21 Normal Things From the 60s You Can’t Do Today

Strap in, time travelers, because we’re about to take a psychedelic journey back to the Swinging Sixties—an era where the rules were looser, the vibes were groovier, and society’s idea of “normal” would make today’s safety-conscious world do a double take.

In this nostalgic tour, we’ll explore 21 jaw-dropping things that were once everyday occurrences but would now be met with gasps, lawsuits, or a concerned call to the authorities.

Think kids bouncing around in the back seat with no seatbelts, smoke clouds thick enough to rival a fog machine in restaurants, and doctors actually recommending cigarettes for a “soothing throat.”

The 1960s were a wild ride—full of freedom, change, and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of reckless abandon. So grab your go-go boots and bell-bottoms as we step into a world that feels like another dimension. Groovy, baby!

1. Smoking Everywhere, All the Time

In the ‘60s, smoking was as common as breathing. People lit up in offices, hospitals, airplanes, restaurants—literally everywhere.

Even doctors smoked while giving medical advice. Try that today, and you’d be asked to leave, probably with a fine. It was a cloud-filled era where cigarettes were practically accessories to your outfit. Now, the only clouds you’ll find indoors are made of Wi-Fi signals.

Those were the days when smoking was almost a status symbol, not a health hazard. If only secondhand smoke could be as harmless as secondhand clothes!

2. Seat Belts Were Just a Suggestion

Ah, the ‘60s, when seat belts were more of an accessory than a necessity.

Most cars had them, but nobody actually used them. Kids bounced around in the backseat like popcorn in a hot pan, and front seats were one big, open-air danger zone. Today, if you don’t buckle up, your car dings at you like an angry mother.

Those were the days when cars were more metallic freedom rides than encapsulated safety pods. Parents didn’t stress about car seats – they just hoped you didn’t car-surf on the way home.

3. Drinking and Driving Was Just Part of the Night

Having a couple of drinks and then hopping behind the wheel wasn’t just common—it was almost expected.

If you got pulled over, the cop might tell you to “drive safe” and send you on your way. Now, you wouldn’t even make it out of the parking lot before getting arrested.

Those were the days when a night out meant a glass of whiskey and a spin through town. Today, designated drivers are the real heroes, not the ones trying to impress with their ‘driving under influence’ stunts.

4. Hitchhiking Without Fear of Ending Up on a True Crime Podcast

If you needed to get somewhere and didn’t have a car, you just stuck out your thumb and hitched a ride.

Strangers picking up other strangers? No problem. Now, it’s a plotline for a horror movie. Back then, it was a social experiment in trust, a time when the world felt like one big, friendly neighborhood. Hitchhiking was the ultimate ride-share, long before apps made it cool.

Today, trust is reserved for verified profiles, not strangers with open car doors. The ‘60s were a trust fall kind of era.

5. Flying Was a Fancy Affair With No Security Lines

Air travel was an event. People dressed up, flight attendants looked like models, and you could bring as much luggage as you wanted.

There were no security checks, no TSA screenings, and plenty of free booze. Today, you can barely bring a bottle of water through security without raising suspicion. Flying was a luxury experience, filled with champagne and caviar dreams, not X-ray machines.

Those were the days when airport lounges were more like VIP clubs than crowded waiting areas. Now, we dress for comfort, not for style.

6. Letting Kids Roam Free Without a Phone or GPS

Parents would let their kids disappear for hours, trusting that they’d show up for dinner.

No cell phones, no tracking apps, just a bike and a vague idea of where they were headed. Today, if a kid isn’t constantly in contact, parents start calling the police. Back then, adventure was the only agenda, and the world was a giant playground.

Now, every adventure must be meticulously planned and tracked. The ’60s were a time when freedom came with every pedal push on a bike, not a smartphone check-in.

7. Teachers Spanking Students Without a Lawsuit

If you got in trouble at school, a teacher or principal might smack you with a ruler or paddle.

Then, when you got home, your parents would probably punish you again for embarrassing them. Try that today, and you’d be dealing with lawyers by lunch. Those were the days when discipline came with a side of classroom theatrics.

Today, discipline is more about timeouts than time-honored traditions of paddling. Back then, teachers ruled with rulers, not detentions. The ‘60s were a time when respect was taught with a firm hand.

8. Playgrounds Designed Like Death Traps

Seesaws that could launch a kid into orbit, metal slides that doubled as frying pans in the sun, jungle gyms with hard asphalt underneath—playgrounds were basically training grounds for stuntmen.

Now, everything is padded, plastic, and 100 percent safe. Back then, playtime meant taking calculated risks, not calculated steps.

The ‘60s were a time when courage was tested on every climb and slide. Today, it’s less about the thrill and more about the chill. Those were daring days of scraped knees and boundless imagination.

9. Drinking at Work Like It Was Happy Hour

It wasn’t weird for businessmen to have a drink before lunch, after lunch, and probably one more before heading home. Office bars were a real thing.

If someone pulled that today, HR would be involved before they finished their first sip. Those were the days when the office was a second living room, complete with a mini-bar.

Today, professionalism demands sobriety and clear heads, not nightcaps at noon. The ‘60s were a time when creativity flowed as freely as the gin. Now, coffee breaks replace cocktail breaks.

10. Letting Kids Ride in the Back Window of the Car

That flat space between the back seat and the rear windshield? The perfect spot for a kid to stretch out and take a nap on long road trips.

Today, if a kid isn’t buckled into a government-approved, crash-tested car seat, someone’s calling Child Protective Services. Those were the days when comfort was prioritized over safety regulations. Now, child safety seats are not just recommended – they’re law.

The ‘60s were a time of carefree cruising, not cautionary tales. Nostalgia for those road trips comes with a side of disbelief.

11. Milk Delivery to Your Front Door

The milkman was a real thing, dropping off fresh bottles of milk right to your door.

Now, if a random guy left dairy products outside your house, you’d call the cops. Those were the days when fresh milk was a doorstep delight, not a supermarket aisle find. The ‘60s were a time when convenience was a morning ritual, not an app-based order.

Today, delivery is digital, not personal. Back then, the clink of glass bottles was a comforting sound, unlike the silent tap of online shopping.

12. Watching TV Without a Remote Control

If you wanted to change the channel, you actually had to get up and turn a dial. Kids were basically human remotes.

Now, if the remote is lost, people will just sit there rather than getting up. Those were the days when channel surfing required physical effort, not a thumb workout. The ‘60s were a time when television was a family affair, not a personalized experience.

Today, remotes are as essential as the shows they control. Back then, TV viewing was a commitment, not a click away.

13. Leaving Your House Unlocked All the Time

People rarely locked their doors. Neighbors would drop by unannounced, and nobody thought twice about it.

Today, we’ve got security cameras, alarms, and doorbell cams just to check on a package. Those were the days when ‘open door policy’ was a literal term, not an HR phrase. The ‘60s were a time of trust and community, not caution and security systems.

Now, privacy is more guarded than ever. Back then, every knock was welcomed, not worried over. It was a time when neighbors were family, not strangers.

14. Buying Coca-Cola With Actual Cocaine in It

Coca-Cola originally contained real coca leaf extract, which means it had trace amounts of cocaine.

They phased it out in the early 1900s, but in the ‘60s, people still whispered about the “good old days” when Coke gave you a real pick-me-up. Those were the days of legendary urban myths, not diet sugar substitutes. The ‘60s were a time when every sip was a conversation starter, not a calorie counter.

Today, Coke is caffeine-fueled, not folklore-filled. Back then, it was about the legend, not the label.

15. DDT Spraying While Kids Played Outside

People thought DDT was the miracle pesticide, and they sprayed it everywhere.

Trucks would drive through neighborhoods fogging entire streets while kids ran through it like it was a sprinkler. Turns out, it was super toxic. Who knew? Those were the days when ignorance was bliss, not a health hazard. The ‘60s were a time of carefree afternoons, not chemical concerns.

Today, awareness is key, not carefree chemical clouds. Back then, playing in DDT fog seemed harmless, not hazardous. It was a different time, of misguided safety.

16. Calling the Operator to Make a Long-Distance Call

If you wanted to call someone in another city, you had to dial “0” and ask the operator to connect you.

And long-distance calls were so expensive, you kept them short—unless you wanted to take out a loan to pay the phone bill. Those were the days when communication was a luxury, not a given. The ‘60s were a time when every call was an event, not an emoji exchange.

Today, connectivity is instant, not operator-assisted. Back then, dialing was dedication, not data-driven.

17. Driving a Car Without Power Steering

If you’ve ever driven a car without power steering, you know it was basically a workout.

Parking required serious arm strength. Now, we have cars that practically park themselves. Those were the days when driving was a skill, not a convenience. The ‘60s were a time when arm wrestling was part of the driving test.

Today, technology takes the wheel, not sheer muscle. Back then, every turn was an achievement, not an automation. It was a time when cars were driven, not driven by tech.

18. Doctors Making House Calls

If you were sick, the doctor came to your house with his little black bag and checked you out in your own bed.

Try finding a doctor to do that today—good luck. Those were the days when healthcare felt like home care, not a hospital visit. The ‘60s were a time when medical attention was personal, not procedural. Today, appointments are scheduled, not home-delivered.

Back then, the doctor was a neighbor, not a name in the directory. It was a time of personalized care, not clinics.

19. Going to the Bank for Every Single Transaction

Want to deposit a check? Withdraw money? Check your balance? You had to go inside the bank, fill out forms, and wait in line.

Now, it’s all done in a few clicks on your phone. Those were the days when banking was a physical activity, not a digital transaction. The ‘60s were a time when patience was a banking virtue, not an inconvenience. Today, money moves at the speed of a swipe, not a line.

Back then, saving time meant being efficient, not tech-savvy.

20. Watching Movies at a Drive-In Theater

Drive-in theaters were the place to be, whether you were actually watching the movie or just there for the social scene.

Now, they’re almost extinct, replaced by streaming services and overpriced popcorn at indoor theaters. Those were the days when movies were a shared experience, not a solo binge.

The ‘60s were a time when the car was part of the cinematic adventure, not just a mode of transportation. Today, screens are portable, not panoramic. Back then, cinema was a community, not a convenience.

21. Buying Gas for Pocket Change

In the ‘60s, you could fill up a car for just a few bucks.

Gas station attendants even pumped your gas, washed your windshield, and checked your oil—without expecting a tip. Today, gas prices are so high you need a second mortgage just to fill the tank. Those were the days when filling up was as easy as pie, not a financial decision.

The ‘60s were a time when service was part of the package, not an extra charge. Back then, gas stations were friendly stops, not budget-busters.