20 Things That Were Acceptable 20 Years Ago But Are Not Anymore

Change is the only thing that is constant, it's inevitable. There are things that are available today that one could only dream of years ago.

Back in the day, people seemed to worry less and enjoy more, but it was also a time filled with a lot of insensitivity. So, when a Redditor took to the platform to ask fellow users to share a few things that were totally acceptable 20 years ago, but would be frowned upon or worse, punished in today's time, people were quick to jump in with their responses.

While some are nostalgic, others really serve as an eye opener. Have a look:

Agreeing with your friends to meet at a specific place at a specific time, then sticking to it because you had no way to communicate in the interim
That shitty haircut guys had where it’s just loads of little scruffy spiky bits allover the head, makes me cringe every time I see it in an old picture or video
Smoking being allowed inside of restaurants. That is probably a fire hazard not to mention kinda gross
Sexual Harassment in the workplace. It was just starting to become a topic of conversation around the early 00’s but very little progress had been made. I worked in restaurants back then and the amount of harassment I and my other female coworkers endured was unreal by today’s standards. We all just learned to laugh it off because no one took it seriously.
My highschool had an area that we were allowed to smoke. A designated smoking area for kids under 18.
Islamophobia for me. Post-9/11, it seemed like you could just shit on Muslims about anything, for any reason with no repercussions at all. Folks still do, of course. But now at least that shit can get you fired.
Leaving the house and going out into the city with no way to contact your loved ones besides payphones.
It was popular to not think mental health was important and mental issues made one weak
Female celebrities and actresses with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. It's less prevalent now, but dang was it brutal back then.
Casual sexism and homophobia. I mean, neither are still great, but it’s amazing how far we’ve come in that regard.
There was airport security, but you didn’t need a ticket to get past security.
Sending your kids to play with the neighbors. No phones, no worries.
The prevalence of fat jokes and gay joke in just about everything is one thing that comes to mind. When I watch things from the early 2000s sometimes I hear a joke a think, “well that wouldn’t fly today.”
Bullyng. It was the norm, not the exception. Also "lightly" joking about people physical traits or skin color was openly accepted at any school.
Smoking while pregnant. My mother in law did this with all 4 of her kids (the youngest being born in 99!!) and they all have horrid health issues.
Hugging a lot in the workplace. Asking about personal information in the workplace. Not listening to employees very much… mostly top down dictator-type management. Shit sandwich performance reviews.
Beating your kids regularly. "I was beat and I turned out okay." No you're not okay; you think beating your kids daily is okay.
Letting your kids sit on the car while you ran into a store to complete an errand. Today you'd be in huge trouble for it.
The Lewinsky/Clinton scandal. Everyone shaming the 20 year-old intern instead of the old ass president. Insane how harsh the public was to that girl. That would never happen now. Disgusting treatment to that young girl.
Men with money and power abusing everyone around them. Guys like Harvey Weinstein and Scott Rudin. But not just in Hollywood. It was just universally accepted that these guys will do whatever they want, and if you speak out against them, you will be crushed.