• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

What was the best Generation

Status
Not open for further replies.
Must confess Mossy I'm a fan

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4kYAYCdeI&feature=related"]YouTube - Barbara Dennerlein & Rhoda Scott on Hammond B3 Organ[/ame]
 
guitar stereo pedals came about to copy the Lesley speakers, the Shadows use two stereo pedals to get their sound.
 
Hi LOUISA I SECOND WHAT YOU SAY .I WAS BORN IN 1946 SECOND ELDEST OF 8 CHILDREN .WE WERE LUCKY WE HAD A HOUSE WITH AN ATTIC BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF OUR FAMILY. BUT OPPOSITE WERE THE BACK TO BACK HOUSES WITH THE BREWHOUSE AND A LINE OF 4 TOILETS TO SHARE BETWEEN 6 HOUSES BUT ALL WERE LOCKED AND KEPT CLEAN ....WE ALL HAD OUR SHARE OF THE BUGS .PEOPLE WERE FRIENDLY EACH ONE IN TURN TO LEND A MASHING OF TEA OR A LITTLE SUGAR..NO SPARE MONEY FOR LUXURIES UNTIL WE EACH IN TURN STARTED WORK TO HELP OUT....THINGS WERE TOUGH BUT I THINK IT MADE ME A BETTER PERSON ....TOO MUCH TOO SOON FOR THE YOUNGTERS THESE DAYS .INCLUDING MY OWN GRANDCHILDREN ......
 
Hi LOUISA I SECOND WHAT YOU SAY .I WAS BORN IN 1946 SECOND ELDEST OF 8 CHILDREN .WE WERE LUCKY WE HAD A HOUSE WITH AN ATTIC BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF OUR FAMILY. BUT OPPOSITE WERE THE BACK TO BACK HOUSES WITH THE BREWHOUSE AND A LINE OF 4 TOILETS TO SHARE BETWEEN 6 HOUSES BUT ALL WERE LOCKED AND KEPT CLEAN ....WE ALL HAD OUR SHARE OF THE BUGS .PEOPLE WERE FRIENDLY EACH ONE IN TURN TO LEND A MASHING OF TEA OR A LITTLE SUGAR..NO SPARE MONEY FOR LUXURIES UNTIL WE EACH IN TURN STARTED WORK TO HELP OUT....THINGS WERE TOUGH BUT I THINK IT MADE ME A BETTER PERSON ....TOO MUCH TOO SOON FOR THE YOUNGTERS THESE DAYS .INCLUDING MY OWN GRANDCHILDREN ......
 
Well, after reading all this I hardly dare to say that I think the mid to late sixties were the best. I mean Hendrix, The Cream, the Doors, the Stones, come on they don't make music like that any more.

I could do things then on very little wages or my student grant, that I could only dream of now. Foriegn holidays, regular theatres, films and music and best of all everyone pitching in together to share what we had. Temp jobs easy to come by then, afforded me many opotunities to travel.

I lived in a shared student co-operative 1968-72 and although we did smoke a little weed, this was really a very minor part of what we believed. We used to sit around the kitchen table every night having taken it in turns to prepare the evening meal and put the world to rights. I can honestly say we didn't even own a television and no interest in it either, we still read books lots of them!

Any one of us who had any money would be happy to contribute food or drink or feed the meter. We used to have a saying"Don't be a bread head, man!" Which I think was another way of saying that making money ain't all its about.

I can't believe this is the same generation that has somehow created today's greedy, uncompassionate and ego centric society. At the time we all honestly believed that we would all be living in co-operatives and that the workers would own the means of production etc, etc by now. Ha, we couldn't have been more wrong or niave but I liked the optimism and the aspiration.
 
i have read all your messages enjoyed everyone
i was born in 1932 life was tough poor houses but clean mum done all her washing by hand there where 8 of us including mum and dad/ i used to watch the ladies scub there front door step and wash down the pavement . we had gas when dad had eletric put in mum was over the moon . sat and sunday we all listen to the wireless we used to take the battery to a shop to be charged
we where all happy people spoke to each and was there if you needed help
what a differance to day i have seen a lot of changes some are good some bad
what life my granchildren will have makes me shudder
 
mblanks, you were eight years in front of me but I feel exactly the same as you. Our parents and grandparents made this country what it was. We have allowed it to become what it is. It was better than it is now and like you I really do worry about what my grandchildren are going to have to accept in future.
 
Re: A bit of a long answer but this is my opinion about my day

i was born in 1944 and yes there were many down sides to life in those times, but having lived through both times i can honestly say that i would rather be living in the 50's and 60's with good music and plentiful jobs, in birmingham anyway and where i knew the food was local and fresh and had not travelled hundreds of miles, the hospitals were well run and clean with a matron and ward sister who kept everything ship shape in single sex wards.

Patients felt safe and knew they would be well looked after and if they had an operation they went to a convalesant home by the sea which they had paid for from the 6d a week taken out of their wages with the saturday fund. They were not expected to miraculously recover within a few days and go home and then back to work sooner than they should.

Our gp knew all my family and relatives and we trusted him that he would do what was best for us not like todays cost consious nhs budget. If you paid your stamp you expected and got the right treatment not like today.

We had back to back houses with no bathroom and a small scullery which fitted a cooker and a sink and one person if you were lucky.

The bugs which appeared on the ceilings and walls over night which had migrated from next door when they distempered the walls and then went back again in to the neighbours house when you painted over your walls again.

The shared toilets and arguments over whos turn it was to clean it or to put the cut up squares of the news of the world sunday paper threaded with string and hung up on a hook behind the lav door.

The wash house in the middle of the yard and the strict rota of the use of the washing copper and washing line and the wrangling for families to change their washing day or get some extra time in the case of illness or bed wetters of which there were quite a few in our yard.

But even though times could be hard or harsh for many families the one thing that i remember was the good will between neighbours and the way families stuck together and people looked out for each other without expecting any return other than when it was the turn of their family to go through some difficult patch or ill health then they could be sure that the neighbours they had shown kindness to would be there for them too.

I remember the times when i worked in the factory and the girls who were courting would work extra shifts to save up for their bottom drawer and we all looked forward to attending the wedding the knees up afterwards and workmates started to save up for a small gift or clubbed togather to get the couple a bigger suprise present. So we all had something happy to look forward to.

There was much more safisfaction in saving and looking forward to buying something than rushing out to get credit. If you couldnt afford it with your wages then you went without until you had saved up enough to get it. We shopped at the coop to get the dividend and saved this toward xmas. We saved green sheild stamps as well. We joined the xmas club in the butchers and any of the local shops early in the year and saved a few shillings towards xmas food and treats but then children didnt expect expensive toys in those days they thought a watch was a luxury present or a comb and hair brush and a shiny new shilling.

Many of the 'get out of debt' or 'manage your money better' ideas promoted by television or radio programmes today have been practiced by the older generations for years and many older people are still naturally careful with their money having lived in the days when it was hard to come by. I wonder how many families today hand out grown clothes down to the next child or give them to neighbouring families.

Yes there were disfuncional families around in those days and many families put up with a lot, but they stuck together and didnt rush for a divorce so easily. Even in a disfunctional family, children felt more secure because they had a network of relatives who they visited often, who could offer support and good friends of their own age to rough and tumble with.

At school there was support for children as the teacher knew which children came from a poor or struggling family and there was extra help or support and sometimes money from a school fund for those in dire circumstances.

Children had respect for their teachers and learned how to read and write properly with capital letters reaching both lines in the exercise book and the other letters reaching exactly half way up the line and children learned tables in a parrot fashion which stuck with them and helped them make quick calculations for years to come. I still use it now. There were tests every friday for mental arithmetic and spelling.

The difference was that children in my day actually liked to do well and be praised for their good work. I dont remember any child in my class being bullied for being a no it all, for one thing the head master would have got to hear of it and the bully would have been caned. Many of us had end of year prizes of a book. We had a few possessions but respected both our own property and other peoples and we learned how to look after what we had. Not like todays throw away society.

Crime did go on but the local police patrolled the streets and children were in awe of them. Any mischief was dealt with by the policeman on the spot and a threat to tell your father was a great deterant. If there was a local crime the police usually had a good idea who the villans were and they did not get away with it.

Compassion and empathy is sadly lacking in our modern society even in families and it has resulted in a self interested society with many people prefering to live on their own.

No one seems to have a laugh any more in our politically correct society, not like we did when i was a child. We told jokes and no one was offended because it was not meant or taken personally even if you recognised yourself in the subject of the joke everyone recognised it as just a joke and no harm or insult was intended and that was all the importance it got and everyone laughed.

Socialising outside the home has deminished in favour of the internet which some perceive as being safer. Fewer pubs or working mens clubs with bands, no places left to dance the night away, no one walks any where no wonder our health is suffering and many people are lonely.

No i think my day was much better and i fear for the way the world is going today.
i thought this was an opinion not a short story anyway i agree
 
hi stitcher
we went throw ww2 lived on rations bomb raids at night some of us finding our homes gone afraid to be ill could not afford a doctor and we got on with it if you where out of work you didnt get dole money sell your goods first and we still survide we where made of good stock my granchildren love to liston to the good old days
and we are living longer so our perants must have done somethink right
 
hi all
The greatest period for the working class in Britain was the post war period and my generation (b 1947) was the late 50's early 60's >>. better working conditions,housing. national health. Up to mid 80's. Still not over crowded or over populated as now where friendship and commerardry and common decency and common sense still had a roll not like this absurd political correctness and global intergration we have now and when though not much better the Older population were looked after and catered for.
paul stacey
 
A bit of a long answer but this is my opinion about my day

I was born in 1944 and yes there were many down sides to life in those times, but having lived through both times I can honestly say that I would rather be living in the 50's and 60's with good music and plentiful jobs, in Birmingham anyway and where I knew the food was local and fresh and had not travelled hundreds of miles, the hospitals were well run and clean with a matron and ward sister who kept everything ship shape in single sex wards.

Patients felt safe and knew they would be well looked after and if they had an operation they went to a convalesant home by the sea which they had paid for from the 6d a week taken out of their wages with the saturday fund. They were not expected to miraculously recover within a few days and go home and then back to work sooner than they should.

Our GP knew all my family and relatives and we trusted him that he would do what was best for us not like todays cost consious NHS budget. If you paid your stamp you expected and got the right treatment not like today.

We had back to back houses with no bathroom and a small scullery which fitted a cooker and a sink and one person if you were lucky.

The bugs which appeared on the ceilings and walls over night which had migrated from next door when they distempered the walls and then went back again in to the neighbours house when you painted over your walls again.

The shared toilets and arguments over whos turn it was to clean it or to put the cut up squares of the news of the world sunday paper threaded with string and hung up on a hook behind the lav door.

The wash house in the middle of the yard and the strict rota of the use of the washing copper and washing line and the wrangling for families to change their washing day or get some extra time in the case of illness or bed wetters of which there were quite a few in our yard.

But even though times could be hard or harsh for many families the one thing that I remember was the good will between neighbours and the way families stuck together and people looked out for each other without expecting any return other than when it was the turn of their family to go through some difficult patch or ill health then they could be sure that the neighbours they had shown kindness to would be there for them too.

I remember the times when I worked in the factory and the girls who were courting would work extra shifts to save up for their bottom drawer and we all looked forward to attending the wedding the knees up afterwards and workmates started to save up for a small gift or clubbed togather to get the couple a bigger suprise present. So we all had something happy to look forward to.

There was much more safisfaction in saving and looking forward to buying something than rushing out to get credit. If you couldnt afford it with your wages then you went without until you had saved up enough to get it. We shopped at the Coop to get the dividend and saved this toward Xmas. We saved green sheild stamps as well. We joined the Xmas club in the butchers and any of the local shops early in the year and saved a few shillings towards Xmas food and treats but then children didnt expect expensive toys in those days they thought a watch was a luxury present or a comb and hair brush and a shiny new shilling.

Many of the 'get out of debt' or 'manage your money better' ideas promoted by television or radio programmes today have been practiced by the older generations for years and many older people are still naturally careful with their money having lived in the days when it was hard to come by. I wonder how many families today hand out grown clothes down to the next child or give them to neighbouring families.

Yes there were disfuncional families around in those days and many families put up with a lot, but they stuck together and didnt rush for a divorce so easily. Even in a disfunctional family, children felt more secure because they had a network of relatives who they visited often, who could offer support and good friends of their own age to rough and tumble with.

At school there was support for children as the teacher knew which children came from a poor or struggling family and there was extra help or support and sometimes money from a school fund for those in dire circumstances.

Children had respect for their teachers and learned how to read and write properly with capital letters reaching both lines in the exercise book and the other letters reaching exactly half way up the line and children learned tables in a parrot fashion which stuck with them and helped them make quick calculations for years to come. I still use it now. There were tests every friday for mental arithmetic and spelling.

The difference was that children in my day actually liked to do well and be praised for their good work. I dont remember any child in my class being bullied for being a no it all, for one thing the head master would have got to hear of it and the bully would have been caned. Many of us had end of year prizes of a book. We had a few possessions but respected both our own property and other peoples and we learned how to look after what we had. Not like todays throw away society.

Crime did go on but the local police patrolled the streets and children were in awe of them. Any mischief was dealt with by the policeman on the spot and a threat to tell your father was a great deterant. If there was a local crime the police usually had a good idea who the villans were and they did not get away with it.

Compassion and empathy is sadly lacking in our modern society even in families and it has resulted in a self interested society with many people prefering to live on their own.

No one seems to have a laugh any more in our politically correct society, not like we did when I was a child. We told jokes and no one was offended because it was not meant or taken personally even if you recognised yourself in the subject of the joke everyone recognised it as just a joke and no harm or insult was intended and that was all the importance it got and everyone laughed.

Socialising outside the home has deminished in favour of the internet which some perceive as being safer. Fewer pubs or working mens clubs with bands, no places left to dance the night away, no one walks any where no wonder our health is suffering and many people are lonely.

No I think my day was much better and I fear for the way the world is going today.


Hello Louisa, if you are still using this forum I would like to say that I agree with you totally.
 
I'm a 36 year old man from Tipton in the 'Black Country'. I have always felt that I was born too late! Born 1986, I feel it is rather evident that I have a somewhat limited knowledge of the lifestyles lived by some of the more mature members of the forum but I have the greatest respect and admiration for my elders.

Even in my lifetime I have seen how society has and constantly is changing sociologicaly and I find myself dreaming about 'the good old days' where people looked out for one another, woman and children were safe, respect, morals and principles meant a lot.

I think that anyone born and lived in those times were all from the greatest generations because let's be honest, after the year 2000 onwards, generations are devolving lol
 
Most of the contribution to this thread was 2008-9 and there was already talk of political correctness. Sadly, many of those contributors are no longer with us but the ensuing years have witnessed a major upheaval in what is and isn't acceptable in society. I was born in 1945 and consider my generation to be the most fortunate. We understood family depravation throughout the period of rationing but were too young to have known it any different. We missed the terrors of WW2 but witnessed the aftermath. We were there at the advent of rock and roll and witness to musical development throughout the 60s and 70s. Personally, I was in at the beginning of the Bob Dylan era and drove my father mad playing Maggie's Farm over and over again. Starting a family in mid 60s I was further impressed when my teenage daughters were caught up in the New Romantic era of the early 80s so I felt I had two bites at the cherry as far as popular music is concerned. I have gravitated towards traditional Celtic music with age.
The 50s hold great memories but we have to remember the poor inner city housing, illnesses that were still difficult to treat and, around where I lived, many men bearing the scars of war.
Now, in later life I abhor having to watch my p's and q's and, as an outspoken individual, I find the snowflake generation a great challenge.
 
The term "snowflake generation" was one of Collins English Dictionary's 2016 words of the year. Collins defines the term as "the young adults of the 2010s (born from 1980-1994), viewed as being less resilient and more prone to taking offence than previous generations..
"Snowflake" is a derogatory slang term for a person, implying that they have an inflated sense of uniqueness, an unwarranted sense of entitlement, or are overly-emotional, easily offended, and unable to deal with opposing opinions. The term gained prominence in the 2010s.
 
I am 77, born in the last days of WW2. I look back on my life with gratitude. I have always considered we lived through the best years. The best music, the most beautiful girls, ( I still live with one, having been married 56 years, this coming Saturday.) We did not earn a lot, but managed to save and buy a house. We bought what we could afford. Had no debt, and now look back and think it was GREAT.
I do feel sorry for the youngster’s now days. Their requirements of having to have everything NOW! The best thing they could do is cut up their credit cards and save for what they want. I’m sure in the long run they also will be happier and more contented. Alf.C
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top