How did we survive before the era of instant communication, social media, and ever-present smartphones? The Generation X grew up in a world where connection took creativity, patience, and planning. Born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, Gen Xers witnessed the transition from analog to digital. Here are three ways they stayed connected in the days when "plugged in" required being near a landline or radio.
1. Landlines and Answering Machines
For Gen X, the landline was the centerpiece of communication. A home phone—often with a cord long enough to stretch into another room—was where friendships blossomed and plans were made. Calling someone was a deliberate act; if they weren’t home, you left a message on the answering machine and waited for a return call.
The answering machine, introduced widely in the 1980s, revolutionized the landline experience. Gen Xers mastered the art of crafting the perfect voicemail greeting, often with a clever or musical intro that showcased their personality. Checking for messages after school or work was a daily ritual, and missing a call meant you might be out of the loop until the next day.
Group calls required ingenuity. Conference calling wasn’t widely available, so three-way calling—enabled by a flash button on some phones—was the closest alternative. Coordinating plans with friends often involved relay-style communication: one person would call another, who would then pass the message along.
2. Post and Handwritten Notes
Letter writing wasn’t just a form of communication for Gen X—it was an art. Pen pals, both local and international, were common, often facilitated by school programs or magazines. Letters allowed for thoughtful exchanges and were cherished for their personal touch. Waiting for the mail to arrive became a daily anticipation, and the thrill of receiving a handwritten note was unmatched.
Postcards were another popular medium, particularly for those on family vacations. Sending a quick “Wish you were here!” from a picturesque destination was a way of sharing experiences long before Instagram stories existed. I know some of us still do it, sending it to ourselves, to keep the collection going…
3. Hanging Out in Person
Without smartphones or social media to keep them constantly connected, Gen Xers made plans face-to-face and stuck to them. Hanging out meant meeting at the pub, cafe or shopping centre, local arcade, or a friend’s house. These shared spaces became hubs for social interaction, where conversations happened in real-time (and weren’t interrupted by notifications)!
For many, Friday night was spent at the roller rink, a concert, clubbing or watching movies rented from Blockbuster. Friends coordinated these outings well in advance, relying on planners or simply remembering dates. If plans changed, everyone knew to call the landline to update the group.
Neighbourhoods were also integral to connection. Kids rode bikes to each other’s houses, knocked on doors to see who was home, and spent afternoons playing outside until the streetlights came on (or mums shouted and called them up by their two first names)... The spontaneity of dropping by a friend’s house was a hallmark of Gen X life.
