THIS IS 50
The One Where ‘Friends’ Turns 30
THE BELOVED sitcom Friends debuted on NBC on September 22, 1994, yet it still resonates. Why is a show about 20- and 30-somethings so relatable to people in their 50s? Our theory: It’s the quotes. We picked a few of our favorite one-liners to demonstrate how Friends transcends age. —Eric Spitznagel
QUOTE
“How you doin’?” —Joey
ORIGINAL MEANING
I’d like to take you to Central Perk … and then to my place.
CURRENT MEANING
Update me on your kid’s foul moods and your plantar fasciitis.
QUOTE
“My eyes! My eyes!” —Phoebe
ORIGINAL MEANING
I accidentally saw two of my friends hooking up.
CURRENT MEANING
I accidentally stumbled on my angry uncle’s Facebook page.
QUOTE
“That’s not even a word!” —Monica
ORIGINAL MEANING
My trivia teammate incorrectly guessed “transponster.”
CURRENT MEANING
My teen just said “bussin’ ,” and I’ve never been more confused.
QUOTE
“Dear God, this parachute is a knapsack!” —Chandler
ORIGINAL MEANING
I tried to comfort my friend but instead I insulted her, and now I keep making things worse.
CURRENT MEANING
I just got a look at my 401(k) balance, and I’m not going to be retiring anytime soon.
QUOTE
“Who is FICA? Why’s he getting all my money?” —Rachel
ORIGINAL MEANING
I just got my first paycheck and learned about payroll tax deductions.
CURRENT MEANING
I’ve been employed since before Friends started airing, but payroll deductions still irk me.
QUOTE
“We were on a break!” —Ross
ORIGINAL MEANING
During a separation, I should be able to see other people.
CURRENT MEANING
I didn’t mean I was giving up fried food forever!
74% of Gen Xers—a higher percentage than any other generation—say they carry emotional baggage from previous financial stress.
SOURCE: EXPERIAN
GET BACK
TIME TRAVEL
Want to revisit the ’80s? You can book a variety of Gen X getaways, no DeLorean required. Options include:
Cruises
The annual ’80s Cruise via Royal Caribbean in March will feature performances by Squeeze, Adam Ant, Sheila E. and Men at Work. Norwegian’s newest ship, Viva, caters to Gen Xers with ’80s background music and arcade games.
Airbnbs
A house in Kent, Washington, has an MTV-themed bedroom with New Kids on the Block sheets. In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, an ’80s-themed unit has 125 old video games, plus a dreamy Rick Springfield poster.
Resorts
The Sands’ “Gen X to the Max” event in Cancún in November includes acts such as Bret Michaels, the Fixx and Billy Ocean. At Disney’s Pop Century Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, look for ’80s trivia along the jogging path.
REFLECTION
MARGARET CHO
“It’s alarming how fast the years go by as we get older. There are things we can do to make time slow down, and meditation is one of them. I wish I had started at a much younger age. I was always in such a rush to do everything, and I realize now that it’s important to take that time.”
Comedian Margaret Cho, 55, is currently on her “Live & Livid” tour. Read her interview with Linda Childers at aarp.org/quickquestions.