Question about the old times(whatever is the old times for you)

I want to see if I was the only person that used to do this. When I was younger and if my mom wanted to get cigs she would send me down to the local deli with a note. I can't believe they used to allow this because on numerous occasions it was my sister writing the note to get cigs for herself. I was the youngest child so we will say I got picked on quite a bit. In our society today something like this would never fly. At the time nobody even second guessed it.

Message edited 8/30/2007 10:26:43 AM.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

old times....the '80's??

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

yes my father would do something like this.... if he was in the car he would pull right up to the door as close as he could and just wave

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Posted by Lisa

old times....the '80's??

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

I used to go to the corner store for my aunt's cigs. I had no choice, my parents worked and I was stuck there with her all day...every day and she just liked to watch soap operas and smoke. I never brought a note, the man just let me buy them.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

My husband is 39. When he was about 7 years old (in the 70's), his mom used to wrap some money in a piece of paper towel or in an envelope and send him to the store to buy her cigarettes. No note was needed.

Kinda sad that that was allowed. Life WAS a lot simpler back then, and some stuff I miss. I'm sad my kids can't go "call for their friend" and play outside by themselves for hours. But I'm glad the times have changed on smoking regulations.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

My grandmother used to do this. She would sent us to the corner deli to pick up cold cuts and a pack of cigs for her. WE loved it because we were able to pick out a bag of 25-cent chips for ourselves.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Damn, I didn't even have to have a note!

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Exactly, we didn't need notes either. But everyone knew everyone else. Having all redheaded children helps too, we were easy to spot.

There was a man named Mr. Greenberg who lived around the block that we called the "Candyman". He setup a table in his living room with candy, gum, pretzels... A kid's dream.

You could go and knock on his door, and Mr. Greenberg's nurse, Max, would open it and give you a small sandwich bag. And you could go fill up that bag with anything you wanted. Then Max would give you a small cup of soda and you would be on your way.

My mother was always wary of him and didn't let us go alone. But Mr. Greenberg was just an old man with no family who wanted to share something nice with all the kids in the neighborhood, of which there were many. Nothing bad ever happened, and everyone was sad when Mr. Greenberg died.

These days he would probably have been investigated and arrested.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

I lived off of liberty avenue in Queens when I was a kid. I spent days across the street at my neighbor's house who coincidentally had grandkids my age. So the adults would send us across the street to get cold cuts, bread and a pack of "Bel Air's". Nobody ever questioned us..

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

We used to buy them from a cigarette machine that was in a restaurant lobby. No one cared who used the machine.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

I had a major crush on 2 guys at the deli & I would go for my Mom & sister all the time. No note needed.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

I never did it b/c my parents didn't smoke. But my mom used to do it for my Nana in the 60s.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

The world was so much safer when I was growing up. When I do eventually have children I am going to be a basketcase. You can't let your kids roam around like we all did. Not with the weirdos out there today.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

I didn't have a note either. I would buy them for my stepmom and I was under 10 at the time. But the owners of the corner store knew us.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

My dad did the same thing. My sisters and I would walk to the deli around the block andget his pack of cigs. The owner knew our dad so she never gave us a hard time.

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

Re: Question about the old times(ie 80s)

I did too for my dad but the 80s weren't the old times for me either.

Re: Question about the old times(whatever is the old times for you)

Re: Question about the old times(whatever is the old times for you)

Re: Question about the old times(whatever is the old times for you)

Re: Question about the old times(whatever is the old times for you)

Next you're gonna tell me that I shouldn't go around neighborhoods with this guy looking for a puppy. I guess I lived a sheltered life back in the 80's. I don't recall all of these issues. I grew up in Brentwood BTW.