Baseball. Apple pie. Hamburgers. There are some American traditions that we all know and love, but what about the ones that time has left behind?
As our culture continues to grow and change, many cherished traditions can fade. Here are 13 forgotten American traditions that we wish would make a comeback!
1. Drive-In Theaters
Drive-in theaters once dotted the American landscape. You can enjoy a double feature outside, using your car speakers for sound.
Sadly, movie theaters as a whole are struggling around the country. For that reason, families are no longer gathering their blankets and snacks and hitting the drive-in to catch the newest flicks.
2. Milk Delivery
The daily delivery of fresh milk used to be a staple of American life. The local milkman would deliver glass bottles of fresh milk, and homeowners would then return them to be reused later.
American traditions like this demonstrate the tight-knit community that was formed during the olden days. People had a friendly relationship with workers like the milkman. Now this camaraderie has been replaced with a quick trip to the grocery store.
3. Town Square Dances
Crank up the country music and boot, scoot, boogie! Americans used to gather at community centers, town squares, or local halls to rendezvous with their neighbors.
People of all ages gathered and celebrated at square dances. These events, often accompanied by live bands, were a showcase of community spirit and regional dance styles.
4. Soda Fountains
Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Pepsi, and many other soft drinks were invented in the mid-20th century. At this time, soda fountains were popular social spots in pharmacies and diners.
Teenagers in particular enjoyed sodas, ice cream sundaes, and light meals at the soda fountains. The personalized service and communal atmosphere made soda fountains the place to be for the country’s youth.
5. Catalog Shopping
Before the internet, American families eagerly awaited the arrival of thick retail catalogs in the mail. These catalogs, from companies like Sears and Montgomery Ward, were used to order everything from clothes to furniture.
Catalogs are still used by some stores like IKEA, Kohl’s, and Pottery Barn. However, with most people doing their shopping online, this is one of the American traditions that probably won’t see a revival.
6. Automat Restaurants
Automats were once a hallmark of American dining. Hungry customers would come for a cafeteria-style dining experience, retrieving food from coin-operated compartments. And we thought digital ordering at McDonald’s was cool!
By paying upfront, customers were able to enjoy a quick, novel dining experience without the need for waitstaff. These restaurants blended convenience with the charm of early 20th-century innovation.
7. Paperboys
While the milkman could be count on for dairy, the local paperboy was busy delivering newspapers to every doorstep each morning. These paperboys, or newsies, dressed sharply and arrived bright and early, ensuring American households had access to the daily happenings.
This tradition provided many young boys with their first jobs. They’d hop on their bikes and hand deliver the papers around their respective neighborhoods, sometimes before sunrise.
8. Block Parties
We all love a good excuse to celebrate. For much of the 21st century, Americans got together with other families who lived on the same street for neighborhood block parties.
The street was closed to traffic and residents brought out grills and games. These gatherings allowed neighbors to connect in a festive atmosphere, sharing food, stories, and laughter.
9. Pen Pals
Millennials and Gen X’ers may remember writing to a pen pal in school. In the age of social media, this tradition has fallen out of favor.
Perhaps it’s time for pen pals to make a comeback. Kids can learn how to connect with someone else off the screen. They may even learn about another country or culture and create lifelong friendships.
10. Hat Etiquette
Men tipping their hats to acquaintances and women in greeting is a bygone gesture of politeness and respect. Chivalry may be dead after all.
Of course, these days men and women are more in-tune with outdated gender norms. For this reason, this small gesture act, one created from formal manners and respect, is no longer as common today.
11. Victory Gardens
During World Wars I and II, Americans were encouraged to grow “Victory Gardens” to support the war effort and supplement their rations. These gardens provided food while strengthening community morale and unity.
Some American traditions, like victory gardens, would be beneficial to bring back. Adults can learn how to grow their own food and preserve it in canning jars so it lasts for months.
12. Sunday Drives
With gas prices skyrocketing more each year, the tradition of taking leisurely Sunday drives through the countryside is now dead. Families would hop in their automobile and take in the scenery on the open road.
Traffic can be frustrating, and by Sunday, many families would rather stay in and relax than hit the highways with no plan or destination. Still, the spirit of Sunday drives lives on through auto shows.
13. Civic Organizations
Participation in civic organizations like the Rotary Club or the Lions Club was once a fundamental aspect of American social life. These groups played key roles in community building and individual networking.
Nowadays, civic organizations have seen a significant decline in membership. Our lifestyles have become more individualized, and we just don’t have enough time to dedicate to additional groups.
All-American
These forgotten American traditions each carry a piece of the country’s cultural fabric. They a window into the values that have shaped this country: community, togetherness, and forward thinking.
While some American traditions may eventually make a resurgence, others remain cherished memories of a different time. Try to bring some of them back into your own life, even if it means stepping away from your screens!
Read More:
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Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.