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We all live in a world governed by rules, common sense and socially acceptable norms. The latter ones refer to things that are generally viewed by the members of our society as being appropriate to engage in.

Although societal norms often vary from culture to culture, that doesn’t mean some of the generally accepted things are not to be questioned. With times changing, some of them feel outdated or raise more questions than they have answers.

This illuminating thread asked people to weigh in and list the things that are “socially acceptable but you can’t help but think ‘why?’” Below are some of the most illuminating responses, so scroll down!

#1

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Beauty pageants for children.

mandatory6 , TLCTVUK Report

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Karl Baxter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt that anyone outside of the US thinks this is anything but creepy

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“Being within a community, we are relatively conformist,” Dr Audrey Tang, a chartered psychologist and author of multiple books, including "Be A Great Manager Now," "The Leader's Guide to Mindfulness," and "The Leader's Guide to Resilience” told Bored Panda in an interview.

According to Dr Tang, this is nothing new and much of this collective approach can be traced back to the dawn of civilization. She calls it “a hangover from our past as a collective.” Dr Tang explained: “It was safer for the community to sleep at the same time because it meant that no one was sneaking into your cave to steal your stuff.”

#2

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Rich megachurch pastors.

soothingsand , pexels Report

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Daniel Yamada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

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#3

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Abuse towards men, it’s still laughed at when a man says it happened to him.

Fernando_357 , pexels Report

#4

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Texting while driving doesn’t get enough hate.

Limp_Distribution , D'Vaughn Bell Report

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Antz Online
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they can't walk and text without tripping or hitting a pole, yet think they can drive and text

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Moreover, we have a fundamental drive to be part of a group. “We have always been safer together, and inclusion – even if you are near the bottom of the pack – still means you are part of something bigger.”

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Dr Tang argues that "social norms" are the cultures, behaviors and expectations which make up society. “They can differ from community to community, but in many ways, adherence allows us to know where we fit within our group.”

She continued: “When we live in a society with others (and this is evident in the animal kingdom), we tend to understand our ‘place’ in the pack through acknowledging ourselves in comparison to others – with the goal being access to resources. In humans, we are fighting less over a perceived scarcity of food and water, but (especially in the social media world) a need for acknowledgment and validation.”

#5

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Pockets in female clothing… I am a male. My daughters cannot understand why there is fake pockets in all womenswear.

schindokeoo , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Na Schi
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS! This everytime annoyes the fûck out of me! This can literally ruin any shopping experience. So thank god for internet shopping and filter functions. I completely stopped to buy brands/designs that doesn't allow women to have pockets or only provide pixie-pockets that are smaller than the one in a toddler's sweat pants.

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#6

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Gender reveals.

Ok-Reporter-8728 , pexels Report

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Red rockin lobster
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man, this is annoying. It's interesting only for you and eventually the grandparents but the joy would be the same also by telling them over the phone, over dinner etc. Seriously, nobody cares.

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#7

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Posting EVERY minute of your life on social media.

TelevisionCroissant , Ivan Samkov Report

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

Wachting all that mundane c**p from a random stranger is even weirder

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Dr Tang also claims that building self-esteem has focused on appreciating the self but often in comparison to others “(e.g. I didn’t win… but at least I didn’t come last).” She added that “While in many ways this was more important historically where there was more of a 'fight' for resources, the 'competition' has now moved to social media and 'likes' - and as such this may now also play a huge part in what is acceptable.”

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#8

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Working while sick.

This expectation needs to stop. Being expected to work while sick doesn't make a good employee, it makes a bad employer. That's saying nothing of how this expectation leads to the rest of the employees getting sick too. There was a reason everyone at my previous job called the place the petri dish, if one person got sick literally everyone else would too because you either worked or went to the unemployment line.

The_TALLMIGHTY , Polina Tankilevitch Report

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

I used to work in a casino kitchen, we were never allowed to go home if we were sick … you have no idea what goes on in kitchens until you’ve worked in one

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#9

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial People asking couples when are they going to make baby.

TheMarathiDude , Lisa Fotios Report

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Destiney Haddox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I embarrass them by saying something like "oh so you are thinking of us having sex, hu? You weirdo!" Freaks them out enough to stop talking about it. Then if they get persistent I say I hate kids, even though I really don't.

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#10

People listening to loud music on their phone in public transports without headphone.

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Dr Tang argues that we often feel fear of judgment because of a tendency to live our life according to a series of ‘shoulds.’Although if you ask anyone, they are likely not to be able to tell you where their rules came from.

“For example, who said that ‘women should be caring and nurturing?’; who said that ‘men shouldn’t cry?’ Who said that we should/shouldn’t be a certain weight/size/shape, etc.” Dr Tang added: “and more importantly, is anyone still saying it?!”

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#11

Bullying people for not drinking alcohol in social situations

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James016
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had some snide comments when I first stopped drinking alcohol. Its very easy to shut it down.

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#12

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Assuming a childfree woman in the family will babysit your kid whenever you want to go out.

mapletree-girl , charlesdeluvio Report

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

I've had this. Dumping kids at Aunty Caro's house and Byeeeeee. Happened one time too many and I made it clear that I too (gasp) have a life and want to do things outside my work. I loved babysitting my nieces and nephews but the parents had to book in advance.

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#13

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Unpaid internship for students.

A poor student can't afford the costs that go along with the internship.

SuvenPan , charlesdeluvio Report

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Destiney Haddox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unpaid internships are meant to teach the student but many companies take advantage and make them do work for free. It's actually illegal to have your intern do any work that contributes to the income or business services, that's why they get coffee in many movies and pop culture. People need to know their rights as an intern and report companies that take advantage and have their intern making the company money.

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Nonetheless, it is often easier to simply conform. “And there results an unconscious lesson – shout long enough and loud enough and people may go along with you to shut you up.”Moreover, a lot of our beliefs are imposed unconsciously through the stories we watch in the media, in our culture, in our families and in our overall experience, Dr Tang argues.

#14

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Those baby/children’s clothes with sayings like “future heartbreaker” or “does this shirt make me look fat?” Why?

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Biliegh Berrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never allowed my kids to dress beyond their years or my daughter in inappropriate clothing. I never understood parents who put their 5 year old daughters in daisy dukes and half shirts. Or any kind of clothing like it.

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#15

Not using your turn signal while driving.

DB-aa23 Report

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Na Schi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get the feeling that this is on the rise in my country. And additionally to this also a lot of people seem to have forgotten even the basic traffic rules after two years of a pandemic.

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#16

Asking a women when she is going to marry and why doesn't she have a boyfriend.

Asking a couple when they are going to have kids. There are a lot of couples that can't get pregnant and asking that is like rubbing the wound with salt

Smiling_Piano Report

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Mama Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was single and was asked why I didn't have a boyfriend I told them I had a shower head I didn't need one

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“Sometimes, especially when we have so much going on, we don’t have time to stop and think – we don’t always appreciate that some of our beliefs about what we ‘should/shouldn’t’ do are not necessarily healthy.” One thing we can do is ask ourselves, Dr Tang suggests, “How would I feel if I didn’t have that thought (i.e. about the other person judging me)?” and then behave accordingly.

#17

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Using speakerphone in public places.

Or having loud (should be private) conversations in public like everyone wants to hear.

I was just waiting at the social security office and EVERYONE in there overheard this woman helping this man, I’m assuming her man?, fill out his paperwork. She was shouting questions like “do you have any mental disabilities?” “Do you take medication?” Lady, no one thinks that’s cool.

blurredlimes9 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Daniel Yamada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't assume people are just rude. If I get a call, I have to put it on speaker because I am hard of hearing.

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#18

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Driving after drinking at all. You are operating a 2-ton murder mobile. Please give the road your full attention.

nicholus_h2 , why kei Report

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#19

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial How we have become so okay with so much consumption just for the sake of it.
Black Friday deals, "sales", new phone upgrades every year. It's all so weird.
Also working for 80000hrs of our lives is pretty weird too.

internsearcher25 , Markus Spiske Report

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

In 2008, there was an enormous queue of people outside a branch of Walmart for Black Friday. When the security guard unlocked the door to let everyone in, they barged through the doors and he died due to the stampede. People were literally running and stomping on his dead body. That's utter insanity. Such an extreme and scary case of "pack" behaviour.

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When we are at odds with others, it is common to feel guilt. “Related to this is our self-esteem – which (unlike self compassion) is developed in comparison to others – if we see we are doing better, we feel better about ourselves.”

Dr Tang explained that “when we hear differing opinions, yes, the opinion itself may make us angry, but it causes us to question our own foundations, and unconsciously, our position in our own world… if someone else is different… could they end up being more 'powerful' (or at least get more access to the resources I want)?”

#20

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Saying that your child is going to break so many hearts when they are older or saying to the mother to "save him for me" as a joke.

Just sexualising children in anyway especially when they are far too young to understand and begin to learn that its ok to grab a womans tits because when you did it your parents laughed and encouraged you when you were younger.

Its gross.

ANGYandDENA , Ramin Talebi Report

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Daniel Yamada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, a woman can do this and get away with it. If a man does it, he could end up in the back seat of a police car or get beat up by whoever happens to hear him.

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#21

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Off leash badly trained dogs in public parks where others are trying to enjoy a picnic.

llamafarma73 , David Taffet Report

#22

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Honking your horn while in traffic. What do you want me to do, drive through the cars blocking the road? These people are morons.

DropTablePosts , Nabeel Syed Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they think they have a magic horn that when you honk it, it will make the obstacle ahead disappear!

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What’s unfortunate, according to Dr Tang, is the common behavior, rather than to show acceptance of difference, to try to negate that of the other. “It is the act of ‘normative idealization’ – what I do is normal, what you do is odd (it makes our own ego feel better); or we might alternatively just be picking on others to avoid thinking about our own problems – and something which makes them 'different' is an easy target.”

Sometimes it means by bringing someone down (rather than working to raise ourselves up), we feel better about ourselves, Dr Tang explained, and don’t need to admit we need to do something about our own insecurities.

#23

Telling a young person that they’ll change their mind eventually when they say they have no interest in ever getting married.

Also telling someone they’ll want kids eventually even if they’re adamant about never having kids.

Case in point, I would very much prefer to have two cats that I can love and pamper and cuddle with than a husband or wife.

I refuse to give birth, I refuse to be pregnant, if it ever happens, I am getting an abortion. If I ever have kids, it’ll be through foster or adoption and it’ll only happen if I become moderately wealthy and can give those kids a good life, if not? My cats will be close enough to kids anyway.

Monsterchic16 Report

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

Everyone in my family asks me this! "WHEN ARE YOU GONNA GIVE US OUR GRANDBABY" I'm only 17 bro I'm not ready or planning for that yet 😭

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Jul Chv
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah and 'our grandbabies'. That's cringy as hell. Like you owe them to bear children? Why? How can people be like that?

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

I've never wanted children and I have no idea why people struggle to comprehend that. For my whole adult life people have said I'll want them once my biological clock starts ticking, or it's different when it's yours, or you'll change your mind eventually. Really? Because I'm 40 and I still don't want them. I can't have them anyway, I went through early menopause in my late 20s. Being infertile feels like all my birthdays and Christmases at once.

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Jan Bowyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps your chosen lifestyle threatens anyone who lives the status quo. It can be hard, but you do you!

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D. Pitbull
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In this 'time' when apparently all the uber-wise non-boomers (in which I am included in that exceptionally large group) are eagerly sharing that no one gets to tell you how you "should" feel or do things (which is true)... they STILL think it's okay to blatantly flat out tell you "you're wrong. You will change your mind in a few years". And they were telling me this waaaay after puberty was done. Like... noo... I'm not 12 years old and saying things I REALLY don't know about... I'm (at the time) in my mid-twenties... late twenties... early thirties... "Nope. You don't know that. You are going to change your mind" - Oh AM I now? REALLY? (no... no I haven't... because my reasons still stand, even if they don't want to hear it)

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Rissy cake
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I refuse to have children , I have tokophobia 😭 . I am happy with my cat and my free time to sew

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Pizzagirl 91
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is especially true for medical situations. I shared a hospital room once with a 35-year-old woman who, after 10 years with 2 stillbirths and several underlying issues, finally had had a doctor "allow" her to get a hysterectomy. She had fought for it for years, and had heard that "you might change your mind" bs hundreds of times from different doctors. She would probably have died if she had gotten pregnant, anyway, and her husband (who, for some reason, still had to sign off on her decision) was all for the procedure, but still, she was made to wait... And that's in Germany, I don't even want to imagine what it's like in the US right now...

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

I'm autistic and one of my special interests is goats. "Do you want kids" is met with a long, excited discussion about the various charms of baby goats, the pros and cons of different goat breeds, and fun facts about goat folklore.

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Eris Kallisti
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to see the look on their faces when they realize you want baby goat kids not human kids. This is so great

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

This is 100% what I feel. I'm 57 and so glad I didn't give in to societal pressure.

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Firstname Lastname
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I unupvoted this, just so I could have the satisfaction of upvoting it again.

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

True, but.... My Sister in law was.... feisty. She made her whole persona "I don't want kids and I'm never going to have kids!" Fine, great. Until she hit 35 and REALLY wanted them but couldn't admit it to herself because she'd made such a big deal about it. Huge depression followed, and now has serious regrets. My ex-wife started the same thing. And maybe things would have been similar if I hadn't advised her to tone down her opinions. She burst into tears the day she realised she wanted kids. I was so glad she hadn't entrenched that early attitude into something she felt she couldn't walk back when things changed. And our daughter is quite pleased about it too. All you can truly say is: "I dont want kids right now" and that's fine, and you don't need to explain that to anyone.

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Ren Karlej
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think there is a lot of truth here. People can and do change their minds. Nothing wrong with that. The problem is people feel they have the right to say 'you'll change your mind' to those who are saying 'no thanks to children'. No-one should make that assumption, especially as it is likely (as you say) to entrench their view on the subject. Leave people alone and let them make up their own mind in time. A lot of people do stick to their childfree decision after all. I went 'the other way' - always wanted children when young and then the desire just trickled away. Didn't want them from late 20s onwards. Then found out I couldn't have them anyway so that turned out for the best. Yet I am STILL asked a) do you have children and b) why not.

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Alexandria Tyme
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not every teenager doesn't know their own mind, give them some respect. I decided at 13 not to have kids, I'm 48 and still don't want and don't have kids

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Doc Thissen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother & sister tried telling me that I'd change my mind about having kids, (I was 13 when I made this decision). Here I am forty years later, childless and happy.

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Phoenix Connor
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. I don't want kids. I have seen what it has done to my mom, her friends, casual friends in their twenties whom I don't really talk to and it seems awful. Now my older sister is pregnant and having her kid in March and I just don't want it. I love kids, but they can be little monsters and I don't have the patience for that. Plus, my mom was abused as a kid and she never really showed any physical affection or verbal affection so I don't want to raise kids who end up like me. Fūcked up. Can't do it, won't do it.

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Violet Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sincerely hope the OP doesn't live in the US if/when she needs that abortion.

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loty moty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just called life. Young people having hard set opinions and older people telling them that their opinions will likely change because believe it or not they were also young once and had hard set opinions. Obviously not telling you how to feel but it's always better to keep an open mind.

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Andrea Dutchover-Reynolds
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been married 11 years. It took me looking my in laws in their eyes and saying point blank "yes I would kill (abort) your grandbaby if I got pregnant" for them to leave me alone about it. I have a disorder that might kill me if I go through a full pregnancy. I prefer living to leaving my husband alone with a child he will not be emotionally stable enough to handle right after losing me, or worse having him lose me AND his baby in one go.

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Minerva McGonagall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was in my 20's or 30's in this day and age, I certainly would not want to bring a child into this world. The future is looking too bleak.

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

(Apologizing in advance for terrible formatting) I am an asexual lesbian. (Though only my mom knows) My grandparents always say I'll grow up and I'll have twins or I'll have six kids running around. I told my dad I don't want kids and he said "Just wait, the biological clock will start ticking soon and then you'll want kids." (WTH is that supposed to mean anyways??? I'm 15, so it wasn't referring to puberty) 1) I'm sex repulsed, so if I did they would definitely be adopted. 2) I am the oldest afab sibling. I'm already basically a third parent, I don't wanna be stuck with that responsibility. 3) it's not that I hate kids, I actually love them and want to be an early childhood (5-8 yr olds) teacher when I'm older and I'm gonna start volunteering at my brothers preschool soon. 4) Even if none of these things were true, I don't owe you a reason. <3

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Cara G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a woman who also decided around your age that I didn't want children and have spent almost 30 years fending off these questions, I completely understand how diminishing it is when people, especially family, push us beyond our comfort level with this topic. I'm also the oldest female sibling and of 13 grandchildren so you can be sure that I clocked a LOT of babysitting hours as a teen. It's also my current job, I take care of my sister's children every day. And guess what? My 43 year old biological clock still isn't ringing its alarm! I adore children and always have and I'm great with them! I simply do not want to be a mother. You don't owe anyone a reason for what you are doing or plan to do with your own body. YOU are its owner and you make the decisions. Good luck with your plans to become an early childhood educator! You sound like you've got a good head on your shoulders! XO

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

You might be asexual or even aromatic. And no, people won't understand it because it is just so far away from their own norms. I usually just tell men who try to hit on me that I am lesbian because that is at least something they are able to except and understand.

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Rewa Taneja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS. I’m an AFAB enby teen and every time I say in a discussion I don’t want children, the adults are like “You will dear, wait 10 years,” Susan, I see you with your two booger babies, I think I’ll pass

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Dekker451
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with everything except the last sentence. Many of us love our pets deeply, but treating them like children is not psychologically healthy for the owner or the pet and could even be dangerous. Never forget they're descended from wild animals.

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Elissa H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And stop insisting & asking your children when/if will they will "give you" grandchildren! I don't understand the obsession with wanting grandchildren. I'll be very happy with whatever choices my kids make - as long as they are happy. I'd spoil a grand fur baby as much as a grand baby, too.

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enigmatic crab
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh my god i hate this so much! if i say i have no interest in that stuff, i have no intrest!

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Dean Turner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never thought I wanted to have... kids until a few years ago. Now it's too late to even consider it. I have two amazing step kids, but I'll always be Dean instead of dad... They already have one of those.

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

I'm just 16 and my mum keeps telling me that I should get married in my early twenties in order to have kids earlier. I'm like, excuse me- I've nit even gone to college yet and I'm not even sure I want to get married ever

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Yoli Lawrence
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m 47 and my parents realised a long time ago the only way they were getting grandkids out of me was if they came out with four feet, fur and whiskers! My theory was, I get pregnant with kittens and I make international news and never have to work again… and then if my kids get pregnant… I can sell the grandkids!

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

What really needs to end is people thinking that a pet is even kind of close to having children. I do not question anyone's decisions about their own life but let's not compare the live changing experience of raising a child.

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Birdylou68
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I (54 F) remember announcing when I was 12 that I was never getting married. People laughed and said yeah right. Fast forward 42 years and I've still never been married. And never will be. The only person I'm required to cook and clean for is me. Most men over 50 were raised that it's the woman's job to do those things. I don't feel required to babysit another adult.

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Alessa Gillespie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, I'm 40, I've been in a loving relationship for 20+ years and neither of us have ever been interested in getting married or having kids. We do have 4 cats we adore and intend on helping as many animals as we can afford to take care of

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Alex S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm 42 and still haven't changed my mind about not having kids. Most of the family members who said I'd change my mind are dead now.

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Cara G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Switch cat to dog and I could have written this one myself.

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Julia McElroy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm in my 40s. People have finally stopped telling me I'll change my mind. Just shut up. It's none of your business

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M Green
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being a parent is the hardest job in the world. And it never ends. It's for life. It takes all your energy. No payment. And then, they become teenagers. So much fun 😁

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Kelly Reno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is me. I was saying I don't want kids when I was 13. Couldn't explain why but I just didn't want to have them. As I got older I was able to identify what I couldn't before. In part to the fact that 3 generations (including me) have been bipolar.

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Jan Bowyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you. My cat is my child (also have one human child) and my grandchild is a golden retriever. When, oh when will people learn to mind their own business?

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Allan Felipe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My two sisters changed their mind after they got married to their husbands, but it was the other way around. Before, they wanted to have children (one had even made a list of names she and her SO wanted for their babies). Now, neither wants to have kids. They both think that there are too many kids out there who need a loving family and, if they ever want a kid, they'll adopt. (That's also what I think, although I have never wanted kids at all)

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Bored puppy dog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is unbelievable. I went through hell over this stuff & had to get cancer to finally shut everybody up. That ain't right

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Lime flavored takis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LITERALLY MY MOM'S FRIENDS WOULD TALK TO ME LIKE THIS. My dad acts the same way too. He recently told me how my stepbrother was the only male that could carry on our last name as if other people don't have the last name Kelly. One time he acted like i destroyed his dreams because i didn't want children?? Literally my gram, mom, and sisters are the only supportive people of my decision.

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

My mom didn't give up until I was 36. I knew she gave up when she mailed me a mother's day card from my cats. That was 4yrs after I gave her 2 step daughters.

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

I would say that these events are not guaranteed to change your mind. It’s more accurate to say you won’t know how you feel until the opportunity comes. It’s surprising in that way. You may feel exactly as you think, or you may 180. Some life experiences are like that.

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

All this but also not wanting any pets either. When you tell people you don't want pets they seem to think you're evil or something... Pets aren't for everyone.

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R F.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Using yourself as an example for declarative statements about others lives.

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N8 Lamphere
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So essentially you choose to be a selfish unproductive part of humanity going against your primal instincts to perpetuate the species? What is your role in this then?

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

I'll add to the list of something that shouldn't be socially acceptable, comparing pets to children. Nope.

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JMil
Community Member
1 year ago

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E Hall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do know it's possible just to ignore them, and do whatever you want, right?

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#24

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Full grown adults dating barely "legal" teens.

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D. Pitbull
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eh.... It depends on the situation... 48 year old person who has been "waiting" for the teen's 18th birthday, starts RIGHT in on them on that day - because hey, now it's legal! ... still gives me pause. 23 year old dating a 19 year old? Meh. Normal.

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#25

Kids having social media accounts

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Greg Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the social media, are you letting them watch some fun YouTube videos, talk to their friends on discord, or is it Snapchat and Instagram. Not all are blanketly bad, bur most of the image sharing ones are

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#26

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial People smashing other people's face into cake when it's their birthday, or when newly weds are sharing a cake and they smear the cake onto their SO's face in the ceremony. Just, why? Not everyone thinks it's a fun, quirky thing to do, it ruins whatever makeup they're using, and most of the time I see it, the people with cake on their face gets pretty mad over it, and I think they're justified

tururump3 , pexels Report

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

Professional frostitute here 🙋‍♀️ I have to tell my customers not to do this with my cakes as I dowel my cakes so they stay in place…you don’t want your loved one with a stick shoved into their eye

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#27

Untrained 'emotional support' animals. I’m all for service animals, but some people abuse the concept and just make sh*t up.

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James016
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll have you know my emotional support gibbon has got me through some hard times

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#28

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Touching pregnant people's stomachs.

If I ever become pregnant and some rando decides that they can just start rubbing my stomach without asking then you bet I'm gonna be rubbing their stomach back

wasabishark , Junior REIS Report

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Judit Turi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaaand also... nobody dare to rub your SO's crotch, like "Good job,mate !"

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#30

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Working 40+ hours a week for someone else for most of your adult life only to maybe get 10 years to enjoy life when you may be too old to enjoy it anymore

raspberrywines , Marten Bjork Report

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phil blanque
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whatever "dream" job we might imagine, it will never be wonderful all of the time. Clearly there are many people in the world without the means or options to choose their work, but there are many who can choose. By making the best choice and making the best of that choice, it is then a matter of attitude and perspective to enjoy the best parts and make it through the worst.

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#31

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Not wearing a seatbelt. BACKSEAT TOO.
Let me tell you a story.

We had a girl in our house, basically a medical foster placement. Your typical 4-5 yo before her ‘incident’.
Her family was going somewhere together, mom and grandma (I think) and they strapped her into the kid seat. But didn’t strap the kid seat into the seat of the car. Head on collision, and this little girl (+kid seat)is sent *through* the dash board. Can’t walk, talk, feed herself, be a 5 yo. Had a chunk of her skull smashed to bits, repaired, removed again because of an infection, and a plate added.

Ffs people. Wear your damn seatbelts. You become a potential projectile for the other people in the car too. No one is safe.

AdMotor1654 , Alexandria Gilliott Report

#32

Going to get crucified for this but getting drunk.
I don't have a problem with drinking alcohol but the way people talk about how drunk they got with immense pride always baffled me.

Also the fact that it's completely legal along with cigarettes when other things aren't is moronic.

TheBatSignal Report

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Peej Maybe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a culture where I live. If you don't go out every weekend and get drunk, you're seen as socially inept by your colleagues. Personally I'd rather spend a whole bunch of money on something that gives me pleasure and is tangible, rather than something I'm going to pee out or throw up copiously while feeling like death warmed up

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#33

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Customer entitlement in retail. Returns culture. Posting bad reviews before trying to understand what actually went wrong when it comes to meeting their expectations.

NotTodayGamer , Adrien Delforge Report

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Rachel w
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is mostly, and sadly, an American thing. It's because, for some dumb reason we have encouraged the phrase"the customer is always right". Which has led to entitled a*s customers who can never, ever, be wrong no matter how horrible or wrong they are. It's honestly our own fault.

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#34

Being viewed as a failure if you don’t enter into a relationship, get married and/or have kids.

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

I feel this. Every year of my life, I got straight A's and A+'s with almost no fail, am working on computer programming, never got glued to devices, won a lot of school awards...yet my parents still sorta hate me and threaten to disown me cause I'm NB and never want kids. Did I do that for nothing bruh 😭

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#35

Giving up so much private data to companies without the option not to.

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Elliot Fowler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand how shitty that is but it really is the main reason most of the internet is free. Imagine if you had to pay for every website you visit

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#36

Oversharing everything and everywhere your kids or babies are. Like putting full names, tagging their school/frequented play areas, interests, etc. Friends and family ain’t the only people looking at this stuff.

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Mama Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The good way for predators and pedophiles to find out more about your children and possibly abduct them.

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#37

Taking pictures of strangers without permission when the context isn’t justified, especially covertly (bonus points if the person does it for the purposes of sharing/posting it). Am I the only one that thinks it is weird and creepy?

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Beeps
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s even worse when people mention that this is a problem and others then start justifying it. I’ve seen so many comments where people start preaching about “if you’re in a public space you’ll have to accept blah, blah, blah, if you don’t like it stay at home, blah, blah…” Why on earth would you defend something like this?

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#38

grabbing people’s wheelchairs and pushing them without being asked or asking consent. pushing people around is rude as f**k and bullying behaviour, but if someone is on wheels suddenly it’s fine? no. don’t touch the chair

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

oh my lord, who would EVER think that is okay? Someones toes need run over..........

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#39

Strangers touching all over babies. Pinching cheeks, picking them up and kissing them. I’ve had people come up to me at a store and open up her car seat cover to see her. And I’ve had people that know my mom (strangers to me) come up and kiss her and pinch her cheeks and pass her around when she was just a little infant. None of them cleaning their hands either. I enjoy seeing people that I know holding and loving on my child but at least ask especially if you are a stranger.

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Beeps
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plus the constant need to overstimulate them. Had this at work, colleague brings in her new baby who is lying in its pram, totally calm and just peacefully looking around, enjoying being chill, when another colleague comes along and has to start tickling and groping the baby, making loads of silly noises and daft exaggerated faces. Why??? The poor mite was just totally happy and chill and now they’re all wound up and have been needlessly disturbed from their rest.

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#40

People Are Sharing Things That Shouldn't Be Socially Acceptable In 2022, And Some Are Controversial Family YouTube channels, honestly they start really sweet and all but it progressively gets worse when money gets involved.

gargoyle_godzilla , NordWood Themes Report

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can make them do pretty much what you want if you post enough comments!

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