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Someone Asked “What’s A Privilege People Act As If It Isn’t?” And 30 People Didn’t Hold Back
It’s easy to take so much of one’s life for granted. The entire concept of privilege revolves around the idea that going through life without noticing major issues is a privilege all in of itself. So it can help to expand one’s horizons a bit and learn from other’s experiences.
Someone asked “What's a privilege people act as if it isn't?” and netizens shared the examples they have encountered in their own lives. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite examples and be sure to share your own thoughts, stories and experiences in the comments section below.
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#1
Supportive parents.
People coming from loving families don't even get how lucky they are.
RELATED:
#3
Time. If I have to take the bus while you use your car, we do not have the same 24 hours in a day.
EDIT: I think y'all are too focused on my example. Also, sure, you might be able to read on a bus, but you can't do your laundry.
If you can afford a housekeeping service and I can't, we don't have the same 24 hours in a day.
If you can afford a lawnmowing service and I can't, we don't have the same 24 hours in a day.
If you have to care for an ailing parent and I don't, we don't have the same 24 hours in a day.
If you have to work two jobs to pay off some debt your ex saddled you with when they split and I don't, we don't have the same 24 hours in a day.
If you have a physical handicap that makes navigating the world more time consuming and I don't, we don't have the same 24 hours in a day.
If you have a chronic health condition that requires frequent medical appointments and I don't, we don't have the same 24 hours in a day.
And time equals opportunity for: exercise, doctors appointments, hobbies, socializing, more work, improving living situation, etc.
Time is a privilege.
Auntriarch 1 year ago
You have to phrase a post or a comment really carefully to avoid the "yeah, but"s
#6
Being healthy. I was diagnosed with my first chronic illness at 15, I’m 32 and I’m f*****g exhausted. I loathe people who say “you’re too young to be tired!” Those people have really never known true physical suffering.
Aileen Grist 1 year ago
I can't remember a time when I wasn't in pain, just thought it was me and everyone else felt the same but didn't show it (cat walking on thigh muscle excruciating at 7 yrs old, sitting on a stool in science class and my back aching something terrible). I was 38 when I was told I had fibromyalgia and had probably had it since I had TB at 3 years of age.
#8
Having friends or at least a decently stable group of friends to count on.
#9
Being physically attractive is a major privilege that doesn’t really get acknowledged.
#10
Having running water. You’d be surprised how much of the world does not have that. When I was growing up as a kid in northwest India, we used to make a human chain to get water from the community tap. My mom at the head fending off others and putting our vessel. Then me, my middle sister and then my eldest sister who would go an pour it in a big vessel. We had several of those big vessels. That was our water storage. After pooping, we would fill a small bucket to flush the toilet. It was only after I was around the college going age and started earning money after taking tuitions of younger kids and my sister got a government job that we could afford water and a pump to fill a big tank on the rooftop and get a semblance of running water.
#11
Eating what you want and being able to afford it . ( m not talking about gold flakes on a burger or caviar , just like simple dumplings or even salad or even bread and butter )
As a kid I grew up in a communist “paradise” . At some point towards the end of the regime things got so bad - we had to eat cabbage and potatoes ( and NOTHING ELSE) for the entire winter - for about 4 months .
When I tasted sunflower oil after that - it tasted like ambrosia .
Becca not Becky 1 year ago
I grew up with limited financial means. As an adult, the majority of my extra income goes toward foods that I enjoy eating. It feels like a privilege every time.
#12
Having a job with a regular schedule and guaranteed days off on holidays for sure.
#13
Travelling. Hearing people talking about how you're closed minded if you don't travel, as if everybody gets the choice.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
I'm a road trip freak and will seek out any and all obscure roads. I shun interstates and major US highways because there's so much more to see once you get off the beaten track. I hope I never lose this ability.
#14
Having strong teeth.
#16
Being raised well, some of us had are developmental years torn to pieces, feels like being set up to fail as an adult, has you wondering if your parents ever liked you, or if if they were just stupid.
#17
Opportunity. I have a few affluent friends that, in high school, were able to get excellent grades and extremely high SAT scores because their parents had wealth and, therefore, could provide them opportunities for support. For example, one friend, who is now a psychiatrist, was 3rd in our class of 600+ kids because his grades were amazing. After school he’d go home and study and his parents paid for SAT prep courses, giving him ample opportunity to succeed. Meanwhile, after school I would go to work because my parents had little money, so car payments, gas, clothes, school lunches, cell phone, etc. fell to me. That’s 5 hours I didn’t have to dedicate to studying. People take things like this for granted.
#18
Working from home. People who don't have to squeeze time out to wake up early, shower, dress, rush their breakfast and get stuck in a traffic for 40 minutes have more time than us who have to go to work in office daily. Talk about having time to clean the house, save money on cooking at home and exercising after work. The time we lost is the time you gained.
#20
Whole crews going around gathering up garbage. Clean water flowing directly to your house. Sanitation is crucial for a healthy society.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
Yet people complain about taxes as if the things mentioned here arrive for free.
#21
Libraries.
Fancy Nancy 1 year ago
One our greatest resources! You can borrow books, access the internet, borrow movies and music. Most libraries have wonderful learning programs , support group meetings, and game tournaments.
#22
Never having food insecurity. Some people have access to so much food that it would make others' heads spin.
#23
Basic medicine, especially for children. I know that the modern medical system has its flaws but kids used to die from stuff that is cured by $5 in medicine now is wild. .
#24
Having a pet of any kind. The vet bills , decent food, appropriate training, equipment.
#25
Leaving the home and being able to return safely everyday.
#26
Financial stability.
Tempest 1 year ago
This! I hate the saying of “Money doesn’t buy happiness”. No, you can’t buy happiness at the store but having financial security means you don’t have to worry about when you can eat a proper meal or if you can afford a proper mattress to sleep on at night. Money affords you comfort and peace of mind. For those who take all these simple life choices for granted they don’t see them as being a result of their financial backbone. Those who have limitless money don’t recognise these as equating to happiness. I come from a struggling family and I wish I could have more money not to spend on expensive clothes and trips abroad but just so to see my old parents retire from their jobs or for us to be able to afford healthcare when we need it and not have to wait till a disease is too serious or to do some much needed home repairs so we don’t have a leaky roof…
#27
Being able to go to college.
similarly 1 year ago
University in America is now stupidly expensive. I would urge people to rethink university and instead consider trade school. My cousin teaches at a trade school and has mentioned repeatedly that there aren't enough people going into trades to fill the gaps left by people retiring.
#28
Having electricity, then never having it go out.
mysecondaccount27: I remember watching a TV show when I was really young where the power went out at the school and everyone freaked out and got scared. I was so confused as to why they were acting like it was a big deal. That's the day I found out that in first world countries, power going out is a very rare occurence, and usually means something extreme (weather etc). In my country, it's just a regular thing. It's rarer these days (goes out maybe once every one or two weeks) but at the time, it was happening every few days.
Blew my mind.
Magenta Blu 1 year ago
In my town we only have electricity for a couple of hours at nights... No big deal
#30
The privilege of having Wi-Fi so fast it could outrun a cheetah, yet complaining when a webpage takes more than three seconds to load.
Mike F 1 year ago
I have to call myself to task over this all the time. My first online experience was 1998-1999 with AOL dial up. Anyone who experienced that knew that you would sign in, click to open the desired page, then go get a cup of coffee/tea while waiting. Now, I click and scream at the laptop if the page doesn't open before I even click. When there's a "wink" in service I think about those who don't have the ability to access the web then switch to OTA programming.
#31
The capacity to earn a living.
#32
Assuming that the police will show up and help.
Mental Liberals 1 year ago
Always be prepared to take care of yourself!! The police are only the cleanup crew...
#33
Having good social skills. If you're a people person it's very easy to make connections and get places in life. Pretty much every career requires being at least decently good with people, and if you really want to succeed it's a requirement. It's not always just confidence either, because being confident but lacking the proper interpersonal skills will usually just get you branded a creep or weirdo. It's an art and certain people just seem to "get it" better than others. It's possible to learn and improve if you have poor social skills, but it can be very difficult if not impossible for certain folks, especially those who are neurodivergent. I believe people skills are probably the biggest driver of career success honestly. Your skills and resume matter less if you can get people to like you and make connections easily. Anyone hoping to get into a management or executive role absolutely must not only have good communication skills but be quite adept at making friends and navigating difficult social situations. For those of us with disabilities that hinder social skills, like anxiety or autism, or simply people who are not naturally extroverted, it can be a massive roadblock to success.
Magenta Blu 1 year ago
I never figured out how to fit in any group, let alone what to do for being able to have and then maintain a relationship of any kind with anyone... I just can't understand how this works
#34
Going out to eat (with table service, I mean.) That was a rare thing when I was growing up.
Aileen Grist 1 year ago
Me too - even having chips from the local chippy was a rare treat, my mum would put a boiling chicken in the oven on very low, in a little water, and it would be ready when we got home - about 8 hours later - and if they were feeling well off we'd have 2 portions of chips between the 4 of us from the local chip shop
#35
Growing old. Not everyone gets the opportunity.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
My father died when he was 47 and his brother at 53. My grandfather - their father - went at age 33. My youngest brother died at 52. I'm not just grateful to be here at 73 - I'm genuinely astonished.
#36
Being able to afford to take time off i cant tell you how many times i will say "i cant afford to take anymore days off" and i get asked why.... because i cant afford to go a day with out pay.
TheElderNom 1 year ago
Getting paid time off by law. I really hope it becomes standard in the world.
#37
Eating fresh fruit.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago (edited)
I grew up with orange, tangerine, plum, pear, lemon and grapefruit trees in our yard. I never realized what a gift that was till I moved out on my own.
#38
Your “rights.” The only rights we have are the ones we’re allowed to keep. Every time I hear someone say “He can’t do that!” No… he totally can. He really *shouldn’t*, but here we are.
#39
Not having to support your parents. I was encouraging a friend to move away from grad school but they let me know it’s not that easy seeing how she supported her family financially. I always viewed moving away being “hard” on your family was just an emotional thing. I never took me and my siblings ability to move away without considering the financial impact on our parents/family.
#40
Brushing your teeth with sink water. I've been living in southeast asia for a while, and its a weird little thing I miss.
Kate Jones 1 year ago
Sorry for my ignorance but...do you not have sinks or water flow? or is a quality of water issue?
#42
Being well socialized, and able to talk to people efficiently. I think a lot of folks don’t realize that social anxiety can really put up obstacles, like even something as simple and menial as asking a stranger for directions seems terrifying.
Regina Holt 1 year ago
Social anxiety could also stem from abusive childhood treatment. Things were "kept in the family, not shared outside of the home"
#43
Getting time to workout for 1 or 2 hours 4-5 days a week. It’s such an underrated privilege. Very few understand it.
#44
A good passport.
#47
Not having a learning disability and being stuck in garbage IEP classes that have students learning way behind the rest of their peers while getting screwed over with no child left behind. So many people ive seen graduate high school only to be left in the dust and not be able to handle college at all because it's a massive leap from being stuck in those lower level classes.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
I was raised on the 3 R's with no frills and I'm eternally grateful for that.
#48
Not always. But often: Spontaneity. For many, it just shows how rich in time and /or money they are. They don't care about the negative consequences spontaneity can bring. Because they don't apply to them. *They can afford an evening to not work out, since they have time for many more evenings like this.* *They can afford to miss the concert because they can easily book the next one.* *They can afford to book the train or airbnb last minute, because they have the financial freedom to do so.*.
#50
Being in a healthy romantic relationship. Easy for some people, near impossible for someone like me.
Magenta Blu 1 year ago
Having a relationship... Forget about romance... Just being able to have a bond with an other human being
#51
Working in an Air-conditioned office with carpet on the floor.
BookFanatic 1 year ago
Thank you for the reminder. I just walked through my office complaining that it was so cold due to A/C. This is definitely a privilege compared to so many.
#52
Being able to live with your parents as an adult.
#53
Being able to complain about non-issues. I support women talking about abortion rights, equal pay, etc. When I see women complain about air-conditions being set to cold as a sign of patriarchy because it keeps them from wearing cute clothes, you know that person is either stupid or so privileged that they have nothing else to complain about.
Jaya 1 year ago
This is dumb. We can't complain about an unfair system, because there's worse things in the world? Then you also shouldn't be allowed to complain about someone hitting you in the face, because there are people who actually get murdered. You can't complain about someone touching your breasts without consent, because there are people who get gang-raped. You can't complain about parents not being there for you or a teacher hitting you, because child labour exists. This 'whatabouttism' is harmful and stupid. If something isn't right, you're allowed to complain about it.
#54
Being Middle class.
Raphapablap 1 year ago
Considering most people are working class, I can imagine many people would realise that if they were a class above, they'd be privileged
#55
Girls getting their nails & hair done. I see/hear girls complaining about rent and groceries all the time but not about the hundreds they spend on those fake nails and hair.
Regina Holt 1 year ago
I never understand how people who cry they don't have enough money, spend so much of it on unnessary stuff like hair, nails, tatoos. We can see that you spend a lot of money on these things, I don't have as much pity on you as someone who does not look adorned with unnecessary expenses.
#56
In the U.S., you are free to start a business any time you want with little to no hassle. Many people in the U.S. dont realize what a beuracratic nightmare it can be to start a business in some countries. It's often highly regulated with big fees, taxes, oversight, and perhaps some palms that need greasing.
Kate Jones 1 year ago (edited)
Yeah sorry. I agree with the other poster. It's crazy hard. You can get a EIN # easily, but that isn't the same thing. License numbers/EIN can cost less than a hundred dollars, but you can't do anything with that other than use it to open a business bank account. The costs and oversight of opening a business is excruciating and ridiculous, in the US at least, which is why most people can't raise enough capital to do so. Opening a restaurant for instance...alcohol licensing can take over a year. Safety inspections can set you back thousands of dollars before you even open. And even just getting an appointment can take months. And some inspections are required yearly so...it never stops. This is all before you even deal with hiring and payroll requirements. Providing and dealing with health insurance. Everything is super regulated. Don't even get me started on marketing and advertising.
#57
Being naturally extraverted.
#58
Being the gender that won't be drafted into a war.
Jill Rhodry 1 year ago
Then you're privileged to be the gender unlikely to be 'unalived' for just existing - and that's an everyday awareness, not just wartime.
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
veirdbuttrue 1 year ago
Exactly. I'm amazed that this isn't on the above list. All your civil liberties are gone, your job, your house your life, your food supply, the life of people and the pets you love are under extreme and immediate threat all the time.
Load More Replies...
Crescent 3 1 year ago
BEING ABLE TO TAKE UNPAID INTERNSHIPS - Some of my more well-off college friends were able to take great unpaid internships at major companies and law firms because they didn't have to worry how their rent would get paid or how to put food on the table or how they would afford next semester's tuition. I, on the other hand, had to pass up unpaid opportunities because I needed to make money. So, instead of spending the summer learning more about my chosen field, I spent it delivering pizzas, or working on a moving truck. It gave them a HUGE leg up in the interview process and on their resumes.
Brynne Forrest 1 year ago
That one about the garbage and the running water and the person that made the comment about..... people complaining about taxes? UM, I PAY for my water service, sewer service AND garbage service every month. Those are three separate bills. My taxes are NOT paying for those things because the sanitation service is contracted out by the county to a private business. Our water and sewer is county run but we are still paying for it. For context I live in northern California. But I've also lived in Delaware, North Carolina, Alabama, Pennsylvania.... and paid a bill for each of those things in all of those places. So I'm confused as to what "complaining about taxes" has to do with it.
Lauren Caswell 1 year ago
I'm just putting it out there: Disabilities do count. We are 'meant to be', despite what some panda here thinks
Mike F 1 year ago
Wow! This is one of the only posts that has an "us vs them" vibe that hasn't degenerated into a generational/national thing. This was great. No having to lay it down for a while to cool off. There is lots to learn here, and like the AA process says "take what you need and leave the rest". So many different things to chew on and mull over. For the second time in a week, I love this place! Thanks to everyone who, while disagreeing, kept things civil!
Kate Jones 1 year ago (edited)
I always think about Little House on the Prairie, and how back then they had so little to function in life. How grateful I am to have running water and plumbing. Indoor plumbing alone is such an amazing invention and has kept people from disease and from having to dig holes to use. Having the ability to go to grocery store and buy whatever I want, really. Maybe I can't afford it all but just walking into a place like that is a privilege so many people don't have even now. Medicine at your fingertips. Roads... a lot of places even now struggle to get aid and food to people who need it not because of lack of charity or desire, but because they literally have no way of getting there. Cars... being able to open your world through travelling. Even something trivial like having TV. Charles Ingalls used to play his violin once in a blue moon and it was all the entertainment they had other than books.
Bored Seb 1 year ago
I disagree with the "supportive parents". Saying it's a privilege is wrong. It is the way it should be. It should be normality. Saying that it's a privilege make it sounds that it should no be normality. BTW, this is the same for a lot of entry here. Don't say it's a privilege when everyone should have the same thing.
Kristal 1 year ago
Or maybe that's only how a handful of people think. I'm not jealous due to this list, I see it as a list to reflect on my own life and appreciate what I have. Says a lot about you if this is a list to cause jealousy.
Load More Replies...
veirdbuttrue 1 year ago
Exactly. I'm amazed that this isn't on the above list. All your civil liberties are gone, your job, your house your life, your food supply, the life of people and the pets you love are under extreme and immediate threat all the time.
Load More Replies... Crescent 3 1 year ago
BEING ABLE TO TAKE UNPAID INTERNSHIPS - Some of my more well-off college friends were able to take great unpaid internships at major companies and law firms because they didn't have to worry how their rent would get paid or how to put food on the table or how they would afford next semester's tuition. I, on the other hand, had to pass up unpaid opportunities because I needed to make money. So, instead of spending the summer learning more about my chosen field, I spent it delivering pizzas, or working on a moving truck. It gave them a HUGE leg up in the interview process and on their resumes.
Brynne Forrest 1 year ago
That one about the garbage and the running water and the person that made the comment about..... people complaining about taxes? UM, I PAY for my water service, sewer service AND garbage service every month. Those are three separate bills. My taxes are NOT paying for those things because the sanitation service is contracted out by the county to a private business. Our water and sewer is county run but we are still paying for it. For context I live in northern California. But I've also lived in Delaware, North Carolina, Alabama, Pennsylvania.... and paid a bill for each of those things in all of those places. So I'm confused as to what "complaining about taxes" has to do with it.
Lauren Caswell 1 year ago
I'm just putting it out there: Disabilities do count. We are 'meant to be', despite what some panda here thinks
Mike F 1 year ago
Wow! This is one of the only posts that has an "us vs them" vibe that hasn't degenerated into a generational/national thing. This was great. No having to lay it down for a while to cool off. There is lots to learn here, and like the AA process says "take what you need and leave the rest". So many different things to chew on and mull over. For the second time in a week, I love this place! Thanks to everyone who, while disagreeing, kept things civil!
Kate Jones 1 year ago (edited)
I always think about Little House on the Prairie, and how back then they had so little to function in life. How grateful I am to have running water and plumbing. Indoor plumbing alone is such an amazing invention and has kept people from disease and from having to dig holes to use. Having the ability to go to grocery store and buy whatever I want, really. Maybe I can't afford it all but just walking into a place like that is a privilege so many people don't have even now. Medicine at your fingertips. Roads... a lot of places even now struggle to get aid and food to people who need it not because of lack of charity or desire, but because they literally have no way of getting there. Cars... being able to open your world through travelling. Even something trivial like having TV. Charles Ingalls used to play his violin once in a blue moon and it was all the entertainment they had other than books.
Bored Seb 1 year ago
I disagree with the "supportive parents". Saying it's a privilege is wrong. It is the way it should be. It should be normality. Saying that it's a privilege make it sounds that it should no be normality. BTW, this is the same for a lot of entry here. Don't say it's a privilege when everyone should have the same thing.
Kristal 1 year ago
Or maybe that's only how a handful of people think. I'm not jealous due to this list, I see it as a list to reflect on my own life and appreciate what I have. Says a lot about you if this is a list to cause jealousy.
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