Ah, the 80s—when neon was a neutral, hairspray was an art form, and Saturday mornings belonged to us. If you were lucky enough to grow up in this era, you know it was a time of glorious excess, unapologetic trends, and cultural moments that shaped a generation. But if you look past the mixtapes and Walkmans, there are specific quirks only true 80s kids possess. From how you answer the phone to your irrational fear of quicksand, these are the tells that scream, “I grew up in the most extra decade of all time.” Congratulations—you’re a certified 80s original if you catch yourself nodding along.
1. You Will Always Test A Mic by Saying, “Check One, Check Two”
It doesn’t matter if you’re holding a karaoke mic, a podcast headset, or even a fake plastic microphone—you instinctively go into soundcheck mode. The words check one, check two are imprinted in your DNA, thanks to every 80s movie and live performance clip you ever saw. It’s the universal way to test if a mic is working, and saying anything else just feels wrong. If you were feeling extra fancy, you might throw in a sibilance or an is this thing on?.
The beauty of this habit is that it transcends generations. Even if younger people don’t get why you do it, they recognize it. There’s an authority in those words, a small but satisfying moment of control over the technology in front of you. And sure, modern microphones rarely need testing—but that’s beside the point. Some rituals don’t fade with time; they just become part of who you are.
2. You Still Remember The Smell And Thrill Of A Video Store
The video store wasn’t just a place to rent movies; it was an experience. The moment you walked in, you were hit with a scent combination that no modern streaming service can replicate—plastic VHS cases, stale popcorn, and that faint hint of something electronic. You could wander the aisles for hours, reading blurbs, debating your choices, and hoping the movie you wanted wasn’t already checked out. The fluorescent lights, the bargain bin, the late fees—it was all part of the ritual.
Today, movies are available at the click of a button, but something feels missing. There was a thrill in not knowing what you’d find, in making a decision based on cover art alone. The tactile nature of renting—holding a physical case, flipping it over, anticipating the play button—made movie nights feel like an event. Even now, when you browse endless streaming options, you find yourself longing for the days when your choices were limited but somehow more exciting.
3. You Still Read The End Credits, Hoping For A Surprise Scene
Before Marvel turned post-credit scenes into a franchise staple, 80s kids already knew to stay put. Whether it was Ferris Bueller breaking the fourth wall or the extra dose of weirdness in Masters of the Universe, there was always that slim chance of one final twist. This habit followed you into adulthood, making it impossible to leave a theater without scanning the screen like a detective. And let’s be honest—you’ve sat through the entire credit roll for a movie that had absolutely nothing at the end. But do you regret it? Not one bit.
According to AdWeek, the 80s saw a rise in post-credit stingers as a way to tease sequels or give fans a little bonus moment. These weren’t just throwaway scenes; they were rewards for the loyal. Even today, you instinctively hush anyone who tries to leave early, because what if? It’s a small act of hope, a remnant of a time when movies didn’t just entertain, they surprised. And in an era where everything is spoiled on social media, the thrill of the unknown still matters.
4. You Assume Quicksand Is a Legitimate Threat to Your Survival
Growing up in the 80s meant believing that quicksand was everywhere. It appeared in cartoons, action movies, and even sitcoms as a serious hazard, waiting to swallow you whole. You spent a good portion of your childhood mentally preparing for the moment you’d have to escape its grip. Of course, no one ever explained how common—or uncommon—it actually was in real life. But that didn’t stop you from keeping an eye out for suspiciously soft patches of ground.
According to National Geographic, quicksand isn’t nearly as deadly as 80s pop culture led us to believe. It’s more of a nuisance than a fatal danger, and escaping is easier than those dramatic slow-motion scenes suggested. But logic doesn’t undo decades of conditioning. Even today, the idea of stepping into an unseen sinkhole sends a shiver down your spine. It’s a strangely specific fear that only 80s kids truly understand.
5. You Still Have A Love/Hate Relationship With Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
There was nothing worse than a scratch-and-sniff sticker that smelled like pure disappointment. You knew the risk every time you took a hopeful whiff, but when the scent didn’t match the adorable illustration, it felt like a personal attack. And yet, you kept going back, believing that the next one would actually smell like root beer or fresh-cut grass. The banana ones were always suspicious, the pizza ones were always wrong, and the grape ones—well, they were the gold standard. If you found a sticker that actually delivered, you guarded it like treasure.
According to Mental Floss, scratch-and-sniff technology peaked in the 80s, fueling an entire industry of scented delights. The stickers weren’t just for fun; they were currency in the classroom. A rare and perfectly fragrant sticker could elevate your social standing overnight. And even though the trend has faded, you still feel a tiny thrill when you see a scratch-and-sniff anything. Some childhood habits never die.
6. You Automatically Try to Blow On Any Malfunctioning Electronic
Before software updates and factory resets, there was The Blow. Every 80s kid knew that when your Nintendo cartridge refused to cooperate, you had to take a deep breath and exhale all your frustrations into it. Did it work? Sometimes. Was it scientifically sound? Not at all. But it was the universal troubleshooting method, and it made you feel like a tech genius. To this day, when a device acts up, your first instinct is to try the same method.
According to Essentially Sports, blowing into cartridges actually caused more harm than good, introducing moisture that led to corrosion. But try telling that to an 80s kid. The ritual was sacred, a blend of science and superstition. And even though technology has moved on, you still find yourself wanting to give a stubborn USB port or glitchy remote the ol’ magic breath treatment. Old habits, after all, die hard.
7. You Have Strong Opinions On the Correct Way To Rewind A Cassette Tape
Nothing tested your patience like a tangled cassette tape. Whether you used a pencil, a pen, or your own fingers, you had a preferred method for fixing the inevitable mess. And if you did it wrong, you risked creating a permanent audio hiccup in your favorite mix. The stakes were high, especially if you were dealing with a rented tape from the video store. Those little “Be Kind, Rewind” stickers weren’t just a suggestion; they were law.
According to The College Music Society, the 80s cassette culture shaped how people engaged with music in a deeply personal way. You didn’t just listen—you curated, recorded, and rewound with care. Fast-forwarding too much could wear out the tape, and heaven help you if it snapped. Even today, seeing a spool of unraveled tape triggers an instinctive sense of panic. Some things, no matter how outdated, never lose their emotional weight.
8. You Still Expect A Montage To Solve All Your Problems
The 80s taught us that any obstacle—learning karate, getting in shape, or winning back an ex—could be overcome with a perfectly edited montage. With the right background music and a few dramatic cuts, transformation was inevitable. This belief has stuck with you, making you wish life had a fast-forward button for difficult phases. You’ve definitely caught yourself thinking, ‘if only there were a training montage for this’. And even though real progress takes time, the fantasy of an 80s-style success sequence still lingers.
There’s something deeply satisfying about a well-crafted montage. It distills hard work into its most cinematic moments, making perseverance look glamorous. When you hear Eye of the Tiger or You’re the Best Around, you feel an immediate urge to start an ambitious project. Deep down, you know that no amount of dramatic music will make your to-do list disappear. But the dream of a montage-fueled glow-up? That never fades.
9. You Can Still Hear The Dial-Up Internet Sound In Your Head
The 80s might have been pre-internet, but early adopters remember the sound of progress. It was a mechanical symphony of beeps, screeches, and static that signaled you were about to enter a digital universe. If you grew up in the 80s, you were mentally conditioned to wait—whether it was rewinding a VHS, loading a video game, or watching a website crawl onto the screen, pixel by pixel. Patience wasn’t a virtue; it was a necessity. And even today, that dial-up tone is burned into your memory.
Now, everything is instant, and yet, you sometimes miss the anticipation. There was a certain magic in watching technology work, hearing it struggle and succeed. Today’s silence—smooth, frictionless connectivity—feels almost too quiet. The dial-up sound was an audio checkpoint, a sign that something exciting was about to happen. And while no one wants to go back to waiting ten minutes for a webpage, there’s a nostalgic beauty in the struggle.
10. You Have A Sixth Sense For Finding Hidden Candy Compartments In Toys
The 80s had a thing for secret compartments. Whether it was a hollowed-out action figure, a lipstick-shaped candy holder, or a smuggler’s stash inside a doll, you learned to look for the unexpected. If a toy had a weirdly placed seam, you knew there was a good chance it held something sugary inside. It was a decade of indulgence, where even playthings had a built-in snack strategy. And if you were lucky enough to get your hands on a Pez dispenser, you were practically royalty.
Even now, you find yourself inspecting modern gadgets and accessories for hidden features. There’s an automatic curiosity, a need to know if something opens, twists, or reveals a surprise. The 80s taught you to expect the unexpected, and that mindset never fully fades. You were raised on toys that doubled as storage, and you still get irrationally excited when a purse has extra pockets. Practicality is fine, but hidden candy? That was peak innovation.
11. You Have a Deeply Personal Relationship With The Trapper Keeper
School supplies in the 80s weren’t just functional; they were status symbols. And nothing said I have my life together quite like a Trapper Keeper. The sleek, Velcro-sealed binder was more than just an organizer—it was a personality statement. Whether you had one covered in neon graphics, pastel kittens, or geometric designs, it was your most prized possession. If you lost it, you lost everything—notes, doodles, secret messages, and probably a sticker collection.
Even now, modern planners and notebooks don’t quite measure up. There was something deeply satisfying about flipping through a Trapper Keeper, hearing that familiar rip of Velcro, and knowing that every important detail of your school life was safely stored inside. It wasn’t just about staying organized; it was about looking organized. And while the world has moved on to digital calendars and productivity apps, you still feel that nothing quite matches the glory of a perfectly packed Trapper Keeper.
12. You’re Still Weirdly Fascinated By Being Slimed
The 80s had an odd fascination with slime. Thanks to Nickelodeon, getting drenched in a mysterious green goo was both a nightmare and an aspiration. You didn’t exactly want to be slimed, but you secretly hoped it might happen. Whether it was on Double Dare, You Can’t Do That on Television, or some random toy commercial, slime was everywhere. The unpredictability of it—who would get hit, when, and why—was part of the thrill.
Even now, the sight of bright green goo brings back a flood of memories. The texture, the mess, the ridiculousness of it all—it’s forever tied to childhood. Slime became so iconic that it’s still around today, marketed as stress relief rather than comedic punishment. But for an 80s kid, it will always carry a certain chaotic energy. The idea of randomly getting slimed may not haunt you anymore, but the memory of it lives rent-free in your mind.
13. You Never Fully Trusted Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy Ruxpin was supposed to be a friendly, storytelling companion. Instead, he was a talking bear with a slightly unsettling mechanical mouth. Something about the way he moved—eyes blinking, lips flapping in perfect sync with the tape deck inside—felt off. And if the batteries started dying? His voice would slow to an eerie drawl that could haunt your dreams. Many 80s kids adored him, but just as many were convinced he was secretly possessed.
Decades later, animatronic toys have only gotten creepier, but Teddy Ruxpin set the standard. There was always the lurking fear that he knew too much, that his robotic little soul had plans beyond storytelling. And let’s not even talk about what happened when you put the wrong tape in—he wasn’t supposed to sing. While modern kids have talking AI assistants, nothing will ever match the low-key terror of an 80s kid alone in a dark room with a glitching Teddy Ruxpin.
14. You Instinctively Check Cereal Boxes For Prizes
Breakfast in the 80s wasn’t just about the cereal—it was about the treasure buried inside. Every new box held the possibility of a plastic figurine, a glow-in-the-dark sticker, or the ultimate jackpot: a color-changing spoon. You’d shake the box, peek through the opening, and sometimes even attempt a sneaky excavation before your parents caught you. It wasn’t just about getting the prize; it was about getting it first. Because if you had siblings, the race was on.
Even now, when you buy cereal, there’s a tiny part of you that hopes for a surprise. You know logically that most brands have abandoned the tradition, but the habit remains. There was something magical about tearing open the box and discovering a hidden bonus. It made breakfast feel like an adventure, even if the cereal itself was just sugar-coated cardboard. And honestly? Today’s QR codes and online sweepstakes just don’t have the same thrill.
15. You Still Feel The Need To ‘Call’ Shotgun For The Front Seat
In the 80s, car rides weren’t just about getting from one place to another—they were a battleground. If you wanted to ride up front, you had to call shotgun first. There were no apps to track turns, no parental fairness policies—just the pure law of first call, first served. And if someone called it before you? You were stuck in the back, sulking, while trying to kick the seat in protest. Calling shotgun was a survival skill, honed over years of practice.
To this day, when you approach a car with a group, you still have the instinct to shout it out. Even if you don’t say it, you think it. The idea of calmly assigning seating feels unnatural because 80s kids were raised in the school of competitive car seating. And when someone casually takes the front seat without earning it, you feel a deep sense of injustice. Some rules, even unspoken, never lose their power.
