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“It’s Actually Very Odd When You Think About It”: 50 Things That Are Considered Normal But Are Weird As Shared By Our Community
I believe we all can agree that people are strange creatures. We do loads of random stuff without really thinking about it. Our society is built in such a way that we tend to normalize things or expect someone to act according to a typical pattern. However, when you really think about it, some patterns appear to be pretty odd and bizarre.
So, I got curious about what behavior our pandas think is considered to be normal but is actually weird. I was surprised to receive so many insightful answers! Scroll down to read them and don't forget to share your opinion with us!
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That the best paid jobs are likely to be non-essential for sustaining our societies, like cosmetic surgeons or stock market brokers. And that essential jobs are paid so little, like cleaners, teachers or social workers.
This ons needs to be higher. Remember a while back in Milan the bankers went on strike and there was a panic but nothing terrible happened? And then the garbage cleaners/collectors went on strike and the city was a filthy mess. Essential workers need better wages because they are the people that make the world a better place.
Liking, following, and worshipping influencers. They’re just people, and most are faking their looks and profiles, yet it’s normal to idolize them. No thanks.
Voting against universal healthcare, paid time off, and higher taxes on the ultrarich.
When someone is in a situation (think being hurt/attacked) where they need help and instead of helping, everyone takes out their phones to record video of it.
People have been idle bystanders for a long time before cellphones came with cameras.
Hunting animals as a leisurely activity. Not for food, but fun. Like fox hunting in the UK. Hunting humans for fun is illegal, murder and very very wrong. Surely people who hunt animals for sport have psychopathic tendencies and psychological issues?
The whole concept of Religion is actually very odd when you think about it.
I have no problem with faith. The problem lies in the man made rules that define the organized Religion. Made by men with ulterior motives, like power and/or wealth
Forcing relationships on kids at a young age. I’ve seen shirts made for infants that say “ladies man” and similar stuff on them, and I think it’s disgusting.
Mine had a shirt with 'eat sleep s**t repeat' and that was far more accurate as 'ladies man'.
Being offended by literally anything and everything. Lighten up people!
Sexualizing literally everything that does not need to be sexualized. Eg, tacos and hotdogs. Let me enjoy my food without losing my appetite due to some unnecessary joke.
I hate that too. It's really bad in the cultures where friendships between genders are regarded with doubt.
Asking when you’re gonna have a kid! Why is that normal and ok? I’m gonna monumentally change my life because it’s socially acceptable, nay, demanded that you procreate on an already overpopulated planet!!!
And when you state you don’t want any, you’re told that you’ll change your mind!!! Or if you’re over 30 as a woman, your body clock is ticking?!?!?
Not only from family, but strangers!!!
I tell people I simply can’t have them (half true) or that I would eat them if I did… second one is great for family dinners… lol x
It's fine if people ask you if you have kids. It's not fine when people start questioning why you don't have kids.
It should not be normal to pierce a baby's ears. I know that earrings can look really cute, but that is not good enough a reason to penetrate healthy skin of someone to young to agree to it.
If a child actively asks to get their ears pierced, it is if course totally ok. But no baby ever asked for this. They don't talk. They're babies.
Forcing kids: "go hug/kiss your grandma/grandpa/aunt" body autonomy level zero. That's what kids are taught from a young age, they have no right to choose who can touch/kiss them, or forced to give away their affection against their own will. :(((((((((((((( NOT NORMAL at all
I grew up that way and always thought I had no choice. Far forward to age 13 where I was a junior bride's maid and at the end of the after-party, a man, about 80 years old, asked me for a kiss as we were leaving. The dirty b*stard stuck his tongue down my throat and made an mmm sound. Now, a 51, ANY time a man kisses me and makes that sound, I want to vomit.
Idolising billionaires. Like when people think people like Elon Musk have a willingness to save the planet.
(US) abundant luxury but scarce necessities: plenty of choices for entertainment, gaming, clothing, travel, etc. beyond your grandparents’ imagination. But… housing at < 1/4 your annual income and cars < 1/2 of it, like the formulas your grandparents lived by? Affordable education and healthcare? All de-normalized. Having nothing in savings and no expectation of being free from debt has been made normal.
Trying to talk people who decline a drink into having 'just one'. Stop it! You don't know people's situation. Stop with the bullying/peer pressure BS. 'No thank you' means no! Not keep trying until I submit. Stop pushing people off the wagon just to save face.
Totally this. Had to go to a dinner party thing recently hosted by a couple I’d never met. They asked my partner what alcohol they should buy for us, and he told them I don’t drink alcohol so not to worry. Their reply? “She will be doing tomorrow”. They have no idea why I don’t drink, and I think it was a real out of order answer. Of course they then tried to get me to drink all evening.
Cancel Culture! Even when joking about this, it's an incredibly childish thing to do and normalize, especially when people jump on the bandwagon and attack anyone, especially celebrities for messing up or doing something that even slightly rubs people the wrong way. Everybody makes mistakes, don't harass them for it!
It works both ways. Conservatives are just as guilty as liberals, if not more so.
Taking pictures of strangers without permission, and worse, go ahead and post them on the internet.
Shaming women for not breastfeeding. People should just mind their own business!
And shaming women for breastfeeding publicly. Like: As a mother you can't do it right, since you are judged anyway.
Celebrity culture
Expecting women to cover up or leave the room to breastfeed a baby. If the woman is more comfortable that way then fine, but treating feeding a baby as something dirty is really strange and unhelpful. People who want women to cover up to nurse a baby should try eating a meal with a blanket over their head!
Expecting children to socialise with everyone and share everything. I was a very shy child so when my mum invited her mom friends over they’d all send their kids to my room to play with my stuff and it was like a form of torture. We should teach children about reasonable boundaries and respect - We don’t expect the same behaviour from adults so I don’t see why it’s acceptable to do to our kids
Actually, we do expect the same behaviour from adults. In a work environment, it's called networking and everyone seems to hate it but it's necessary for doing business. Also, how else would you meet new people at a party?
Sharing your kid's photos on social media. Family albums are okay, when they are printed, or storing the pics just on your PC. It really stays on the net like "forever", or at least, as long as the internet exists.
How we encourage and love models and actresses who wear short clothes, but if a girl does it, she is attacked with the words hoe, dirty and shameless
Oh, I’m sure the models and actresses get harassed and called colourful names plenty too.
How 40 seems to be the cut off point for desirability in workers. Being over 40 is like a death march in life. Experience means nothing. Over 50 and people might as well just retire because people act like you are 100 years old.
So true! When I was in my 40s, I couldn't get a job to save my life. However, we recently moved to Washington, and I got 3 job offers after 2 months of job hunting. In the state government application system they ask if you are over 40, and it weighs your application in your favor. I presume it is in response to the discrimination you described. I had two public and one private job offers, so I guess the culture here is different? I've lived in other states where my age was definitely used against me, so Washington has been a tremendous relief!
People swearing and screaming at retail workers and they’re just supposed to take it?!
Reality tv shows that are clearly scripted and rehearsed.
Before the ad break you’re shown a clip of what’s to happen , then we see an interview shot telling us what is going to happen , then we see it happen then another interview shot explaining what just happened
The novelty of reality TV wore off for me about halfway through the first episode of Survivor. Can’t stand the genre, don’t watch it. It needs to go away.
Colour coding babies clothes so that people know which genitals they have.
When I had my twins, I wanted to be surprised by their genders so I asked for yellow and green outfits and color schemes for the bedding and such. When they both turned out to be boys i didn't automatically change everything to blue either ☺️
As an American, all the reasons we have to ‘party’. I’m not necessarily complaining because I like to get together with friends and have a good time but I don’t remember my parents’ generation having this many ‘celebrations’ to go to. For only ONE young couple we know, we have attended the engagement party, bachelor/bachelorette party, the bridal shower, the wedding, 3 housewarmings, and soon to be 4 baby showers. They have been married for 6 years. I believe next year will mark their eldest child’s kindergarten graduation.
People who talk to me on the train. Dude, I’m wearing headphones and have a book in my hand, take the hint!
Is it a good book? What kind of music goes with the book you are reading? I have questions
The fact that so many jobs exist where you work full time and do not get paid enough to support yourself independently. And you are then told you have to go tens of thousands of dollars into debt to get a job with a living wage.
The greeting, "Hi, how are you?" Or "How ya doing?" And then everyone just says "Fine." In the first place, it seems like noone really wants to know how you actually are. And in the second place, noone says how they actually are. I mean, most of us are not all that fine a lot of the time.
I greeted a server with "how are you" the other day. She responded with a shrug and a "meh." I said, "You know what? I appreciate your honesty. It's 2021; none of us is "fine." She laughed. Be less afraid to disrupt the status quo. Be human instead.
Not acknowledging men’s mental health issues except to put down women’s. Like, they’re both huge problems that deserve to be individually seen and taken care of, but neither is a weapon to use against the other, or anything.
Youtube channels of toddlers and young kids. I believe parents do it for themselves and their ego, I hate that content is mainly about opening new toys and products.
Excessive consumption of alcohol. Getting drunk/plastered/etc never ends well.
I agree. I always monitor how much I drink because I don't want to be in a state where I can't look after myself. It's rude to expect others to get you home and make sure you're safe and I think it's shameful to get yourself into those situations when going out with friends.
Being expected to have a gf/bf/ef. Like, seriously, we get it, you want me to be in a relationship. This is especially true in schools with other students.
What pisses me off the most about this is people telling me I just haven't met THE ONE yet. It doesn't cross their mind that maybe I just don't want to be in a relationship.
Showing (and shoving) pictures of babies to strangers. Ummm no
TV shows where you judge people over others because of their talents
Giving merit to the opinions of actors or famous people based solely on their fame or monetary status. Treating these individuals as if they are gods or goddesses rather than talented ACTORS making a s**t ton of money to entertain us🤷♀️
Especially when most really have no clue what they’re saying. Goes for a lot of people, actually.
Shaking hands. Now you have touched everything I've touched recently, and vice versa.
Staring at a medium-sized screen on a desk all day then relaxing at home by staring at a bigger screen on the wall while also glancing at a tiny screen in your hand.
"How did we do?" I'm so tired of being asked to 'rate our performance' Like a bunch of two year olds who want a trophy 'cause they just did a poo poo.
Working more than 40 hours a week, even working overnight. Seriously, if you are going to dedicate all your waking hours to work, is that success?
Is this success? Not in my book but you'd get a different answer from my boss who thinks you're lazy if you work less than 12 hours a day.
Taking sport seriously. I mean, it is fun to watch and fun to do whatever sport you like. But it is and should be just that: a fun way to exercise and meet others. The world is not dependent on wether your team/favourite sports person win or not.
You mean taking supportership too seriously. Sports can be taken seriously if they're your actual job.
When female celebrities can touch/kiss/smack/whatever a male colleague and it's not considered harassment
It's like this IRL as well. I have seen women slap men in pubs or other public places during an argument and storm out and nobody would bat an eyelid. Some of them would say "He probably deserved it". But if a man did this all hell would break loose and the police would be called.
Stopping what you're doing to answer the phone.
Would you immediately stop what your doing to talk if someone was nearby shouting ring ring ring ring, I'm stopping in 10 seconds if you dont talk to me?
No, you'd ignore them until they leave.
The kiss hello greeting, why do people do this?
Because it's cultural. It's not normal in the UK, but I like it when I meet friends from abroad and can greet them like this. It's much more affectionate.
Thinking the customer is always right....
No, in fact, they are not.
The phrase is “the customer is always right in matters of taste” which means that if someone is buying something you think is ugly or tacky, just let them buy it. Not that you should bend over backward for a customer’s will
Tipping! Pay servers a living wage already so they don't feel like they have to perform to make a living. Their job is to take your order, bring your food and answer questions about the menu, not to be your friend. Also every counter has a tip jar now. Don't make me feel guilty for not tipping when I know your wage does not depend on it. Rarely does tipping in general make sense, pay people a living wage and include it in the price of a service.
Yeah, but management’s idea of a better wage still won’t be enough. Hell, Amazon spent god knows how much on commercials where they pat themselves on the backs for offering a measly 15 f*****g bucks per hour, which is far from enough to live on. They should’ve used that money to pay their employees, instead of stroking their own egos. And blasting off in their d**k rockets.
People expecting you to tiptoe around their fragile, underdeveloped emotions so you don't "hurt" them. They'll expect you to change your behavior to suit them and their beliefs, but they won't change to respect yours.
Is someone grouchy? I think it's a fair expectation that people treat eachother well and with kindness.
The stigma associated with having incontinence and having to use some form of protection for “leaks” be it catheters and bags or absorbent underwear (of any type) I was in an RTC that caused damage to some of the nerves in my spine and now have days where I can not control my bladder at all, for these days I choose to use what is colloquially called fitted briefs (adult size nappies/diapers) as they are more comfortable and easier to change that the catheter and bags. There should not be any shame in having to use bladder protection nor should people be made to feel like they are peculiar for wearing absorbent underwear of any type.
Blessing people when they sneeze but not for anything else like coughing or hiccups. Why??
I'm with you on this one. I heard it's origins have to do with the belief that at the moment of sneeze a demon could swoop in and possess you, so saying a blessing helps prevent that. Now you have to say it; and if you don't people get offended for some reason. I was roommates with a woman from Berlin and she said to say gesundheit, explaining it meant, roughly, 'don't die from the plague'. She was probably joking.
Nice people who are generally polite and decent creating an anonymous identity so they can be rude and hostile.
I also don't understand the ride-or-die mentality some people have for social media. Everyone I really love (as in, I would donate a kidney to this person), I can call directly, and I know their name and where they live. And we don't send each other manipulated photos and stuff, because why bother? We know what we look like.
I always say they’re not your friend if you don’t know their phone number. Get arrested, fall in a river, lose your purse or backpack, get mugged. All sorts of scenarios can leave you without your phone book. The saying “will your Facebook friends help you move” comes to mind.
Documenting every moment with a posted photo.
Like the rest of us really care, and apparently have all the time in the world to waste on you. The time it would take for me to look at the pictures or video from your dinner out would be better spent on my own life. Outside of the inner core of people who truly care about you, you are not as important as you think you are.
Graduation ceremonies for Elementary and Middle
School.
worshipping a corpse of a tortured guy nailed to the cross
You don't worship the corpse but the sacrifice and I say that as a full blown atheist.
The feeling when a youtuber says: "LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND TURN ON THE NOTIFICATIONS OR ELSE THIS CENTIPEDE, SLENDER MAN, AND TARANTULA WILL HAUNT YOU WHEN YOUR SLEEPING" or "LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND TURN ON THE NOTIFICATIONS AND YOU'LL GET 9,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 AMAZING YEARS OF VERY GOOD AND PROMISING LUCK"
Websites that won’t allow you to join without ticking the box to accept notifications you don’t want. I clip coupons before grocery shopping. The brand websites are notorious for this, so I create new email addresses to sign up with, and don’t care how overcrowded with bullshit notifications they become, because I never look at them.
Having fun with friends by drinking until you can't remember what happens 😅
That people happily and willingly pay several thousand more for clothes, bags and shoes just so they can go around and do commercial for a company like Nike or Gucci. So you are telling me that you have paid 1000 dollars for a pair of shoes, so you can go around advertising for Nike and they dont even pay you for that? A thing they normally pay several 1000 dollars to get, you not only do for absolutly free, but they also made you believe you were cool and smart when doing it? And you think it is a great idea? Ok.
Like buying a truck and the dealers name is in big letters across the back window when I went to pick it up. Gave them the option to remove it, keep the truck or pay me $400.00 a month for advertising. Funny how fast it was removed.
Parents encouraging their young children to sit on Santa's lap.
And this is bad why? It's a good thing to visit Santa, see the smiles and giggles. Now my son just cried on Santa's lap so he didn't want to but if a kid wants to, why not?
pressuring gender roles.
but also: pressuring gender identity.
not everyone who likes nail polish is a girl and not everyone who likes sports is a guy.
there is no need to suggest to change someone's pronouns or cut off penis or breasts just because they don't fit into stereotypes 100%.
Letting assholes and idiots, basically all who have no shame, talk whatever they want because it's seen as socially awkward or pointless for decent people to challenge their behavior.
All it takes is just one brave soul to step up and tell them to “just shut the f**k up, you’re just showing everyone how ignorant you are”—-in just the right tone of voice—-and they’ll dummy up and skulk off into the corner. Sounds mean, but sometimes an asshole like this just need to finally get their long overdue comeuppance.
The incredible obsession with pushing an alternative gender identity/sexuality.
By all means you do you boo but it's so much in my face anymore and everyone gets super offended when addressed incorrectly.
Ok scenario: I'm in a Starbucks about to pick up my drink and me being my polite self says to the seemingly female barista by the name of star "thank you ma'am" (I regrettably live in the bible belt of the US) and she snaps at me "actually it's sir."
Bitch I don't know you and you look like a girl I'm going to address you as such. Don't get pissy with me.
"snaps" or politely corrects? And I agree with cookie panda, avoid gender specific terms if you don't like being corrected. I got news for you, your ego and need to not ever be seen as incorrect doesn't trump anyone else's right to autonomy about how they want to be addressed.
Working for a living. I had an interesting career, as a researcher and academic. I liked my students, staff and colleagues. Since retiring I've realized how oppressive it all was.
I don't need to retire to realise how oppressive work is but these bills won't pay themselves and I wasn't fortunate enough to grow up with money...
People who say "you made me do this".
Dude, you're in control of your body and your actions. It's not like my soul leaped out of my body and possessed you to do this. SMH
After years of emotional abuse I can say for certain that 'you made me do this' applies because I was brainwashed into believing it was the right thing to do. Yes I did the things myself, but looking back it wasn't my choice.
Narrating one's life. My mom announces EVERYTHING she is doing/going to do. "I'm gonna ago brush my teeth." I can see announcing a shower so no one flushes the toilet or starts a load of laundry. But every tiny thing? Ugh.
Over eating at the holidays. Why? It's like you can't celebrate a holiday unless you end it laying on the couch, belt undone, pants unsnapped, slowly going comatose from all the food you just ate.....
Being called a Karen when you did nothing like a Karen...
Honestly though. Like my mom isn't a Karen by any means, but she will complain when it's needed, like one time when I was eleven, a group of staff were talking at the counter, and they would loudly using vulgar words, at a family restaurant. And being a mother of two kids, both under the age of 12, she got upset. The staff didn't listen and just continued talking like before, after twenty minuets the manager was called. The manager heard what happened and suggested to pay for the meal. And almost all the staff was calling her a Karen!
There are some foods (meat with bones, iceberg lettuce) that would be much easier to eat with our hands, but “good manners” require us to use utensils for. To me, it would make much more sense to drink soup out of a bowl than to spoon it to my lips from a bowl sitting on a table!
Not being interested in experiencing life without the mental filters that bias every perception according to our own limited experiences.
Peeing shoulder to shoulder with another guy in a public bathroom.
Cell phones for each person in the family. Everyone turns into a cyborg and is available 24/7.
Gossiping, fake behavior. What is the point of talking sh*t about people behind their backs? How is this absolutely normal EVERYWHERE? If you don't have proof of something happening, why spread it further? And if you are having a problem with someone, why'd you tell everyone but them? It ruins workplaces, it ruins all teams, relationships... I swear most people are just overgrown toddlers terrified of communication/direct confrontation...
Not having proof hasn't stopped Trump World from selling their lies over and over again without any evidence whatsoever. It's a new American tradition, doncha know.
Defending yourself for your sexual preferences or even your gender.
Eating vegetarian or vegan versions of meat. If you don’t want to eat meat, why would you want to eat something that looks like meat, smells like meat, and tastes like meat if the actual concept of eating meat repulses you?
Smacking someone in the butt after a particularly good sports play. It would not be acceptable to smack a co-worker on the butt after a good presentation, why is it ok if you score a basket?
Schools working like a "factory". Think about the school system; then think about how a factory works.
It's similar to a prison. For kids. Like-
Assuming someone is heterosexual/cisgender from birth. And pressuring people to be straight/cis because its "normal"
it's really weird to me
The towards business in the US K-12 education system. To me it’s odd and is creating a generation that sees business at the goal, not just one of many choices for what to do with their lives.
Running as a sport. It's weird, no one is chasing you! Sometimes I wonder what the other animals must think of us, like a deer : "why is he running? Is there a danger?" or a wolf "Is he hunting?". No we just like to run around in ridiculous outfits and expensive shoes for no reason at all.
Drinking the milk of other animals.
While finding the idea of drinking breast milk revolting. Now that is weird!
Halloween. Children in disguises go to strangers' houses and ask for candy. Some people terrify both adults and children.
Parents saving their kids' teeth, or even worse, umbilical cord stumps.
Knowing everything about someone. I've been in situations where someone close to me has been upset because they realized they didn't know every little detail of my life....like yeah no that's never going to happen.
On the flip side, expecting someone to know everything about you, therefore being able to “just know” what you want every second. I am not psychic, so just f*****g tell me what you want/need/prefer, so I don’t have to mentally exhaust myself having to guess, and emotionally don’t have to hear you tell me I guessed wrong (which I suspect you would do, regardless of what I guessed you wanted). Because that’s just f*****g cruel, asshole.
Saying , it’s going to be all right “. Or everything’s gonna be just fine. I hate how often I hear this in movies, tv, school, hospitals. Find something more realistic to say if you want to comfort someone, but please just stop with the pie in the sky.
It’s not always “pie in the sky”. It depends on the person and/or the circumstances. Sometimes everything actually will be alright. You’ll get out of the present bad situation, and things can only look up from there. Other times, not so much. But, as long as there’s a chance, you can’t just doom yourself to failure without even trying to make things better.
Strategically planning the way you will eat your food so your mouth remembers the last part. Imagine looking over at me and seeing me stare at my food with a fork in hand and sorting it
Asking people 'Are you ok' when they obviously aren't.
I disagree with this one. Asking 'are you ok?' is an entry level conversation starter with someone who appears to be struggling. It's the most caring question a person can ask, particularly to a stranger. Maybe they'll be able to help, maybe they can call someone who can help. By asking the question, they are just showing that they care and want to help. What are the alternatives? Just ignoring you as you struggle.
Having to stuff yourself with overpriced junk when you watch a film.
Pretty much everything humans do is weird. We are weird animals. 🤷♀️
Why are almost all the comments from 9 months ago? Is this an old subject, dredged up to today?
Pretty much everything humans do is weird. We are weird animals. 🤷♀️
Why are almost all the comments from 9 months ago? Is this an old subject, dredged up to today?
