AEE: Are You Old-School? What This Phrase Really Means

Summary

All Ears English Podcast: "Are You Old-School? What This Phrase Really Means" (July 4, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this lively and engaging episode, Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan explore the phrase “old school” in American English—unpacking its real meaning, usage, and the feelings it can inspire. Together, they share personal stories about evolving technology, changing habits, and how the term “old school” lets us connect and reveal our personalities. With practical examples and a playful tone, they also discuss related words like "retro," "old-fashioned," and "traditional," and perform a role play to highlight these concepts in conversation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining “Old School” in American English

• Meaning & Form:

  • “Old school” is an adjective used to describe something or someone as traditional, classic, nostalgic, or retro.
  • The term can indicate a preference for older methods or styles—not necessarily related to a person's age, but how they act or what they prefer.
  • [07:17] Lindsay: “Well, it's an adjective, first of all...it describes something or someone that's more traditional, more classic, or maybe even a little retro.”

• Difference Between Traditional and Retro:

  • Retro usually references intentional, stylish revivals from the past.
  • Traditional is more formal and related to customs or beliefs.
  • Old school and retro are often lighter and fun, while traditional and old-fashioned might sound stiff or outdated.
  • [17:43] Michelle: “Retro is a style, fashion, or item that consciously revives or imitates trends from the past, typically spanning 1920s to the 1980s.”

2. Personal Examples: Are the Hosts “Old School”?

• Tech Preferences:
  • Michelle describes herself as “in the middle,” adapting to new technologies like a Kindle but missing the feel of physical books.
    • [03:13] Michelle: “I would say I'm in the middle...but I do always say, oh, I like the feeling of the book. I do. But, but I do love not having to have the light on at night when I read.”
  • Lindsay prefers physical books and sometimes seeks a break from technology entirely.
    • [04:05] Lindsay: “I think I'm still pretty old school. I actually...I actually do still want the physical book.”
• Shopping Habits:
  • Discussion on whether using cash, checkbooks, or even using credit cards instead of phone tap-to-pay is “old school.”
  • The self-checkout vs. human cashier debate highlights how even common habits can feel old school.
    • [12:12] Michelle: “So one way that I might be old school...when you go to the grocery store, do you prefer self checkout or do you want to have somebody do it for you?”

3. Broader Uses of “Old School”

• Not Limited to Technology
  • Refers to habits, style, mindset, or values (e.g., preferring face-to-face meetings, sending handwritten letters, enjoying traditional diners).
  • [05:15] Michelle: “Yeah, well, it's not about age, but it's about how we act and what we prefer.”

4. How to Use “Old School” in Conversation

• Describing People:
  • “He still sends handwritten letters. He’s so old school.”
  • [09:07] Lindsay: “You could describe people...he still sends handwritten letters. He's so old school.”
• Describing Things:
  • “The music here is so old school,” or mentioning an “old school diner vibe.”
  • [09:59] Michelle: “Yeah, you could say the music here is so old school.”
• Using Common Phrases:
  • “So old school,” “kind of old school,” “how old school,” etc.
    • [11:49] Michelle: “Some common phrases that you might hear are...my uncle still uses paper maps. He's so old school.”
• Connotations:
  • Generally fun, positive, or neutral, but can also be negative if describing something outdated (especially in business contexts).
    • [15:30] Michelle: “I think it really depends. It, I would say generally it can be kind of positive or neutral sounding, but it can be negative in some situations.”

5. Related Words: Old-Fashioned, Retro, Traditional

• Old-Fashioned:
  • Tends to be more neutral or negative (implying outdatedness or stiffness).
  • [16:20] Lindsay: “Old fashioned...it's more straightforward, more neutral, traditional in a way that may feel outdated.”
• Retro:
  • Style from the past, usually positive, and carries a sense of fun.
  • [17:17] Lindsay: “This is even more fun. Right. Or that cafe has a retro design.”
• Traditional:
  • Formal, conservative, and associated with customs or beliefs.
  • [18:42] Michelle: “Traditional is more something that follows older customs, beliefs, or ways of doing things. So it sounds more neutral, more formal.”

6. Role Play: Old School & Dating

[19:40]

• The hosts perform a role play discussing a recent date. The man calls after the date rather than texts, which is described as “kind of old school.”
• The conversation showcases the comfort, nostalgia, and special feeling “old school” habits can offer, especially in modern digital dating.
• [20:02] Lindsay: “Called you. Wow. That's kind of old school.”
• [20:12] Michelle: “Exactly. And honestly, I'm pretty traditional when it comes to dating.”
• Discussion on how some might appreciate old-school gestures, while others might not resonate with them.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On What Old School Reveals About Us:
  • [06:20] Michelle: “This says something about our personality. It shows our values. Maybe we're more traditional or prefer a simple way of doing things, but maybe we are outdated. It really kind of depends.”
• On Diners and Nostalgia:
  • [11:04] Lindsay: “We really need to go into that one day, maybe a series about diners because they are the ultimate old school experience. Experience that just makes you feel warm and fuzzy, you know?”
• On “Old School” Bringing Connection:
  • [11:31] Lindsay: “These things can bring a sense of comfort to us because it reminds us of when we were growing up, you know, that's why this phrase will really resonate in conversation and connection, guys.”
• On How Language Evolves:
  • [13:54] Lindsay: “Yeah, I don't. I don't actually know where the phrase comes from, to be honest. Guys, look it up. Get into a little bit of etymology there. We don't know, but we can tell you it is very common and trendy.”

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Highlight | |-----------|------------------| | 03:05 | Hosts share their “old school” and modern tech habits | | 05:15 | What “old school” really means—more about action than about age | | 07:17 | Defining “old school” as an adjective, links to “traditional” and “retro” | | 09:07 | How “old school” is used to describe people and things | | 11:04 | Diners and nostalgia: why “old school” experiences resonate | | 12:12 | Debate: self-checkout vs. cashier—what habits feel “old school”? | | 15:30 | When “old school” can be positive, neutral, or negative | | 16:20 | Comparing “old school,” “old-fashioned,” “retro,” and “traditional” | | 19:40 | Role Play: Using “old school” in conversations about dating | | 23:14 | Takeaways: using the phrase for deeper connection |

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Final Takeaway

• Talking about what’s “old school” unlocks rich conversations around values, habits, and personal history—making it a powerful tool for connection in English. Whether reminiscing about diners, debating technology, or describing your dating style, these phrases open up discussions that can help you bond over shared experiences or generational touchpoints.
  • [23:37] Lindsay: “Yeah, it really, it builds connection because it helps you mark the passage of time. It helps you identify with certain people that might be your age or may not be your age...it can help you find commonalities, which is the basis of connection. I think that's the point here. Right?”

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For Listeners

If you want to deepen your conversational English, practice using “old school,” “retro,” “old-fashioned,” and “traditional” to describe your habits and preferences. Notice which words feel light and fun, and which might be more formal or carry a negative undertone! As Lindsay and Michelle demonstrate, it’s all about connection—not perfection.

Transcript

[Michelle Kaplan]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Are you old school? What this phrase really means.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection with your American hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer and Michelle Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe. Have you ever heard native speakers talk

[Lindsay McMahon]

about things that are old school? What does this fun and playful phrase

[Sponsor Voice]

mean and how can we use it

[Lindsay McMahon]

to build relationships with people who are are close to us in age?

[Sponsor Voice]

Find out today.

[Fluency Quiz Announcer]

Have you noticed that some English speakers seem relaxed when they speak? They don't search for words, they don't constantly correct themselves. They simply communicate. That doesn't happen because they're perfect. It happens because they've built fluency. If speaking English still feels like hard work, it may be time to understand exactly where your skills stand today. Take our free 2 minute minute fluency quiz and discover your English level. Go to allersenglish.com fluency score. That's allearsenglish.com flu E N C Y S C O R E.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Hello, Michelle. Happy fourth of July. I love this day.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, exactly. Me too. Happy 4th, Lindsay. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I hope you were doing something fun.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I know, I know. The fourth of July is the best holiday because there are no expectations. There's no gift giving, there's no big meal. It's just like sandals. Maybe the beach barbecue. So simple.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I love how that was the first thing you listed. Sandals.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, that's what I think of when I think of the 4th of July

[Michelle Kaplan]

next year you have a baby and you'll be. I don't know if you'll be running out to the fireworks or maybe the baby will be wearing headphones or you'll be avoiding them. Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Who knows what life is going to be like this summer? Who even knows? Guys, if you missed my big announcement, go Back to episode 26. 26 and catch that. And also learn how to give your own big announcement. But we're having fun this summer with some mix ups, matchups with our hosting team. Love it. Love it. We're having a good time. Good summer.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, so Michelle, let's, let's flip topics here. Let's shift gears.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I'm going to ask you a little bit about technology.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay. So when it comes to technology, would you say that you're pretty modern or are you more old school? Would you say, o.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Good question. I would say I'm in the middle.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I mean, there are, I would say I'm more modern. I don't think that there's anything. I mean, I'll say, like, your answer here. Yeah, I, I, yeah, I did kind of change it. Okay. So I would say, like, I mostly text rather than call. As far as, like something like a Kindle versus books. I actually just became a Kindle person and I thought I would not want to because I do always say, oh, I like the feeling of the book. I do. But, But I do love not having to have the light on at night when I read.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So I miss holding the book, but it was so annoying with the flashlight and.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Well, it's hard to be old school, Michelle. It's hard to be old school. It really is.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, Exactly. It's less convenient. What about you?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I think I'm still pretty old school. I actually, and when it comes to reading, I actually do still want the physical book.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I, I understand why.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, yeah, I know. But I don't know how long I can hold out like that. I don't know. But I also just sometimes at the end of the day, I just don't want to touch any kind of technology, you know, I just want to put it down and just go back to, like a simpler day.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Well, what I've learned, I mean, I just, I don't know, I kind of changed my tune on the whole thing. Just, I, I became, I don't know, I, I definitely appreciate the Kindle. And I, But I also, then I will say, like, yesterday I was in a bookstore and I'm like, well, am I just not going to buy actual books anymore? Because I do love having an actual book. And so, but it's like, it doesn't really make sense. Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Interesting. So there's still some old school tendencies there for you. You want to walk into a bookstore with a coffee and wander around and read the back covers, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I do.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

That's a hard one. And Michelle, there are so many other conversations that our listeners could have with native speakers around this term. Old school.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's not just books. It's so many things. Yeah. What is this really about, Michelle?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, well, it's not about age, but it's about how we act and what we prefer. So, like, for example, if you prefer cash over credit card, you're pretty old school. Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

At least right now in the US in 20, 26, you're pretty old school if, you know, different countries are still on a cash system. So that. That means in your country, you might not be old school if you're still using cash. But many countries are now on a credit card or, like, I don't know, cryptocurrency or something. Maybe I'm old school because I don't do cryptocurrency.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I mean, even. Even, like, even a credit card now can feel kind of old school because so many people just tap from their phone. So sometimes if you're taking out the physical card and, you know, you could just tap like, that actually might be.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Took.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Be becoming old, but.

[Lindsay McMahon]

But, you know, it's really old school. Remember the days when, like, you would go to the grocery store and your mom would pull out a check, her checkbook, write a check to the cashier? That's.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I think Costco still does checks, like, is one of their main forms of payment, I think. But, yeah, the checkbook, that's old school for sure.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

But, guys, as you can see, this term is huge for connection. We already have so much to talk about. We could have probably gotten on for the whole episode just chatting about different things. We're old school about or not old school. This says something about our personality. It shows our values. Maybe we're more traditional or prefer a simple way of doing things, but maybe we are outdated. It really kind of depends.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, exactly. Guys, we're going to get into this because it's such a modern phrase, and we want you to know it so you can have these interesting conversations, right? You will hear it come up. Native speakers will use it. But first, before we get deeper into it, go ahead and hit the follow button on your podcast player so you don't miss a single episode of the show. Or you could also be over in YouTube right now watching us.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

And in that case, you want to hit the subscribe button on YouTube. All right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. All right, so what does old school mean?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Well, it's an adjective, first of all. Let's see what kind of form of speech it is. It describes something or someone that's more traditional, more classic, or maybe even a little retro. What is the difference between traditional and retro, Michelle?

[Michelle Kaplan]

We're going to talk about retro a little later, but, you know, but we're going to talk about those two words, so stay tuned because we'll leave you hanging a little bit.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay, I'm ready.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Cliffhanger. Yeah. But, yeah, it's about the older or original way of doing things. So it could even be nostalgic. I mean, gosh, I mean, as a 90s kids, you know, it's always like seeing all these things of old school. Oh, I love how we used to.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, sorry, go ahead, go ahead, go ahead. No, no, no, no, no, no. I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'm just resonating with you, like what you're saying. Because now the 90s are coming back. Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And yeah, it's crazy. It's so funny.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So I think, I, I don't know, I, I don't, I don't know if it's just, if it's every generation where this happens or like every decade, but it feels like 90s is going to be one of those very famous decades. I don't know why, maybe I'm wrong, man.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It was a pretty cool decade, but some crazy stuff I'll see. Like my 20 something year old stepsister wearing something that I wore back in the 90s. And it'll just be like, it'll be a funny moment, right? Yeah. And they think it's new, right?

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or they do it ironically, like they're,

[Lindsay McMahon]

you know, it's ironic. So they're actually making fun of us then, right? Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. But yeah, it could also be about habits, its style, values, mindset, and it is used in casual conversations. So let's talk a little bit more about this. But I, I really like this term. So how would we use it? Who would we describe?

[Lindsay McMahon]

You could describe people, first of all. Right. So you could say he still sends written handwritten letters. He's so old school. That's really nice though now because now most people are just texting or, I don't know, sending emails. So to receive a handwritten letter is a big deal now. It stands out more than before.

[Michelle Kaplan]

My brother sends us postcards as a joke. We just, we just got one the other day. Or he'll like send it like with a celebrity picture and like write it from the point of view of that celebrity. Or like. Yeah, like just out of nowhere we'll get a postcard from him.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Man, he sounds like such a character, your brother.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, he is. And you're just like, what are you doing? So funny. So yeah. Or you could say, I prefer face to face meetings over zoom. I'm old school. Like that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. And then you could also describe things. Michelle, what would that look like? For example?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, you could say the music here is so old school. Right. So maybe they're playing a lot of 90s music or 80s music.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, yeah. And I feel like I'm hearing more of like the music that we went to high school dances and dance to now on the radio. It's like coming back too. Just like the style.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Or you could say I love that old school diner vibe. And I love that too. Over the weekend, I went to a steakhouse. We took our. I took it. We took our in laws out to a steakhouse for dinner to say thank you for letting us stay at their condo. And we went to one of these old school steakhouses where they still serve the bond, the dinner rolls with the bread with the butter, you know?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's so hard to find that now. At least out here. It's just rare that anywhere will serve bread for free with your meal. And I was like, yay. I knew they did it. I was so excited for it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

That is exciting. Well, in New Jersey, there are still so many diners.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, yes.

[Michelle Kaplan]

New Jersey is kind of famous for diners, so.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, my gosh.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And. And yeah, they don't exist everywhere, I don't think. Like, are there a lot of diners where you live?

[Lindsay McMahon]

There are some, but New Jersey is famous, the place for diners. And I can't believe we haven't talked about that more on the show. We really need to go into that one day, maybe a series about diners because they are the ultimate old school experience. Experience that just makes you feel warm and fuzzy, you know?

[Michelle Kaplan]

It's true.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or here's another one to describe something. Is that a telephone booth? How old school.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, it's funny. I mean, these things can bring a sense of comfort to us because it reminds us of when we were growing up, you know, that's why this phrase will really resonate in conversation and connection, guys. So let's talk about how we package this phrase. Michelle, how do we package it in other.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Well, some common phrases that you might hear are. Okay, you might hear, so old school. So my uncle still uses paper maps. He's so old school.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, that is pretty old school. Right? Especially when now we have Google Maps and we just program it in. So easy. Yeah. Or you could say, that's pretty. Or that's kind of old school.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Say I'm kind of old school. I like calling instead of texting.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Huh. Or well, that makes me think of. So one way that I might be old school. So I still. Okay, when you go to the grocery store, do you prefer self checkout or do you want to go have somebody do it for you? I think we've talked about this.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, it really depends on the lines, where the lines look worse. Usually I'll try to go to self checkout, but when I have a huge cart full of stuff, I'll just go to a person because I just don't want to take all that out and put it back into bags. It's a lot of work, you know?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I. I think that I still. I just. I don't know, maybe I'm lazy, but I. I don't want to do it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Yeah. It's nice to have an exchange with someone. Right, Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. You have a little talk or maybe like, like, especially if you have like, maybe a lot of produce and then you have to like, put it in and like weigh it and, you know, it's. It's in that scenario where it's like, oh, then I'm gonna have to do that. And sometimes you can tell I'm very passionate about this. You couldn't, like, you can, you know, be at the self checkout and then every two seconds you have to have somebody come on over to help you

[Lindsay McMahon]

because something goes wrong, you ring it up twice. You double pay. I know. It's almost like we should get a discount for having to ring up our own groceries.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. So I. But I. I think there was an article somewhere I saw about how, like, now self checkout is so popular that it's like the thing that you have to wait online for more.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Really? That's interesting. I wouldn't.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I have to see if I can find that. But that was interesting.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

So I do.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I do like that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay, so it's pretty old school of you, but I.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Pretty old school. Yeah. And then you also. Just one more is how old school? You brought a handwritten invitation. How old school?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Why school? Why not like college or.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I don't know. That is interesting.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I don't. I don't actually know where the phrase comes from, to be honest. Guys, look it up. Get into a little bit of etymology there. We don't know, but we can tell you it is very common and trendy. It's been trendy for a long time, so go for it, right? Yes.

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[Lindsay McMahon]

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[Lindsay McMahon]

e-e so how does it sound, Michelle? We know it's trendy. How does it sound to you?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I think it really depends. It, I would say generally it can be kind of positive or neutral sounding, but it can be negative in some situations. Like if you're describing something that's outdated. So for example, the company's marketing is kind of old school.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. I mean if you are like a consultant and they've hired you, you wouldn't say directly to them, hey, the way you're doing this is kind of old school. We should, you know, you would be careful with those words a little bit.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, yes.

[Fluency Quiz Announcer]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Or the website is very old school. It just doesn't look good. You wouldn't say that directly to the company. You might say that to your co worker. Who wouldn't? Who wouldn't? Then repeat it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, exactly. So yeah, really interesting. And Lindsay, what are some similar words?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, similar words. But yo, it is fun to say old school because it's so trendy.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

But you, you know similar words, old fashioned. This one's more straightforward, more neutral, traditional in a way that may feel outdated. Can be neutral or it could be negative. He's very old fashioned when it comes to relationships. Right, yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or that rule is a bit old fashioned.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And old fashioned can convey stiff or limiting or not forward thinking things like that.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. A lot of times it's like in a movie. Like the parents in the movie or. Yeah, fashion or like that. What is it? Footloose, where they're not allowed to dance and like.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right, things like that. Whereas old school has a bit more of a fun connotation to it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, yeah, right, exactly. But then there's the word retro which we were talking about earlier. So let's get into that. So retro is a style from the past, maybe intentionally so. And it's Usually positive. Right. I would say retro is a positive word. So I love that retro jacket.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. This is even more fun. Right. Or that cafe has a retro design. You might see this with, like, if you're. Maybe if you were born in the 80s and your mom had a jacket from the 60s or the 70s.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

You might want to wear it for retro night or something. Right. Because that's cool. That's retro. It makes me think of, like, the 60s and the 70s.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Okay. So it does for me, too. But then I actually looked it up.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And hold on. It just says. Okay, here's the definition. I'm quoting A style, fashion, or item that consciously revives or imitates trends from the past, typically spanning 1920s to the 1980s.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, sure. So it's not just the 60s. For some reason, we think of the 60s and 70s, maybe because those are the clothing that we had access to. Maybe I don't know our parents.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Well, that's what I think of, too. But I actually just recently went to a retro kind of party and I wore, like, a poodle skirt, like, because I was thinking more like 50s.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And. But a lot of people were dressed like, you know, like the hippie style.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So it's. So it's interesting. So that word actually just came up in my life, and I was like, wait a second, what is retro?

[Lindsay McMahon]

A retro party? A lot. A lot of big wigs, you know, from the 60s. Is that what.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, there were.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep.

[Michelle Kaplan]

People were wearing wigs. Yep.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

That's fun.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Sounds like a fun party.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, my God.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. And then the last one is traditional, which we also were talking about, like, the difference between retro and traditional. So traditional is more something that follows older customs, beliefs, or ways of doing things. So it sounds more neutral, more formal. I would say this is more like. I would say retro and old school. Old school kind of go together as, like, more fun words. Like, like, yes, we're old fashioned and traditional. Or perhaps a little more stiff.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. And I would also. What word would come to mind would be conservative? When I think about traditional, probably conservative. Right. That's kind of what conservative means, is traditional. Like you're not moving forward. You're kind of, like, thinking back a little bit.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Keeping things the way they were before. So, for example, my grandparents are very traditional when it comes to holidays. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or he has a very traditional approach to dating.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, cool. Michelle, time for a role play. Let's do it. Let's talk old school here.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Alrighty.

[Lindsay McMahon]

We're friends. And we're talking about dating and communication styles. These are things that have really changed over the years, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, definitely. All right, here we go.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right. So how was your date?

[Michelle Kaplan]

It went really well. He took me to this little retro bistro. I loved it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, nice. And did he text you after the date?

[Michelle Kaplan]

No, he actually called me.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Called you. Wow. That's kind of old school.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I know. But I liked it. It was nice for a change of pace.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Some old fashioned habits can feel more polite.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. And honestly, I'm pretty traditional when it comes to dating.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Same. Nice. Yeah, there are things. The other word that comes to mind is quaint. Right? A little bit quaint.

[Fluency Quiz Announcer]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. In a good old fashioned, but in a good way. Right. So that resonated with you. Maybe not everyone, you know, would. Would want that call. Right. Nowadays, but. But you liked it, so that's what matters, right?

[Fluency Quiz Announcer]

Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Some people might be like, why didn't he just text me?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right. Are you calling me? Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. I think it depends if you want to talk to that person. If you really. Yeah, I think if you really liked someone, a date, on a date, and then they call you. I. I don't think there's. I don't think you would be like, I would have button to text like that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I would think so.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Unless you're nervous. Unless you're just like, oh, I was too nervous. I'd.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I'd rather text. Right. I guess it's a little bit of pressure when you get on the phone. You have to come up with a topic to talk about. There's a little pressure, a little more pressure, but that's just. Yeah. So let's go through this role play, Michelle. So you said. I asked you how your date was. You said it went really well. He took me to this little retro bistro. So what? We don't know exactly which time period that was linked to, but we know that it's older. It feels right.

[Fluency Quiz Announcer]

Older.

[Michelle Kaplan]

20, 30 years ago, something like that. Or more. Yeah. And then you said. I said. He actually called me and you said. Called you. Wow, that's kind of old school. So you're just saying, oh, that's not like typical for nowadays.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Exactly. And then you said it was a nice change of pace and I said, yes, some old fashioned habits can feel more polite. And I totally agree with that. I mean, it feels more polite like the old fashioned habit of, well, I don't know. Holding doors is still kind of something I do. Even though it's old. Maybe it's a little old fashioned, but I think it's common Courtesy Even in 2026 to hold the door for who's coming in behind you.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, but like another old fashioned or traditional thing would be like, you know, the date picking their. Someone picking their date up at the door and introducing themselves to the parents before they go out.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Like, yeah, that's old fashioned for sure. But it's polite. It feels polite and it feels mature. Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. And then I said, honestly, I'm pretty traditional when it comes to dating, so maybe I like that feel. Maybe, you know, I mean, there's also, I mean, we could get in a whole conversation about who pays and things like this. Like.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

How dating traditional versus untraditional, you know, or more of the new way of doing things. So I probably, if I say I'm pretty traditional when it comes to dating, you think I want someone to pay for me.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Paying is a big part of like dating tradition. So maybe. Yes.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, that's what I would say is like, oh, I would probably expect that. You know, I mean, and there's, I mean, if that's how you do it, that's fine too. So completely.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Really interesting. Guys, go check out 2576, Lindsay's language adventure on the Spanish Steps. About my trip to Italy and something that happened in Rome. Go check that out. Yeah. Michelle, what is the final takeaway for today about connection?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I mean, this is so much fun.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, this is really cool.

[Michelle Kaplan]

You can talk about your preferences, how you see the world, you can describe places, you can talk. I mean, there's endless ways to talk about this. I mean, why. Could I talk to you more about the grocery store about dating? There's just so many different topics that you can really go further with with these words.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, it really, it builds connection because it helps you mark the passage of time. It helps you identify with certain people that might be your age or may not be your age. Right. I mean, if, if we get excited about going to an old school diner, we might be like kids that grew up in the 80s going to diners that were. Were old school then, right? Yeah, yeah, they were from the 50s and the 60s. So it can help you find commonalities, which is the basis of connection. I think that's the point here. Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Absolutely. All right, well, I'm glad we talked about this today. And Lindsay, I will talk to you next time.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, Michelle, take care.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Bye.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Thanks for listening. To all ears.

[Lindsay McMahon]

English.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.

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Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

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[Fluency Quiz Announcer]

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