Obviously people were comparatively far poorer then than we are now. That said, I noticed no graffiti, no litter, and it was striking how much more character everything had. There simply wasn’t the dulling sameness and uniformity of everything that exists now. For example you would see a gas station that looks like a wigwam. Another thing I noticed....how many fat people did you see? Practically none. They looked much healthier back then.
They looked much healthier back then.
Looks can be deceiving.
Life expectancy 1930: +/-59yrs vs today: +/- 79
Many folks were struggling through the Depression so their diets were relatively poor and on the small end. Not all, of course, but many folks even with work had to cut back.
Interestingly, the 1930’s was also one of the hottest decades weather-wise with many heat records set, some still standing.
I did notice that folks dressed up in public: men in suit jackets with hats and women in dresses.
Now, we are lucky folks are clothed at all.
Anyone could work for a dollar a day. But the buying power of that dollar was immense! You could feed your family for a week on it.
And there was less crime.
I have contended for years that crime is a function of social, not economic status.
That said, I noticed no graffiti, no litter,
= = =
Paint was more expensive, and more difficult to apply.
Litter comes from buying stuff; don’t buy stuff = no litter.