"I'm sorry" may be the two most overused and yet undervalued words in the English language. The problem lies in our delivery.
Apologies that are texted pretty much don't count, nor does an apology uttered by someone holding elected office and speaking into a phalanx of microphones.
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Consider a written letter of apology, the way Grandpa did the year he forgot his wedding anniversary. Grandma taped his letter to the refrigerator door and kept it there for a year. He never forgot again.
Grandma had much to say about how to apologize and mean it -- like this pearl of wisdom: "I'm sorry but" is never an apology," she always said. "It's an explanation that shows no regret or remorse."
2. Being able to express your feelings without greeting cards or emojis.
No, Hallmark doesn't really say it better. Nor do all the sweet little emojis in the world. Speak from the heart and the words will come, our grandparents taught us. Sincerity shouldn't be difficult to master. Stop relying on society's crutches and learn how to express yourself by yourself.
Broken toasters were never just tossed out, they were taken out to the garage and taken apart to see what was wrong with them. Sofas were reupholstered. Broken washing machines were fixed. Nowadays, it often seems that repairing something costs almost as much as replacing it and so we opt for the new appliance every time.
5. A "do it yourself if you want it done right" attitude.
Perhaps born out of financial necessity, our grandparents were used to doing things themselves. They owned tools and knew how to use them. Painting the house was a family affair. So was insulating the pipes for winter and installing the window air conditioner in the bedroom. Rugs were shampooed with a rented machine. Dogs didn't go to groomers. And when the car needed an oil change, Grandpa crawled underneath it and came out filthy.
6. The ability to sew.
Sewing was always the practical craft, unlike knitting or crocheting which are embraced today as cool ways to relax and be creative. My grandmother made all her children's clothes on her old foot pedal Singer. My mother boiled it down to making Halloween costumes from a pattern. My knowledge of sewing is limited to getting buttons back on when they fall off. Sometimes a safety pin works too.
People met in ways not involving the Internet, mainly through friends, school, religious worship or bars. There was no online service to send right swipes your way. Sometimes, families got involved and fixed you up on dates. New college girlfriends were brought home at Thanksgiving to meet the parents instead of waiting for Mom to ask about who keeps texting you during dinner. Meeting parents occurred long before a ring appeared. And yes, there was a certain charm to your beau asking your Dad for your hand in marriage.
9. Remembering phone numbers.
With phones that dial our contacts with one tap, nobody actually remembers anyone's number. Grandma used to keep a hand-written sheet of important family phone numbers right by the phone. In fact, not that long ago, people used to pay extra for get a special phone number assigned to themselves. We know an old chap who was pleased as punch to get the last four digits of 2827 -- which spells out Cubs after his beloved Chicago baseball team. And now, nobody needs to remember it.
10. Dancing cheek to cheek.
Dancing used to mean more than just gyrating to thumping music. Dancing was foreplay. You held your partner close and swayed to music under soft lights. Even doing the Foxtrot, Cha-Cha or Tangoing your way across the dance floor was considered a fun way to spend an evening. Kanye, are you listening?
People today can't ride two floors in an elevator without checking their phones. As Huff/Post50 blogger Sharon Hodor Greenthal said here, "My grandmother was a pro at sitting and sipping a cup of coffee and looking out the window at the garden without any distractions or boredom. A skill I could really use."
12. The art of bargaining.
Price negotiation wasn't limited to the used car lot. It was the way of life when life was filled with mom-and-pop businesses. Only chumps paid retail. Interestingly, during the Great Recession, bartering made a comeback. People traded services -- if you organize my closets, I'll write your business a press release -- and "paid" one another with return favors.
Did we miss anything? What other skills are disappearing with our parents and grandparents?
16 Celebrity Grandparents
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