Cravings occur, in my opinion and after much personal experience of being a girl, when you want certain feelings that associate with them.. This, of course, means you've had experience with these things some time previously in your life.
For example, you are craving chocolate.
Chocolate makes you happy and reminds you of the holidays since you often eat chocolate around those times.
You just simply want those similar good feelings.
(Or, if you were me, you want chocolate because it reminds me of baking in the kitchen.)
So why am I 'craving' 50s diners and 80s arcades?
Last time I was in Maine, my family and I went to Fat Boys, a drive-in founded in 1955, to get some fraps. (Or, as non New-Englanders say - *cough,, cough* frappé or simply a really thick and really good milkshake). We had fun and were happy socializing.
So perhaps I simply wish to socialize!
But what about the arcades?
Last time I was in an arcade (or somewhat) was towards the end of my Christmas break. I had found much enjoyment shooting dinosaurs in Jurassic Park with my older brother and playing Pac Man to my heart's content.
So perhaps I just want to play co-op games with my older brother!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
So maybe this all explains all these odd 'cravings' I've been having, but I still don't know why I've always thought since I was little that being a waitress at diner in the 50s would be so cool . . .