on some cars by 1958. PSAs urging everyone to use seatbelts were shown on television no later than 1964, possibly earlier. Seat belts weren’t mandated until 1968, as a teen in the 70’s - 80’s some of the cars and trucks I drove didn’t have them. Those cars were very cheap and easy to work on so I bought and drove them without seat belts. Even after they became mandated a LOT of people didn’t wear them. As to the question, I now buy my cars based on comfort not speed or how cool it looks. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/55 "2018-08-07T13:15:20Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > You may have inadvertently proved time travel exists. Did you get a look at the driver? Did she look like a young you? 🙂 Now that you mention it… _\_ ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/56 "2018-08-07T14:38:53Z")
I used to snicker at the oldies and their reading glasses. I openly laughed at my boyfriend the first time I saw him wearing a pair some years ago. I’m not laughing now. Well, only at myself, as I search for my own pair of readers. My mother was always an early riser and my brother and I used to shake our heads at her when she would consider 7:30 to be “sleeping in”. When I lived at home I would be up to the wee hours and could sleep until noon. Now, I’m just trying to stay up until the sun sets so so I can put the chickens to bed, and sleep until it’s light enough so I’m not walking the dogs in the dark. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/57 "2018-08-07T15:59:35Z")
I realized that I have a legit contribution to this thread. I may be becoming that famous target of derision, the type of driver called “Old man with a hat”. You know the one. I don’t have a hat. I don’t like hats. But I may have to wear one anyway, indicating with that single visual clue far more information than should strictly be possible. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/58 "2018-08-07T18:14:33Z")
> [@postpic200](#): > > Seat belts weren’t mandated until 1968, as a teen in the 70’s - 80’s some of the cars and trucks I drove didn’t have them. Those cars were very cheap and easy to work on so I bought and drove them without seat belts. Even after they became mandated a LOT of people didn’t wear them. > > As to the question, I now buy my cars based on comfort not speed or how cool it looks. My dad installed seat belts in every car they bought. Starting in the late fifties. That was the first thing he did after driving home from the dealership. Seat belts weren’t standard equipment until the mid to late sixties. I still remember the first car we had with factory installed seat belts. ---
**Author:** ![fjs1fs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/59 "2018-08-07T19:49:45Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > How old are you? The first US patent for seat belts was applied for in 1885. Seat belts were standard on some cars by 1958. PSAs urging everyone to use seatbelts were shown on television no later than 1964, possibly earlier. I’ll chime in. I’m 53. Growing up in Queens in the 70s and 80s, most people never thought about putting seat belts on. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128/60 "2018-08-07T20:15:01Z")
Lap belts were all we had during my childhood. IIRC didn’t shoulder belts become standard in the mid seventies? Then air bags in the nineties. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-make-fun-of-people-who-and-now-i-am-one/819128.md?page=4)