Milkman and Pop Bottles

[Reaganfan]

My father indulged in a discussion with me regarding the way things were back in the 1950's when he was a kid. It all started when I mentioned we needed fresh milk and he stated how when he was a kid, the milkman came every two days with glass bottles of fresh milk. If it was cold outside, the milk would cream in the top of the bottle, and almost turn into a butter-type substance people would smear on bread and such. He also said how the Wonderbread man would walk down the street and if you had the star on your window, that means you wanted bread. He would bring the bread in a large basket...along with other pastries like cupcakes and coconut balls. There was also a produce guy, and egg guys who would bring fresh eggs from their farms.

My father often goes on about how everything was better back then...and I tend to have to agree that it probably was. The colors seemed brighter, soda pop came in large glass bottles and you could also go to the drug stores to get soda pop. Hell, he said the way foods like hot dogs and burgers tasted at certain joints like old drive-ins and stuff...even as far up to the early 80's...were just the best.

Anyone have any thoughts? Just thought this was an interesting and fun naso-talgic discussion.

[Sensei]

this is probably true that things were better, but the various merchants you pointed out have sadly been made obsolete by the modern supermarket.

[MODU]

I do miss the bottles, but where I grew up, we had the local market rather than a milkman (since it was a tiny town).  I use to walk down towards the market some days looking on the ground for pennies.  Two pennies got you a big piece of licorice.  Usually, especially walking past the rail yard or main street, you would find about five cents, making the trip worth while.  However, I do enjoy the modern conveniences of being able to get almost anything from the supermarket.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

this is probably true that things were better, but the various merchants you pointed out have sadly been made obsolete by the modern supermarket.

Actually they've been made obsolete by the advent of the working middle class mother and the second family car.  It's damn near impossible to sell stuff door to door if nobody's home.

[memphis]

I hate old people who are always going on and on about how things were so much better in the past. If people really wanted milkmen and soda jerks enough to pay for their services, we'd still have them. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the reason colors were brighter and things tasted better was because he was a child. I know I'm being cruel, but this is really a pet peeve of mine.

[muon2]

Let's see... I do remember those days. However,

I currently get milk delivered to my porch. I get it weekly - 4 half gallons. It is homogenized so I don't worry about separation; that's a plus for me.

I don't have a wonderbread man, but there are two bakeries within 4 blocks of my house. I don't use them regularly, since it's not the bread my kids prefer for their sandwiches. Still, it's an easy walk if I feel the need.

There are two good produce markets within 4 blocks, and towns in either direction have weekly farmer's markets in the summer. Probably as good as the produce guy. Years ago I used Peapod when they first started, and they still exist around here if I really want service to my door.

The Walgreens drugstore is four blocks away and they do sell soda pop. It's not at a fountain, but the coolers have a large variety. I concede that the bottles are plastic instead of glass.

I also have an old-fashioned Tastee-Freeze within four blocks. They serve hotdogs and the like and there's no inside seating, just like it was as a drive-in 50 years ago.

... And I live in mid-sized suburb in a large county an hour's drive (or train ride) from the third largest city in the US.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

My father often goes on about how everything was better back then...and I tend to have to agree that it probably was. The colors seemed brighter, soda pop came in large glass bottles and you could also go to the drug stores to get soda pop.

If "brighter colors" mean anything like the ones we had back in the 1970s, pass.  Nothing says ugly like an earthtoned pink.

But I mean, seriously.  Colors are far more vibrant today as a result of better printing technology.  And, of course, man-made stuff is the only thing that's changing colors.

Compare:



Mmm, bright and vibrant, those 1970s were!

Why should I think the 1950s any different?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Some of that is likely due to degradation of the 1970's video tape.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Some of that is likely due to degradation of the 1970's video tape.

Have you ever seen furniture from the 1970s?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Some of that is likely due to degradation of the 1970's video tape.

Have you ever seen furniture from the 1970s?

That's why I said some, not all.

[Reaganfan]

I have an interesting parental setup. My mother was 13 years old in 1983...while my father was already a cop of several years, married with a 1 year old daughter in 1983. That shows the difference just a decade can make in age.

[Gabu]

I have an interesting parental setup. My mother was 13 years old in 1983...while my father was already a cop of several years, married with a 1 year old daughter in 1983. That shows the difference just a decade can make in age.

Yes, being born 10 years before someone generally does make you 10 years older than that person.

[Reaganfan]

I have an interesting parental setup. My mother was 13 years old in 1983...while my father was already a cop of several years, married with a 1 year old daughter in 1983. That shows the difference just a decade can make in age.

Yes, being born 10 years before someone generally does make you 10 years older than that person.

It was actually 13 years...but still.