10 Skills Gen X Had to Learn That Are Now Outdated

Growing up as a Gen Xer meant mastering a bunch of skills that today’s kids don’t even think about. 

With the rapid pace of technology, most of them have become relics of the past. Yes – they’re legitimately considered “retro” right now.

It’s pretty funny looking back at how much effort we put into things that now seem so simple and unnecessary.

So, let’s revisit the 10 skills we all had to learn that no one needs anymore. 

1. Reading a Paper Map

Everyone had a large, unfolding map tucked away somewhere in their car. We had to know how to read them, how to determine where we are, and where we had to be.

No GPS, just squinting and guessing. 

We’d spend a bunch of time trying to match street names, turn-by-turn directions, and landmarks. 

It was like a treasure hunt every time we hit the road. And if you missed? There was no rerouting; you just had to figure it out or ask a passerby for help.

Now, a quick tap on the phone does all that for you, with or without connection.

Paper maps are pretty much extinct, though many people argue it’s a skill we should all know, despite the technology. After all, technology breaks.

2. Memorizing Phone Numbers

Back in the day, memorizing phone numbers was a must. You could write them down, but you also didn’t always have your address book con voi.

We rang up our parents’, best friends’, and crushes’ numbers without having to think twice. It’s like a part of our brain was only dedicated to contacts. 

Today, very few people remember anyone’s number but their own, since everything is just saved in smartphones. All it takes is a tap.

Memorizing numbers gave us a sense of security and independence, but now smartphones do that.

3. Writing Checks

Writing checks used to be the common method for paying bills or splitting a dinner check. It was a small ritual; we carefully filled out the date, amount, and our signature. 

We even kept checkbooks in our wallets. You’d take it to a clerk and wait for them to process it.

Now, it’s all much more convenient; the payments are automatic, and we all have digital wallets and use mobile banking. 

Checks have become extinct. 

Some would argue that check writing was a skill that kept us more connected to our money than credit cards do; like, it gave us a bit more sense of control over our finances.

4. Setting Up the VCR Clock

Setting the clock on the VCR was a rite of passage. You’d carefully program the time and date so your recorded shows wouldn’t be all shaky.

It was a bit of a puzzle; there were a lot of buttons, waiting for the display to change, and sometimes having to reprogram after power outages.

Then, there was the art of programming the VCR to record il tuo favorite shows, often with a paper schedule nearby.

It makes me realize how far we’ve come today, since we’re able to simply download or stream any show we like. 

No more fussing with buttons or trying to find the right menu while your parents yell at you. 

The VCR might be gone, but setting it all up took some skill and taught us something about patience. 

5. Adjusting TV Antennas

Before cable TV took over, adjusting the old rabbit ears or antenna was part of the daily routine. You’d twist and turn it, while your family reported whether the picture was clear or not.

Sometimes, you’d be balancing on furniture in search of the right angle. 

Patience was at the core of this skill, and when the picture would finally come into focus, you’d feel like a pro!

Today, we don’t need to bother with antennas anymore.

It’s both a relief and a bit sad. Struggling with the antenna was part of our everyday lives, and now it’s a thing of the past. 

Still, it’s fun to remember how creative we had to get in order to watch our favorite shows. 

6. Rewinding Tapes to Find the Right Song

Before CDs, we used to listen to music on cassette tapes, and skipping a song or going backwards wasn’t as straightforward as today.

Finding the precise song was an art form! 

You’d often have to sit through the silence or the wrong song until it the one you wanted finally came on.

Sometimes, you’d rewind a little too far and have to start again. It all came down to patience and timing. 

Thankfully, playlists and digital music now allow us to just click on what we want, without rewinding or guessing. 

It took effort and skill to find the exact song you wanted to listen to, but for many, that little ritual made it all more fun!

7. Removing Dust from Game Cartridges

Back then, when your game wouldn’t load, the first thing you’d do was blow into the cartridge.

Hoping to clear out dust and get the game to work again, you’d give it a few puffs and then try again.

Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Blowing away the dust was a weird but oddly satisfying and effective trick.

Today, that ritual is long gone, since cartridges were replaced with digital downloads. Now, you just click and play.

Still, it’s a nostalgic reminder of those early gaming days, where a little skill and patience could save your gaming night. 

8. Memorizing Locker Combinations

High school lockers came with combinations, and memorizing those three or four numbers was essential. 

Much like with the lockscreen password, you had to remember the numbers or you were in trouble. You’d either have to spend ages trying to guess it or ask for help.

Now, school lockers are mostly replaced by digital locks or keycards. 

You no longer have to bother remembering a combination that could easily be forgotten after summer break.  

It was a small but important skill that kept us organized and secure. 

It also highlighted our independence, making us learn to keep our stuff safe without relying on digital aid. 

9. Remembering TV Schedules

Before streaming, the TV guide was our best friend. Remember waiting for the TV schedule to come on?

We also used to have a paper copy of the guide, which allowed us to keep track of our favorite shows.

Missing a show meant waiting for reruns or just not seeing it at all. There was no rewind option.

Popular movies would show on TV once or twice a year, and if you didn’t see them then, your only other option was to buy a videotape.

Now, it’s all available on demand, and schedules are a thing of the past. There’s no need to wait or plan for watching content.

Still, those TV schedules shaped our planning skills and made us more intentional about consuming content.

They also provided a small daily routine that’s hard to replicate now. 

10. Using a Phone Book

Before mobile phones, the yellow pages and phone books were essential. Whether you wanted to order a pizza or call your cousin, you’d flip through the pages, find the listing, and dial.

Many people kept a small phone book in their car for emergencies. 

Now, you can either Google or tap the number from your contacts list, with little to no searching.

Phone books are pretty much done for.

It was a simple skill, but it taught us patience and how to find things the old-fashioned way.