We wouldn't dare! 10 things that were forbidden in Irish homes in the 80s

No two childhoods are the same but if you grew up in Ireland in the 80s there’s a chance that you might recognise some of the things on this list.

From daring to attempt to miss Mass to not offering a cup of tea to guests, there’s a solid list of things that we wouldn’t dare try and get away with when growing up.

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Some of these things even still ring true today – good luck to anyone unlucky enough to be caught letting the heat out with these energy costs!

1. Going out with wet hair

Breakfast At Tiffany’s – 1961. Pic: REX

You were warned that going out with wet hair was absolute madness – you’d be sure to catch your death of cold. Woe betide anyone who did it.

As far as your mam was concerned, you were asking for trouble and don’t even think about complaining to her when you come down with a cough in a few days time…

2. Letting the fire go out

‘Love Island’ TV show, Series 7. Pic: REX

Letting the fire go out was a very selfish thing to do in the Irish household. Whoever was in the room was responsible for making sure it was topped up with a few briquettes or turf and if you had to go out to the shed for the coal, so be it.

3. Not eating everything on your plate

Indiyah Polack and Remi Lambert cheers on their date, Love Island. Pic: ITV/REX

There was no such thing as different dishes for different children when you were growing up. It was ‘one size fits all’ and if you didn’t eat every bit of it, there’d be hell to pay! Refusing to eat was met with threats of ‘no dessert’, ‘no telly’ or guilt – ‘there’s children starving in Africa.’ Either way you always finished it!

4. Making individual cups of tea instead of a pot

Abrazos Rotos, Los – 2009. Pic: REX

Chances are you’re not the only one in the house who wants a cup of tea and even the ones that are saying they don’t want one will give in when it’s in front of them! If in doubt, make the pot. Talking of tea, we’ve all apparently been making it wrong for years.

5. Talking while the weather forecast is on

“A Quiet Place” Film – 2018. Pic: REX

It was a big mistake to think that just because the news part of the ‘News’ was over meant that you could talk in the sitting room. Anyone drowning out Gerard Fleming or Jean Byrne was given very short shrift by their mother or father!

6. Letting the heat out

Derry Girls. Pic: Netflix

‘Close the door and keep in the heat!’ or ‘What? Were you raised in a barn?’ were just some of the responses you got if you dared to leave the door open while the fire was on or the heating was going full blast.

7. Not offering someone a cup of tea when they come in

Derry Girls. Pic: Channel 4

It was considered the height of rudeness for any guest or visitor to be in the house more than ten minutes without being offered a cup of tea. The only thing ruder than that was if they refused the tea and asked for coffee. (Not really, but it felt unnatural!)

8. Running out of teabags

Forbidden Ireland 80’s

Surely there was no greater shame than having someone come into the house and not being able to offer them a cup of tea. We actually can’t imagine it ever happened but if it did, you can be sure that the house would be talked about!

9. Leaving your coat on indoors

Mrs Browns Boys. Pic: RTE

First of all, leaving your coat on indoors made it look like you were about to run out the door at any minute. Secondly, you’d be too warm. Thirdly, and most importantly, t’would be NO GOOD to you when you went out in the cold!

10. Not going to mass

batman. pic: Warner Bros. Pictures

This notion wasn’t even entertained so most of the time you didn’t even attempt to get out of it. If you were still in bed, your mother came in and woke you up, told you to comb your hair and be in the car in fifteen minutes. No arguments.