If I could turn back time........

I have been reading some recent posts, and I think lots of people are starting to feel like I have for some time now. If you could maybe change things back to how they were in days gone by, then how would you?
Has technology got to a point where it is causing more trouble than it's worth?

Ok, lets go!

I would go back to the majority of shops being closed on Sunday. I know it is convenient, and yes, I do go shopping on a Sunday (because they are open), but I do believe that it was good to have that day of forced rest. Chill, go for a walk, a drive, a bottle of pop, and some cheese and onion crisps on a metal tray from a country pub . Remember those days?

 

I'd get rid of every form of text messaging. Internet forums excepted.

It occurred to me just recently that I was in a 10 minute long exchange with a good friend, yet not spoken a word. It's not just that texting is more convenient, it's almost become the social norm. In fact worse, it's almost rude to interrupt someone with an unexpected call. Yet I don't actually know one person that has given any indication that they feel that way.

By the same token, I miss calling round at a mate's house uninvited. That used to be the norm but again, it's become sort of wrong to just turn up uninvited without good reason but again, I don't know a single person that has suggested they feel that way.

 

As @Baymule said in the contactless thread......I avoid self serve checkouts.
1. I like a personal touch.
2. Does away with someones job.
3. I am doing someones job myself.

I just don't like them, and half the time they have an issue with the transaction anyway.

 

The majority of shops ARE shut on a Sunday, it is only small outlets which are allowed to trade. Also, surely, it is still possible to go for a Sunday walk, you don`t HAVE to visit a shop. As for going back, I would return to a time before Blair and Bush junior, the world was a lot safer than it is now.

 

Maybe it's different in your area. Of course you don't have to visit a shop, but I tried to make it clear in my post that it's easy to if you 'do' need something, whereas before we just 'couldn't'. If I need something, and the shop is open, I will get what I need. Silly not to if it's open.
I will still go for a walk tomorrow, but what I was trying to say is that we had no choice, unless we stayed in. There wasn't much to do from what I remember. All I recall is car repairs, car washing, a walk, or a country drive with few cars around. Now it's like any other day. I know that statement will get ripped apart, but I think most will know what I am saying.

Sorry guys, I shouldn't really contribute, because I am not good at expressing / making clear what I mean. I think I will go to the pub
Just out of interest, what % of shops would you say are open where you live guys and gals (edit:on a sunday).

 

Yes you should.

I know what you mean. A former boss of mine, a very clever man (borderline genius), also understood this point. He used to book into a Buddhist commune for two weeks every year. He liked that they forced the idea that you only do necessary work or meditate. Nothing else. By his own admission, it was really difficult for his hyperactive mind, but he needed it to put the breaks on and rest his brain and put things into perspective.

I'm not that extreme, but I too, and a few years ago I never imagined I'd ever say this, but I miss being a bit bored for a few hours once in a while.

 

Don't be daft my friend

 

Don't know a percentage, but, it is safe to say that the larger businesses are open (B&Q, Homebase, the large supermarkets, etc.) but the independent retailers are not - well, maybe one or two of the newsagents, but that would just be in the morning.

 

I don't know that I would go back in time, even if I could; my life is blessed in so many ways now and I do know that much of that is down to what the past has made of me and what I have made of the past.

Old fashioned Sunday closing wouldn't make much difference to my lifestyle now because I tend to still think in "Sunday's" e.g. family day, roast dinner and so on. Sunny days, well Sundays just beg for a drive out somewhere for a change of scenery (if I'm not cooking a family roast that is)

I do think technology has become quite invasive, but I also enjoy the fact I've made some good friends out of it; people I would never have met in a month of Sundays!

I used to love driving! Sometimes just for driving sake. But, I dislike how crowded the roads are now and the fact that some drivers do seem to drive as if they are playing Grand Theft Auto with the Highway Code left in ashes back at the starting line

Despite technology being hailed as the future where people would have more "free" time and we would become a paperless society, the opposite appears to be true. People are so rushed and pressured for time now; and junk mail doesn't get any less!

No, I wouldn't want to go back, but, I wouldn't mind someone applying some gentle pressure on the breaks of progress, just for a bit.

 

I'm not sure about this, things move on.
When I was a kid, probably less than 10yrs old, some kids were not allowed outside their front gate on Sundays to play, the same ones were also made to go to Sunday school in the mornings.
A bit drastic as far as I'm concerned.

Now the supermarkets are open, and judging by the traffic most people do their food shopping on Sunday, but then there are so many people now, its difficult to remember how quiet things were.
You could do a weeks shopping in the local shop before supermarkets got going.

Tend to think things move on, and its easy to look back through the old rose coloured glasses.
Yes it was good because we knew nothing different, to go back now would be difficult for most.

 

Not sure what happens in Wales but around here most big stores are open on Sundays, it's the small ones that are shut.

 

In our area all the shops open from 10 to 4 except for charity shoos which don't open at all. Nearby we have two massive centers, Merry Hill in Brierley Hill and Crowngate in Worcester and these are also open 10 till 4.

 

The thread is about turning back time. AFAIC, I couldn't care less about the shops. If I could turn back time, I'd re-live the time with my kids. So many regrets...

 

Never waste time and energy on regrets; instead, be thankful for the times you *did* have!