Older people reveal the unexpected ways the world has changed in their lifetimes

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In the past half a century the world has transformed, with the advent of the internet, medical advances and leaps forward in social equality.

But much subtler changes which only those who lived in past decades can understand have also permeated society.

A question thread on the popular entertainment website Reddit recently invited people over 50 to explore how the world has shifted, and largely become a more liberal place.

Users flagged up differences from the advances in civil rights which led to President Barack Obama being voted in as the first African American leader of the US, to people feeling comfortable eating in public.

Here are some of the most interesting examples:

Comment from discussion [Serious] Redditors over 50: What have you seen become socially acceptable that you never thought would?.

The lives of older people have come to the fore in recent weeks, as Age UK has launched a campaign to tackle loneliness at Christmas time alongside the John Lewis advert.

A recent survey found that 60 per cent of people aged 65 or over aren't expecting festive happiness to be part of their Christmas this year.

A further 42 per cent said they worried missing loved ones who had passed away, while 29 per cent said they were concerned they would not be able to see everyone they wanted to over the festive period.