We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses, video’s, Frisbee’s and the pill.

We were born before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and the ball point pen.

We were born before dishwashers, tumble dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes and before man walked on the moon.

We got married first and then lived together ( how quaint can you be?)

We thought fast food was what you ate during Lent; a Big Mac was an oversized raincoat and crumpet we had for tea.

We existed before house husbands, computer dating, dual careers and a meaningful relationship meant getting along with cousins and sheltered accommodation was where you waited for a bus.

We were born before Day Care Centres and disposable nappies.

We never heard of FM Radios or tape decks, electric typewriters artificial hearts, word processors yoghurt and men wearing earrings ( other than pirates!).

For us time sharing meant togetherness; a chip was a piece of wood or a fried potato. Hardware meant nuts and bolts and software wasn’t even a word.

Before 1940 "Made in Japan" meant shoddy workmanship, the term making out referred to how you did in your exams, a stud was something that fastened your collar to your shirt and going all the way meant staying on the No. 24 to the Bus Depot.

Pizza’s, McDonalds and instant coffee were unheard of.

In our day cigarette smoking was fashionable, grass was mown; coke was kept in the coal house; a joint was a piece of meat you had on Sundays and pot was something you cooked in.

Rock music was a lullaby grandmother would sing; El Dorado was an ice cream, a gay person was the life and soul of a party and nothing more, while aids just meant beauty treatment or help for someone in trouble.

Yes those born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch, when you think of the ways in which the world has changed and the adjustments we have had to make.

No wonder we are so confused and there is a generation gap.

WE HAVE SURVIVED !