08/30/2023
I was raised in NYC, Southside, Jamaica Queens.The area code was (718). Cell phones did not exist, and beepers came in the late 80’s early 90’s. On the streets, all you had was payphones for $.10 a call $.25 in 1984
We had designer clothes. Most came from Alexander’s, Sears, VIMs, Macy's, etc.... We wore what our parents brought us, until we got jobs and we worked to get what we wanted.
Shopping was on Queens Place Mall, The Coliseum, Jamaica Ave, Green Acres Mall, Dr. Jay’s, 34th St., 14th St., Delancy Street & West 4th Street
$3.50 heros with salt, pepper, oil, and vinegar with a .25 cent tropical fantasy or a can of soda. There was nothing like a dirty dog with mustard, sauerkraut and onions and a knish with mustard. You're bugging if you disagree 😁.
$1 got you a bag of chips, Hostess cake of your choice, a tropical fantasy, a quarter-juice, some gum, a pack of sunflower seeds, and don’t forget the .01 penny candy Shoe laces, Coins and Now & Laters!!!
We had a penny candy store, $1-$2.00 would buy you a brown paper bag FULL of candy 🍭🍬🍫
If you had $5, Yooooo, you was lit - FACTS!!! Get a slice for $1 or $1.50, if you wanted extra cheese or pepperoni. Beef patty w/ Coco bread for $2, an order of chicken wings and french fries for $2.50, and you got six chicken wings! Don’t forget the fried fish sandwiches off the Ave. 🥰
When you got home from school, you took your bookbag off, took your school clothes off, did your homework as soon as you walked in, and went right back outside.
We played Handball, Paddleball, Stickball, punchball, ManHunt, Tag, Freeze Tag, DodgeBall, Hide N Seek, Basketball, Football, Skelly, Kickball, Hopscotch,Double-dutch.
We were in the streets all day. Staying in the house was a punishment!! In the summer, we cracked open the fire hydrants, and in the winter, we had snowball fights.
TV was everything on Friday night and Saturday morning cartoons. We watched Soul Train, Charlie’s Angels, Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, Kung Fu movies, Dallas and Scooby-Doo, Speed Racer, Bugs Bunny and crew, Gigantor, School House Rock and Magilla Gorilla...
We didn’t need tv remotes. We were the tv remote controls 😆.
Bored??? Ha! We rode anywhere in the city by train, bus, or cab.
Your block stoop or your building hallway was legendary in the whole hood. We weren't AFRAID OF ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!
We played until the street lights came on, and if you had a curfew, your momma called your entire name out the window.
These were the good ole days. I loved my childhood...!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Kids these days will never understand how we grew up!!!
❤️**Good Times** ❤️
Copy & Paste if this is how you grew up!"
