# What will we be embarrassed about in 20 years? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 24, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860 "2009-06-24T18:34:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/41 "2009-06-25T00:43:10Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > People have been tattooing themselves since before recorded history. I doubt its going anywhere. Certain types of tattoos may well become passe’ though. Tramp stamps, barb wire armbands, nautical stars and barcodes I’m looking at YOU. A lot (most?) of the people who currently think that their cliche glob of vaguely non-western letters makes them **Teh Hip** (not to mention those you mention) are going to be very embarrassed about them in 20 years. Aged 20 years is the nadir for fashion coolness. Sure, tattoos will always be around, just like syphilis. The question isn’t whether they’ll be around, but whether people will be embarrassed about them. The answer is yes. Tattoo removal is already a growth industry. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/42 "2009-06-25T00:53:41Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > … Adidas, New Balance, Vans, and even Converse around town? Are those really “tennis shoes”? Maybe “running shoes,” or basketball shoes? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/43 "2009-06-25T01:06:31Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Are those really “tennis shoes”? Maybe “running shoes,” or basketball shoes? In Seattle we usually call them all tennis shoes. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/44 "2009-06-25T01:19:39Z")
Hell I am usually embarrassed by the fads of the time AS they are happening. Yet, my mortal fear of being an outcast forces me to go along. Whatareyougonna do? ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/45 "2009-06-25T01:21:17Z")
> [@ianjohnson](#): > > When I was younger I remember thinking that fashions and fads in the 60’s got pretty weird, and the 70’s in retrospect were often ugly, very much a “what were we thinking” decade. I liked those plaid bell bottoms at the time, but now? But this decade, the '80s are pretty cool. I figured we might eventually feel embarrassed about the ‘80s too, but I couldn’t image how because the styles were pretty rockin’, especially those parachute pants, acid wash jeans, and giant glasses, and combinations of black and teal and silver and neon. > > Now of course we know better. So in 2022 when we are looking at pictures of ourselves from the 00’s, what is going to make us cringe? What fashions or fads will be laughable, what interior and architectural design choices will seem dated, what colors will be emblematic of the decade, as earth tones were for the '70s? > > Do you already feel this way about the '90s? We will look back on EVERYTHING as being horribly and amusingly dated, same as we now do the 60s, 70’s, 80’s, even 90’s already. It is amazingly easy to date a film or photo based on the hair and fashions…no reason this will change. I cannot list any specifics; for one, hindsight is 20-20 while foresight tends to be a bit fuzzy. For another, I don’t pay that much attention to CURRENT fashions or styles. I leave it up to others to predict specifics.:o ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/46 "2009-06-25T01:28:32Z")
Geezers with dark socks and sandals. Tramp stamps. BlueTooth cellphones sticking out of people’s ears even when not in use. Crocs. Twitter. Incredibly banal stuff posted on YouTube. 'Way too much hair gel. Electing George W. Bush. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/47 "2009-06-25T01:30:37Z")
I will add that the only people who are embarrassed of their tattoos are those who got them w/o much thought and/or just to go along with a “fad”, such as “tramp stamps”, same as always. Those I know who got one (or more) after much thought and consideration and for their own reasons will most likely never regret them, even IF the practice goes completely out of style (unlikely:rolleyes:) ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/48 "2009-06-25T01:36:46Z")
‘Affliction’ t-shirts, or any of the knockoffs that use the same sort of ‘dark’, ‘disturbed’, quasi-gothic imagery with the scrolls, and skulls, and Old English lettering. If you are currently wearing this shit, please stop; you look about as dangerous as a fart in a windstorm. ---
**Author:** ![Casserole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b77776/32.png) [@Casserole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casserole)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/49 "2009-06-25T01:56:31Z")
Am I the only one who’s going to mention Rap music? Couldn’t stand the stuff today, but like it or not, it’s an indelible part of our culture for this time period. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/50 "2009-06-25T02:11:22Z")
> [@Casserole](#): > > Am I the only one who’s going to mention Rap music? Couldn’t stand the stuff today, but like it or not, it’s an indelible part of our culture for this time period. I’ve been saying this for years. In the distant future. At the old folks home. “Yo, beyotch, thats OUR song. Lets dance”. I dont think Rap will age that well. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/51 "2009-06-25T03:05:50Z")
Marilyn Manson. Emo. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/52 "2009-06-25T03:18:38Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > [QUOTE=Casserole] > > Am I the only one who’s going to mention Rap music? Couldn’t stand the stuff today, but like it or not, it’s an indelible part of our culture for this time period. I’ve been saying this for years. In the distant future. At the old folks home. “Yo, beyotch, thats OUR song. Lets dance”. I dont think Rap will age that well. [/QUOTE] You guys know it’s a good 30 years old at this point, right? It won’t be much longer until it reaches the old folks homes. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/53 "2009-06-25T07:51:17Z")
> [@Casserole](#): > > Am I the only one who’s going to mention Rap music? Couldn’t stand the stuff today, but like it or not, it’s an indelible part of our culture for this time period. You may want to think it’s a passing fad but since it’s already been around for decades…it’s not. I’m sure it will be continue to envolve and will be different in 20 years than it is now, but it’s not going anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![tesseract](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@tesseract](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tesseract)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/54 "2009-06-25T08:36:36Z")
I think a lot of the hair stuff will be embarrassing, such as [highlights like these.](http://media.photobucket.com/image/poofy%20hair/mckinleymarie/emogirlhairandhighlights.jpg) Also - I can’t find a picture, but the strange long-hair women’s hairstyle that sort of slants upward from the top of the head like a ramp, and then there’s a bulge on the top/back of the head, and then maybe a barrette or clip holds all or some of it together. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/55 "2009-06-25T09:56:28Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > I caught an episode of Magnum P.I. the other day and there was Tom Selleck sporting a Hawaiian shirt and [way too much hairy man leg for my comfort.](http://www.chimpsahoy.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/images//2007/09/selleck_shorts.jpg) Your “comfort” level is way different than mine. Especially regarding Tom Selleck. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/56 "2009-06-25T10:01:01Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Barcodes?? I’ve never seen or heard of people getting barcode tattoos. It’s actually a common thing? Yeah, definitely sounds like a passing fad. I’ve seen it on slaves. It means you are “property.” ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/57 "2009-06-25T10:06:12Z")
I have to mention this: the anti-hair fad among men. Trimmed eyebrows, no facial hair, clipped body hair. It makes everyone look like a eunich. ---
**Author:** ![BACI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@BACI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BACI)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/58 "2009-06-25T10:41:34Z")
On the subject of hair… The fact that every male under the age of 35 seems to have hair that has been scruffed and sticks out in all directions. Does look like they just got out of bed but they actually go to some trouble to craft the look each morning. Makes me want to slap them, then tell them to get off my lawn. Typical [example](http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/flash/exhibit/_lib/img/full/Shane-Warne.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/flash/exhibit/sellick.html&usg=__dZ4c9Cz2rKGhXnyN7O0QVbkNR-E=&h=430&w=367&sz=73&hl=en&start=2&sig2=H4CFgtXDeJHsFXrCt-5esw&tbnid=l1k5ZvC5O4tkDM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshane%2Bwarne%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG&ei=Zk5DSunNJ43utgOLyOXbDQ) who, at his age, should know better… ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/59 "2009-06-25T11:41:20Z")
> [@BACI](#): > > On the subject of hair… > > The fact that every male under the age of 35 seems to have hair that has been scruffed and sticks out in all directions. Does look like they just got out of bed but they actually go to some trouble to craft the look each morning. Makes me want to slap them, then tell them to get off my lawn. Typical [example](http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/flash/exhibit/_lib/img/full/Shane-Warne.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/flash/exhibit/sellick.html&usg=__dZ4c9Cz2rKGhXnyN7O0QVbkNR-E=&h=430&w=367&sz=73&hl=en&start=2&sig2=H4CFgtXDeJHsFXrCt-5esw&tbnid=l1k5ZvC5O4tkDM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshane%2Bwarne%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG&ei=Zk5DSunNJ43utgOLyOXbDQ) who, at his age, should know better… Not Shane Warne!!! He’d be 40 anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860/60 "2009-06-25T11:42:34Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > How about the pants so baggy you have to hold them up style. The ones where the crotch ends up at about your knees. > > Kids, if you have to use one or two hands to hold up your pants when you walk, it’s time to get a smaller size or a belt. I think they are called “bog catchers”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-we-be-embarrassed-about-in-20-years/500860.md?page=4)