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In some situations one might feel like there’s no other option but to lie; for example, when your mother-in-law serves her famous stew you don’t like that much, but say how much you enjoy it every time nevertheless. (As a matter of fact, people reportedly tell an average of 1.08 lies per day.)

However, sometimes, the white lie is completely uncalled for or unnecessary, especially when a person tries to prove just how much they enjoy an activity, even if they don’t (and there’s no mother-in-law to impress). People on Reddit recently discussed such situations after one of them asked netizens what activities many people only pretend to like. Reddit users covered all sorts of scenarios, from talking about kids to social media use, so if you’re curious about what else was there, wait no longer and scroll down to find out.

Below you will find not only the netizens’ answers but thoughts shared by the OP themselves as well as by the Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, Richard Wiseman, who was kind enough to answer a few of Bored Panda’s questions about why people pretend to like certain things.

#1

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Happy birthday song at a restaurant.

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#2

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Networking and making sure you know people that know people. Job politics etc.

Can I just get a job based off experience and not who I know ?

Delightful_Dratini , Christina Morillo / Pexels Report

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Data1001
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, that's very difficult. Based on my own personal experiences, my best jobs came from personal connections.

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In a recent interview with Bored Panda, the OP shared that they decided to pose this specific question because they were curious about what people actually think of the things we do in society. “Plus I wanted to see if it wasn’t just me that thought some things were just things we pretend to like,” they added.

“I wasn’t exactly surprised by the redditors’ responses because all of them were things that I think most of us were in silent agreement that we didn’t like but just put up with because of social pressure or desire to keep the peace.”

#4

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Watching NASCAR. I don't know how anyone can sit there and watch those cars go around and around for hours.

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Zara VP
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NASCAR is actually very enjoyable to watch- if you know how it works and what is going on. If you are unaware of the rules and technical aspect (high speed driving, pit stops and everything else) then I can see how it appears boring. I felt that same way until I learned.

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#5

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Smoking cigarettes. 


Pretty much every smoker I've ever known wants to stop doing it and would prefer to never have started in the first place.

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The curious redditor shared that if they themselves had to pinpoint a thing that most people only pretend to like, it would be going to clubs. “I don’t think people enjoy getting drunk and dancing around a bunch of strangers for no reason at all. It usually doesn’t end well and I think it’s just a desperate attempt at immediate social interaction,” they said, adding that in their opinion, people pretend to like things “either out of social pressure or to follow traditions in our society that they don’t want to challenge out of fear of ostracism.”

#7

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Golf.

I would literally rather s**t in my hands and clap than walk around in the sun hitting a ball.

Now, everyone I've said that to in RL says 'but U drink heaps of beer!" Well I tell them I can drink beer at home where it's cheaper and doesn't require driving a buggy and walking around.

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#8

Going to hot, overly crowded bars, paying $12 for a beer with the music too loud on s****y speakers.

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Anna Ekberg
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people insist on going to bad, overpriced bars that plays s****y music? I've been to plenty of bars that were really nice.

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Discussing the reasons why people pretend they like something in front of others, Dr. Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, compared everyday life to going to the theater: “Offstage the actors have a certain personality and onstage they pretend to be someone else. In everyday life, there is the way that we really think and feel, and the image that we give to other people.

“We often do this in order to give the impression that we are especially tolerant, or cultured, or happy, and so on. In social psychology this is sometimes referred to as impression management, and nearly everyone does it most of the time as a way of connecting with others and projecting a certain identity.”

#9

Attenting baby showers… and gender reveal parties.

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Emma S
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another American tradition that Brits have adopted, along with school proms and Black Friday. 🙄

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#10

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Hearing about people’s kids.

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While in some people’s eyes pretending to like something you actually don’t is equal to lying, Dr. Wiseman suggested that it could be considered more of a part of the human psyche than lying. “I guess that some people are more honest and have a more ’take it or leave it’ approach, and others are more concerned about making a good impression.

“There might be lots of psychological factors at play,” he continued. “For instance, the former group might be happy to have a small group of friends that value their authentic self, whilst the latter group might want to know lots more people and so are more motivated to project a sense of self that appeals to more people.”

#12

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Twitter. The site is full of bots and rageaholics. The UI is frustrating at best. Having a "discussion" in tweet form is tedious as hell. How many hot takes do you really need to satisfy yourself before it's overkill?

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#13

Going to church.

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Michael Largey
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"God is everywhere." Except on Sunday mornings, where He can apparently only be found in certain select locations.

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#14

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Cruises.

You spend how much money to be cooped on a boat with 3,000 strangers, for how long?

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L H
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've only done a couple, but I like the fact you wake up in a new place every day without the effort of travelling. We never had any issues finding quiet spaces to ourselves.

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In Dr. Wiseman’s opinion, pretending to like something you don’t can be both detrimental and beneficial, as it all depends on the context. “In general, I think it is good for people to take into account the concerns and thoughts of others, and to find ways of connecting with those people. That is going to require some flexibility in terms of how you project yourself. However, if that becomes too extreme then it will be difficult for people to develop deeper, and more lasting, relationships because these won’t be built on a sense of authenticity,” he said.

#15

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To I do not understand runners, especially people that run marathons, 5ks, etc. purely for “fun”.

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Tams21
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like running through a town or the countryside an awful lot more than staring at the same four walls in a gym.

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#16

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Those people that claim to be able to taste things in wine like sea air and a hint of lemons from a specific tree. P**s off with that s**te.

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troufaki13
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're a smoker chances are your taste buds do not work as well. I'm no expert but I've been to wine tastings and although I can't taste everything, some things are really distinct.

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#17

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To LinkedIn.

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James016
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LinkedIn is basically an online asylum for the extra pretentious these days.

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#18

Sex on the beach--way too sandy. Sex in the shower or underwater. Never enough natural lube!

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#19

Strip clubs. F*****g gross, man.

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Pork Chop
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a man, I never understood the appeal. I've gone about 3-4 times, mostly as part of a bachelor party. The only thing that it was good for was to help you identify the real creeps in your group of friends.

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#20

Anywhere with deafening loud music. I don’t get the appeal of concerts and clubs. Can’t even chat a person up.

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Ace
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clubs, I grant you, but concerts are things you go to to listen to the music, not to chat with your mates.

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#21

Exercising. I f*****g despise it. Feeling hot, sweaty, aching, nauseous. Oh yeah, let’s do this every day!

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#22

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Watching the 10 million videos someone posts on Snapchat from a concert.

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BewilderedBanana
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure not even the people who record these actually watch them. So they don't enjoy the concert fully coz they're too busy recording, and then not watch the recordings coz they're probably taking photos of their food or something :)

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#23

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Going to a parade.  Just standing there looking at mostly-uninteresting stuff walk by, and your feet hurt and there's nowhere to pee.  I hate them.

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

Depends on the parade. If people put time into floats, silly costumes and fun routines, then yeah, I'll go and pretend not to feel snubbed when they only throw candy at the kids, but if it's just a bunch of nobodys taking a stroll, then my interest is lost.

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#25

Chit chat about polite nothings with ppl you barely know.

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#26

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Hanging out with the parents of your child's friend.

despenser412 , Kelsey Chance / Unsplash Report

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Kaspar Kristiansen
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually one of the ways to make new friends when you're an adult with smaller kids. Might be akward at first, but if you invest, you might find chemistry to get new friends.

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#27

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Nightclubbing, especially the idiotic dancing.

anon , DJVIBE / STUDIOX / Unsplash Report

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Jack Burton
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What ? You mean people pretend to like dancing ? Or like partying ?

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#29

Work.

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SBocker78
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss working so much. I loved my job and it was devastating to have to quit for health reasons. I'd give anything to be back at it.

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#30

Church, it's miserable and boring. Make it 30 mins or less and I might still be going.

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Michael Largey
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's miserable and boring, you shouldn't be there no matter how long or short it is.

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#31

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Commuting. So many of my coworkers talked about missing their commute during lockdown, and I wanted to tell them NO you miss having alone time!

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Ace
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not believe that anyone said that. Missed time with colleagues, perhaps, just like everyone in isolation, but no the commute itself.

Bobby
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I missed my designated podcast time. But I just popped in my ear buds with breakfast and problem solved

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deejak
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back in the day when I used to drive an hour+ each way to work, I would sing with my favorite songs. I haven't done that in years and I miss it.

Bittersweetie
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to the comments I guess some people hate commuting but I enjoyed the alone time when I drove and when I rode the bus I read some great books and had some AWESOME naps!

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Tams21
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? None of my colleagues said that, in fact it was the biggest complaint when we had start coming back in.

Ample Aardvark
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did miss my commute, which was a 2 mile walk each way between villages, nice and quiet safe. I was waaaaaaaaay fitter than I am now, upside is I don't have to buy new shoes every six months

Donald
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On behalf of all "essential" employees, we didn't miss you on our commute. It was glorious not dealing with rush hour traffic everyday. My commute time was cut in half for over a year.

Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's probably more that people missed daily life, being out and about than the actual commute itself.

Raphapablap
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently had to work abroad and hated commuting to the office there. My commute at home is a 15 minute walk.

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#32

Social media trends that keep coming and going every 3-4 weeks.

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#33

Waking up before 7am.

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deejak
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ew. Well, not the waking part, but the getting up part. I often awake early, read for a bit, then go back to sleep til 10 or 11. Yes, retired.

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#35

Smoking cigars. I’ve done it plenty, I just don’t see it being pleasurable. 🤷🏻‍♂️.

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#37

Hating Nickleback.

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#38

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To League of Legends. Every person I've met that says they love it turns into an absolute rage goblin when they're actually playing. I've been hanging in Discord with many of them during games - if they're losing they're salty, if they win, they're either still salty because they didn't win enough, or they're emotionally neutral. I've never once heard a League of Legends player express enjoyment during match or say something like "wow, that was a fun match, I had a good time" after playing one.

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#39

Eating Kale.

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deejak
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not if you have it braised with bratwurst and garlic mashed potatoes!

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#40

Looking at other peoples holiday photos when they get back to work. I like how the ones with the holiday photos wait like a predator for the perfect moment to get their phone out to zoom through their 10,000 photos before they think you will be bored looking at your eyes to see if you are still interested. Just a little side note to you all, NOBODY cares and people are only "looking" out of politeness! 😆.

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Cathy
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooo nooooo 😭 I love watching holiday photos but nobody wants to anymore these days 😕 I love showing mine too btw

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#41

Singing happy birthday in the work break room.

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#42

Crossfit.

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#43

Posting on social media.

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#45

Wine tasting. 99% of people can't tell a good wine from a bad wine. Most people lie and agree with whatever the "expert" says.

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Data1001
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not true, but it's also not true that you have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a really good wine. There are definitely terrible and substandard wines out there, but there are great ones which you can get for a very reasonable price.

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#46

"Golf": 30 People Share Things They Don't Believe Anyone Genuinely Likes, They Just Pretend To Parenting.

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Emma S
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watching my son grow into a young man has been the greatest honour of my life. Parenting is hard, and it isn't for everyone and that's fine. I personally wouldn't have traded it for anything and the joy I've got from my son far outweighs all the bad times. That said, I am a member of the one and done club. 🤣

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#47

Going to the beach. Hot. Boring. Sand everywhere.

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#48

Playing monopoly. Entire generations full of s**t.

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#49

Hosting dinners.

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Anna Ekberg
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the person hosting, some people really love hosting dinners/parties and some don't. 🤷‍♀️

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#50

Raising kids, probably. Don't confuse it with not liking kids. Everyone likes them, but raising them is a different game!

Edit: Parenting is already an answer so this is redundant.

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#51

Cycling - it can be really toxic if you go with a group. The ones I’ve met are super competitive/ egotistical people. Constantly trying to one up each other with the most expensive bikes and fastest times. The opposite of a team sport.

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Certainly not Dan
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean cycling clubs, and I’d agree. They seem to take the fun out of it. A Sunday ride with your mates though, magic :) I love cycling.

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#52

Being a dad.

As a childless male, all of my male friends and colleagues seem to hate being a father. They complain all the time that all they do is work, then come home to do more work and they don't have any time to themselves. I've been aware of situations where a colleague came in sick because it was easier than being at home or a friend who took the day off work but didn't tell his wife so he could just sit in a park for a the day.

I also wonder if the situation is the same for a lot of mothers but it's much more difficult to say negative things about parenthood as a woman.

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François Bouzigues
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Waw, it sucks so much to read this. Being a dad is by miles the single greatest thing of my life. Maybe when kids grow teenagers it start to suck more. But the 0-10Yo has been amazing for now.

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#53

Dinner with in-laws.

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Anna Ekberg
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the in-laws and what kind of relationship you have with them.

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#54

Veganism.

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BewilderedBanana
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not vegan myself, but i've met two kinds of vegans. The ones who made the decision to stop eating animal-derived foods for health/ethics or whatever other reason, genuinely experiment with it and come up with amazing recipes and ideas. Then there are the other ones who just jumped on a trend and are more concerned about guilting anyone who sniffs a bacon-flavoured potato chip and preaching their new-found ideals. From my experience, the former group really enjoy being vegan and are fun to be around. The second group give the first group a bad name :)

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#55

Travelling to poor and dirty countries? Having to worry about food poisoning every time you eat? Nah thanks.

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Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoa! Poor, dirty countries full of poor, dirty people who are too mentally inferior to practice food safety? Mm-hm, cause poor people are famous for letting food spoil or get contaminated, because there's always plenty more available for free. This post is offensive af. I've been to several "poor, dirty" countries and have never had a negative experience with food handling practices. OP needs to get over themself

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