Things are not what they used to be
Some of the bits and pieces spring to mind of what happened in the 1940 era. Besides the events of the war, there were many ordinary happenings that when one goes back in time, one suddenly remembers, meeting friends at the local cinema on a Saturday morning.
The entrance fee for the movie was nine pence/cents. There was a cartoon, a newsreel, a serial which was an encouragement for a return visit the following Saturday, followed by the main feature. There was an interval before the main feature began. Usherettes brought candies or ice creams on a big tray, suspended from their shoulder, for buying during this interval. When the show ended, there was always a regular rush with friends and others, for exchanging comics before going home.
The most sought after sweets at that time were; Penny Nestles, which was a small oblong bar of milk chocolate. Also popular, were sticks of multi colored rock candy shaped like a cane. In addition to this, were black and white striped sugary lumps called "bull's eyes" and a whole lot of other candy, not forgetting the long strands of black liquorice that sold for four for one cent or penny. In those days, that money went a long way for the kids.
Owning and listening to a radio or a radiogram was a wonderful experience, especially if it was able to pick up stations from around the world. The fact that they crackled and were loaded with all sorts of interfering noises simply did not matter at all. Of course, there was no such thing as television for an alternative source of information.
Most of the streets and country roads were gravelled. The cars bumped along these roads instead of a nice smooth run as we have today. Furthermore, there was always a smell of petrol fumes from the exhaust making you feel queasy on a long outing. It was safer for teenagers to go for walks alone. Cycling was also relatively safe from falls from their bikes by passing vehicles knocking them off. Soda fountains were a novelty. It was fun while out walking to stop at one and have a banana split or a milkshake.
No cell phones or iPads were in existence. You simply made your own entertainment. Jigsaw puzzles, monopoly and other card games kept you occupied and you read a lot. At school, there were no such things as calculators. Calculations had to be shown on paper or be worked out in your head! Definitely, no calculations allowed on your fingers!
Girls were taught to sew, knit and embroider as part of the school curriculum. Darning of socks was a necessity, as clothes had to last a long time. As it was wartime during the first half of the forties, the knitting of scarves and socks for Red Cross parcels for the troops was encouraged.
When looking back at that period with fond memories, some people would say, "Those were the days". However, there is a lot to be said for progress. I wonder what future inventions will bring to civilization. Will it bring goodness to the world or will it be bad and sad? Future generations will probably look back at the way that we have lived and wonder how we could have possibly managed with what we have, as to them our way of life will seem to have been "very old fashioned."
My name is Gloria Herman and one of my favourite pastimes is writing articles. I use a variety of subjects as my topics. Being well travelled has enabled me to see many sides of life. Meeting interesting people has given me an insight into their ways of life and the various conditions under which they live. Life is one big collection of inspiration.
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