# Things You Still Do The Old-Fashioned Way **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684 "2015-01-01T16:26:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/41 "2015-01-01T23:25:57Z")
I drink a lot of old fashions. ---
**Author:** ![desertmonk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@desertmonk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/desertmonk)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/42 "2015-01-01T23:44:08Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > I run a very specialized machine shop. The oldest machine can verify is 1906 we suspect one is older. The newest is 1950’s. > > With some reconfiguring of the belts and pulleys to a line shaft, we could run without electricity. A lot of work but could run off of steam or a water wheel. Welcome to the 1800’s. That sounds pretty cool and all, but why? ---
**Author:** ![67java89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/aeb1de/32.png) [@67java89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/67java89)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/43 "2015-01-01T23:44:39Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > What do you still do the old-fashioned way, even though technology has come up with a tech-ier way to do it? > > For me, I still write (with a pen) my appointments and important dates on a calendar, which is made of paper and hangs on a wall. I do too. I was never able to get used to an electronic calender ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/44 "2015-01-01T23:48:59Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > \ > Mostly though, modern technology trumps old-school methods. I’m not going to spurn new-fangled things that do work and make my life easier; I think you have to approach it thoughtfully, like most other things in life - is this worth it, to make a change? Am I just changing for change’s sake? Am I resisting change just because I’m an old fart and I’m not comfortable with learning new things? Is this something I actually need, or is this a manufactured need? ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/45 "2015-01-02T00:19:34Z")
I am no youngster, but I have always been fascinated by new technology and have been as early an adopter as my budget would allow. But there are some things I continue to use because tech is my second language and as anyone knows who is multilingual, you will always be the most comfortable with your native language. Although there are multiple ways to tell time’ I will always wear a wristwatch and keep an analog clock in my office. While I know that the time is displayed on my phone and computer, when someone asks me the time, I immediately glance at my wrist. I am also a faithful Franklin planner user and I use the leather binder with paper pages. I take it everywhere and would be lost without it. I have a reader and love it for travel. It’s easy to hold, carry, and can double as a computer if required. But when I’m at home curled up with a book, it has to be the old weighty tome with dogeared pages to mark my place. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/46 "2015-01-02T00:21:38Z")
I still send emails and post to message boards. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/47 "2015-01-02T00:22:33Z")
In addition to digital photography, I also still use film from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/48 "2015-01-02T00:41:02Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > When I make a bow and arrow I start with a log and use my draw knife and hand tools to shape it into a bow. Same way they did it 600 years ago. I have an image in my head of the old cartoon where an automated machine takes a tree and grinds it down to a single toothpick. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/49 "2015-01-02T00:43:32Z")
Since our microwave died we’re back to 1960’s style popcorn making, reheating of leftovers, and so forth. My sewing machine is treadle powered. I still write my grocery list by hand, on paper. I still pay some bills with paper checks. Which I fill out in cursive. Still use an analog wrist watch. Still read treebooks about half the time. When I make cookies or muffins or bread all mixing is done by hand. I don’t own an electric mixer. Still use a hand crank can opener. Still have a church key for non-twist bottle tops. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/50 "2015-01-02T00:47:29Z")
I still use a paper address/telephone book. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/51 "2015-01-02T01:25:52Z")
Kitchen tools are their own beast - many are worthless, especially when they are single-use. I don’t use a hand can opener to be contrarian or something but because I’m not spending money on something that wastes counter space and isn’t an faster. I use a “fancy” side-cut one though. No reason to use the top cut ones. And it can also open beer! I still have a feature phone (“dumb phone,” most of which can get limited internet, but if I wanted to pay for that I’d get a smartphone). > [@madmonk28](#): > > I drink a lot of old fashions. Wow, you’re so old school you don’t believe in this newfangled -ed thing! ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/52 "2015-01-02T01:31:25Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I only have prokaryotic cells ::golf clap:: ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/53 "2015-01-02T01:38:36Z")
I still have cable TV. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/54 "2015-01-02T02:42:11Z")
Almost everything. As I have said elsewhere, I may be Lutheran but I am this ({}) close to being Amish. And conservative at that. I send letters as much as I do e-mail, I prefer flintlocks and flyrods for sport, I enjoy rugby more than American football, I like walking more than I do driving, and the last time I got a message on my cell phone it was over 4 months old. And if it wasn’t for a flat on the Harley I wouldn’t have found out about it then. I make a lot of the things I need and shop at stores more than I do Amazon. And I hope to say the same 10 years from now. ---
**Author:** ![trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trapezoidal_jellyfish)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/55 "2015-01-02T02:50:40Z")
My grandmother still mashes her garlic with a fork, instead of using a garlic press. As for me, in my grad school classes a couple years ago, I would often be the only one using a pen and a notebook instead of a laptop. I also usually mix cookie dough or cake batter by hand, instead of using a mixer. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/56 "2015-01-02T03:11:00Z")
I buy CDs rather than downloading MP3s 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/57 "2015-01-02T03:28:53Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > I run a very specialized machine shop. The oldest machine can verify is 1906 we suspect one is older. The newest is 1950’s. > > With some reconfiguring of the belts and pulleys to a line shaft, we could run without electricity. A lot of work but could run off of steam or a water wheel. Welcome to the 1800’s. What kind of machining do you do? One of the machine shops I use in Austin is run by a guy who refurbishes older machines, but not that old. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/58 "2015-01-02T03:45:47Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > I have an image in my head of the old cartoon where an automated machine takes a tree and grinds it down to a single toothpick. I remember that! It was a Chip and Dale cartoon, I think, where they were living in a tree that got cut down and taken to the mill, where each individual, mature tree was turned into one toothpick. I think of that often in our modern, wasteful world. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/59 "2015-01-02T04:01:04Z")
I hire strolling players to lampoon me in ballad form on the village green, rather than resorting to modern self-parody online. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/60 "2015-01-02T04:29:12Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > I still use iOS 5 on my iPhone. I’ve got you beat. Mine has iOS 3. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684.md?page=4)