As much as we love to look back on the past, some of our once-beloved American traditions, along with their respective customs and practices, have become all but forgotten. From the days of writing letters to your loved ones to the more recent traditions such as drive-in theaters, here are 11 popular American traditions that are left behind in the dust.
1. Sunday Drives
Regarded as a leisurely escape from the drain of weekdays, the Sunday Drive is an extinct American tradition of great worth.
On Sundays, families go scenery-haunting in the loving company of loved ones, parting with the luxury of togetherness that is a binder to family values, which sadly is increasingly eroding.
2. Block Parties
Block parties are social gatherings organized to foster communal bonds among locals in the United States.
The outdoor chums’ event that used to strengthen relationships and networks of neighbors no longer exists today.
3. Family Dinners
Families sit together to wine and dine daily either before or after work, sharing heartfelt stories and fun ideas that further unite.
This tradition has been unseated by a culture of long work-hour routines and other new-world inventions like mobile phones and video games.
4. Handwritten Letters
Letters used to be the medium of expressing deep emotions.
Replaced by more sophisticated technological breakthroughs like mailing and phone calls, letter writing is one beloved tradition remembered for the unique feel it adds to the art of communication, which has sadly gone out of vogue.
5. Drive-in Theaters
Once the choice option to enjoy movies, the popularity of drive-ins has waned through the years, giving rise to the embrace of multiplex cinemas that have replaced the emotive attraction of watching a movie from the comfort of your car with playfellows.
Soaking in the magic of the silver screen while snuggled in blankets under brightly lit stars with family and friends are the things of drive-Ins that are sadly, gone forever.
6. Independent Bookstores
The evolution of online retailers and ebooks marketplaces has depleted the appeal of independent stores that were once the confluence of communal readings, especially for bookworms.
Independent stores served as dependable knowledge libraries and places to meet like minds and share the reading experience.
7. Dining Culture
Decades ago, Americans were known for elaborate dining in vinyl booths, serving heavy comfort food side by side a mini winery.
The increasing popularity of fast food franchises like McDonald’s and Starbucks has eroded America’s cherished culinary traditions of home-cooked meals.
8. Storytelling Gathering
In the past, storytelling gatherings preserved the art of oral traditions, adding vigor to stories older than their narrators; for the education of their listeners.
Children and young teenagers learn about the peculiarity of their bloodlines, history, and family values from gatherings of adults telling stories, which sadly is no longer accessible.
9. Communal Mailbox
Many neighborhoods had communal mailboxes where they collectively get their mail. The advent of individual mailboxes and faster electronic mailing has put this tradition to the sword.
10. Sunday Best Attires
How Sundays have lost their flare in the annal of time is a testament to the sporadic cultural changes in American society.
In the not-too-distant past, Sundays are runway days for dressing in your best attire, usually for church services or other special occasions.
11. Front Porch Sitting
Once a symbol of hospitality and community engagement, you could sit on your home’s front porch to join the conversation with other neighbors in the cool of the day.
The knacks for high-rise, electric-wired fences have eroded this once-beloved tradition.
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