Fads and Trends

FADS

Tamagotchie

Tamagotchies were around when my children were little.  It definitely is a fad since you don't see them around too much anymore.  They were this little computer "egg" which hatched and you had to play with it and feed it electronically.  At the time, everyone had one.  I think I even had one.  It was very time consuming because if you didn't play with it or feed it, it died.  Then you had to restart the game and begin again.  Once other technology came out, this game was a thing of the past.  It was in black and white and there are such other more interesting things out there, that this kind of lost interest with everyone.

Bands

Rubic's cube.  This seems like it has been around forever. It is a fad, but every once in awhile it pops up again with some other type of design on it.  It was interesting when puzzles were first entered into our interests, trying to be the one who solved the color patterns.  It was a fad since computers are now the rage.  Why do something hands on when you can do it all on the computer.  You can even do puzzles online.  It is just a fad, since not everyone is interested in it. You see it more in second hand shops now than in stores.

The cube

Bandz are something that came out recently.  It mostly was a fad for the younger crowd, even though I see college students wearing them here and there.  These are rubber bands shaped as things (animals, cars) and you wear then on your wrists.  The more on your wrist the better!!!  They come in small packages that you can buy at the check out at the stores.  I don't see them around too much anymore.  I see them more in lower end toy stores and so forth.  They lasted for a few months out on the market.  Hence, this is a fad.

Parachute Pants

Fads are definitively something that everyone encounters in their lives.  Five that I can think of are above.  Each are something that seems so popular at the time and something that all of us want.  After a certain time period, they are not forgotten, but all seem ridiculous.

Parachute pants are something of the past.  In the 80's, everyone owned a pair.  You look at pictures of people who have worn them, and they are pretty ridiculous looking!!!  At the the time when they were "it,"  they were pretty cool.  I owed a pair and look back and can't believe I actually wore them.  This fad didn't last long.  Stars wore them (MC Hammer) and he, I believe, made us think they were the thing to wear.  They didn't last long and I don't even see them sold anywhere anymore. If you look at the picture, they do look pretty funny.

Beanie babies were almost a trend, I thought.  But, they died out, which now makes them a fad.  They are still in the stores, but you aren't as fascinated with the "TY" label anymore.  They used to be able to be sold for top dollar if you had the good ones.  McDonalds even took over and offered smaller versions in their happy meals.  Those even took top dollar to the highest bidder.  Now you see them at yardsales for fifty cents each or at the thrift stores.  You can still purchase them in the stores for about $7, but they are not the top dog anymore.


TRENDS

Ipads are a trend.  They are the new age and they keep coming out with bigger and better versions.  They are with the technology part of our society.  I am sure there will be an Ipad 10 out there soon. :)  I know of a lot of people who own them or want them.  They are a type of laptop but offer the convenience of a cell phone and laptop all in one.  They should stay as a trend since businesses, schools and the every day person uses it. 

Fake nails are definitely a trend.  Women want their nails to look nice in society.  Artificial is always the way to go.  This will always be around.  They are coming up with new ways, such as gel nails and so forth, but fake nails will always be there.  Price wise, it is pretty affordable.  It used to be pretty expensive to go when they first came out.  Now the every day person can afford these, plus they last pretty long if you take care of them.  So, if you go once a month to get them done, it is well worth it.  In fact, right now I have gel nails and they look great!!!

Computers and laptops.  These will be around forever.  They keep getting smaller and lighter in size.  Of course the screen keeps getting larger, but the components get smaller.  Every one has to have either a computer or laptop today to keep up with society.  The internet is used for everything - from paying your bills to doing classwork.  If you do not own one, you have to go to the library.  Without one of these, you are lost.

Fast food.  This will be around forever.  One place is always trying to outdo the others.  Quick and inexpensive...the average Joe can purchase almost anything.  This is a trend because it has been around for such a long time.  I do not think that it will ever leave this earth because of the convenience of it  The working family or the starving budget minded student always will use fast food.  Plus, these places also offer "healthy" choices along with the deep fried items on their menus.

What can I say about reality shows?!!!  Every day a new one pops up on the television .  Every one gets hooked.  Who doesn't watch XFactor or American Idol?  Then there are Real Houswives or some other type of reality show.  Every one  on this earth are busy bodies and wants to know what happens next.  Plus, reality shows makes the average person famous.  How else would these people be able to be stars and be known without being shown on these shows?  The audience votes them in sometimes and everyone is involved.  They are coming out with bigger, better ideas for the next reality shows.  These are definitely trends because almost all the shows out there are these type of shows.

 Trends are things that stay with us.  Computers, fast food, reality shows, getting your nails done are just a few trends in our lifetime.