Things you'll understand if you grew up in the 90s
How do I use a map again? 🙈
Last updated 2nd Apr 2021
Whether it was the decade that you were at primary school, or where you spent your teens, or early 20s, if you grew up in the 90s, you'll almost certainly be able to relate to some of these things.
Remember composing a ringtone on your mobile phone (if you had one that is), or waiting until after 9pm to talk to your friends for free, and having to use a proper MAP when you went on a day trip?!
How things have changed in the last 20+ years...
Now take a look through these things you'll understand if you grew up in the 90s:
It's TV time!
There was no On Demand TV available, if you missed your favourite programme that was it.
Who had an alarm to watch their favourite TV show? We know we did!
A day trip involved using a MAP!
With no smart phones on the scene, going for a day trip meant you'd have to get the map out and navigate your way around the countryside.
If you got lost there was no calling your dad to pick you up, or phone to locate exactly where you were!
Full battery for a week?!
It seems unbelievable in a day when you have to charge your phone pretty much every day, but the first mobile phones were simple, and had batteries that would last a week or more.
Composing ringtones on your phone
With the release of Nokia's 5110 etc came the option to compose your own ringtone, and if you lived through that era then you'll know how fun (but frustrating it was)!
Bulging CD collections
Before digital listening and streaming, CDs took over our bedrooms. Everyone started with good intentions, keeping the correct CDs in their cases, but it wasn't long before they'd just end up in a pile on the table. Careful not to scratch one though!
Burning CDs to give to friends
Mix tapes were super popular in the 90s, but if you wanted to go a step further, then what about a mix CD full of the songs that remind you of the best times?
These days you're bound to find some of your favourite throwback songs on Northsound 1!
Disposable cameras
Disposable cameras were the perfect accessory for parties, days out and times when you thought it might be a bit risky to take your 'proper' camera.
Not only did you have the excitement of looking through a view finder to take the photos, you'd have to wait a week to get them back. Were they worth the wait?
Call unlimited...
Hands up, who used to wait until 9pm when they could use their parents' landline for free to call their mates?
Of course, you'd always have to hang up after 59 minutes and redial to get the full benefit.
There was a computer room, and time on it was limited
Back in the 90s your family probably had a room dedicated to a computer, and time on that computer was limited! Whether it was just shared with your parents or several siblings, it didn't matter.
Of course if you wanted to go online that would also be limited, because if you were online, no one could use the phone!
Wires everywhere!
Yes, we did have games consoles back then, but of course they came with wires all over the place. Each of the controllers would have a wire, and there were several wires to connect it to the TV. No simple HDMI cables used back then.
Checking the cinema listings in the newspaper
With no Internet to speak of, the local newspaper's cinema listings were the best way to find out when your favourite film was on.
Of course once you found out the time, you'd also have to join a long queue for your tickets, with no option to buy the tickets online.
Read more:
Going to university in the 90s v now
90s kids’ toys you just HAD to have
Throwback songs you totally forgot about