I’ve seen a lot of fads come and go in my lifetime, with hula hoops being number one, along with roller blades. I took part in both and found them fun for a short time, until the excitement faded.
Unable to conquer a hula hoop, the device was rolled to a nearby trash receptacle and slam-dunked, while the roller blades were tossed when a fastening device broke. They were cheap ones to begin with.
Nehru jackets were a fad in the 60s, made famous by the Beatles. Tight-fitting clothes weren’t my bag back then, and still aren’t, although I’ve threatened to start wearing spandex shorts and shirt along with some “bling” around my neck. I observed an old codger sporting such at Rotary Park beach. My wife laughingly called it trolling, but I don’t know what he was trolling for.
A fad is something that becomes very popular for a short time and then quickly goes out of style. People often follow a fad because it seems exciting or trendy at the moment. For example, a game that everyone wants to play for a few years, then forgets about, is a fad.
Paintball comes to mind here. Will pickleball become a fad? Only time will tell. Another example is a dance challenge that becomes popular for a short time before disappearing. Limbo is a prime example.
Smoking started as a popular pastime and, for many, was tied to social status and cultural identity. In the early to mid-20th century, it was heavily marketed and glamorized in films, advertising, and among celebrities. The 1942 movie “Dancing in the Rain” featured a line of choreographed dancers smoking on stage. Each time I see it, I crack up.
This Hollywood promotion contributed to its widespread acceptance and popularity, making it seem like a fad. Thankfully, I never took part in this one as an adult, although I pretended to smoke and then eat my candy cigarettes as a kid. I remember them as being somewhat ‘chalky’ but good.
While it was once considered fashionable, smoking eventually became stigmatized, especially as bans were implemented in public spaces and smoking rates began to decline.
So, while smoking may have initially appeared as a fad due to its popularity and promotion, it turned into a significant public health issue. Today, smoking is less of a trend and more of a health concern, with many people seeking to quit or avoid smoking altogether. There was a time when adults would stand outside their workplaces, smoking and chatting. It was quite common to see.
Vaping has seemingly taken hold, with unconcerned users enjoying the effects of toxic, fruit-flavored chemicals on their lungs. I believe some find it “cool” to blow pathogen-contaminated vapor out of their vehicle windows.
I make sure my windows are rolled up when this happens. I’ve heard that vaping is far more harmful to the body than tobacco use. Of course, vape shop owners will totally disagree, and they should know.
Hacky sack used to be popular with young people, but I rarely see it being played anymore. For those that aren’t hip to the term, a hacky sack is a round sock stuffed full of sand that’s kicked from one player to the next. The object is for the hacky sack to never hit the ground. I’ve never played it, because to me, doing so looks stupid. I only say that to avoid offending anyone.
I thought some fads were on the comeback, because on occasion, during cooler months, I spotted a group of older women with hula hoops at Rotary Park. This was a couple of years ago, and I haven’t seen them since.
Did they stop as I finally did sixty years ago by disgustingly rolling their hoops over to a dumpster? I hope not, because it was fun to watch them try. I thought about joining in, but the thought of a disconnected and ulcerated pelvis stopped me short.
I’ve yet to see a group of similarly aged men standing in a circle playing hacky sack. This will probably happen for several reasons, one of which is that replacement knees and hips aren’t cheap.
They say that some people revert to their childhood ways as they get older. I’ve thought about trying another candy cigarette for memory’s sake, but couldn’t find any for sale in local stores. I believe back in the 50s and 60s, like real cigarettes, kids could buy a carton.
I’ve been waiting for the day when I’d spot a group of people standing outside their workplace vaping. Well, that finally happened, with at least four workers evidently on break, blowing steam that’d equal that of an early locomotive.
I sat in my Jeep, chuckling at how stupid it looked. It reminded me of a cartoon I recently saw on why dinosaurs became extinct. All they needed to finish off their act was a hacky sack. I only say that to avoid offending anyone.
I like to write junk... 