ADVERTISEMENT

We tend to go through life accepting a lot from society. We use these pieces of paper to buy things? Got it. I must work somewhere to earn more paper to ensure I can eat and have shelter? Yes sir. We must abide by rules the government decided on even if we disagree with them? Okay, sure. If we questioned everything that society considers normal, we’d go crazy. But recently, Reddit users have been discussing some socially acceptable things that upon further reflection, they decided they’ll never do.

2 months ago, Reddit user fuzziblanket asked, “What is something considered to be ‘normal’ by society that you refuse to do?” We’ve gone through the responses and curated this list of some of the most interesting topics that you may have never even questioned before. Whether you commonly do these activities or not, enjoy reading through them and determining if you still consider them normal. Be sure to upvote the answers you’d like other pandas to see, and let us know in the comments what “normal” things you’d never be caught doing. 

Then if you’re looking for another Bored Panda piece pointing out odd yet socially acceptable things, look no further than right here.

#1

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) recording yourself doing an act of charity or a good deed in general. completely devalues it the second you hit post

yzmasmomi Report

Add photo comments
POST
kirschplunder avatar
Philipp Blum
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It can also motivate others to do it, but I get the point.

marina_4 avatar
GoddessOfChaos
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed, especially if someone famous with a lot of influence does it, it can raise awareness and inspire others to help. But then there’s those who do it to get popular and seem like a good person

Load More Replies...
cinzabeary avatar
LagoonaBlueColleen
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me it can be intended both ways. Some just want to make positive content and inspire people. Some just want attention. Usually you can distinguish which is which. I absolutely cannot stand it when someone shoves a camera in a down-trodden person's face and treat them like they're hopeless without the heroic youtuber to save them. It strips them of any morsel of dignity they're trying to salvage and their bad times are forever immortalized on the internet.

l2m2d2 avatar
Emiloy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, it’s the difference between providing awareness vs exploitation of the vulnerable. So important to make sure that any help given is useful and wanted, done with respect, and that anything publicly shared is done with consent.

Load More Replies...
starmoishe avatar
Monica Sargent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always thought that was sick. Telling people what you did. I only let my son know when doing something like that because I was raising him and I let him know that it was something to be kept secret. Now that he's an adult I find out from other friends about the good deeds he does. He doesn't tell me.

dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With children it is definitely different - you're setting an example you hope they will follow. It's shouting about it to all and sundry which is off! Keeping quiet about is also another good example! 👍👍👍

Load More Replies...
victoriagamolia avatar
Vic_UA
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't do this, but I think it's normal. if a person shows what charity they do to thousands of people and then at least one of the viewers gives it a second thought and follows their example - amazing! they can show it to a million poeple if they inspired at least someone to do the same. Also, i don't care if it was a selfish or a selfless act, as long as somebody got help that they needed! an animal shelter got food as charity? Amazing! or would you prefer for the animals to starve, but not let some blogger film his charity on camera? (you can think of any other examples, not only animals, but you see what I mean)

l2m2d2 avatar
Emiloy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What you’re describing is sharing publicly for awareness/fundraising, which isn’t the issue here. The problem is people exploiting the vulnerable by sharing publicly for personal benefit rather than the benefit of whoever they’re helping. In these cases the help given may not even be useful and is provided without respect or dignity. Basically, the issue is hollow gestures for personal gain that don’t really help much at all.

Load More Replies...
staphgirl79 avatar
Mistiekim
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think there can be a happy medium. A person doesn’t need to record, but maybe a picture of the charity organizer or what work is being done (and with them if they think it will help more),. Then just list the information a person needs to do to help.

andydouglass avatar
Best behave....
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tory politicians opening foodbanks. Afterall, if it weren't for them it would never have been necessary, I mean, possible....

piotr-a-miazek avatar
Piotr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree. Of course the idea of helping in secret is beautiful but there's nothing wrong in informing your Friends on Facebook that you donated to a cause. It motivates others, it motivates yourself.

lisagillies86 avatar
KnightOwl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell yes. I hate when people do this, it instantly puts me off them. Especially when people film homeless people (I've been homeless twice and hated having to rely on other people for help but had no choice at the time) just put yourself in the other persons shoes, would you want someone filming you at the most difficult, desperate time in your life and posting the video online for the world to see? (You desperately need that food/money to survive and the person "helping" holds all the power so you feel like you can't ask them not to film/photograph you. You probably haven't showered in a while, are most likely wearing old/dirty clothes and generally look and feel terrible/ill) If you genuinely want to do something to help another person then do it, but the minute you film it and put it online it becomes more about feeding your own ego than helping someone in need.

philliptune avatar
Phil Tune
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my God, NO IT DOESN'T. The value is for the recipient, not the gifter. If someone films themselves giving away millions of dollars to homeless folks, who TF cares that they're just doing it for promo?! Homeless folks got millions of dollars that spend just the same as anonymous dollars.

dustyrichards avatar
Dusty Richards
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How on earth could recording something devalue it? Maybe if you're focused on the recording that distracts from what you're doing, but I don't understand how it could hypothetically devalue anything if doing the thing has value in the first place. Feeding the homeless for example; somebody might do it anonymously for love of humanity, someone else might do it to uphold their charitable image on TicTok. How could their motives for doing make any difference in the value being provided to the person in need? Someone please explain this

jencasey_1 avatar
Jen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on how they do it. If they are at a soup kitchen or another similar charity location volunteering where people are choosing to come it helps. If they are forcing something on someone on the street who isnt asking for it and may not be able to eat it (or worse have a place to prepare it if it isnt a ready to eat item) then it doesnt have value to the person recieving it and they may just abandon it. In the second case it is exploitative of the person they are "helping" not helpful and the help is just for the giver's ego and has no value to the supposed needy person.

Load More Replies...
buddyjackson avatar
Uncle Bud
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have done charitable deeds before but I've never posted of bragged about it. However, I don't have a problem with this who share their deeds. If a person is doing good for another person that is to be commended. Perhaps we don't agree that they should post/share about it. But I'm not going to hate on anyone who performs some charitable deed. Even if a person is giving just to be recognized, they are still giving. No one should be criticized for doing a good deed regardless their reason behind it.

achaiadust avatar
Liam Lowenthal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's something to be said about spreading awareness. It's not always about showing off. Usually people do it to make others aware. Kids aren't born with the knowledge we've learned, some of them need to learn the way we did, by others showing us the options we may have. Seems more self absorbed to be pissed about this in the first place.

phil84vaive avatar
Phil Vaive
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if I donate a million bucks to a homeless shelter, but I record myself doing it, then it suddenly becomes less than a million dollars? No, the million dollars is a million dollars, no matter who saw me donate it, or how they saw me do it. The people benefiting from it will benefit the same no matter how much I show off. If the point is to help our fellow humans, and not to gain some imaginary points from the imaginary sky daddy, then sharing our charitable acts on social media has no bearing whatsoever.

jaszczolt-anna avatar
Kay Phillips
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A friend of mine posted a picture of her donating the clothes to the war refugees. Inspired me to do the same. It doesn’t devalue anything - if it motivates even one person to do the same, the picture was worth it.

phil84vaive avatar
Phil Vaive
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right? And those clothes provide the same warmth and protection to the people who received them than if there hadn't been a camera around.

Load More Replies...
challengecentral avatar
Challenge Central
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve always seen this as a complaint from people attempting to feel better about not doing something for charity. If you take your time or money and give it to charity then I’m ok with you taking some photos.

lana_7 avatar
Lana Affonso
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if people who shame people for doing this are actually just bitter berries because they don't do anything at all charitable themselves. In my personal bubble the people I know who scoff at this are also the ones who say "why did you give that bum change? They will just use it for drugs" or " why did you put money in the fireman's boot? None of it helps anyone anyway"

clayt066 avatar
Gwendolyn Clayton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disagree. Even if you do a good deed for the wrong reasons a good deed was still performed and someone in need got the benefit from the person doing said good deed. You don't get to decide if someone else's good deed counts bc you don't like the reason they did it. Get off your a*s and go do something instead of judging others

laurenlessard avatar
Lauren Lessard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally don't judge people for whatever reasons they have to help out others, their contribution has the same effect as anyone's and is no less helpful

sarde1981 avatar
Saara-Elina Kaukiainen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this to motivate others. Please donate blood if you can. Donating blood saves lives, literally. (Def. Not a vampire here.)

maninblack_1 avatar
Man in Black
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's total BS... it can devalue it if you only post it to show off... but, more often it brings much needed attention to a cause that others are more willing to join in after seeing it dine in the post.

nickford_2 avatar
Nick Ford
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't devalue it to the people you helped. It only devalues it in your own eyes. That's selfish motivation as well.

moyamcbride avatar
MoMcB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have had an event, and have raised money there (we hold a raffle at our Bike Rally every year), it lets people know their money has been used properly.

marydhale26 avatar
Marydhale Colico
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Specialty if they make those people pose for their thumbnail, or make money out of it. And they make up a story for them to seem very pitiful

abbysmink avatar
abby smink
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't consider that normal, no. If you can't do something good without bragging about it on social media, I question your motives.

shellyanderson716 avatar
Shelly Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree - good deeds and charity are to be done without expectation of recognition!

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one says they're posting it for recognition. It could be to show others how easy it is to do a small thing to help out.

Load More Replies...
cammywilsonaz avatar
CammyCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best and truest form of a selfless act, which is what charity is SUPPOSED to b, is it being anonymous. If u r seeking recognition for charity work, it becomes a selfish act

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most religious traditions include acts of charity and often they are considered sacred/powerful only when done in private. A Tzedakah in Judaism, Dana in Buddhism, Vand Chhakna in Sikhism, Pwen in Voodoo, Zakat in Islam and many others. Most are done in promise of some etherial reward either in or after life. As an atheist, I'm happy with the warm feeling I get for doing something that makes another's life a little better.

amylee3531 avatar
Amy Stone-Chandler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When celebrities do it they use paparazzi. Proves its to toot their own horn.

kevincorcoran avatar
WeatheredRobot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm very much not religious, but I like to be aware of a few points in various 'holy books'. The bible has a good line about this.. "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"

txjac avatar
Tx jac
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have mixed feelings about this ...agree with others that it might motivate someone else to extend a good deed in their future. If I ever offer a hand up I just request that the recipient to pay it forward

jose_carlo avatar
dustyrichards avatar
Dusty Richards
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why? Good people doing good deeds has value, shitty narcissistic people doing good deeds still has the same value, right? I'm not seeing anyone explain why it would devalue anything in account of the motives being self serving or not.

Load More Replies...
isaacsmith avatar
TheOrangeGrape
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The whole point of charity is to do it in secret, in my opinion. That way you're truly doing good instead of doing it for clout

thewhimsybear avatar
Bored Pangolin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excluding fake or particularly engineered charity videos, I'd have to disagree with this complaint. So long as they have permission to post it then charity is charity, there is no reason for invalidating charity just because they opted to make it publicly available to see. I don't get how it bothers people so much, where this unspoken rule came from that if it isn't selflessly silent then it's as bad as doing nothing. It can motivate people, encourage them, make others feel good to have reminders after a bad day that good people still do good things out there. Sometimes it's like people take charity videos as some slight or personal jab against them, like it ignites some unspoken guilt they have which drives them to angrily post internet criticism making assumptions about the person who posted the video. As someone who spent time homeless and living out of a car, I'd rather have met the people in these videos than the comment section.

dustyrichards avatar
Dusty Richards
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get why it bothers people absolutely. The same why narcissistic shitty people doing anything bothers people. But I can't understand why that would make the actual charitable act any less valuable. There's a lot of comments on here of people condemning, but no one is explaining why it devalues it.

Load More Replies...
jasminehammond avatar
J
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've done loads of things that have never ended up on social media. I don't do it for self promotion, I do it because I care.

5533f8496c18a avatar
Peter Ledoux
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well at least their faces aren't in it so they are not doing it for ego. It sets a fine example I'd say.

audrey-saintalme974 avatar
Error 404
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Recording it make it feel like you wanna "prove" that you are a good person :/ It's not Always the case but still..

kat_kenner avatar
Kat Kenner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The whole point of doing something charitable is to help others, not to help ourselves to attention by doing it. Some people have tested the recipients of cash gifts to see what they do with the money, I get the the thought process behind this, and sadly there really are people desperate who would use the money for good, and I have seen videos of that. If they use it for good, they get rewarded by being given more. If not they get called out on it. My issue with all of this is that if we give people money, it is now their money. We don't give our kids gifts then take them back if they don't pick up after themselves. A gift is a gift, either do it because you genuinely want to be of help. You don't give a gift to see how good or bad the person receiving the gift uses it. Our karma comes from what we do, as does theirs. Give to help, not to be smug.

neondisco avatar
NeonDisco
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trust me, majority of videos showing people giving money, iPhones, cars and anything else are fake. Grab some rags from goodwill, a little makeup, get a friend to sit in the nearest doorway, press record, post and then watch the kudos roll in.

zoobskimedia avatar
Henry Shane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100% agree and it only motivtate others who want attention, as people are out there each day doing it without recording or the need to be told...those are the heros.

laurablubelle avatar
Mari Mar Pinta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Family Vlogs by YT/IG Influencers do this all the time and you see the look of confusion on the recipient's face when they're given the charity ...

itsjustk10 avatar
Kristin Makowsky
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You cant get the praise for doing good , for your ego and gain . Or big gold star grow up.

mariahbaker avatar
Mariah Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep! I’m like is the kindness for the person or for likes on SM

albert_m_valenzuela avatar
Theycallmebigpanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s a celebrity that does (what he calls) “charity bombs”, where he will leave HUGE tips, sometimes a couple of hundred dollars just for coffee. Each time he books it out of there, when his friends ask him about it he said it’s not charity if you get something out of it. And the only reason why people know about it is because his friends will occasionally bring it up during podcasts.

harrison-ilene2016 avatar
Lucy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it does. Charity & good deeds should be from the heart w/out popularity or sell gain.

alanavoeks avatar
Alana Voeks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This may be why I've never done any charity. It's required for nearly any job now it seems, but then that doesn't make it altruistic, and that just makes me and the whole situation depressed.

kate_51 avatar
SlothyK8
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I NEVER tell anyone about the things I do like this. Not how much, not how often, nothing. I mean, how often to you advertise that you breath or brush your hair? Acts of giving should come as naturally as everything else you do to survive. If they don't, there's something wrong with you. Just be quiet and get on with it.

katefredrick avatar
kate fredrick
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It was a miracle when priest love helped me , my broken marriage was restored back in the next seven days, . ((( Lovetemple0001) ))) @ gmail.)) )com) ))) and WhatsApp +(234(961))570)504) )just in case you have similar issues, capable of solving any all kind life problem etc

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

What’s considered “normal” is determined by society, but there are many societies around the globe that have their own quirks. In the United States, for example, it’s totally normal to drive your car anywhere you go, even if it’s just a mile away because there might not be decent sidewalks or crosswalks to get to your destination. In many other countries where roads are built to better accommodate pedestrians, this would be considered bizarre. It’s also normal in many European countries for kids to walk or bike to school by themselves, especially when they’re about 8-years-old or older. This would be very rare in the US. Even when in their own neighborhood, American kids are usually expected to have adult supervision at all times. When paying at a restaurant in the US, patrons typically hand the server their card, the server takes it to their computer, and then they return with the receipt. If a server in a European country tried to walk off with someone’s credit card, the customer might assume they were being robbed. Societal norms vary greatly based on where you are, so there's nothing wrong with questioning them. They might be more arbitrary than you think!

ADVERTISEMENT
#2

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Forbidding my (straight male) partner to spend time with female friends. He's a grown-a*s man; he should know how to hold healthy boundaries. It shouldn't be on me to keep him from cheating. If he's really gonna fall into the pants of the first girl I leave him alone with, she can have him.

Similarly, blaming someone else for my partner's failings, and/or trying to "win back" someone who doesn't want me. He's a big boy who can make his own choices (even bad ones), and I want a partner who wants to be with me, not someone I had to talk into staying.

(For the record, my dudeman of 20 years is awesome.)

sasstoreth Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahspencer avatar
Sarah Spencer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone that enters into a relationship and starts setting the terms and conditions of their new partners interactions is definitely not a healthy person to be with!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) I don't know if it's been mentioned already, but I'll throw in my 5 cents.

The need to be available 24/7, i.e. always having your phone on you.
I like going for long walks and leaving my phone at home. I don't feel guilty for missing texts or calls, it's just stressful being expected to be available all hours of the day.

The_Fireblasted Report

Add photo comments
POST
cinzabeary avatar
LagoonaBlueColleen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad times when people are apologizing for not responding within a minute to a text. I have to tell friends to chill out. A text is not going to disappear. We all have other priorities and no one should expect anyone to stop their lives all of a sudden to engage in a conversation out of the blue.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

One of the socially acceptable activities mentioned on this list is drinking alcohol. While alcohol has been around for centuries, it’s also the most commonly abused substance. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a couple drinks, especially in social settings. Alcohol is linked with many cultures, as sharing a bottle of wine with a loved one or enjoying some beers with your best friends can be great ways to bond. Holidays tend to be filled with booze in many places as well.

ADVERTISEMENT

But regardless of how socially acceptable drinking is, it’s completely fair to question it too. People who have experience with alcoholics in their families or personal lives may decide that drinking will never be for them. Others decide to refrain from drinking for religious or health reasons. Drinking heavily can lead to developing heart, liver, or kidney issues and can even increase an individual's likelihood of developing cancer. It's completely up to individuals whether or not they decide to drink; no one should ever feel pressured to order a drink because its expected by society.

#4

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) give a s**t about celebs. Sometimes they're fun to talk about for like 5 minutes but other than that? Aren't they just people? I don't get it.

CoffeeAndPizzaRolls Report

Add photo comments
POST
billyevans35 avatar
Bill Evs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, definitely this. I just can't fathom why anyone would give a sh*t about what dress a celeb is wearing, who they're currently dating, etc. Whatever part of the brain that finds that stuff interesting I must just be missing.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Work myself to death.

Edit: I commented this, passed out, and now it blew up. Thank you for the awards.

Also please use your vacation days. Your sick days. Take your dog out. Hang out with the family. Even if you're alone like me - Go do something you like.

Onautopilotsendhelp Report

Add photo comments
POST
krisis avatar
Kris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My workplace has been under staffed for over a year. I refuse to work extra hours and when im sick Im staying in bed. Whats the point if you burn out and have no energy to do the things you actually like?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Talk to toxic family members

cellcube0618 Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahspencer avatar
Sarah Spencer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This!!! Being related to someone does not grant them permanent space in your life. If they are not good people, you DON'T owe them your time, your forgiveness or your love.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Smoking is another habit that’s considered socially acceptable in some places but more taboo in others. We’re all well aware of cigarettes being carcinogens, and most of us have seen terrifying examples of what smoking can do to the body our entire lives. Yet for some reason, smoking is still incredibly common and accepted in many countries. In Greece, for example, about 38% of the population smokes, including 47% of men. According to cardiologist and tobacco control researcher Konstantinos Farsalinos, “Greeks aren’t highly motivated to quit. There is plenty of education, and we have smoking cessation centers, but they are not popular. There is not a lot of social pressure to quit smoking. Although there are laws prohibiting indoor smoking, those laws are not obeyed. So that reduces the social pressure. So, the smoker tends to forget the reasons why smoking is bad for you. Most Greek smokers only quit when they develop disease.” While the culture around smoking is different everywhere, it’s definitely worth questioning if it’s accepted wherever you live.

#7

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Push for the removal of homeless. They need help, not further persecution.

anon Report

Add photo comments
POST
nuguanugua avatar
Jiminy
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, it depends. We have organized beggar clans, which get driven into the country in spring and back home in autumn. They refuse any and all help, they even refuse to use the toilets specifically installed for them only they have a key for, and instead s**t on sidewalks and p**s in parks and bike parking spaces instead. I get persecution.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Wear makeup. If I can deal with my face, so can everyone else

JoyfulDeee Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Sacrifice a down payment on a house for a wedding.

BlackLotus8888 Report

Add photo comments
POST
cynthiaweiner avatar
C W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody understood why I wouldn’t have a big wedding. Between the costs and my MIL thinking it was her special day I talked my husband into a destination wedding with just us. When we got back my MIL had a fancy cocktail party. That was enough.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Similarly to smoking, people around the world have very different views on recreational drugs as well. Marijuana is particularly controversial, as it has been legalized for recreational use in 6 countries, 19 states in the US, and parts of Australia. In places where it is legal, like the state of Oregon for example, it usually is considered socially acceptable. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but it’s legal and harmless, so people tend to mind their own business. However, in other places where it is heavily enforced, like the Philippines where it is considered a "dangerous drug", people are a lot less likely to openly discuss their marijuana use. How socially acceptable recreational drugs are depends greatly on individual cultures, but even in places where marijuana is common, there will always be those who simply have no interest in getting high.

#10

My dad just scolded me because I was unwilling to put in 60+ hrs/week at a new salaried job by saying 'I've worked 70/hr since I was out of college!'
Yeah dad, that's probably why you missed every important life event and smoke a juul at age 57

AscendingAgain Report

#11

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) I don’t drink or do illicit drugs. Alcohol messes with my medication, and pot gives me anxiety. I am a sober person and people often give me s**t about it and call me boring.

TheShining02 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sorry to break this to you, but you’re hanging out with the wrong people. Unless everyone is drunk, being with drunk people is really boring!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Hang out in a social setting where the music is so gawdam loud that you have to scream at the person next to you to communicate.

Capnreid Report

Add photo comments
POST
nuguanugua avatar
Jiminy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I refuse to go to bars or restaurants where the music is too loud to talk to each other without screaming. I just don't get the point.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Another thing mentioned on this list that some people swear they’ll never experience is dating apps. Online dating originally began in 1995 when Match.com launched, but as our culture has become increasingly obsessed with the internet since then, finding love online has only become more and more common. In 2020, the Pew Research Center found that 30% of Americans had ever used a dating site or app, including 48% of people between the ages of 18-29. These numbers have likely only gone up since the onset of the pandemic, though, and online dating is even more common among members of the LGBT+ community. Pew found that 55% of LGBT respondents had experience on a dating site or app, with 21% of them saying they had even been in a serious relationship with someone they met online. 

#13

Two months ago, my dad died. He had cancer and had had it for like a year.

I told my work over and over again that he was really sick. I work in an office and am on a computer all day. I have a company-supplied laptop. I have the ability to work from home, but I was not allowed to do so because I was an hourly employee.

I told them that his condition was worsening. I live five hours from my parents. They refused to accommodate me, even when I offered to work every day from my parents house, just so I could be with him.

They said 'well maybe when the situation gets more dire.'

I tried to apply for FMLA (I think that’s the right acronym) and I wasn’t eligible because I was hourly and hadn’t been there for a year yet, despite the circumstances. A week before he died I told my boss that it was almost time and I might have to take off work.

They were not concerned and told me as long as I got my work done and didn’t miss deadlines. I took the day he died off work—I just had a bad feeling, and was packing to go see him when he passed.
I told my work and they don’t have bereavement leave. So I offered to work remotely during this period and again they refused. Again, I have a 'good job' working at a huge corporation, in an office; my job requires a degree.

I was forced to use all of my sick time and some of my PTO so I could attend his funeral and help my mother with arrangements.

And I'm stuck here because I can't afford to quit without something else lined up. I've been looking. They obviously don't see us as humans.

You don’t owe your company anything. I would give anything to go back and time and quit, just to spend the last few weeks with my dad.
Whatever company you work for doesn’t care about you, only about how much you make them. Don’t worry about screwing them over or anything because at the end of the day, you could die and they would consider it a small inconvenience.

fathleen Report

Add photo comments
POST
cinzabeary avatar
LagoonaBlueColleen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. Companies think they're the most important s**t on the planet over humans. Idc if it's business or what. They're run by humans who've forgotten where they came from and the meaning of what's important. We're not slaves to corporations. We're brainwashed into believing we need them.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Have kids.


I'm a 38 year old woman with lots of experience with kids - I like kids! - but people think that is a reason to birth them.

Queen_beeeeee Report

Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to opt in or opt out of hanging out with munchkins is great! I love being Aunt Mary Rose and not Mommy!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Ironing. Life is too short. I don't even own an iron and my clothes are just fine.

Dimmunia Report

Add photo comments
POST
ola-ustka avatar
Jar of Pickles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may be weird, but I love ironing. The best part is when you watch the transformation of a shirt, from a wrinkled to a smooth one. I love it!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

When it comes to apps specifically, they did begin as a way for same-sex couples to meet. Grindr, a location-based app geared towards gay and bisexual men, launched in 2009 and started somewhat of a sexual revolution in the gay community. Since then, dating apps have become the norm for everyone regardless of sexual orientation. Tinder launched in 2012, and now has over 50,000,000 users. But just because dating apps are now socially acceptable doesn’t mean everyone has to use them. In fact, about half of Americans say that online dating has had neither a positive or negative effect on their love lives.  If you prefer to meet people the old fashion way, there’s no reason to feel pressured into using the internet.   

#16

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Don't follow sports

Natural-Compote477 Report

Add photo comments
POST
boredpanda_34 avatar
John Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get really annoyed when people don't understand "I don't care it is boring to me" as an excuse to explain it to me in minute detail, as I just don't understand it. My usual response is to start explaining software development to them. Strangely they aren't interested and don't want to talk about it.. and yet don't get the link.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Yes. People are flabbergasted when I’m not informed on the latest celebrity news and honestly I just don’t see a reason to keep up with it

Appropriate_Lecture7 Report

#18

Smoking. I can't stand cigarette smell.

Rare_Hovercraft_6673 Report

Add photo comments
POST
nikkisevven avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a smoker (down from 30/day to 10/day and on my way to quitting completely), and I always ensure I'm well away from everyone when I light up. No one wants to breathe my smoke or even get it on their clothes. It absolutely is a disgusting habit, and I wish my parents hadn't smoked, because I probably would never have started.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Social media is another thing that has become socially acceptable, but still doesn’t appeal to everyone. Since social media began in the early 2000s, it has dominated the internet. In 2004, MySpace was the first site of its kind to reach over 1 million monthly active users, but today, Facebook has 2.89 billion active users. Facebook has been the most popular social media site globally for over a decade now, but Youtube is quickly catching up, with 2.29 billion active users. Among the other most successful sites are Instagram, which currently has 2 billion active users, and TikTok, which has only been around since 2016 and already has 1 billion active monthly users.

#19

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Walk in the house with shoes.
Why people want to track all the junk from the outside and smear it over the floors , bed, and couch?! No thanks

msb1tters Report

Add photo comments
POST
williamlankes avatar
Legendteller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Finland that's considered VERY rude and it makes sense to take the shoes off.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Call my coffee something other than small, medium & large.

arc918 Report

#21

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Bore other people with photos of everyday stuff they see all the time anyway. For example, the meal I am going to eat, the shoes I bought, the place I am at.

Stendhal-Syndrome Report

See Also on Bored Panda

Despite how popular social media sites are, it’s understandable why some people would want to avoid them. One of the biggest reasons people cite for staying off these apps is because they can be a huge waste of time. The average global user spends about 2 hours and 27 minutes on social media per day, with average users in Nigeria and the Philippines spending over 4 hours per day. It’s easy to rack up hours on these sites though, as they are typically designed to be addictive. With features like “likes” and feeds designed to constantly show users new content, these websites are aimed at getting users hooked.    

#22

Do “lives” on social media. Since when did vanity and narcissism become so acceptable?

No one cares about your dining experience or “get ready with me” moments.

GSG_2022 Report

#23

Text while hanging with friends, or out to dinner, or driving, or in a movie theater.

CreateYourself89 Report

Add photo comments
POST
firstnamelastname avatar
Firstname Lastname
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll text my man to update him on if I plan on being home soon, as a courtesy, but otherwise my phone is out of sight. Texting around others is rude.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) One Night Stands

Sex doesn't mean anything to me if I can't build a connection first

PeatedPaladin Report

Social media is also notorious for causing users to compare themselves to others, which can negatively impact their self esteem. One study from the University of Pennsylvania even found that reducing social media use to only 30 minutes a day resulted in a reduction in anxiety levels, depression, loneliness, sleep problems and FOMO (fear of missing out). Like everything else, there’s nothing wrong with using social media in moderation. But just because it’s considered “normal” to spend hours a day on these sites does not mean you need to create an account today. If your life is perfectly fine without social media, I’m sure it won’t be any better with it.  

#25

Going in debt $30k-$70k for a vehicle.

So_Gnaar Report

Add photo comments
POST
alixpitcher avatar
Powerful Katrinka
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which begins to depreciate the minute you drive it out of the lot. I've always bought used cars, and I've never regretted it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Shave/wax my pubes. I actually really like having pubic hair. It doesn't bother me or my partner, and I find waxing and/or shaving extremely uncomfortable and not at all worth it.

ladymaenad Report

Add photo comments
POST
ayoung817877 avatar
PC
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For ladies. when they do it's like people want us to be little girls and that's. creepy [I'm not explaining this well.].

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Buy fast fashion (or pretty much any fashion whose supply chain is questionable). I used to. Then I found out not only how and where those clothes begin their lives, but also how and where those clothes end their lives.

It was so horrific, I decided I was done. I now buy secondhand, or I save and buy pieces from independent tailors from sites like Etsy. And I research the tailor too.

I also took some of the money I saved from clothes shopping and got a sewing machine. I am learning to sew and make my own summer dresses (I'm not good enough yet to take on complex clothing, but I'm learning)

StGir1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother made most of my clothes for me when I was a child, and she had an old treadle machine that she eventually replaced with something more in keeping with the times. After my poor grandfather died after living on without my grandmother for 11 years, my aunt had all of the grandchildren—who were all adults—had each of us walk through my grandparents’ home of 60+ year (a home my grandfather built) and put a Post-It with our name on anything we wanted to take home with us. I chose a small number of things, all of which were made by one or the other of my grandparents, and I took home everything I asked for.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

I think this list has taught us that just because something is considered "normal" does not mean we have to go along with it. We all have the right to make our own choices, and what's socially acceptable totally depends on where we end up living. Enjoy the rest of this list, and remember to upvote the answers you most agree with. Then let us know in the comments if you think of any other "normal" activities you would never do that didn't make it onto this list.

#28

My wife and I had a very small wedding on a beach with only our parents there. Then, we drove to a mountain and hiked to the top with our photographer for our first dance.
It was incredible and people keep telling us they wish they could’ve done something that simple but social pressures made them spend more.
Now, we’ve just had to spend more than the entire cost of our wedding just to buy the plane tickets to attend my sister’s big wedding.

Giygas Report

Add photo comments
POST
thereader19 avatar
TheReader19
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Treat it as a nice holiday, but seriously; I wouldn't go into debt to go to my own wedding much less anyone else. If I couldn't afford it I wouldn't go sister or no sister

View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Faking orgasms

Dogplantmom97 Report

Add photo comments
POST
juli_june avatar
June
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never with someone you want to have sex again with. But sometimes it can help to shorten an awkward hookup 🤷‍♀️

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Have tons of social media accounts where I'm constantly posting pictures of what I'm doing every day. Remember, if it's not photographed and posted online, it didn't happen.

I_Love_Small_Breasts Report

#31

Didn’t see it here so figured I’d share. Live in a city. I was born in a large city, lived there until I was 11. Then moved to the woods. I’ve lived in the woods since then and although I have visited cities since, I could never live there. Too many people, too much noise and I just don’t feel comfortable. I feel more comfortable taking walks at night in the woods than I would in a city.

BuffaloInCahoots Report

Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in San Francisco for most of my adult life (40 of my now 66 years), and my last apartment there was the best one I’d ever had, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life there. Alas, once I was no longer working, I had to move, and after a year (minus two days) of living with my favorite brother and his wife on their farm in rural Oregon, I ended up with a job in a small town on the Mendocino coast of Northern California. I have come to love small-town life in a way I would never have anticipated. I just wish I weren’t so far from my dearest friends, who all live in the Bay Area.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Have never and will never use a dating app.

nicoleduret Report

Add photo comments
POST
meghang220 avatar
Slytherin_4_LYF
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes that is the only way people can get to know new people. Haven't used one in a while, but i def would again if i needed to.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) This might be oddly specific, it's wearing flip flops.

I grew up in a tourist beach town, I have never owned a pair of flip flops in my life. I find them wildly uncomfortable and people in my hometown look at me like a crazy person when I tell them I don't own a pair.

Killarogue Report

#35

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Wearing a bra, I completely hate the feeling

Keilaivy Report

#36

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) brushing before breakfast:

doing that is basically wiping before you s**t and i refuse to do that

BeegBeegGae Report

#37

Buy copious amounts of dishes, Why the f**k do you need 27 plates for the two people in your household. Im looking at you mom.

Pine-Space Report

Add photo comments
POST
thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you never have guests over? I also have a dumber reason for it - so I can use my dishwasher. I wouldn't run it for just two or three plates (it's wasting water and energy) and I hate washing dishes, so I have enough to use until the dishwasher is full.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

The Hustle Culture. Although I like the idea of bettering your life but always thinking of doing something or the other will leave you with burnout. Taking a break regularly is nessecary

Edit: It's good if you are in a bad place. But it's not always about working your a*s off. What's important is taking a break and keep it from becoming toxic

funny_acolyte Report

Add photo comments
POST
karen-lancaster000 avatar
Yeah, you heard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does this even mean? To me, hustling means coercing or tricking people into doing something or buying something. I don't think that's generally accepted though is it?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

“What Is Something Considered To Be ‘Normal’ By Society That You Refuse To Do?” (40 Answers) Drink alcohol.

AzuSteve Report

Add photo comments
POST
angelakrake avatar
Angi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mind the occasional social drink as long as I can't taste or feel the alcohol lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Play wordle

TroyTC Report

Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.