Back in Time Today
The 1990s were a different time. Things we’d raise eyebrows at today were just part of everyday life back then. From risky health habits to questionable parenting choices, the decade had its own set of rules that would make modern folks cringe. Take a trip down memory lane to discover what was perfectly acceptable in the era of Tamagotchis and dial-up internet.
1. Smoking Indoors in Restaurants, Bars and Offices
Remember when you’d come home from dinner smelling like an ashtray? Restaurants routinely asked, “Smoking or non-smoking?” as if a half-wall could contain the cloud of cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
Office workers puffed away at their desks, dropping ashes next to important documents. Bars were especially hazy—the smoke so thick you could barely see across the room.
Nowadays, lighting up indoors would get you escorted out immediately. Public health awareness finally caught up with the dangers of secondhand smoke, making indoor smoking bans the norm across most developed countries.
2. Driving Without Seatbelts
Buckling up was more of a suggestion than a requirement. People casually dismissed the “click it or ticket” warnings, preferring comfort over safety as they cruised down highways unrestrained.
Kids bounced around backseats during road trips, sometimes lying across the rear window shelf for naps. Teenagers thought it was uncool to wear seatbelts, and many adults only buckled up when they spotted a police car.
The freedom came with deadly consequences. Today’s stricter enforcement, higher fines, and constant reminders from vehicle alert systems have made seatbelt use second nature for most drivers and passengers.
3. Drinking and Driving
“One for the road” was a common phrase as people left parties or bars. Friends might casually hand the keys to whoever seemed “least drunk” rather than calling a cab.
Blood alcohol limits were higher, enforcement spotty, and penalties lighter. The cultural attitude treated drunk driving more like a minor indiscretion than a potentially deadly choice.
Celebrity DUIs barely made news, and many people had stories about driving home “a little tipsy” without consequences. Modern society now views this behavior as completely unacceptable, with rideshare apps, designated driver programs, and zero-tolerance policies replacing the dangerous norm.
4. Handheld Cell-Phone Calls While Driving
Those brick-sized mobile phones were status symbols, and nothing announced importance like taking a call while weaving through traffic. People steered with knees while holding giant Nokia phones to their ears, completely oblivious to the danger.
No laws prevented drivers from making calls, checking voicemail, or even typing out text messages on T9 keypads. Business professionals considered cars mobile offices, conducting entire conference calls during rush hour commutes.
The practice continued until research proved it was nearly as dangerous as drunk driving. Now, most regions ban handheld phone use while driving, though many still struggle with enforcement.
5. Parents Smoking in Cars with Children
Station wagons and minivans filled with cigarette smoke were commonplace in the ’90s. Parents puffed away with windows barely cracked, while kids in the backseat breathed in the toxic fumes without complaint.
Long road trips meant ashtrays overflowing with butts and that distinctive yellow film developing on the windows. If children complained about the smoke, they were often told to stop whining or just deal with it.
Few considered the respiratory impact on developing lungs. Today, smoking in cars with minors is illegal in many places, reflecting our better understanding of how harmful secondhand smoke is for children.
6. Drinking Alcohol While Pregnant
“Just a small glass won’t hurt” was common advice given to expectant mothers. Doctors sometimes even recommended a glass of wine to “relax” or help with sleep during pregnancy.
Baby shower toasts often included the mom-to-be, and light drinking during the third trimester was considered harmless by many. Friends and family rarely raised eyebrows at a pregnant woman enjoying a beer at a barbecue.
Medical understanding has evolved dramatically since then. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are now well-documented, leading to universal medical recommendations against consuming any amount of alcohol during pregnancy.
7. Corporal Punishment in Schools
The wooden paddle hanging on the principal’s wall wasn’t just for decoration. Students dreaded being sent to the office knowing physical punishment awaited them for infractions like talking back or skipping class.
Teachers in some districts could administer swats themselves, often in front of the entire class as a deterrent to others. Parents rarely complained—many explicitly gave permission for schools to paddle their children, believing it built character.
The practice gradually disappeared as research showed corporal punishment was ineffective and potentially harmful. Modern educational approaches focus on positive reinforcement and restorative justice rather than physical discipline.
8. Students Smoking on Campus
High schools commonly had designated smoking areas where students could light up between classes. These teenage smoking zones—often nicknamed “cancer corners” or “smokers’ alley”—were officially sanctioned parts of school grounds.
Teachers who smoked sometimes joined students for a cigarette, creating bizarre social dynamics. Even schools without official smoking areas had spots behind the gym or in remote parking lots where smoking was tacitly permitted.
The idea of allowing minors to smoke on educational property seems unthinkable today. Modern schools are typically tobacco-free zones with strict penalties for students caught with cigarettes.
9. Letting Kids Play Outside Unsupervised for Hours
“Be home when the streetlights come on” was the only rule many ’90s kids had. Elementary schoolers roamed neighborhoods freely, building forts in vacant lots and exploring creek beds without adult supervision.
Parents had no GPS trackers or cell phones to check on their children’s whereabouts. Kids biked miles from home, navigated public transportation alone, and solved their own disputes without helicopter parents hovering nearby.
This independence is now rare. Modern parents who allow similar freedoms might face judgment or even visits from child protective services. Whether due to legitimate safety concerns or media-fueled fears, the free-range childhood has largely disappeared.
10. Eating Raw Cookie Dough
Licking the mixing spoon was the best part of baking in the ’90s. Moms prepared chocolate chip cookie dough knowing half would never make it to the oven as eager fingers scooped raw mixture straight from the bowl.
Concerns about salmonella from raw eggs were dismissed with an eye roll. Recipe books occasionally mentioned the risk, but warnings were buried in fine print that nobody bothered to read.
Fast forward to today, where cookie dough comes with bold warnings about consumption before baking. The market has even created specialized egg-free, heat-treated flour products just so people can safely indulge in this once-casual pleasure.
11. Taking Raw Eggs in Caesar Salad
Authentic Caesar salads were prepared tableside with theatrical flair—the chef cracking a raw egg directly into the wooden bowl. Restaurant menus rarely mentioned the uncooked egg ingredient, assuming diners understood the classic recipe.
Home cooks followed suit, whisking raw yolks into olive oil for that signature creamy texture. Nobody considered the preparation dangerous or asked for pasteurized alternatives.
Today’s health codes have transformed the dish. Modern restaurants typically use pasteurized eggs, pre-made dressings, or cooking techniques that heat the egg enough to kill bacteria while maintaining the traditional flavor profile that diners expect.
12. Using Mercury Thermometers at Home
That slender glass tube filled with silvery liquid was in every family’s medicine cabinet. Parents shook it down with a flick of the wrist before placing it under tongues or—less comfortably—elsewhere.
Breaking a mercury thermometer wasn’t treated as the hazardous event it actually was. Many people simply swept up the tiny toxic beads with household tools, unaware of the dangerous vapor being released.
The environmental and health risks eventually became impossible to ignore. Digital thermometers have completely replaced these poison-filled relics, with many states implementing collection programs to safely dispose of the old mercury versions still lurking in bathroom drawers.
13. Installing Asbestos Insulation in Homes
Homeowners proudly installed asbestos insulation, admiring its fire-resistant properties and energy efficiency. The fibrous material was stuffed into attics and wrapped around pipes without protective gear or ventilation precautions.
Hardware stores sold asbestos products alongside everyday items with minimal warnings. DIY home improvement shows demonstrated proper installation techniques without mentioning the deadly risks of fiber inhalation.
The material’s reputation shifted dramatically as mesothelioma cases mounted. Modern homebuyers now run in terror from the word “asbestos,” hiring specialized removal teams in hazmat suits to eliminate what was once considered a premium building material.
14. Painting Walls and Toys with Lead-Based Paint
Vibrant, durable paint covered nursery walls and children’s toys, nobody questioning the lead content that made those colors so bright. Hardware stores stocked these toxic formulations alongside safer alternatives without prominent warnings.
Parents refinished cribs and high chairs with whatever paint was on hand in the garage. Kids chewed on painted wooden blocks and put colorful toys in their mouths without parents batting an eye.
Awareness grew slowly about lead’s devastating effects on developing brains. Today’s parents scrutinize labels for “lead-free” certification, and older homes undergo expensive remediation to remove all traces of what was once standard decoration.
15. Using Microwave Popcorn Bags with PFOA
Movie night meant the distinctive smell of microwave popcorn filling the house. That artificial buttery aroma—actually from chemicals in the bag lining—was part of the experience that nobody questioned.
People inhaled deeply when opening the steaming bag, unaware they were breathing in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The chemical created that non-stick surface inside the packaging that prevented butter from soaking through.
Scientists later linked PFOA to cancer and other health issues. Manufacturers have since reformulated their products, though many consumers remain wary of microwave popcorn altogether, preferring air poppers or stovetop methods instead.
16. Buying Ephedra Weight-Loss Supplements without Restriction
Gas stations and drugstores displayed ephedra products right at the checkout counter. These “miracle” weight-loss pills promised rapid results with little effort, attracting everyone from teens to grandparents looking for a quick fix.
Late-night infomercials featured dramatic “before and after” photos, conveniently omitting the supplement’s dangerous side effects. People popped these stimulant-laden pills like candy, often exceeding recommended dosages to speed up results.
The consequences proved fatal for some users who suffered heart attacks and strokes. After numerous deaths, the FDA finally banned ephedra in dietary supplements, though similar products with slightly altered formulations continue to target vulnerable consumers.
17. Over-the-Counter Sales of Prescription Medications
Pharmacies in the ’90s offered surprisingly potent medications without prescriptions. Asthma inhalers, antibiotics, and strong painkillers sat on shelves next to cough drops in some areas.
Crossing the border for medication shopping trips was common practice. Americans drove to Mexico or Canada to stock up on drugs that required doctor visits at home, filling bathroom cabinets with unmonitored pharmaceuticals.
The casual attitude toward medication access changed as prescription drug abuse rates climbed. Stricter controls now govern even mild medications, with electronic tracking systems monitoring purchases of formerly accessible products like certain cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine.
18. Visiting Tanning Salons without Protective Eyewear
Bronze-seeking teens and adults regularly baked in tanning beds without eye protection. The tiny goggles provided were often discarded to avoid raccoon-like tan lines around the eyes.
Tanning salon employees rarely enforced safety rules, focusing instead on upselling monthly packages. Some facilities even advertised “no-goggle” tanning as a premium service, promising even facial tones without pesky eye protection.
Ophthalmologists eventually sounded alarms about increased cataracts and eye damage. Modern tanning regulations mandate eye protection, though enforcement varies widely, and the entire indoor tanning industry faces increasing scrutiny for its role in rising skin cancer rates.
19. Using Baby Oil and Iodine as Tanning Aids
Sunbathers mixed baby oil with iodine in small bottles, creating a deep brown concoction they slathered all over their bodies. The oil magnified the sun’s rays while the iodine added a bronze tint, creating the perfect recipe for severe burns.
Magazines published homemade tanning oil recipes alongside fashion spreads featuring deeply tanned models. Teens competed for the darkest tan, applying the mixture repeatedly throughout beach days without a drop of SPF protection.
Dermatologists now cringe at these practices. The skin damage caused by these DIY tanning accelerators has contributed to melanoma cases decades later, as the cumulative effects of unprotected sun exposure surface in middle age.
20. Casual Use of the N-Word in Mainstream Media
Comedy routines, movies, and songs casually included the N-word without the social backlash such usage would trigger today. White performers sometimes used the slur for shock value or in the context of edgy humor.
Cable TV shows featured the word with minimal censorship, particularly in stand-up comedy specials. Even mainstream films incorporated the slur in scripts, sometimes dozens of times per movie, without significant public protest.
Cultural understanding has evolved significantly. The word’s painful historical context and ongoing power to harm has led to its virtual disappearance from respectable media, with serious social and professional consequences for those who use it casually.
21. Casual Homophobic Jokes on TV
Sitcoms relied on gay stereotypes for easy laughs, with catchphrases like “that’s so gay” punctuating punchlines. Male characters panicked comically at being perceived as homosexual, often through elaborate “no homo” scenarios that played homophobia for humor.
Talk show hosts and comedians freely mocked LGBT individuals without facing significant criticism. Even family-friendly programs featured jokes about effeminate men or masculine women as reliable sources of amusement.
The entertainment industry has since undergone a major reckoning. Shows from the era now stream with content warnings, and writers rooms have diversified to include LGBT perspectives rather than treating queer identities as inherently funny.
22. Using the Term “Oriental” for People and Objects
Restaurant menus proudly advertised “Oriental cuisine” while furniture stores sold “Oriental rugs” and “Oriental décor.” The term appeared in everyday conversation without a second thought when referring to Asian people, cultures, or objects.
News reports and textbooks used “Oriental” as a catch-all descriptor for diverse Asian populations. Few recognized the term’s problematic origins or Eurocentric perspective that framed Asia as exotic and mysterious rather than specific cultures with distinct identities.
Awareness gradually increased about the term’s outdated nature. Modern style guides and respectful conversation now favor more specific regional or national terms, or simply “Asian” when appropriate.
23. Tattooing and Piercing Minors without Parental Consent
Teenagers frequented certain tattoo parlors known for not checking IDs or requiring parental permission. These shops operated in legal gray areas, allowing high schoolers to get permanent ink or multiple piercings on a whim.
Mall kiosks pierced navels and cartilage without age verification beyond a casual “You 18?” Friend’s older siblings often signed permission forms, or teens simply forged parents’ signatures.
Body modification laws tightened significantly as concerns grew about underage decision-making and health risks. Modern studios require government ID and notarized parental consent forms for minors, with strict enforcement to avoid losing their licenses and facing legal penalties.
24. Parents Spanking Children with Belts or Switches
Children were sometimes sent to pick their own switch from a tree—adding psychological stress to physical discipline. The sound of a belt being removed from loops struck fear in many kids’ hearts during the ’90s.
Parenting magazines debated spanking methods rather than questioning the practice itself. Phrases like “spare the rod, spoil the child” justified physical punishment as necessary character building, with little consideration for emotional impact.
Research eventually demonstrated spanking’s negative effects on child development. Modern parenting approaches emphasize positive discipline techniques, though debates about corporal punishment continue in some communities and regions where traditional disciplinary methods remain common.
25. Hosting “Measles Parties” to Immunize Kids
Some parents organized gatherings to deliberately expose their healthy children to kids with measles, chickenpox, or mumps. The belief was that getting these diseases naturally during childhood would provide lifelong immunity without needing vaccines.
These infection parties happened despite available vaccines, reflecting skepticism about modern medicine. Parents shared lollipops licked by sick children or arranged playdates specifically when contagion was highest.
Public health officials now strongly condemn this practice. With better understanding of complications like encephalitis and the benefits of herd immunity, intentionally exposing children to preventable diseases is viewed as dangerously irresponsible rather than a natural immunity strategy.
26. Taking Health Advice Solely from Infomercials
Late-night TV viewers encountered endless promotions for miracle cures and fitness gadgets. People ordered magnetic bracelets, electric ab belts, and mysterious supplements based solely on enthusiastic testimonials from paid actors.
There was no Google to quickly fact-check claims about “doctors’ secret remedies” or “ancient healing techniques.” Consumers mailed checks or called 1-800 numbers to purchase unregulated health products with minimal scrutiny of their effectiveness or safety.
The internet eventually made researching health claims easier. Modern consumer protection laws require more transparent marketing, though questionable health products continue to find audiences through new channels like social media influencers.
27. Recording Phone Calls on Answering Machines without Notice
Home answering machines captured callers’ messages without warning them about the recording. The familiar beep came after people had already started speaking, catching many unaware their words were being preserved.
Businesses routinely recorded customer service calls without disclosure. The concept of consent for recording was virtually nonexistent in everyday phone interactions.
Privacy awareness eventually led to “this call may be recorded” announcements becoming standard practice. Modern wiretapping and privacy laws in many states now require all parties to consent to recording, making the old stealth recording practices potentially illegal.
28. Sharing Personal Data Online without Privacy Policies
Early internet users freely shared addresses, phone numbers, and birth dates on public forums and guest books. Personal information floated across chatrooms without encryption or privacy concerns.
Websites collected data without disclosure, cookies tracked browsing without consent alerts, and companies traded consumer information like baseball cards. Early e-commerce sites stored credit card numbers in plain text on poorly secured servers.
Major data breaches and identity theft eventually highlighted the dangers of casual information sharing. Modern data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA now mandate clear privacy policies, user consent options, and secure data storage practices that would have seemed absurdly cautious to ’90s internet surfers.
29. Cold-Calling and Unsolicited Telemarketing at Any Hour
The landline phone rang constantly with salespeople hawking everything from aluminum siding to timeshares. Dinner interruptions were so common that families joked about telemarketers having a sixth sense for when forks hit plates.
Calls came at all hours, with no restrictions on timing. Declining their offers meant enduring high-pressure tactics and guilt trips from trained sales professionals who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
The creation of Do Not Call registries finally gave consumers some peace. Automated dialers and robocalls have replaced human telemarketers, but regulations now limit calling hours and provide mechanisms to report violations that didn’t exist in the telemarketing Wild West of the ’90s.