We find out in this episode that Monica became a chef because Chandler told her to become one.
Chandler's haircut during the first visit to Ross's parents' resembles the style made popular by 1980s band A Flock of Seagulls. On their second visit in 1988, both Ross and Chandler are wearing outfits inspired by the characters from Miami Vice (1984).
After the October 2023 death of Matthew Perry David Schwimmer posted the photo of the two of them with their late 1980s suits and said "This photo is from one of my favorite moments with you. Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time. I imagine you up there somewhere, In the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around " Could there Be anymore clouds?"
In the 1987 flashback, Ross wore a Members Only jacket. In the year following, Ross and Chandler wore suits reminiscent of Don Johnson's and Phillip Michael Thomas's from Miami Vice (1984).