This article was originally published in the April 2001 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society.

We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastics, contact lenses, videos, frisbees and the pill. We were born before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball point pens, before dish washers, tumble dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners and before man walked on the moon.

We got married first and then lived together (how quaint can you be?). We thought “ fast food” was what you eat at lent, a “Big Mac” was an oversized raincoat, and “crumpet” we had for tea. We existed before house husbands, computer dating, dual careers, when a “meaningful relationship” meant getting along with cousins, and when “sheltered accommodation” was where you waited for a bus.

We were before day-care centres, old peoples homes and disposable nappies.

We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, word processors, computers, yoghurt, and men wearing earrings. A chip was a piece of wood or a fried potato, hardware meant nails and screws, and software had not been heard of.

“Making out” referred to how you did in exams, stud was something that fastened a collar to a shirt and “going all the way” was staying on the bus to the depot. Pizzas and takeaways were unheard of. Cigarette smoking was fashionable, “grass” was mown, “coke” was kept in a coal bunker, a "joint" was a piece of meat and “pot” was something we cooked in. A “gay person” was the life and soul of a party and not more. “Aids” meant crutches, wooden legs or help for someone in difficulty.

We, who were born so long ago, when you think of the way the world has changed and the changes we have had to make, no wonder there is a generation gap today.

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