The Border's thing has reminded me of a list I wanted to write. Things That Are Better Than They Used To Be. In order to counteract all the whining about the state of the world that always goes on.
Here's a beginning:
Tissues/Kleenex with aloe vera or balsam - really kind to your nose
Paying in Multi-Story Car Parks - the paying on foot before returning to your vehicle thing is way better than all previous systems
Chip and Pin - much better than all that signing, especially if you're left-handed.
Toothpaste tubes
Book jacket design
Clothes detergent in little gel pouches
People's home answerphone messages
The disappearance of the fax machine
The fact that cars no longer all look the same
The quality of the coffee in art galleries and museums
Sunday pub opening hours
Posted by: richardh | April 26, 2005 at 11:51 PM
Good man Richard,
You're clearly a more positive and optimistic person than I. Well done for noticing all that.
Posted by: russell | April 27, 2005 at 08:53 AM
I'd add:
- shampoo samples in hotels
- the sound of the snare drum in pop records (less reverb and effects)
- the availability of Heinz products here in Italy (ketchup and beans over all )
- immigration (yes: more kebab, more cheap phone centers, more ethnic tchotchkes)
two things though got worst:
- leg room on planes
- the return of '80s haircuts
Posted by: Luca Vergano | April 27, 2005 at 04:54 PM
thankyou Luca, good thoughts - but watch the negativity - we're just having positive thoughts on this thread. And, anyway, I don't think the return of 80s haircuts is all bad.
Posted by: russell | April 27, 2005 at 06:18 PM
I'm saddened I can only think of two - buses
and vegetarian food.
Posted by: Anne | April 28, 2005 at 08:56 PM
The fact that shops are open at 7pm on a Bank Holiday Monday so that I can buy stuff for Arthur's packed lunch the next day. (I appreciate that this is a bit of a metropolitan "things are getting better" but I can only speak as I find.)
And, following on, Tesco Metro, etc.
Posted by: Anne, the wife | May 03, 2005 at 05:42 PM
I agree with the aloe on tissue being kinder to the nose. But aloe on toilet paper is totally wrong - you are supposed to remove, not add stuff to your arse.
Posted by: Russell Allen | May 13, 2005 at 03:55 PM
Driving through Milan I spotted a chinese restaurant called "Sabor Latino" (latin flavor). Isn't this a sign that the times are changing? I mean it was pretty hard to tell a chinese restaurant from the other with their difficult mandarin names. No more hesitations! Let's have chinese food at the "Mamma Mia" or "Sabor Latino" or "Chez Maxim".
PS. Sorry for the silliness... it's friday morning...
Posted by: Luca Vergano | May 20, 2005 at 07:56 AM
The internet - come on, how on earth did we live without it? (Yes, there are a bunch of negatives that have developed because of it, but this is 'positive hour')
The greater availability of healthy food.
Digital cameras - never look to butt ugly in a photo again.
DVD - greater access to learn what went on in the creative mind.
Showers - always hot, always available.
Cheaper flights for people to experience more cultures.
No more white dog poo on the streets.
Hey, this is liberating ... I've not been this positive since I was 10!
Posted by: Robert | May 20, 2005 at 10:58 AM
(this is just italian but...)
no more smoking in bars, clubs and restaurants.
I'm not a health taleban but hey, isn't life much better ever since you can have a beer and not come home smelling like a pack of marlboro?
Posted by: Luca Vergano | May 20, 2005 at 11:26 AM
Cashpoints
The days of dashing to the bank on a Friday to get cash for the weekend are over.
Recycling
Southwark Council pick up all our paper, glass, plastic and tin every week. That's pretty cool.
Car radio controls
Specifically those ones where you can turn the volume up on the steering wheel.
The way we buy music
You can now buy a few songs or the whole album sat in the garden, like I just did (which is what reminded me of this post).
Posted by: Ben | June 17, 2006 at 06:07 PM