1950s Cabbie Reveals What "Real" Men Did & Didn't Do. An Ordinary Guy Speaks His Truth
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2019
- Melvin considered himself an ordinary 1950s Washington DC guy. We interviewed him in 1989 as one of the characters for my television series, Making Sense Of The Sixties. He was frank and honest about what he remembered and how he felt about it at the time when this interview was made. Obviously not every man at that time felt like he did. But my experience interviewing hundreds of men at that time who had grown up in the 1950s and 1960s is that many more felt like Melvin then would admit to it in the 1990s when some level of political correctness and decency changed how men expressed their feelings and to some extent how they actually felt. Melvin describes hanging out on the street, something many did in the 1950s. Not being too impressed with the political movements of the 50s and the 60s. Staunchly anti-Communist and anti-Russian. Not into the sexual revolution. When I was doing my television series we did some research on what percent of the 60s generation, the baby boomers, felt that they were part of the 60s generation and participated in its activities, social or political. A very small percent were political activists during the 1960s. A much larger percent felt that they were part of the social cultural activities of that time - long hair - freer sex - marijuana - rock 'n' roll - more loose social activities then the moral rules parents and schools taught back in the 1950s. I call Melvin and "ordinary" guy because that is how he saw himself. He was a cabdriver for most of his working life and enjoyed it. Some ask about his accent. I believe he was raised in Delaware.
You can see more of him here - • Ordinary 1950s Man Did... #1950s 
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Full video on my Channel named “1950s Cabbie Reveals what Real Men Did & Didn’t Do. An Ordinary Guy Speaks His Truth”
David, where was this interview taking place? Midwest? Wonderful bit of nostalgia. I grew up in Cincinnati (in the apartment complex that was owned by Fred Trump) with black kids, Puerto Rican kids, mixed kids, Jewish kids--and we all played together and went to each other's houses. I would hear about the "racial hatred and bigotry" on the evening news during dinner, but it seemed none of us was certain what that meant but we were pretty sure it must be in far-off China, or Hollywood...and nowhere near our small world. Nobody had any money but we didn't know we were poor. We learned a lot about our differing cultures. My friend and neighbor Charlie Ogg was Jewish and his mother, Rosie, made the best matzo ball soup on the planet; my friend Yolanda Shepherd's daddy was a Reverend at Allen Temple AME and there was no spice level her daddy couldn't enjoy; Paul Greene's mom had had polio and walked with arm crutches, but made the butteriest Town House cookies in the world...the list could go on. My point is that no one felt lesser or greater than anyone else. It wasn't our parents or us as kids who saw any fault in being different. We learned it from the news. We learned it from school books. We didn't know we were different and that being different was *bad.*
We have been programmed to react , to demonize, to marginalize and *generalize*...to find fault because we're told it is there. This brainwashing has gone on too long.
The childhood I described was from 1976-1987.
Sounds like a normal Indiana man to me.
Man I get some of what he said but the ending about losing touch with the world is sad
The shorts include footage not in the video. What gives?
I can’t find it ?!! Can you post the link please ?
When an elderly dies: it’s a library that goes to ashes.
In my opinion, it’s more like the old library information is transferred onto other libraries. Today, the library’s are transferred onto usbs lol
I believe that’s an old African saying , it may translate to museum though. We get the point. Very true .
manny noneya all books are politicized. The top guy is right. The life experience of an elder is unique and cannot be found by just old books.
Arvind Talukdar books and writing can relay thoughts better than the original speaker, cause it makes it easier to think about things, and relay thought better
I had wished I had videoed a conversation with my grandmother about her life (being born in 1917, moving from Germany before the SHTF, and just her opinion of 'life') but I didn't. I also wished I did the same with my Dad....I had intentions of doing it (and wrote out questions) but when he got too ill, he went quick I didn't get the opportunity.
This was filmed in 1989. He thought society was going downhill then. Imagine if he saw all the confusion and crazy shit going on today.
glad he didnt
pay more attention... we have a dishonest plutocrat running the show. Are you even listening to the Dems at all? Americans have no patience to learn...that's why we have this idiot in control right now.
Who says he isn't still alive?
@@billlyons7024 He died within a few years after this interview.
@@patriciax3677 You're an idiot, how about look at the shit the Dems just tried passing during this Covid panic then get back to me.
"I get off work, I go home, and I shut my door"
I appreciate how relatable this is
You have to educate employers by silently not replying to e-mail or calls outside business hours.
So basically just existing not really living!!!
@@lifeasithappensno shit we know
@@lifeasithappens as humans, our lives have been 'living and not existing' for the 250,000 years since we achieved what we have chosen to call 'sapience'. be lucky you can type such lame shit into the internet.
Yeah it's fun @@lifeasithappens
This is why I adore the elderly so much. Listening to old people’s wisdom and hearing them talk about their lives is so fascinating, eye-opening, and frankly humbling.
I'd bet There are 1000s in your town, that have noone to talk to. Left for dead, in a so called cAre facility, after theyre kids got they're inheritance. The lack of integrity is astounding. Those same people will be in for a rude awakening, when it's there turn. Thank God For the people that bring in Dogs & Cats, & a Welcome ear, so these people can share whatever it is, they want to share. I know a few people in a senior fAcilty" they wouldn't let us enter during covid......we're sure the abuse of those that can't speak for themselves, was off the charts.....these facilities are Beautiful looking""" places They were also nice enough to steal the items we brought this woman....Even the so called Best""" Care facilities, in the BEST" areas,. Hire criminals..They'll toss your dentures into the trash, if they feel like it. Its uncommon for the elderly to be treated with 100% Respect, & dignity..Beware if you ever put a loved one in a cAre home. I recently witnessed first hand, the cAre friends received, .in a commiefornia approved establishment. If someone wanted too, they could easily feign being ill & record the way these people treat the elderly. Just a heads up to anyone that's going to put there loved one in a facility. Abuse in many ways, isn't the exception, it's the rule. I witnessed it, first hand. Nurse ratchet deciding when & how she will administer the drugs. Making decisions her way. .The Dr cleared that up, but it took a week..I wish I had it on RECORD" this is in a facility that is considered THE BEST" Let's just say, she was removed, & she is grateful, I help her. Oh yah, the lack of respect, for even the Doctors orders! Was WTF! To any & all NURSE RATCHETS" @.....we're coming for you!.🙏💕💪✌️. And there will be no mercy, for how you treated the disabled.....Can you hear the jail door slamming? We can.
@@Bellathebear777 Things like this are a disgrace and all to common. Really a shame that America lost her way in the 50's and 60's right after she had her best years. But like a
German punk band once wrote:
It is not your fault that the world is like this. It is only your fault if the worlds stays like this.
@@Bellathebear777 You lost me with "commiefornia." There are problems in every state. Fortunately, my elderly relatives most frequently died in their sleep at home or in a hospital after a very short stay. My mom needed lots of help and support to stay in her own home until her death a year ago at nearly 91. Her children made certain she did not end up in a care home.
Not all elderly are wise but otherwise I agree fully
”the elderly” - as if that is a homogene group. Jeez...
This is why documentaries are so important. If we don’t interview people about their experiences, we’ll misinterpret the past.
Facts I’ve never heard someone say that but that makes a lot of sense
It's funny you say that...
Do you think that this man represents the majority culture of his era?
Where did the majority of Americans live in the 1950's?
Did they live in highly urbanized areas like this man?
How many had shop owners for fathers? And the resources to go out every night?
What were their values outside of the materialistic ones that this man focuses on?
Do you find it odd that this man never talks about religion? Donyou think that religion was important to the majority of Ameticans on the 1950's?
Why do assume that this man represents the American culture of the 1950's? Because he references Happy Daz and aligns with the spirit of that TV show?
Does popular media today a accurately represent American culture?
Misrepresentation of history indeed...
@@josephjones5070 You're right, but also wrong. I think she understands that, you're just reading into her comment in a way that furthers your doom&gloom perspective.
@@hatiroth7919
You assume my perspective.
I actually see the degeneration of society as a plus for myself and my kin. Although it is always a shame that so many are lead astray.
As the chaff is burned away, my line will stand the test of the fire.
I simply try to bring light into the world by asking questions that might open some eyes. So that the blind can walk away from the precipice. This is my duty.
The will of God is done despite the scheming of evil men. So what would be the purpose of gloom and doom?
@@josephjones5070 it definitely doesn't represent all. It is but a glimpse. Like looking out a window to the world. This his personal experience. Must watch more like these to get a better understanding. And still we will never get the whole picture.
Melvin H Baker died December 25, 1991 of congestive heart failure at Frederick Memorial Hospital in Maryland. White house tour guide, taxi driver, and a Boy Scout leader! RIP Melvin, thanks for sharing your memories. You will be missed!
Crxpilot,
Thank you for the update, sir.
I am kinda glad he is not around to see what we have become.
It is a far cry from not wearing socks in rebellion to shooting up schools with assault rifles.
He was the quintessential American man, and a good one. Would throw up if he knew who lived down the street in the big white house.......
So this is from the 80s
@@EarthChickadee ...I remember reading an article years ago that was a survey asking teachers back in the 50's or 60's what was their biggest problem with students...their answer was: Chewing Gum! Far cry from today sadly!
Good ole Frederick. I’m from the area my self
If half of the kids today had a father like this. This is a real man.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
It’s families with no fathers that are the worse. Listen up women.
@@ayo0o0o0o0fr
The part about college or trade school is dead on. Good man, wise with age and experience
@@ayo0o0o0o0families with no mother's aren't better
I was 25 back in 1989 but today, I could sit here and talk about the 1980s with the same nostalgia and sentiment
The older i get the more I understand old people.
not old *Experienced*
No shit
"The older you get the smarter your parents get"
The damn ground keeps getting further away.
Shut up old man
Guy has a great voice
@Dark Angel Fake news. Drinking "manly" whole milk and beer and eating "manly" hot dogs, bacon, sausages, ribs or dog food doesn't give you a deep voice, just a fat beer belly and life-threatening clogged arteries. Voices naturally change and deepen with age. Smoking cigarettes does give you a deep voice and also gives you premature wrinkled skin, lung cancer and respiratory failure. Food, generations has nothing to do with voice, macho bravado is fakery.
Baltimore accent
@@StevieStitches - I wouldn't waste time preaching logic to an obvious troll, it's not worth the effort. More on point, he does have a good voice, reminds me of James Arness.
@@yellowblanka6058 His voice reminds me of Peter Graves.
Growing up in the 70s as a kid, most men had deep rough voices. Mostly due to breathing in factor air and 3 packs of smokes a day. Another thing I’ve noticed is that nobody has those huge Adam’s apples like some dudes did back in the day.
Grew up in the 2000’s. My dad owned a convenience store and a lot of the older fellas used to come and sit and watch TV. Quite a few vets from the WWII and Korea generation, I learned a lot from those guys and I’m lucky to have had that opportunity.
I would have loved to have someone in the family that had that kind of livelihood, at least here in the US, convenience stores like that seem to attract a certain group of people that always have interesting things to converse about. I always wanted to have a store like that in my big Midwestern town
Everybody's life is interesting. Can't believe I never saw this channel. I graduated HS in 1980. I fully think the loss of trade classes is what is missing in society. We had auto shop, printmaking for newspapers, electronics, wood shop( I was the only girl in this class). Then we had creative classes like art, ceramics, drama, sewing and cooking. It is a great way to go into a trade or just learn how to take care of yourself.
I'm grateful you had that as well. I remember the home economics class. Kids now would be WTF is home eck?. Imo kids should be taught starting in 5th grade, the basics of how a home is maintained. Cooking, Growing Vegetables, etc. The school system in commiefornia is a political play. I know there are good teachers. That love & respect the children. Unfortunately the curriculum is biased. I would never allow any child to go to public school in commiefornia. In the inner city schools, they talked of Cleaning them up decades ago....while they feed the kids slop" & most can't even do basic math, cuz ya know, math is rAcist in commiefornia. But obesity is ok. These kids are being sent up river without a paddle. In San Francisco CA, the kids can get an education on drug use, & how to shit in the streets. Pelosis district is a friggin joke....All those classes you mentioned, were removed for a reason. The dumbing down of kids in commiefornia has been going on, for far too long. Now they want to vaccinate em.....it really is criminal.
I love what you're saying every trade is a dying art now.born into carpentry as a family trade tinker with cars for fun.in high end millwork now at 47 and no kids walking through the door not interested in hard work and skill sets and pride.damn shame
I graduated in 89 and we had lots of good stuff too. There was a forestry class that you went out and logged for a couple hrs once a week
Now the worthless magic of "doin it online" mines minerals transports food works iron paints buildings etc etc.
Doin it in person with your own hands...what's that..
I did Dental Assisting my Sr. year of high school in 1982-1983, I agree! I had an A+ when I finished, did assisting for 1.5 years and then went to college full time and got a B.A. I really gained a lot of confidence because of ROP (Regional Occupational Program).
This gentleman should have had a career as a narrator. Great voice and tone for telling stories
He dead
Thought that same thing
@@suffolk6311 dont we all?
Beautiful diction and intonation...a driver...best American accent I've heard...was he Jewish?
Except that nose sniffing all the time
“College shouldn’t be 10k a semester”
Oh if only he could see it now
O k tbh 10k back then equates to what it costs today. Inflation
I’m seeing no historical evidence that it Ever costed 10,000 in 1950s money.
If it did, a single semester would be $100,000 in today’s money, which is higher than today’s tuition by a large margin. And considering that tuition being unethical murder of the lower class is a rather recent development, It’s more likely that it costed closer to 10,000 after inflation.
@@aeringothyk5445 actually since the dollar was backed by silver, it would be more like $180,000.
Yeah cuz going to OU was expensive (Oklahoma univesity) probably atleast $5k-10k a semester for in state students lol other kids outside of state were double smfh haha
At least you have the chance to go to college. Because of my race I've never had the opportunity of a proper education, I am self taught on the majority of my educational skills. Tuff life be grateful because somebody somewhere has got it worse.
A sensible man, and a great thing to listen to. Plenty of people like this still exist, but viewing him talk is like a time-capsule. We learn from history, whether it be good or bad. That's how we avoid repeating it. Censorship doesn't help us, otherwise those at the top dictate what's "right."
Does this mean you’re going to power scale 50s men vs millennials
@@christianglass9139 no likes? this is a good comment reply lol
First and for most, big fan of your stuff my guy and 2nd you’re 100% right but hey I guess that’s what you get when you decide to build a top down society as opposed to bottom up, after all if the state controls and imposes everything then morality is eventually going to be included luckily we have elders like Melvin and people like you who can see through all the crap 🙏❤️
i agree, censorship never helps. have to reveal the truth no matter how ugly it is
@@martinvanburen4578 this ain’t even about truth anymore it’s gotten so bad that if you say something that could even be INTERPRETED in a way people don’t like it could get you cancelled
These interviews with those from generations past are invaluable. I was lucky enough to be around when the WW1 generation were still alive. They were stoic, solid, tough without putting on an act, and strong: I feel very lucky to have known them.
The GREATEST GENERATION! I wish I had more time with them. When I was a kid, I was around a large group of that generation. Let's just say, the judge sent me..They were the best thing, that ever happened to me. We would go to coffee for a couple hours, & ld learn through they're joking around, about Billy running booze, the chain gang, the war, These people LOVED there country. I don't love this guvmint, but I LOVE OUR COUNTRY! for geez sake kids should start learning apprentice skills in 8th grade. Art music, woodworking, auto mechanics,. Or at the very least, the inner workings of the homes they live in.. One 30 something, I met the other day, didn't know how to turn down the hot water! Or change the HVAC filter. Or how to properly CK the air in his tires, or change his own oil. Or even how to properly CK it. I learned that stuff when I was 10. I didn't.like it at first, but I had to go to the dealership where my dad worked, on Saturdays. The men there, we're so cool! Friendly, kind, hardworking.... I still think about them. If they're still living, they're in they're 80s. Popeye Dennis with forearms bigger than most people's thighs. Love you Dennis. Tiny, was huge.....Cud Louie the service manager. Quite the talker" cud. Anyhow, I'm grateful for having been made to go to work. It was a blessing. Imo most Kids should be learning the basics of home maintenance, starting in 8th grade. If they're a step ahead, & they know, electricity can kill em,. You can start teaching them, when they're 5.
The sooner the better.. There's no way, I would allow my child, to sit all day, with a cell phone in hand. Lol, unless they were listening to music. Get the kids back outside, to run, & play! It gives me no pleasure to be more physically fit, than most 20 something males in commiefornia.
Or to see a 10 yr old Outweigh me by 50 lbs, heading into mc deez. Our eyes nearly pop out daily, as we see obese children everywhere. Nutrition needs to be #1 in the classroom, starting in kindergarten. It's pretty obvious the so called representatives in the state of California,. Could careless about these children. Half of them, can barely walk, unless it's into mc donalds to get themselves a nice cold salt laden WOKAH COLA. It's a crime. Imo These children are neglected, & malnourished.
The rate of obesity for school children doesn't go down every year. It goes up. It's pretty obvious the education system in commiefornia, is a complete dumpster fire.
Rant over.
🙏💕💪✌️🎵🎶🎵.For geez sake people, take the friggin phone out of your kids hands. Or don't. Chunky boy & girl, will remember how you let them sit on they're azz, & basically do nothing. Rant almost over.
No one ever drowned from sweating. I'm grateful my parents, made me work. If a neighbor kid came by today, & asked if he could water, or trim the bushes, was the car, or do something to earn ,$ i'd hire them. What a shitty way to allow your children to live. Eat, sit, sleep repeat. Smh
They were still with us until 2012.
@@Bellathebear777 I agree on most things. I feel ignorant not knowing basic electrical stuff around the house or whats inside of a car engine etc. We got access to internet but this type of stuff needs to be practiced in real time for people to learn. Schools need to teach people these essentials, as well as cooking, cleaning paying bills. Fortunately I taught myself the last 3 things
Ww1 generation made the same mistake as all others fighting rich mens wars while the rich men profit off of both sides! Truth is that until the rich and powerful are put in there place people will never be free…
real men
I like this guy. Level headed. Has opinions but doesn’t think he knows everything. Open to ideas but he is who he is.
I don't
@Bugsey Magee I'm guessing by the Russian name that it's because he doesn't trust Russians. ;o)
@Bugsey Magee Can't argue that. I guess that's one of the many sad things about growing up in a police state. The government uses the people to spy on each other so there's no trust. That's pretty much the way of life in North Korea.
@@danh5150 always remember, while the soviet government was evil, the people there were men like you and me.
@@the_Googie 1000% true. I've always been fascinated with the former Soviet Union and the accomplishments its citizens were able to make in spite of their government. Sometimes when I play hockey I'll wear a KHL or CCCP jersey. Would love to visit Russia some day; I have absolutely no problem with the people. And yes; Stalin was every bit the sociopath Hitler was. Russian people (and Ukrainian, Latvian, Belarussian, etc) were victimized by both.
This is called the 'straight talk', no bs, no hype, no agenda, no made up crap. Truth resonates and it shows in the face and tone of voice. Live and learn, from people who lived a real life.
"straight talk, no jive" - neil fallon
@@shadegreen5351 precisely brother
You act like no one's straight up anymore
Wow couldn't just write a simple comment..
@@devonjenkins6829 Looks like you missed the whole point of the video. I leave the simple comments to the Devon Jenkins' of the world!
When you are young, you're an idealist. When you are older, you're a realist
Yea. That’s true.
That happens when the existential crisis kicks in. It never goes away.
Young as in a literal child. Gen Z has had to grow up faster than any generation before them. There’s no time for fun, no time for play, no time for anything except work and coming home to an empty apartment that costs 1500 dollars a month. Crippling loneliness.
@@joeschmo4646nooo way. Half these kids don’t work, stay longer at their parents homes, want to be influencers, professional gamers, and all those useless jobs. Plus fast food restaurants alone are now getting employees $20 an hour, which isn’t bad money. When I was a kid in the early 00s making money was tough. On top of everything, it’s much easier to progress in life as you have the tools all incorporated into a single unit (cell phone, tablets, internet is extremely vast compared to 20 years ago), and the list goes on.
You realise principles come with a price.
@@joeschmo4646is that why it _seems_ that materialism is more important to Gen Z than any other gen before?
I was a high school teacher in '93. One of my co-workers was about 25 years older than I and had been in education 30 years. I asked him about students and what he thought about their education. He said that writing skills had definitely declined, but test scores had increased (SAT/ACT). Overall, he remarked that thinking skills were seriously lacking and that the best indicator for a child's success in school was dependent on the amount of parental involvement -- more involvement, better students, better learning.
“Low functioning parents?”
Well, with both parents working full time to live in a little less debt, there's not much time left for parent involvement. Thats only for the privileged.
Both parents don’t have to work. If u lower ur standards and not buy the latest IPhone when it comes out or the latest car. Stop going into crazy debt. One parent can stay at home and raise the children while the other works. This has been our paradigm for hundreds of years. Only in the last 70-80 years has this changed and everyone is acting like the problems associated with a government education is a Scooby Do mystery. Don’t let the government babysit, educate, and groom ur children. Raising ur children is a privilege and one should not take it lightly.
@@kickyourfacification Absolutely!
@@kickyourfacification I'm not talking about us privileged white guys. I'm talking about the 64% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. You think America is the leader in household debt because of iPhones?
Everyone in the comments complaining that people like this guy are not around today. Why not try and be like this guy?
Couldn’t agree more.
a) There are still many.
b) Stop idolizing people and just BE the best you you can be.
c) It affects your life in no way how many of “this guy” there are.
d) I bet this guy would be the first to tell you that he like most of us has many flaws and you can’t draw some idyllic illustration of a person from a fifteen minute interview.
People just lived and survived they didn’t analyze everyone and themselves and make so much of themselves they just got up and did.
"be the change you want to see in the world"
Because people don't generally accept people like this nowadays there's no glory to it beside finding a couple if freinds who are similar
guys like him are everywhere, they're just not going to post selfies on insta so a good portion of the population would never be exposed to people like him. Younger people don't venture very far from the screens on their phones and are never in social circles that are truly diverse
The guy who filmed all these interviews couldn't have imagined the platform he'd have one day to share them.
So true. I didn't.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Rolie O'Leary right honestly I didn’t know the guy who posted these videos was the same guy that took the videos.Thats freaking awesome.
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker I'm genuinely amazed by whatever it was that you had in you that compelled you to *just keep going*...I mean...
@@avamasquerade id reckon it may play back into the sayings "the people want to know" and "the truth is out there, you just have to keep looking" that provides a sense of duty and purpose to keep pushing on as a journalist.
The 80's were a great decade for documentaries!
Fantastic to hear this gentleman's opinion. Thank you for posting!
I know right? Some of my favourite documentaries and docu-series on any subject were produced in the 80s some didn’t hold up to the test of time but still ❤️
😂😂😂😂😂😂
he's so smooth and well spoken it's so soothing to listen to him .
The lost art of storytelling with no particular point.
EDIT: it's been a few months and I'm still getting notifications on my phone from this. It's funny to see all the people misinterpreting my comment as disrespect or not getting 'the' point. I said no 'particular' point. Meaning there is no single point. The guy goes from getting sandwiches to talking about kids in the 80's and everything in between. He's telling an open-ended story, not tied to any one point. That's the lost art I was talking about. Everything these days seems to have to have a quick, immediate point.
Seinfeld
i really enjoy older peoples stories, the trouble is, they don,t tell enough of them.
@Donde Merlin its funny thats what you take out of it... did his expression ever seem like he was trying to convey how horrible his generation was?
Don't think the points weren't edited out.
The point was to portray the culture of the 50's
Interviews like this are like having a time machine that goes back in time, but it's like a submarine.
You've just got a window to look out of to gain a little perspective. There's a comment here by Dawnye C
that goes "When an elderly dies: it’s a library that goes to ashes." David Hoffman, by posting these videos
is a hero that saves a bit of that library and shares it with the public.
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Great comment cheers!
its like The Wire like when Frank Sobokta talks about trying to raise his only son like maybe you should of gone to College but hes right you need money so you sell drugs to actually afford stuff and look at Nick Sobokta like he first was against it then he saw the writing on the wall he was a working stiff but wasnt getting paid
Briansmobile 1
I am going to look up Dwayne C. Your piece was eloquently written.
1k like
Man, to think this man has likely passed away, but the words he's speaking back then are touching me even now. He speaks with such under-stated wisdom, the kind you only get from years of living and coming to humble conclussions. It's sad to know he's gone, but his words will hopefully speak to generations in the future
why do you say he likely passed away? this was only three years ago and hes like he's strong and healthy here
@@donkey3187 The video uploaded was 3 years ago. This video of him, he looks to be an elderly man, and he is recollecting the 1950's. Even if he was only 55 years old in the video, which would mean he can recollect the social status quo's of society from when he was a 5 year old, that would make the man 128 years old right now. My money is he passed away....
@@chadhill455 I think you need to work on your math skills. If he was 5 years old in 1955, per your example, that would make him about 72 today. How you got 128 is beyond me but it's hilarious. To be 128 today,. he would have been born in 1894. lol
@@donkey3187 Yeah my math is shit. For some reason I had discounted that I don't know when the video of the man himself was recorded and it messed up my 'calculations'. I should've considered he would have most likely been atleast driving age during the 1950's, since the stories he tells revolves around that age
@@chadhill455 That's the real question and the key to the answer isn't it? When was the recording made? But if it was made any time in the last 30 years and he was say 55 when it was made, the most he would be today is 85, which is of course very possible.
He reminds me of my own grandfather, rest his soul. Don't worry sir, I'm raising my kids like the old days; just like I was. Loved this video. Really down to earth.
Your not but nice try
@@tb1629 ok bud if you say so. look out everyone it's internet lord TB, he who knows and sees all. jackass.
So they get to feel plenty of that belt? ;-)
Not everything was sunshine and roses. We made some improvements in our methods of education, but not every new idea is naturally a good one.
@@Traumglanz No belt is what creates the pink nailed fatsos blocking people on their way to work because they don't like oil.
I miss this man and I didn’t even know him.
Me too
He just has that wise, grandfather vibe about him. Like you could sit and listen to him for hours as he rambles, not knowing it’s some of the most introspective stuff you’ve ever heard. Kinda makes me miss my grandpa to be honest.
Okay boomer
He was a good man who was raised right.
I feel the same way...I miss him too, and don't know him...❤❤❤❤❤
This video really strikes a chord with me. I used to work in a pub, and from time to time on a slow night (usually a Sunday) an older person would come in by themselves and sit at the bar. I had nothing to do except serve them a drink and maybe polish the brasswork, so I'd listen to their stories. They'd tell me about their old friends, whirlwind romances, places they'd lived, brushes with the law, pie in the sky business ventures, hard-earned life lessons and loved ones they had lost. Listen to your elders. You may not agree with everything they say (different eras and all that), but they've seen more of the world than you can imagine.
I work in the service industry (fine dining) so I encounter all kinds of older people well off and great stories to tell so I know exactly what you mean
That's really lovely! I'm a nurse. I've had the honor of listening to life stories. It's just grand! It's a gift.
Living history books
I liked listening to my Grandma's childhood stories from when she was a child in the 30s. It was a different world back then.
@@Twig2250 p1
my 76 year old grandmother tells me stories about her childhood a lot, and hearing these perspectives always makes me feel like im learning new things, its nice to hear history from the perspective of people who lived it
My grandma tells me about her family couldnt afford to wear shoes and her father was a bootlegger. And how they weren't allowed to go to the Celtics games. Or when my Uncle was fired from the Post Office for "Co-Habitating with a woman he wasnt married to" even thought they had a child. Or how the FBI, had kept tabs on all my family for years with cointel. Even tried to stop my Nana from getting a job as PA for UCLA, because my Uncle had black panther meetings in her basement
The past was stupid
Parents have a strong influence over their children, when this man recalls that his parents never had a alcohol in the house reminds me of a family that I knew where their parents drank each weekend from Friday evening well into Saturday night. Most of their children had drug and alcohol problems that resulted in an early death.
My parents didn't drink except a glass of wine maybe at a fancy restaurant or a beer on fourth of July. They never told us that alcohol was forbidden or anything like that. Same thing with drugs. My parents made mistakes like all other parents but I think they handled intoxicants correctly. Drugs and alcohol were not forbidden and therefore interesting, but they weren't normalized either. I have a drink a few times a year and none of my siblings have substance abuse problems.
I don't look down on people that have addictions because I was simply lucky. We learn from example!
So true!
I was born in 1921 and will be 99 years old in a few months. The 1950s were one of the best decades in my life and in my opinion the nation. Folks were so content with what they had and appreciated what we had and we did not have much. Folks today want more all the time or the latest anything. And folks they worked hard back then. Mostly if they didnt they didnt eat or their families wouldnt eat. The filthy plague of racism was slowly washing away from the centuries before And the nation was becoming more of one nation instead of two divided by ones color.
I was born raised and lived my entire life in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina. I have had a bacon sandwich every morning of my adult life. I smoked for 60 some years (Not that I am endorsing it as it is unhealthy). I have my teeth. Did not drink coffee but sure have drunk my share of iced tea with lemon.
The 1950s were to me the best time period of my life. Where I live then in the 50s church members got together and built the churches themselves. No mortgage or loan to build it. Neighbors and friends got together to help theirs build their homes or barns or what ever they needed. I did not have a lock on the front door of my home I still live in and grew up in until 1990s. I could leave anything outside it would be right where I left it when I returned. Food was good for you then when you went out to eat the few times we ever did. I would go back to the 50s in a heartbeat if I could. Seems like another world to me from today.
Yep the innocent days are long gone. Peoples choice in entertain ment music, lifestyles divorce etc are a far cry from then
Graham Polk hello sir! Please pm me I’d love to hear about your life and the past times. As a 27 year old I have endless questions to ask.
Its cool that you are on RUclips
Stay Lit420 he’s 99 not 7
@@staylit4209 years and years of experience
As an Englishman I find this an absolutely fascinating insight into American culture from a bygone era. Brilliant upload thank you.
Why do think that this man represents the culture of the majority of Americans in the 1950's?
As an American I would say that he is a very special case. One that lines up with the TV show representation of his era.
However, media very rarely shows the true culture. Rather, it is shaping it for the future.
@@josephjones5070 an "insight".
@@councilestateproduct
Indeed.
Simple questions can put things in a more clear light.
Such as, where did the majority of the American population live in the 1950's?
Was it in highly urbanized metropolitan areas?
What does this man focus on, and what does he neglect?
@@josephjones5070 I really don't get why you're asking these questions? You've got your knickers in a twist over something and I'm not sure why. Google can answer your questions easily I don't get what what answering them would prove.
@@councilestateproduct
I know the answers to the questions. They were supposed to be for your benefit.
Oh well.
I just talked with my grandmother today. About her parents. So would be my great grandparents. And then we talked about the fact my grandmother actually knew her grandparents who were born in 1871. Imagine that. Here we are in 2022.
And I still have a window with my 91 YO Grandmother to stories from the 1870’s, she heard firsthand from her grandparents. It boggles my mind. To hear these stories of life, from that long ago by the very first person they were shared with. From near 150 years ago.
Literally being born in small rural outpost towns where land grabs were still happening. And these areas are now big American cities. It trips me out. And not long after the civil war. I feel very blessed to be able to learn all of this. And only be in my mid 40’s myself. Our seniors like my grandmother and this man are jewels and we need to learn as much as we can. While we can. Because they are not going to be here for all that much longer…
My Grandmother is now a Great, Great Grandmother. So she could share these stories in a few more years when my grandson is old enough to remember them. And he could literally live another 90 years plus himself. So that would be a direct window of stories of our family history literally traveling directly from 1871 to almost 2100 by that time, by direct people who experienced it at both ends of the history. What a trip! 😳😳😳
In this man’s case, I assume he has passed some time ago if this video is from the 80’s.
1871 is still Reconstruction Era-that’s only six years after the passing of the 13th and 14th amendments. Ulysses S Grant was in his first term as president, stamping down the first iteration of the KKK.
So long ago and yet so short a time in the scope of history.
i'm an engineer, but what always humbled me, was a man such as this! he's a bus driver and yet he speaks with a wisdom beyond not only his profession, but his years
Not really, hes just less affected then present day people who are much more media savvy and understand the potential of RUclips.
Maybe there is more to people than we choose to believe. Maybe of we truly listened we would discover that people are very interesting when they talk about things they know (as opposed to repeating slogans they were told)
You could have left out the part about you being an engineer. Such an odd angel to come from, because it seems you're putting yourself above others.
@@kurtangusofficial agreed. It's so qually patronising, superior and ageist at the same time.
@@kurtangusofficial
i guess you missed the point entirely - the point is *knowledge is NOT wisdom* and just because i know a lot, it doesn't make me better than a *wise* bus driver
i'd suggest you're projecting
It's sad to lose people like this. So rational and down to earth. Salt of the earth type guy.
He isn’t rational. More like he’s pragmatic.
TURN TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BEFORE ITS TOO LATE, GIVE YOUR LIFE TO HIM AND START WALKING IN OBEDIENCE, WITHSTANDING FROM ALL SIN AND WICKEDNESS, JESUS SAID THE PATH TO HEAVEN IS HARD AND NARROW, AND FEW FIND IT. MATTHEW 7:13-14, HEBREWS 5:9, JOHN 14:15, MATTHEW 7:21-26, 1ST CORINTHIANS 6:9-10, JOHN 3:16-21, JOHN 10:7-8, MATTHEW 10:26, AND LUKE 13:5. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
@@icebreaker9006 wtf does that have to do with what I said?
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 most people are like this but I have a bias I've lived in the American Midwest but this guy resonates like the old timers I've met in the north Kansas plains. Note also . Alot weren't racist Kansas was a free negro state the inventor of basketball
@@igriesert8561 he’s witnessing, part of being a christian
This was how my father would speak about the 1940s and 50s. Excellent perspectives. My father was born in 1928 and served in 3 wars. I can appreciate this man.
Geez I salute to him
Wow, I assume WW2, Korea, and Vietnam.
Certified Legend y
@@trollking99 too young for ww2 at the end of ww2 1945 he was 17 and it ended in June so if anything in 1944 he would be 16 so doubt it
@@C.G91 True, but still possible. He could have lied about his age to enlist - happens all the time. Plus, it doesn't necessarily mean he saw combat. I also just realized that 1928 was when my maternal grandfather was born.
This guy is a winner. Kind, thoughtful, smart, compassionate. Wow!
David, keep doing what you're doing! The more we talk about these types of issues the better we will be in solving them. Stay kind everyone!
"It's a shame, a country like this with all the power and the money we can't do better with the school system here." My thoughts every day.
Look up: The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America by Charlotte Iserbyte
It is done on purpose. Same goes for the college system, some are good but most are crap by design.
@@ShulaOudean Fluoride ?
@@billhanna8838 Fluoride is one toxin they force down our throats without consent. Chemtrails, GMOs, vaccines, glyphosate, etc.
@@ShulaOudean Look up: Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson and NEA: A Trojan Horse in Public Education by Samuel L Blumenfeld. Those 2 books set me on a course of Classical Christian education for my daughter.
“People with the kindest hearts have the worst temper.” This is a man that would be your true friend.
true words. also watch out for the quiet ones when they get mad XD
BS People with bad tempers will ruin your life if u let them, they have no control .
I grew up in W.Oregon, but have spent some time in the South. I somewhat felt the kindness in voice, greetings from strangers or acquaintances, friendliness was a thin veneer. That's true of just about anywhere, but if it was an 8 or 9 elsewhere, then the South turned it up to 11, and with a wider polarity.
@@aminaedits He said worst temper READ it carefully next time
@@pepperrgirl I'm assuming you're replying to someone and not OP who didn't indicate that temper comes out of nowhere.
This is a great man. Thank you for sharing his story.
This guy has an amazing voice. Deep and rich and earthy. Blue-collar type.
100% male…
This mans father was clearly around during the depression with his "food on the table, roof over your head" attitude and he didn't teach his kid to be one of those spoiled kids neither.
I grew up in the 80's with parents that had the same attitude..."...go to work, put food on your table, keep a roof over your head, don't ask for help do it yourself,..etc.). There's plenty of "kids" that are growing up with similar backgrounds and beliefs today.
@@jenniferwilcox9759 You're my aunt's generation. I'm 21 now, grew up in the 00s and 10s. I don't have much experience to speak of, and I can't speak for all "kids" my age, but my parents also had the same mentality that existed during the depression. Everyone assumes life got easier, but did it really? My parents have worked middle class jobs their entire lives, incredibly disciplined and motivated, never spent a dime on luxuries except maybe the annual trip to another city in the country, always saved their money so that my brother and I could go to college. Speaking of college... It costs all my body organs to attend one nowadays. I've worked part-time all 4 years of it, that was barely enough money to cover my food and the occasional night out. And it's not just me, that's the average "middle class" person. My grandparents didn't even graduate high-school... I have an engineering degree and speak two languages and have access to all the information in the world. Yet I don't feel any luckier or happier, in fact, my grandparents seem more satisfied. The world is still raging with wars and disease and gets more unstable every day. Did it really get any better?
@@TonyNaber I'm not sure if it got better in the USA, given that living standards seem to have stagnated for the working class over there. I live in another Western country (Australia), where it got better in some ways. We have dishwashers and can eat a varied died of all sorts of cuisines... most families have two bathrooms and even two family cars... But there absolutely was degree/qualification inflation over the decades - my parents never finished high school, their parents never finished primary school. I have a masters degree (and a debt of $60k) yet life is a real struggle because I'm trying to save up for a house deposit before my biological clock leaves me unable to start a family. My grandfather paid off his whole first house in 3 years, and ended up with 8 properties by the time he retired... he was able to gift each of his five kids a house. He was a labourer, grandma was a housewife. You couldn't do that anymore, given a family home with a backyard will set you back a million dollars in an average neighbourhood... its the most messed up thing about my country, the price of a home. Healthcare costs are minimal (what were they like in the USA in the 50s?). But education is getting more and more expensive, and its such a waste. These days you need two incomes to raise a family in my country, whereas in previous generations, you would be comfortable on one income.
In my opinion, parents are the one to blame for not educating their children properly. They become awful adults and the world have to deal with them. It’s a form a neglect too, if you do not raise your children to be humble and respectful. It’s a shame really.
@@TonyNaber Cry because it is hard, but carry on anyway. It's hard and a lot of hardwork & sacrifice. life is hard.. you don't need to get affected by world news or worry about it. Finish your studies, pay your debts if you have any and struggle with all your might. The load will become lighter. you're doing the best you can, be proud of yourself.
"Make sure these kids get some kind of foundation, so they can have decent lives" The truth and understanding this man has, if only more felt this way
Nobody today has interest in their kids because if they did, they would require to give up the conveniences of the modern cancer
What are of foundations?
@@val21704If you don't know what the word "foundation" means, you don't have one
@@blobgooll9395 English is not my first language Im not that good
@@blobgooll9395 lol why just not explain to him instead if just assuming negativity
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this gentleman. Myself as someone who was brought up in 1970s and 80s the values and work ethics of my parents and grandparents were directly handed down to myself. And to this very day iam so grateful for what this generation has instilled within my own mindset, tough times create tough people, hardwork and dedication go along way in creating a strong character with leadership qualities.
You speak the truth i wanted to say something really close to this but it was long winded and to personal but I feel this, born in 76 have all the old school values hard work tell the truth help others when you can, do your best.no one is a saint.take what you need and leave the rest.
Crazy to hear that even though the schools were segregated, they all still played and hung out with each other regardless. We aren’t told that kind of stuff
Living areas might be these days more segregated than they we back then. So in practise in many areas there was not that much progressed made since the 50s, America has some pretty strong reactionary forces driving it's politics.
And instead of trying to solve those easy the democrats choose to fight over semantics.
@@Traumglanz Democrats won't solve black people sticking in ghettos or mexicans sticking in favelas.
@@Traumglanz What are you talking about? What segregation are you talking about? Why did you bring up democrats for no reason? Do you have dementia?
Blacks and Whites going to separate movie theaters sounds like a great idea tbh
Wtf do you mean we aren’t told that kind of stuff, that’s literally a key point in MLK’s life that we know he played with white kids
This video demonstrates how rarely we ever see a real person just being themselves in the media anymore. I’m not sure how many humans still have a solid sense of identity at this point - hence the contemporary obsession with identity? We need more reminders like this that a decent life requires a decent society. Thanks for posting.
A lot of people don't have their own shit anymore
I dont understand your comment. To me this video shows me how similiar my peers are to this guy and his youth.
and plus a "decent society" doesnt really make sense to me either. this is a white guy's perspective. Im sure life was different from everyone.
Joseph C: I don’t quite understand your complaint. Are you saying that because he’s a white guy he can’t be decent?
Critter: Guy Debord says it best: “Stars - spectacular representations of living human beings - project general banality into images of permitted roles. As specialists of apparent life, stars serve as superficial objects that people can identify with in order to compensate for the fragmented productive specializations that they are forced to live.” ... “The agent of the spectacle who is put on stage as a star is the opposite of an individual; he is as clearly the enemy of his own individuality as of the individuality of others.”
D :
I could listen to this man all day, his accounts are so fluid, not scripted.
My absolute favorite RUclips channel! Thank you so much for uploading these types of interviews. Watching them somehow helps me make sense of the world.
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
This is great. I could listen to him tell stories all day. What a treasure.
"When you get older, you'll understand what I'm saying." Truer words were never spoken.
So true
@ Jim Beckert---But, it's too bad that we have to learn THAT the HARD WAY !!!
Cliche as all get out lol
You've immortalized this man. We can't even begin to imagine, this video may outlive all of us.
The Last Best Generation right there describing one of the best generations ever his parents and grandparent(s). LOVE it, thank you so much!!!
It is so frightening that in 2022 a simple man talking simple sense is considered profound. We are doomed. The world has gone to s***
Exactly lol
I wonder what it would have been like when you could get by on a high school diploma, drive a cab and use the income to buy a house, and support a wife and kids. These days you'd be single, living in a shoe-box apartment, and still qualify for food stamps.
you could fight fire, get half the year off and get 40k in a summer. All you need is a GED and desire to hike, work hard, and stay outside. It's not too hard to overcome the system now adays if your willing to risk your life.
@@tbrad7252 Hahaha yeah, I agree, selling your actual life should probably have at least a decent going rate to it
It seems that every decent paying job requires risking your life. In addition to working 12 hours a day. You can even do the math, real wages are lower than they were back than.
you could sell your life to a corporation, an instagram tag, or many other things. Better to seek solace in the nature. It's all evolution after all.
ya and most likely wages will keep decreasing as over population continues to increase and natural disasters get worse in the coming years.
Instead of focusing on wage creation we need to focus on decentralization and community based living, where your sense of employment not only enriches your wallet but also your neighborhood and the community in which you live in.
Disconnection from the Centralized system and the creation of many independent community based subsystems in order to foster humananity's resiliency.
wages are just points in the commissary of the modern socioeconomic prison.
@@KSmithwick1989
That's what you get for asking a cabbie the time.
Lol
@@hughmungus6838 I'm a southerner moving to boston, I'll hope I get that line then
@@kirkspinelli3815 Cabbies are notorious for stream-of-thought talking with their customers for long lengths of time, even when given the slightest chance to voice the most simple thing. They sit for long hours transporting people, so the only real choices of mental stimulation are either social interaction with their customers or whatever happens to be on the radio, and social interaction is more personable and individualized. Be warned: they're good people, but they don't pull punches.
That is funny
Lmao! Best comment
Thank you for allowing us to hear real people talking about their lives. Everyday people / ordinary people / real people (and especially poor people) give us insights into life based on common decency, fairness, innate kindness and generosity. I feel we should sit quietly at the feet of these newly found grandparents - and listen with the big eyes of children.
"I don't like to be too liberal, and I don't like to be too conservative." Amen, sir.
The tribalist politics of today will be the downfall of America. The spectrum from extreme left to extreme right of 99% of Americans was a fraction of that same scale and how it’s expanded to include nationalists and socialists.
@@cbot375 but business enterprises are capitalist
well, yes..this country is pretty much middle of the road. And dont be fooled for a second that we are not. it's the left and the right coast that are completely and utterly gone. The left and right coasts have been completely wimpified and pussified. Hands down.
The right hasn't moved in decades. The left has gone way more left. Pew Research confirmed it.
Some Guy Named Mat you’re still drawing the line. It’s almost like you can’t comprehend that both sides are not completely correct in their view
“I guess maybe I don’t understand cruelty, from one person to another.”
Well said
That sentence rang out to me, too. The man's character.
@Canadian American < exhibit A
@Canadian American All the key points about the interview you truly missed or just didn't appreciate.
Given that mans only natural enemy is man, I'm surprised their isn't more of it. It used to be when the church had more power over the stupid .
I was reading your quote exactly at the same time as I was listening to him say it. It threw my mind into a temporary state of mental pretzelification. I could concentrate on neither the narrator's voice or the words I was reading. My mind was just trying to reconcile how a video could know what I was reading and be able to narrate it in real time. Of course I only freaked out for a second as I was snapped back into reality as my brain reconciled the mechanics of what was really happening. But for a short second or two, I wondered if I was even real. I wondered if I was actually just some simulation programmed by someone else. I was some whimsical and fleeting figment of someone else's not particularly interesting imagination.
Anyway, back to the narrative.........
This is what a Real Man looks like. Today’s Lesson: There’s no substitute for hard work. Thank you Mr. Hoffman! Nicely Done! ✅
watching these videos over the years has really helped me in trying to avoid looking down on younger people as I’ve gotten older
Just talking. No theme, no end point, just talking. Very interesting historically.
Well yes..he was just asked to describe his life as he lived it. He did it well.
This comment with your pfp has me dying 😂
Yeah, it reminds me of the Freudian method, where psychoanalysts would just let their clients talk about whatever crossed their mind. The dude in the video talks about his opinion, and you can tell the more important bits by his body language, tone, and the lark. There are no direct questions on the topic, they're just letting the dude talk and allowing him to make his own point.
He has a wonderful timbre to his voice.
I thought the same thing. He could have been a DJ or radio announcer.
I love rustic American accents like such.
Breathing that secondhand smoke since being a baby gives you that nice touch of rasp
right? did he miss his calling as a radio personality or what? panty-dropper vocals....
He had a cold during this interview. That is part of his voice here.
I don’t know how this stumbled into my feed, but I said, to heck with it, I’ll just watch it. Just a tremendous amount of common sense, observant, and very well spoken. If this fellow were alive today, he could easily go into the schools and give talks to students in my opinion.
Everything he speaks is social wisdom. We all should take notes for our own lives. Today's world misses the point on what true community really is. We don't know what means to be civil, polite, respectful, diligent, and full of integrity. Today being a good "boy scout" is laughed at or teased as if those worth while character traits are juvenile or naïve.
America in 2020: Guy is dropping facts, most comments are about his voice.
He shows us the Moon, they look at the finger.
Interesting analogy.
Bruce Lee (lost knowledge)
@@_Hound_ Watch "Enter the Dragon"...and pay attention!
jo 455 that’s how everything is now a days there’s something deeper in the book but all this instant gratification makes us not want to take our time and read further into that book or even just stop and listen, I swear humanity is devolving
This dude is quite interesting. He lived it. He's got a radio voice to boot.
The reason we all love this man, is that the vast majority of us ARE like this man. Fair, hard working, reasonably honest, and thoughtful. It's just the nutty media (social and otherwise) that features the fringe nut case views as if they were the majority.
People who are content spend less money, they don't feel the need. Keep people scared or angry and that's where the money is. I'm like this man too. And I agree that the vast majority of people are like this man.
Males nowadays are like their mama... operates from emotions/ego, no logic or common sense, impatient, no morals, no values... there are not many men anymore. Lets not lie to ourself and make believe men from back in the days, when boys were boys and men were men are like the emasculated mess of today
@@manofculture7852 very true the attack on humanity from mass indoctrination has turned men into simps, being shouted at and ordered around by there pathetic wife's who haven't got a clue and are only interested in showing off her latest purchase
@@manofculture7852 "A generation of men raised by women"
The nuclear family is falling apart and it´s effects are showing.
Facts bro 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
This man is saying and speaking exactly how I feel on a fundamental level. Kids should never be hungry and they should be taught the right things.
I can listen to him all day long. Wisdom and truth. No filler.
"I don't understand cruelty one human to another."
Crazy thing is I read this comment right when he said it
I did the exact same thing
@@mannygutierrez3922 That always happen to me in every videos one of the weirdest things
This man is very fortunate to grow up not understanding cruelty or abuse. Its refreshing honestly to see the lack of pain and trauma in his past.
@@aodili1 he didn't notice black people? Lynching laws were still on the books, civil rights movement was starting up, MLK and Malcom X were alive and well, we weren't allowed on the beaches or the burlesque or the race tracks lol
This was recorded 30 years ago! What an interesting time capsule of a person.
I'm so gratefull I got to meet some of my great grandparents while I was old enough to remember. They widened my perspective on life one after another. One taught me to listen, the next taught me faith, and the last taught me bravery.
I swear, I could listen and converse with someone like this for hours, it’d be really cool, so much wisdom, consideration, understanding and care for others
This seemingly “uneducated” man is far more articulate than our media and politicians on average. He is the same type of man that raised me and all of the kids I knew. This used to be very common (found everywhere) common sense.
Advanced technology breeds distracted and detached minds.
@emergerq huh, not so sure if those are the problems at all..there is a lot of meanness and cruelty like he mentioned, so why not be offended? the real problems are low rationality and laziness.
@@aric5205 Advanced technology is an opinion based on perspective. Fire was an advanced technology for early mankind. Crossbows were an advanced technology in the middle ages. Boats, gunpowder, a compass, all advanced technology. In 30 years we'll look back at what were using now as "primitive" the same way we look at pagers and rotary phones.
Absolutely agree.
It's smarter to think for yourself than to just be told what's going on. Especially if you're coming to the same exact conclusions just using peripheral experience.
Just realized that this was filmed in 1989. So much has happened in the 30+ years since this was filmed that it would make anyone's head spin.
Imagine what the next 30 years are going to bring.
@@andrew2469
no ty-
He is as far from the events he's recalling as we are from when this was recorded
Oh, no. Since I was in the class of '89, it's my turn?
@@andrew2469 metaverse from mark zuckerburg
David Hoffman, i graduated from high school in 1987 here in New Orleans. Simplicity was the way of life by playing 🏀🏈, riding bike 🚲🚲🚲, and using one's imagination. Really enjoy your informative content.. Education is key and a passport to your future...
Same I was born in 1970, can't not look back and see the way we grew up as a blessing over the life kids today with technology...
G.K. Chesterton said we do a disservice to history by recalling facts but not the feelings of a time period.
I’m 45 and was listening like a grade schooler at story time- thanks!
Me too. Exactly... Let see what kind interviews , done today, about the 80s, are received like in 2049...
jd1655 I worry about that day what the future will entail it seems like American Society is falling apart especially with the degradation of family and religious values. Communism is closely linked to atheism and sexual deviance.
@@drzoidberg844 Atheism, sure. Sexual deviance? People will deviate from that regardless of religion, unless that religion punishes it by death.
Same here! I'm 44.
I'm a 1975 model and I'm right there with y'all with these comments. My Freshman Year was '89
This dude rules. He has a kind of timeless set of morals and a strangely anachronous sense of open-mindedness
I agree. Interesting assessment of this man.
I doubt it is that anachronous. We are just told that everyone was absolutely bigoted and racist and sexist in the past, but from various accounts I have read, that is frequently just not true, or extremely exagerrated.
@@justforever96 I think (for whatever that's worth) that the religious south helped fuel a lot of those stereotypes of everyone back then being a raving racist/bigot. Likely because the zealots are usually the loudest and the squeaky wheel gets the media coverage, err....grease.
yep...
@@justforever96 idk, I study history as a hobby, plenty of photos and videos to show it's not exaggerated.
Mr Hoffman
This was absolutely outstanding. Thank you for featuring this.😊
Absolutely love listening to people like this.
Mom lived during WW2, was born in Czechoslovakia in 1933 -- dad's mom lived from 1903 to 2003. The things they both saw.
I thoroughly enjoy listening to Joachim Krauledat's stories. He was born in Tilsit, father was killed in the war a month before he was born.
After his mother arranged to escape to the west, they moved to Canada, then to the states.
Joachim was legally blind and loved music. He was involved with the group 'The Sparrows'.
Later he founded Steppenwolf.
"When I get home from work, I shut the door and I stay there."
I feel him on that one.
@RT-106 Music You're speaking facts I see.
Only cuz I’m too tired to move. Cuz if I still had energy I’d be going out to party
Did everyone in the 50s sound like they were in the middle of announcing a ball game?
Is that Larry David as your pic ? 😂
@@smartymcfly3957 His haircut...goals.
I can only hope XD
max springfield - RIGHT? Smooth sounding like buttuh...
Better than today, where everyone sounds and acts like they're in the middle of a Beavis and Butthead cartoon.
These are so important! my school took us to a nursing home for the day in 6th grade/age 12 and we all had a sheet of questions we thought to ask the elderly we got paired with, I wish we could have recorded that or even took the time to keep that sheet of questions around.
We had such a great conversation with an elderly couple whos husband/wife had passed over a decade earlier and they were 'dating' in the nursing home, talking about the 30s vs the 40s etc
Who else listens to this gentleman while thinking that life was funnier, easier and just more enjoyable back then?
Without a doubt it was a better world for guys. I am guy so I can speak for myself but understand that women fought hard for this which we hate, having lost our freedom, and been castrated by grannies in the system. Yes we drove old cars and could fix them on the side of the road with a pair of nylons or a gum wrapper making the starter make contact and start right there. No computer s to worry about. VD was not fatal then, and that was the worst that could happen to you. All it took was a shot pf penicillin and nothing seemed to be fatal.
No this is a completely different world.
Life was filled with less convience. So it was fuller. Less time to contemplate and get to deluded conclusions.
It's a fascinating take on history, but there's a reason we have phrases like "rose tinted glasses."
Life is what you make it. The gentleman in this video is very level headed, but you could find a lunatic from his generation too and they would sound as unhinged as today's lunatics. You can enjoy simple things in life just like he does. It's a choice
@@whitestork3896 yeah, I’m happy that my family and I are healthy and we all love each other. That’s all that matters at the end (and obviously that we have food and a home, which we have plenty of food and a cozy, warm home). I mean, I feel like it would be wrong in this situation to say you wish you were born in a different generation. Sure, it’s far from perfect. But life has never been perfect (as far as I know). I’m happy though. I do sometimes dislike how prominent social media is and continues to become. Ironically, I’m posting this on RUclips, but RUclips is undoubtedly my favourite social media platform (although I’d argue it is more of entertainment with a social side). And don’t get me wrong, social media has connected me and lots of people in ways that have never been possible. But social media also is very problematic. A lot of the time, it has a negative impact on people. It also has a positive impact though. But too much drama, bullying, etc. happen, especially around kids and teenagers. Physical contact with others is reduced as well. But as you said, you can still live a simple life if you want to. Life is great. And I dislike complaining about my generation, when there were people living in the Elizabethan era, the Victorian era, or people who had to serve in the War - any war really; it doesn’t matter which war, because in my opinion they are all heroes and legends. So I’m very lucky to have such a good life.
My life is richer because this man shared his life with me. Well done, Sir.
0:01 Biography
0:37 Social Life
2:03 Material Possessions
3:16 Family Mentality
4:01 Entertainment
4:58 Washington Sports Teams
5:20 Family History
5:28 Soviet Fears
6:29 Race
8:00 Civil Rights
8:42 Children Needs
9:20 Wars
10:35 Education
11:19 Tuition
11:49 Work Life
13:17 Mannerisms
14:09 Fulfillment
14:43 Rebelliousness
15:29 Changing Mindset
16:07 Politics
17:01 Social Programs
17:44 Anti-People Person
This needs more likes
*red skins
@@thetrashpoliticdoctrine9964 he also mentioned the senators, please stop looking for things to get offended over
You're gold.
He really covered all of that
Thank you for filming this.
Being born in 2003, the education system for me was definitely wish washy partly because I moved around a lot as a kid. Most of the schools I went to would just kinda give up on you if you weren't excelling as well as other kids. Never really got as many opportunities as those other kids because I was growing up kinda poor and I let my trauma from a toxic home environment define me for a long time which would trickle into my school life as well. Not trying to play the victim at all but to be honest, I never put a lot of effort into school because of that. Don't get me wrong, I'd give anything to change how I performed in school because I let outside bs stunt my potential. Opportunities of trades were never really brought to light until my sophomore through senior year. The point is that if you're not "easy" to deal with while you're at school whether that's behavioral issues or getting bad grades, you hardly receive the help you ask for unless you have good teachers that care. You're just kinda pushed aside and considered a lost cause. The US definitely needs to make opportunities that kids are actually interested in apparent.
Born in late 2003, I feel so glad and happy to see people like you thinking that way.
I was born in 1999 and I'm from Spain, and all the experiences you've had happened to me when I was younger. Got moved a lot as a kid, a deficient family with lots of bs, and when I was around 13/14 (a really important age for the development of a young adult) some of my new school teachers bullied me because I wasn't doing as well as other kids, so I did get put aside also, and that's when everything got worse because I just didn't care anymore about school or education, it was horrible, because I couldn't understand anything and when I asked they just made fun of me. Anyway finished high school somehow, and then I decided that I wanted to go to university, fast forward a couple of years and a shit ton of work, next thing you know is that I'm graduating next year of my mechanical engineering degree.
So just don't give up, and as David Goggins says: Stay hard!
Thats life. Be proud you made it through. Youre a strong person. ❤
Everyone under 30 watching this: if you are fortunate enough to live to 80, you'll carry around the memories and values of the ancient 2010s and 2020s, you'll feel out of place, and hardly anyone will care.
Spot on i was born in 79 and I feel this way already, and nobody cares 🤣🤣
@Johnathan Myers hi buddy I feel you, im 42 now I lost my Dad early at 17 and my grand parents were all dead before I was 2 years old, I always missed having people with the life experience to call on while I was growing had to kind of learn on the job so to speak and made many mistakes, do you have older relatives or if not go visit a nursing home lots of people there with a vast wealth of knowledge and experience and would only be to glad for the company
Until the last 100 years, societies never changed so drastically from generation to generation. Life was far more repetitious.
@@Rickkelley365 there was more freedom too, today we have the illusion of more freedom, we also had more time to enjoy our lives not having to work 15hour days to break even the last 50 years things really started going down the pan
I'm 15.
I can smell the black coffee , cigarettes also the after shave through the screen
@PoWeR ToKeR 420 Denmark has what...
World highest taxes.
But more or less everyone can afford a car, even people on welfare lol
@PoWeR ToKeR 420 please practice your grammar
@PoWeR ToKeR 420 people in euro live in houses with 5-7 families easy.. Americans economy best its been.. Toke on fucko.
The necessities!
PoWeR ToKeR 420 what part tho
"Make sure these kids have a foundation, so they can live decent lives."
Amen 🙏
When he was talking about kids today, he was talking about my generation. Things were getting better in the 80's and into the 90's. Most of the schools around the country were pretty good except for the inner cities. We had extracurricular activities galore. You could do any sport (football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, swimming, tennis, golf). There was something for everyone but not just sports but also music and academic clubs. Seems like a lot of those have gone away. College was also much cheaper. If your family didn't have a lot of money like mine, you could go to a community college for practically nothing, then transfer to a 4 year school. The trades were also emphasized starting in middle school and post high school. Something that also didn't exist then was the constant talk and emphasis on racism. When I went into the military, half of the guys I hung around with were black guys. We didn't care. Then something happened in the mid 2000's and it all started up again and creeped its way back into society.
His accent portrays his birthplace: exactly on the dividing line between North and South.
I thought the same thing then he mentioned Baltimore. I'm from and live in Baltimore, that's why I noticed it.
@@nummernein Nope, It's a DC/generic mid-atlantic accent.
Hes prolly from the dmv area
steve culbert
Very perceptive!
6:29
I could talk to this man for hours. He reminds me of all my "borrowed Dads," who mentored me while I was growing up. My Dad passed on when I was two years old, and all these guys, teachers, coaches, flea market vendors, etc., shared their experiences and their lives. I'm hoping that I myself can be a "borrowed Dad" for a youngster or two. I'm 51, and I still feel young enough to get around, and old enough to impart some history and advice.
God bless you John Tapp
John Tapp In Ontario here we have Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations (also for grandparents) Google it , it has stories and information on it. It may give you ideas. People volunteer as little as an hour a week, or more. There are young children and teens that are not experiencing normal family life, not learning social skills and not enjoying nature. As you say they have need of a mentor.
God bless you Mr. Tapp!
Formal request for you to be my borrowed dad? Please
💕
Powerful! After listening to the common man, I've learned more from his conversation than a thousand politicians talking about nothing.
This man is a carbon copy of my own granddad who also drove a cab (pt), lived in SE DC and was about this gentleman’s age roughly. My grandad died at 71yo in 1989, the year this was recorded, and he has the exact same mid-Atlantic or old “Woorshintonian” accent that he does! Same temperament and same outlook on life! It’s amazing and it’s like watching my grandad in this interview! I miss him so much, they just don’t make men like this anymore! Thank you for filming this! Your interviews are amazing!