Small talk, cursive handwriting, and letting elementary school kids run the household until dinner. Some of our most ordinary habits look downright bizarre through someone else's eyes. Today, Annie Reneau explores an Australian's fascination with American friendliness and takes us back to the semi-feral childhoods of Gen X. We've also got the story of the real von Trapps and a handwritten thank-you note that has people arguing across generational lines.
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Australian living in the U.S. explains why Americans talk to strangers. It makes perfect sense. | ||
“Conversation creates certainty.” | ||
By Annie Reneau | ||
We Americans are known for our tendency to chit-chat with almost anyone. The more introverted among us might not love it, but in the United States, it’s perfectly normal to make small talk with strangers on a bus or while waiting in line, and we take that friendly chatter with us when we travel. | ||
But in many cultures, shooting the breeze with whoever happens to be nearby isn’t the norm. In fact, as an Australian named Michael shared, it feels downright odd. Michael, who shares his experiences on his From Down Under to Down South YouTube channel, said the biggest cultural difference that struck him after moving from Australia to the southern U.S. was simply “standing in line.” | ||
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If you lived through an 80s childhood, this will send you back. | ||
Gen X mom reenacts ‘coming home from school in the 80s’ and it couldn’t be more perfect | ||
“This is why we turned out self sufficient, independent and successful.” | ||
By Annie Reneau | ||
Generation X, made up of those born between 1965 and 1980, has many claims-to-fame in their younger years game. Gen X brought the world Prince and Kurt Cobain. We were The Goonies and The Breakfast Club. We took down the Berlin Wall while watching MTV. | ||
But perhaps the most iconic thing about Gen X is our semi-feral childhoods of benign neglect. The standards of parenting and child rearing have shifted a lot in the past 40 to 50 years, as has the technological landscape that kids grow up in, so naturally, today’s kids won’t have the same childhoods previous generations had. But there’s something particularly nostalgic about being a child of the 80s for those who lived it. | ||
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Nature’s farmers! 🐿️🎃
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Maria Von Trapp was not in love with Georg when they got married, but that changed. | ||
The real-life love story of Maria and Georg Von Trapp we didn’t see in ‘The Sound of Music’ | ||
“I really and truly was not in love.” | ||
By Annie Reneau | ||
The Sound of Music has been beloved for generations, partially for the music (and Julie Andrews’ angelic voice), partially for the historical storyline, and partially for the love story between Maria and Georg Von Trapp. The idea of a nun-in-training softening the heart of a curmudgeonly widower, falling in love with him, and ultimately becoming a big, happy family is just an irresistible love story. | ||
But it turns out the real love story behind their union is even more fascinating. | ||
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An Upworthiest Poll
Which childhood freedom do you miss the most?
Yesterday’s Results
In yesterday's issue, we shared a remarkable early Bee Gees performance of a Rolling Stones song.
And we asked: If you could visit one era of live music for a single night, which would you choose? A commanding 62.5% of you chose the 1960s. Flower power beat disco, new wave, and grunge. Somebody find us a time machine with decent speakers.
1960s rock and soul (62.5%)
1970s disco and classic rock (24.2%)
1980s pop and new wave (11.2%)
1990s grunge and hip-hop (2.1%)
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People attempt to decipher a note written by Angelina Jolie. | ||
A simple ‘thank you’ note from Angelina Jolie has Gen X and Gen Z debating if her handwriting is legible | ||
“It’s like we have our own secret code the youngins can’t crack.” | ||
By Cecily Knobler | ||
Like most Gen X-ers, 51-year-old Angelina Jolie likely had to study penmanship in elementary school. (As a fellow Gen X-er, I can attest that this particular class often lowered my grade point average.) But now that many schools place less emphasis on cursive, younger generations might struggle not only to write it, but to read it, too. | ||
A recent post on the How Everything Works Instagram page shared a thank-you note reportedly written by Jolie for hotel staff. As the note goes viral, many have weighed in, calling it mostly illegible. This is causing quite a stir between generations, with some blaming a lack of education on this subject as the culprit. | ||
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