Signal

In the 80s, picking up the right signals was crucial! Whether it was reading the signs that someone liked you or detecting that your parents were about to ground you, signal processing was a life skill.

Classic 80s signal types

The Crush Signal 💕:

• They let you borrow their Walkman (BIG signal!)
• They laughed at your jokes (even the bad ones)
• They wore your favorite band's t-shirt (totally sending a message!)
• They shared their arcade quarters with you (basically marriage material)

The Parental Warning Signal ⚠️:

• Mom used your full name (danger level: orange)
• Dad started the sentence with "When I was your age..." (prepare for lecture)
• The "we need to talk" followed by long pause (defcon 1!)
• Finding them looking through your room (abort all missions!)

Financial risk signals, 80s edition

• Inflation: In 1980, inflation hit 13.5%! Your allowance couldn't keep up
• Interest Rates: Peaked at 21.5% in 1981 (buying a house was basically impossible)
• Recession Signals: Long gas lines, factory closures, and fewer arcade tokens
• Stock Market: The 1987 crash dropped 22.6% in one day (not excellent!)

Break dancing battle signals

• The Staredown: When crews size each other up
• The Challenge: Someone throws down cardboard = it's ON
• The Respect Nod: After a sick move, even rivals had to acknowledge
• The Victory Pose: Arms crossed, confident lean = battle won

Movie signal moments

• "Sixteen Candles": Jake Ryan's nod across the parking lot
• "Fast Times": Mr. Hand's chalk-throwing signal of doom
• "The Breakfast Club": Bender's fist pump = triumph signal
• "Ferris Bueller": Cameron's wide-eyed panic face = abort signal

Skateboarding risk assessment

Green Light Signals:

• Perfect weather ✓
• No security guards visible ✓
• Fresh wax on the curbs ✓

Red Flag Signals:

• Wet pavement (death trap!)
• Angry property owner approaching
• That loose wheel feeling (bail immediately!)

"Reading signals in the 80s: Part intuition, part experience, all about survival!" 🛹