17 Things Georgians Did in the ‘70s That Would Get Weird Looks Today

The 1970s were a bold, carefree, and sometimes downright puzzling time in American history.

From shag carpet to gas station giveaways, the choices Georgia residents made back then made perfect sense at the time. But try doing some of those things today, and you’ll get a few raised eyebrows.

It was a different world, and this list proves it.

Making Jell-O Dishes With Meat and Vegetables

Food experiments in the 1970s reached new heights, or depths, depending on your appetite.

Jell-O was used for everything from salads to casseroles. Chunks of ham, shredded carrots, peas, and even tuna showed up suspended in shimmering molds.

It was served proudly at potlucks and holiday gatherings.

Today, people might smile politely but avoid putting it on their plates.

Sunbathing With Baby Oil

Tanning was a serious goal in the ’70s. People slathered on baby oil, grabbed a foil sun reflector, and baked in the sun for hours.

There was little talk of sunscreen or skin protection. A deep tan was seen as healthy and glamorous.

Some even used tanning sprays that left them orange or streaky and still called it a win.

Today, that would spark warnings from dermatologists and concerned friends.

Letting Kids Ride in the Back of Pickup Trucks

In the 1970s, it wasn’t unusual to see a bunch of kids bouncing around in the open bed of a pickup truck.

There were no seatbelts, no cushions, and definitely no helmets. Just wind in their hair and maybe a dog riding along too.

Today, this would be flagged as unsafe in just about every state. But back then, it was considered practical and even fun.

Parents weren’t being reckless. They were just following the norms of the time.

Smoking Just About Everywhere

Cigarettes were everywhere in the ‘70s. People smoked in restaurants, airplanes, offices, and even hospitals.

Ashtrays were on every table and desk. Some cars even came with built-in lighters and ashtrays for every passenger.

You could light up almost anywhere without anyone batting an eye.

Today, you’d get a long stare, a stern reminder, or possibly a fine.

Wearing Matching Polyester Outfits

Polyester was the fabric of the future, or at least that’s what people thought. It didn’t wrinkle, it came in bold colors, and it was affordable.

Men wore polyester leisure suits. Women wore matching tops and bell-bottoms. Kids wore jumpsuits with zippers all the way up the front.

It was stylish in its time, but wearing a full polyester look today would probably get you a few side glances and some comments about static cling.

Fashion has moved on. Comfort has too.

Using Phones Attached to the Wall

Every household had a phone, but it was connected to the wall and shared by the whole family.

You remembered phone numbers by heart and kept a notepad nearby for messages. Long cords let you stretch into another room for some privacy.

If someone was on the line, you waited. If you wanted to talk to a friend, you hoped their parents didn’t answer.

Try explaining this to someone under 25 today, and they’ll look at you like you’re from another planet.

Decorating Entire Rooms in Carpet

In the 1970s, carpet wasn’t just for floors. It climbed up walls, covered stairs, and even showed up in bathrooms.

Shag carpet was especially popular. It came in bold colors like avocado green, burnt orange, and mustard yellow.

Homeowners thought it looked cozy and modern.

Today, people would ask how you vacuum the walls or why your bathroom feels like a living room.

Letting Kids Stay Home Alone at a Young Age

Latchkey kids were a real thing in the ‘70s. Many kids came home from school, made their own snacks, and watched TV until their parents got back from work.

No cell phones. No check-ins. Just trust, a key on a shoelace, and maybe a note on the counter.

It was considered normal and even built character.

Today, people would call it a safety issue or question the parenting.

Serving Tang Instead of Juice

Instead of fresh-squeezed anything, many families reached for a canister of Tang. This orange powder promised energy, flavor, and the seal of approval from astronauts.

It was easy to make, shelf-stable, and bright enough to stain a white countertop instantly.

People drank it at breakfast, packed it in lunches, and sometimes even served it to guests.

In today’s world of pressed juices and organic everything, Tang might get a few puzzled looks.

Watching TV Together as a Family Every Night

The TV was the center of the home in the 1970s, and everyone gathered around it together.

Families had one television, maybe two, and only a few channels to choose from. That meant everyone watched the same shows at the same time.

Commercial breaks were bathroom breaks. And missing an episode meant you missed it for good.

Now, with streaming and personal devices, this kind of nightly ritual feels almost unheard of.

Letting Strangers Inside to Use the Phone

If someone knocked on your door and needed to make a call, you let them in.

It didn’t seem strange. People helped each other out. There were no smartphones, and pay phones weren’t always nearby.

Most folks kept a phone in the kitchen and handed it over without hesitation.

Today, that would feel like a safety risk or a scene from a true crime show.

Riding Bikes Without Helmets

In the 1970s, wearing a helmet while biking was the exception, not the rule. Kids zipped through neighborhoods, down hills, and across busy streets with the wind in their hair and nothing on their heads.

Parents might shout “Be careful,” but that was usually the extent of the safety talk.

Today, helmet laws and safety gear are taken seriously. Seeing a kid ride without one would make people do a double take.

Back then, it just meant you were cool.

Sending Kids Off to Play With No Supervision

After breakfast, kids were told to go outside, and many didn’t return until the streetlights came on.

They rode bikes, explored wooded areas, played games in empty lots, and made their own rules.

There were no cell phones, no tracking apps, and often no adults in sight.

Today, that kind of freedom would raise a lot of eyebrows and possibly a few phone calls.

Using Encyclopedias for Homework

Google didn’t exist, and neither did Wikipedia. Kids in the ’70s had shelves lined with hardcover encyclopedias for research.

If you were lucky, your family had a full set. If not, you borrowed a few volumes from the library or a neighbor.

Information wasn’t updated often, and there were no hyperlinks to click, just page after page of printed facts.

It was slow, clunky, and totally normal.

Putting Foil on Rabbit Ear Antennas

Televisions in the 1970s didn’t come with streaming apps or perfect reception. Most had metal “rabbit ear” antennas that needed constant adjusting.

People twisted them in different directions or wrapped them in aluminum foil to improve the signal.

Sometimes someone had to stand just right in the room to keep the picture from going fuzzy.

Today, most people wouldn’t even know what rabbit ears are, let alone why they had foil on them.

Keeping a Full Bar Cart in the Living Room

Bar carts were more than decoration in the 1970s. They were fully stocked with liquor, glasses, and mixers for entertaining.

Even people who didn’t drink much had one ready for guests. It added a touch of class and convenience.

Mixing a drink for someone was a sign of hospitality.

Today, that much open alcohol on display might raise a few questions, especially if there are kids in the house.

Letting Teenagers Drive Station Wagons With No Seatbelts

Seatbelt laws weren’t widely enforced in the 1970s, and many people ignored them altogether.

Teenagers often got the hand-me-down station wagon, loaded it up with friends, and hit the road. No one checked for seatbelts. Half the time, people didn’t even know where they were tucked.