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35 “Invisible” Privileges That Most People Don’t Notice Because They Have Them
Interview With Author
Whether we like it or not, we’re all privileged. In different ways. In different amounts. But we’ve all got some type of advantage over others. And sometimes… sometimes we don’t even realize we’re privileged. No, not in the classic way you’ve probably read about on the internet! Some privileges don’t actually sound like privileges so some folks don’t realize that’s what they are. In other words, they’re ‘invisible.’
Redditor Woo_loo asked their fellow online users to name a privilege that most people don’t realize is a privilege and their thread went viral. From pointing out that feeling safe in your own home is something a lot of us take for granted to having the ability to read or even a bed to sleep in, some of these responses hit home hard with the simple fact that we take so many wonderful things for granted.
Have a read through some of the best responses that redditors have answered with and upvote the ones you agree with 100%. And be sure to read on for Bored Panda’s interview with the original poster of the thread, redditor Woo_loo themselves.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not knowing what war actually is like
David Retsler 4 years ago
I know what it is like and I pray the idiot leaders of this country stop using it as one of the first options and start using it as it should be- the very last and final act of diplomacy.
Bacony Cakes 4 years ago
And maybe next time officially declare it rather than just writing it down as "Intervention"?
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Mimi777 4 years ago
I was 2 when the war in Bosnia was going on. I don’t remember anything but my parents said I saw some awful things. It started a little bit after I was born and I was constantly crying from hearing bombs going off around us. I have a 2 year old now and I can’t imagine her having to live through some of the things I did.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
Born in the same year, I do remember a war in a neighboring country (Yugoslavia). It was one of the main topic in the news and thus one of the things I remember from my childhood...
Load More Replies... GlassHalfWay 4 years ago
Not only for the military, but also those living in countries as everyday citizens.
Gordon Hopper 4 years ago
I served in the US Navy from 1982 through 1986, peacetime, but hostilities were brewing in the middle east. I knew a few older guys who served in Vietnam; emotionally scarred for life, including my Company Commander in boot camp. Felt so sorry for them and their families.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 4 years ago
I have a feeling that those of us in the States are going to find out soon enough.
RELATED:
#2
Living without constant physical pain. The idea that most people just exist without nonspecific pain is baffling to me.
Mrs_ Possum 4 years ago
And worse, invisible pain that people label you as somehow 'dramatic' or 'weak' for suffering from if you mention it. Been there, done that, been ridiculed for having a bad day 😬 Be kind, ppl.
Crochet lady 4 years ago
I had made a friend through a friend who lived in Africa. We started writing to each other, basically became penpals for years. She always seemed like a lovely, warm person. I rarely talk about my fibromyalgia or other health issues, who wants to burden a friendship with all that? But one day she wrote and asked if I was ok, I hadn't been writing to her as often, I said my pain had been really bad and I had been sick on top of it. She answered "we ALL have our burdens, I see REAL suffering everyday". I have never been so shocked/hurt in my life. I I asked her why someone else's suffering was a bigger deal to her, suffering is suffering. Anyway, I was angry and told her she needed to check herself, she was rude and insensitive. Just because my pain is invisible to you or I don't talk about it much doesn't mean I'm not suffering. Anyway, we don't talk anymore. Who needs "friends" like that?
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Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
Agreed. I live with chronic pain of various kinds and suffer invisible symptoms that have got me plenty of dirty looks when using the disabled toilets.
Mangagorl 4 years ago
Same! I had someone tell me "those are for the people that need them young lady" once, like m a a m -
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Crochet lady 4 years ago
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 30 years ago, I don't remember what a pain free day feels like. Also having energy, most days I'm hard pressed to take a shower and get dressed. There are days where even wearing clothing hurts, pajamas are tolerable. The pain differs from day to day, ranging from deep muscle ache, horrible bone pain and skin sensitivity. Some days I have all of these and some days just one or the other. I have built up a tolerance to pain medication. Acupuncture helps alleviate sometimes. Anyway, chronic pain sucks!
Bruce Scheiman 4 years ago
Wow, if you don't mind me asking, why do you find it painful to wear clothing? Where do you suffer from the bone pain, most? it i
Load More Replies... Lianna Valdez 4 years ago
My dream would be to be pain free someday. But I know it's impossible since they can't do spine transplants.
La Petite Morte 4 years ago (edited)
You and me both, fellow traveler. All they know is 'something' is wrong with my spine and it causes 'something' to hyper excite my nervous system, but it's not anything diagnosable, because treatments for all known conditions haven't worked. So..... take 5 steps:: curl into ball until pain lessens:: take 5 steps:: curl into ball until pain lessens:: repeat ad nauseam until destination is reached. ~~~~~ the articulated vertebral suspension bridge for replacing degrading facets looks really promising, if the US allows it over here anytime soon.
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deanna woods 4 years ago
My father has spinal stenosis so he is always in pain. We try to get him to take his meds,but he doesn't want to become addicted to them like his sister.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
I sooooo wish this was a privilege that I was lucky enough to have.
Ksenia M 4 years ago
But do they? After a certain age most people have some kind of illness that causes them pain. It might not be bad enough to be a disabilty, sure, but I don't think I know anyone who just exists without pain.
Batwench 4 years ago
I wish mine came with old age but it didn’t. It is mentally tiring feeling pain 24/7 as well as the frustration of not being able to do what you want to do. The mind may be will but body certainly isn’t.
Load More Replies... #3
Feeling safe in your own home. Not worrying about rats, mice, roaches, bed bugs, bricks being thrown through windows, violence outside, break ins.
varwenea 4 years ago
Earned my way to achieve this privilege. This was my youth that I managed to climb out of.
Nicki 4 years ago
Same...African American, single mother with 3 kids, and living under the poverty line. Went to college (even though I am still paying debt for loans 20 years later...sigh...), worked my way up and here I am. Living in one of the safest cities in the US, with my kids who will never experience the struggle. My husband did the same by joining the military and retiring after 22 years. It is very hard, but do-able.
Load More Replies... Katie Lutesinger 4 years ago
The only rats in my place are here by invitation! Spoilt-Nos...1d0fd0.jpg 
Nicki 4 years ago
Awwwww!!! I love those little nuggets, RIP snowball 😰😰😰
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Crochet lady 4 years ago
I grew up dealing with most of these things. My dad died when I was 8 years old and my mom, who was a stay at home mom (as many were in the 70's) hadn't worked in 15 years. She was left with 5 kids to feed, shelter & clothes and ZERO money. All the money was spent on my dad's health (lung cancer, was dying upstairs for a year) and funeral. We went from a decent middle class life to having to scrape up money for food and rent. A neighbor rented us a hovel for $300 a month, should have been condemned, walls were missing between bedrooms so we slept like a barracks. Had problems with roaches & rats from day one. Really bad neighborhood. But I married well, a man who planned & saved for the future. We put 3 kids through college and have a beach house. That other life feels like a bad dream. Whew.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago (edited)
My neighbourhood used to be a less safe place for me and others before the youths and their families (from the council estate I live adjoining) causing the trouble were moved to a different city... after ten years of the neighbourhood suffering at the hands of their petty criminality and anti-social behaviour.
May 4 years ago
I grew up in an extremely safe place - we didn't lock our doors, there was practially no crime and so I've never learned to be scared of walking alone at night no matter where in the world I've been, and I still forget to lock the doors. Nothing bad has ever happened, so I continue to never feel unsafe. I'm aware of being extremely privileged. It must be exhausting to constantly have to worry about safety.
Aliquid A 4 years ago
My neighborhood has been around for 45 years, and there hasn't been one instance of a house break-in (cars/sheds, etc. have been broken into but not a home). I'm pretty sure everyone here feels safe.
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Nathalie Edelhirsch 4 years ago
I have rats, mice and some buggish creatures but still very privileged.
Dippin Dot 4 years ago
I live in a quiet neighborhood in a small city with rather low crime, but yet my home was broken into. It doesn't matter where you live, it's a matter of who is in the area. The guy who did it was from a different town and was high.
Aliquid A 4 years ago
Ok... but in some neighborhoods the chance of having your home broken into is lower than your chances of dying in a car crash, yet people aren't scared every time they get into a car. In your situation your chances of being broken into were incredibly low and you won (lost?) the "crime lottery". Too often we fear highly unlikely things, yet brush off things that might actually happen.
Load More Replies...Woo_loo’s thread got 12k upvotes on the r/AskReddit community, over 7k responses, as well as a whopping 92% upvote rate. What’s more, the redditor got 58 medals for their efforts in bringing such an important and intriguing discussion to the forefront.
Redditor Woo_loo was very open with Bored Panda about what inspired them to create the thread and the fact that they didn’t expect their submission to “blow up like this” on the net.
#4
Affordable healthcare.
deanna woods 4 years ago
This is an issue that needs to be resolved here in the US. Everyone should have access to affordable healthcare regardless of their income.
NMN 4 years ago
And if you don't want the free option, the private is affordable as well. Living in US it is cheaper for me to travel to Brazil to have medical stuff done than in US. Also there are some meds that exist in Europe and Brazil, but not here
Load More Replies... Mike Crow 4 years ago
My son asked me how much we spent on his medical expenses when he was younger. I said nothing, we live in Canada.
Laura Louis 4 years ago
You paid for it in your high taxes. It's paid for one way or another. It's not "free"
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Rodrigo “centoventicinque” Boschi 4 years ago
my dads medications have a price tag of 4500 € for each day, he must take them for the rest of his life, each day , the price is covered by public healthcare , he also receive some money back because due to covid he have to drive to the hospital for getting them every 2 weeks
#5
Being able to hold the hand of your partner in public without harassment or the fear of something bad happening to you.
Aj Grimes (they/it)🦄 4 years ago
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IS LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Sadly these places are rare and it seems they are getting rarer. Homophobia and intolerance is on the rise while authorities are standing aside, unwilling to intervene, downplaying the problem and often shielding the homophobes from legal consequences.
You are Beautiful (He, Him) 4 years ago
Yeah this is a real thing. I have to be scared bc i'm gay so when I gold hands with my bf a lot of the time pepole judge us. It's scary.
Aj Grimes (they/it)🦄 4 years ago
I'm scared to hold my crush's hand in school bc of the other kids.
Load More Replies... deanna woods 4 years ago
I wish that it was possible in this whole world for someone to be able to hold hands with the person they love and not be bothered over it. As @varwenea said LOVE IS LOVE.
Dash Blue 4 years ago (edited)
I live in a neighborhood where a lot of gay people live. I see a same sex couple holding hands. Sometimes, when they see me, a big straight guy, approaching, a couple will quickly pull their hands apart. I want to say, Please, you can hold hands! I don’t care. I accept you. Completely. Even in gay friendly neighborhoods gay people do not feel completely safe.
not happy and he knows it 4 years ago
Unfortunately I still can’t do this.. I go to a sh**ty school where they don’t do eniugh about the homophobia, and if you come out you’re automatically labelled as gay and are forever laughed at.
Fluffy Griffin 4 years ago
I think they are implying hetero/same ethnicity/same age group couples.
Load More Replies... #6
Waking up and just being able to see. What’s that like? No glasses, no contacts. Just wow.
Phoenix 4 years ago (edited)
I’ve had my glasses for such a long time I can’t remember when my vision wasnt so blurry. Got them in second grade, am now almost to college and I’m told they’re so bad that I probably can’t get the laser surgery thing.
Dippin Dot 4 years ago
Air Optix Night/Day contacts - you wear them for 30 days straight, even at night. They are the next best thing to lasik - I promise!
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Chris Jones 4 years ago
Though the fact that there are glasses, contact lenses and operations that improve sight is a wonderful thing. Think of what it must be like for those who don't have these options.
Load More Replies... I Liquored On 4 years ago
I payed through the nose for laser surgery after seeing life as a Van Gogh painting until my mid 20s. One of the few purchases I have never regretted.
Kathy G 4 years ago
When I was in my 40's I had Lasik surgery on both my eyes it was wonderful to see without help! But when I hit my mid 50's I needed reading glasses. Not so bad as I only needed them reading or using the computer/phone. Now I'm 60 and I have to wear bifocals! Someone up above thinks they're funny doing that to me! hahaha
Adrienne Early 4 years ago
When I was pregnant I leaned what it was like to have bad eyesight. I went from being able to read signs all the way down a long grocery aisle, to only being able to read signs within 15 feet or so. It was really scary. It was something that came and went several times over a 2 month span. Really bizarre.
Jon S. 4 years ago
Glasses are hardly any burden. I've had mine for 15 years and the only time I even notice them is if they fog up on a cold day. So long as you can afford them, they are no problem.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
I had lasik done about 16 years ago. My eyes are going bad again to where I really need glasses.
Carrie de Luka 4 years ago
Though to put the positive spin on that at least you'll get glasses that can correct your vision. There are charities that collect old glasses for use in some countries for people who would otherwise go without anything at all to help them see.
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Moezarella 4 years ago
My entire family (parents & 4 siblings) have glasses except me. I always think about how blessed I am at that.
Woo_loo explained to us that what inspired them to turn to r/AskReddit with their question was their line of thinking about all of the things that we have but we’re not constantly aware of.
“I was thinking about how people always say that we should be grateful for things like clean water and education so I wanted to know what else we were taking for granted that isn’t talked about,” they said.
#7
Being able to walk alone, especially at night, without any worry at all.
Noez 🇸🇪 4 years ago
I've never done that. And I almost LOL:d at that thought before I realized how sad it was.
Sneeze 4 years ago
me either... yet I'm a 15 y/o girl living in a pretty safe community... I just am always on my guard
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Valérie Lafrance 4 years ago (edited)
In Montréal, Canada, in most part of this big city we (girl, woman & men) will walk by night and feel safe. Men often change sidewalks to give us free space. They learn to be very respectful and courteous. We are sooo lucky.
Mathieu Brouwers 4 years ago
Now imaging that half of the world population has no indoor bathroom. How many girls and women risk to be raped when they have to pee after dawn?
Vlatka Jurkovic 4 years ago
Omg...I can walk alone at night in my country. Always have. I hope you all can live sometimes where you can walk. Always....
Iapetos 4 years ago
Oh god, how often I marched through Vienna at night, alone, on my way home, and people were as always. No one mugs you, no one harasses you out of the blue...
Tiari 4 years ago
Same for most German areas (exceptions are for example the areas around railway stations in bigger cities).
Load More Replies... Johnny 4 years ago
Singapore and Japan are the only places I've felt genuinely safe walking alone at night. But not anywhere in the USA.
Veerle Geens 4 years ago
Same, I felt super safe in Japan, but not really in Europe and NZ. I am on my guard all the time. Nothing serious happened yet, but it never feels safe as a women.
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Elo Casey 4 years ago
Australia. Coming from France it took me a while to relax but now, no issues
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#8
Having a bed. When I was ages 8-11, my siblings and I had to sleep on the floor because we lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment.
I remember turning twelve and finally getting to sleep in my own bed after three years of not having one. It was euphoria.
varwenea 4 years ago
There was a scene in "The Blind Side" where Michael said he never had one of those before. The mom asked - A room? He answered - No, a bed. I felt a stab to my heart instantly.
Crochet lady 4 years ago
A classmate invited me over for a sleepover in the 8th grade, which looking back seems odd under three circumstances. She and her mom lived in a one bedroom apartment and shared a bed. When I slept over I slept on the couch. I remember thinking I would never want my friends to know about this but she didn't seem to care, it was normal to her. It was a beautiful apartment, well decorated and stylish. But it was very tiny. I think they could have afforded a 2 bedroom if the mom didn't like such beautiful things, her clothes and apartment were very rich looking. I guess it comes down to what is more important to you, I'd rather give my 13 year old her own room and privacy rather than have nice things, but that's me.
Evgeniya Khon 4 years ago
I slept on the broken couch that hurt my back till I was 18, finally got my own bed in university. Never ever getting back to sleeping on the couch again!
CrunChewy McSandybutt 4 years ago
At the age of 12, my sister and I slept on army cots from the 1960s. They are not comfy, if you were wondering.
deanna woods 4 years ago
You don't realize how blessed you are to have a bed until you read stories like this. I have always had a bed to sleep in and haven't had to sleep on the floor.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I definitely consider my bed a blessing... thankful to be able to return to it every evening. I really feel for those who haven't got the comfort or security of a decent bed in a warm home...
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Yep. My parents both had this experience, and were adamant we kids have our own beds, not share, not sleep on floor.
#9
Having an emotionally mature parent.
Tiredpossum 4 years ago
still don't have one. I still have to live with them tho. I'm not that old
Chancey 4 years ago
My parent has always been emotionally immature. Very spiteful, vindictive and petty. Growing up was not a fun experience.
La Petite Morte 4 years ago
It looks like you're trying to succeed in spite of (and maybe to spite) them. Good for you!!!!
Load More Replies... Suzy the observer 4 years ago
I was raised by a bipolar, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive mother. I feel that in my soul.
deanna woods 4 years ago
I have never had to worry about having emotionally mature parents. My parents are very mature in their emotions. They don't play games with my siblings and I.
Satya Bain 4 years ago
Mine were, thank God. My kids still do not have the benefit of an emotionally mature father. At this point, I have given up.
Karen Lyon 4 years ago (edited)
That is something I am grateful for every day of my life. Particularly since both of my parents came from dysfunctional families. They married at 22/23 and had 5 kids in the first 6 years. Despite all the challenges, they were the most amazing parents and set a beautiful example. They would be so proud of their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. We were BLESSED!!
In the redditor’s opinion, all of us, no matter how rich or poor, happy or miserable, all of us have something to be grateful for. However, Woo_loo pointed out to Bored Panda that they don’t expect that anyone’s constantly thinking about their privileges and how much they appreciate them. Imagine how exhausting it would be to always be grateful for hundreds of small wonders, every hour of every day. There wouldn’t be any time for living and making great experiences.
#10
Sleeping through the night
Adrienne Early 4 years ago
I've gotten "addicted" to sleep medicine because I really enjoy the ability to fall asleep within a few minutes of laying down. Up until I was about 35, it would take me about an hour to an hour and a half to fall asleep, and then if I was awakened it would take another 30-40 min to fall back asleep. I know drugs are bad but sleep is sooooooo gooooood.
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Xylle Flora 4 years ago
Honestly I cannot wrap my head around the fact that some people can sleep at will
RoseTheMad 4 years ago
Being able to fall asleep within like.. 5 minutes, too. My dad can fall asleep quick like that and it pisses me off. I remember being in my teens, tired out of my mind and feeling ill from it because I struggled with sleep so much, but he'd just make light out of it. Fast forward years and its no better, and I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which means sleeping can be even harder even though I am fatigued af... e_e
GlassHalfWay 4 years ago
Oh wow, so that's what it's called. I've had that a few times. Not sure if the noise I heard was real or imagined. Scary.
Load More Replies... Adrián Kovács 4 years ago
Might be about time to try medications for it...?
Load More Replies... #11
Being in countries where you are able to speak insults to, openly criticise or question authority without going to jail
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
Within reason (excluding threat to life/well-being of others) we have freedom to express ourselves in the UK... I think that with free speech comes the responsibility to respect others' point of view too.
Jordan Smith 4 years ago
Here's the thing tho, do people actually respect other's opinions? In america, politics usually turns into a scream fest if everyone doesnt have the exact same views.
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Raven Sheridan 4 years ago
Governments like that are afraid of their people. Afraid of questions and independent thought.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Under the guise of freedom of expression, a lot of lies, hatred and incitement are being spread. If we all agree that this freedom should stop as soon as it becomes hurtful, a threat, an insult or an attack then we will have silenced a lot of agitators. It's not that difficult to turn it into a law.
Salty Old Woman 4 years ago
Are you referring to the U.S.? Because it is that difficult here. There is so much misinformation and fear mongering on both sides. People get accused of hate speech for having opinions that are not in any way hateful. Facts are referred to as insults. Difference of opinion is referred to as threats. It's an absolute mess, and what we need isn't more laws, because it'snot the laws, or lack thereof that's causing the problem. It's the politicians who care more about keeping their party in power, rather than caring about the truth. We need for each side to take a breath and listen to the other without assuming the biases that the opposing party has put out. We need to put our fists down and talk. It's not the talking that's the problem, it's the fists.
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Andrew Thompson 4 years ago
That freedom is being reduced more rapidly than most would believe. Is is being reduced by both government "authority" and media "authority"
Julie C Rose 4 years ago
New Zealanders can throw a dildo at a politician and not get into trouble. 😎
Zé Pedro O Choi 4 years ago
Like Portugal...politicians don't care about us, so we don't care about them...sort of.
Cynthia Souza 4 years ago
When I was a freshman in college, I voted in my first presidential election. The candidate I voted for didn't win. In my Russian language class the next day, I said I thought the person who won was a "jerk." My Russian professor told me that if we were in Russia, I could be arrested for that comment. And he and all the other students could be arrested if they didn't report me.
#12
Fresh water from the tap. Imagine living in rural Africa. Or Flint, Michigan.
I want cake 4 years ago (edited)
I grew up in rural Africa, and our tapwater was as clean as you could want it. On the other hand, for the first four years we only had electricity twice a day for an hour, but we made it work.
Clowton 4 years ago
Why do they always come for Africa? We have some of the best spots for water.
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Elizabeth Rolando 4 years ago
And working in Flint MI, it is so sad to see these hard working people fighting just for clean water.
Gyro Pilot 4 years ago
Accurately and meaningfully summarizing the story of Flint and how it got to this point is impossible in a one-sentence post.
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Julius Martin 4 years ago
americans have a very skewed understanding of africa, as it is the second wealthiest continent, also there not all poor as many americans think, floulrishing cites
Michelle M 4 years ago
I'm African and I agree with you. Media only portrays the rural parts with starving kids and all. I live in a pretty urban city (Lagos) and wouldn't trade it for anywhere else
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Walter Brameld 4 years ago
And yet so many people who have this privilege choose instead to buy their water in single-use plastic bottles.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
We were blessed with an Artesian well at my parents' house in Canada- that water had no chlorine or anything else in it. Delicious. The water I have here in the outskirts of a city is chlorinated but at least it is safe to drink (taste dissipates if you leave your glass/bottle with the water in the fridge for a while- good to have a fridge too!)
Estee Booyens 4 years ago
I live in Africa and I have been living here for 51 years. I lived in various places and everyone, tourists included drink water from the tap. It is clean. I detest misinformation. I now live in Gansbaai, South Africa. It is the shark capital of the world. People come here from all over the planet to watch whales, dolphins, penguins, seals and do shark cave diving. You can drink the water and Gansbaai is rural. I grew up on a farm and everyone drank the tap water - my European cousins from Germany and The Netherlands too. No one died. No one got sick. Please check your facts.
Crochet lady 4 years ago
I don't understand how our government hasn't fixed the Flint problem. It's insane to think that there are Americans who pay their taxes just like the rest of us but they don't have clean, safe water. It's inexcusable and no one should be able to run for office without saying how they are going to solve the issue.
David Retsler 4 years ago
Oh, my poor Summer child. You think politicians give a s**t about anyone but themselves? What proof do you need???
Load More Replies...One of the things that Woo_loo believes (especially after reading through all of the plentiful responses that their question received on Reddit) is that we’ve all got a responsibility to help those in need and those in a worse position than ours. In short, the redditor is a humanitarian with a very honest desire to lend others a helping hand.
#13
Having pets. So many people discard them like they're playthings over the most mundane reasons.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I love my two cats- they are my chosen companions and would NEVER treat them like a non-living possession. I HATE when people do that. The only thing I control is their access to outside- too many unvaccinated cats in my neighbourhood. I also make sure they have enough good quality food, clean water and litterbox. (PS the eldest of the two is sitting on the desk next to me at this moment, keeping an eye on me).
Afton 4 years ago
I want to make so many accounts to upvote this many times
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Rainy Day Wolf 4 years ago
more than a baby, a kid will eventually help you with stuff, take care of himself, a pet never
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Rukkia 4 years ago
Never. I have only gotten rid of two animals ever. A dog that wouldn't stop biting my small children and the neighborhood children. Tried behavioral training and everything, finally had to give her up. I also had to get rid of two guinea pigs once I became chronically ill. I couldn't take care of them properly, and found them a better life.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
My dog and cats are my family, I love them more than life itself, all the dogs I had growing up were the best part of my childhood.
Laura Stenger 4 years ago
Don’t get me started about people that abuse, neglect or .....all that💩to pets!
Freya the Wanderer 4 years ago
My former furbaby Ragamuffin was a stray, probably turned out because she got pregnant. She was a wonderful pet. RIP, Rags.
Dillon Hughes 4 years ago
I would say being able to love a pet. Everyone can have one. They just want them to be a status icon. Like yay you have a 2000 pure bread dog that you never give it a second of your time of affection and now put it down because it lashes out from pent up energy. People are terrible when it comes to pets, or there the best!
Mimi777 4 years ago
My heart breaks for the animals being left outdoors right now. My parents sometimes have random cats come by and eat our cat’s food that we keep outdoors for him when he goes out. So my mom puts out extra food and water for them. They always run off if we come outside and come near them so we just watch from the window. It breaks my heart. I’m a huge animal lover.
#14
A hot shower every day
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
So far, your comments are hitting all the "Heck yes!" buttons for me. :-)
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PANDAS 4 years ago
its really sad that clean, hot water is a privilege. it should be a necessity
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I don't have a hot shower everyday but I could if I wanted to... having the option is a privilege.
Crazy Meerkat Lady 4 years ago
I've never been in circumstances where I didn't have it, but on the rare occasion for example whilst camping, where it does happen that there isn't hot water left or whatever, then it hits me. Some people do this on a daily basis, cold water or nothing at all.
Brielle Ernsteen 4 years ago
Daily showers are not good for you. They strip your hair and body of essential oils and dry you out
Andreas Simon 4 years ago
... should not be! It´s wasting water! Exept you are working in a dirty job.
#15
Being healthy instead of disabled and chronically ill.
Lsai Aeon 4 years ago
American here. For some reason I found myself watching "My Feet are Killing me" these 2 or 3 doctors telling patients they want to give them a better quality of life by fixing their feet. And here I sit, needing surgery on my gut for a hole in the flap between my stomach and esophagus and severe arthritis in my spine, to the point my quality of life has been nil for many years, wondering where I can find doctors like this
Neva Nevičica 4 years ago
After a cystitis, you discover that even peeing painlesly is a privilege.
David Retsler 4 years ago
One of my Marines lost both of his legs in Iraq. When he hears someone complaining about their feet hurting he always offers to trade. He's a joker but he's also kind of serious. Makes people think.
Jackie Nettleton 4 years ago
I m a chronic pain sufferer and life will never be the same as what it was
Laura Maeflower 4 years ago
I feel this so much. I've had a bad stomach for half my life, two years being so bad I haven't been able to work. I started a new medication last year and to even be able to help my husband make supper was a huge privilege to me. Having a capable body is such a privilege and people just think of it as standard, but there is a very large number of people who have bodily issues, it's not standard, it's healthy, and being healthy is a privilege.
Lianna Valdez 4 years ago
As of right now my quality of life sucks so bad. All I want is to get better but my doctors cant figure out how to treat me in a way that works.
“We should try to help people acquire the privileges that we take for granted and be a lot more aware of it. Not everyone has the same chances in life but we can make it as fair as possible,” the redditor opened up to Bored Panda, alluding to the idea that we’ve all got to do our best to ensure that society lives by the principle of equality of opportunity.
#16
Having a family that loves you. I grew up in a pretty loving family. It was somewhat dysfunctional, to be sure, but my mother loves me as does my sister. So did my grandparents. We were always a close family and we helped each other when possible. We were always supportive too.
I went to school with people whose parents couldn't have [cared] less about them. I mean straight up, just didn't give a [damn] if their kids lived or died. If your parents actively tried to keep you off drugs and off the streets and were emotionally supportive and not abusive, count your blessings.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
My daughter complains that other kids at her school are allowed to roam the streets, are allowed out until 10pm, let’s them ditch school, can go to parties with alcohol etc yet we won’t let her. I tell her that if others parents don’t care what their kids do then do you think they actually care about them. A loving and caring parent would care, well in my opinion anyway.
Gabby M 4 years ago
I was asked this question by my mother; If Sue SonSo's parents allowed her to jump off a bridge would you want to? Always hated that. lol and YES I asked my kids the same question.
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Vince Calabrese 4 years ago
My parents are literally in the top 100 of best parents in the entire world. I and I know I’m lucky, i want to help, and i will as soon as i get over these dang suicidal thoughts.
Viviane 4 years ago
Get help - I've been there. When it comes to therapy, you may have to try several therapists to find a good match. In the meantime: check for help lines that you can call; if you're in school, is there a psychologist at the school or someone who help you get therapy? Your parents may have a health plan that covers therapy. If you do need medication, no shame in that at all - I'm on anti-depressants and anyone who objects can eff off (Of course I usually tell them that nicely).
Load More Replies... Daphne Williams 4 years ago
My family was pretty dysfunctional, and my mother had mental health issues that affected her ability to take care of us, but I never doubted that she loved me more than anything on earth. I turned out okay.
Computernaut 4 years ago
This is so true. I too took for granted just how lucky I am to have two loving parents who still have a healthy marriage.
Suzanne Haigh 4 years ago
Never any abuse from my parents as such but they did not give a damn if I lived or died, infact would have preferred the latter.
#17
Honestly, Memory.
When Alzheimers hits, your brain is basically dead. That disease is heartbreaking for every party involved
Marette 4 years ago
I work with people with dementia. It is indeed heartbreaking, especially for their family who are now seeing a beloved parent that often doesn't recognise them, is aggressive, distressed or has reverted to a child-like state & can no longer feed or even toilet themselves. My 'privelege' is that both my elderly parents are healthy in body & mind... I give thanks for this every day & never take it for granted.
sylvantic 4 years ago
my great-great aunt has dementia. she's the sweetest person ever, but she doesn't remember my name at all. she remembers being with someone that she likes, but nto much about the person (me)
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WillemPenn 4 years ago
My FIL lives with us bc he has mid-stage dementia. It is very challenging. Especially the evenings when he is sundowning. He is past the denial stage, but cognizant enough to realize he is having cognition problems. And every time it is the "first" time he has realized he has cognition problems (as in first for him). And the fear and panic and sadness all hit him again new. In the middle of COVID, with him 90 and me and my spouse with high risk factors we cannot have anyone in to help right now. It's like having a 3 year old who thinks he is a relatively normally functioning adult.
Crochet lady 4 years ago
My husband just turned 65 and he's terrified. His mom and her mom both had Alzheimer's and both had to be taken care of for the last few years of their lives. It was the most heartbreaking thing when his own grandma who lived downstairs his entire life and helped raise him, kept asking over and over who he was. She was afraid of him. Makes me want to cry even thinking about it. She was a warm, lovely lady and had the cutest giggle but it's hard to remember those traits, you remember her crying and being hysterical because she couldn't find her glasses that were right next to her.
I Liquored On 4 years ago
My maternal grandfather went out like this. But he knew it was coming and asked us not to visit him when the time came. "It won't help me 'caus I won't really be there and it wont help you either" were his words on the matter. Of course my aunt and uncle went but us grandkids stayed away at his request. I heard enough from my uncle about it to know we didnt miss much.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
My Nanna has early onset dementia and almost every time I see her we talk about the exact same stuff. It can be frustrating but the fact is they can’t help it. It isn’t like they are doing it on purpose to annoy you. I dread the day that she won’t recognise me or know my name. So heartbreaking seeing someone you love slowly disappear.
Helen Douglas 4 years ago
So sad. My mum was diagnosed last month and I dread that too. Doesn't help that we live in different countries and I haven't seen her for so long because of covid
Load More Replies... not happy and he knows it 4 years ago
Just the fact that Alzheimers is a thing makes me scared to turn old..
Bunny Lady 4 years ago
My mum died three years ago after suffering from alzheimers for many years. She was only 72. A heartbreaking disease. I watched her slowly change from a proud, strong always smartly dressed lady to a shadow of herself, unrecognisable. Years of sadness and a waste of the life of a beautiful lady. R.I.P. Mum. X
#18
Being conventionally beautiful
It gets you more than dates. It influences prison sentences; attractive people are less likely to get convicted, and more likely to get lighter sentences when they are convicted.
Job interviews, assessments of intelligence and academic performance are all biased to favour good looking people. They are also more likely to benefit from kindess from strangers
Ladies and Gentlemen 4 years ago
Famous comedian Jim Jefferies said the same in one of his shows, "Key to happiness is being beautiful", everything else just falls into place. Of course it was a part of joke he was making, but when you really think about it, it happens every day in life.
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Mohammad Ammar 4 years ago
No, just being normal looking is what people take for granted. There are people with scars, severe acne, facial deformities etc, who would kill to just have a face that doesn't draw attention or have people pity them and turn them away in a millisecond. Being conventionally good looking is a privilege but also something you can easily live without.
What's In Your Head? 4 years ago
I feel this one, but I would like to add being THIN. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember, and I've always felt like an entirely different species for it. I have been "thin-ish" a few times in my life, but I could never get it to last for very long. If you are naturally thin or even just a bit chubby, please be aware that you are blessed with that...
kjorn 4 years ago
but when you grew up being beautiful it's easy to makes you shallow and lazy
Julie 4 years ago
Agreed. Those who are physically beautiful, when their looks fade, and they will...they have a hard time coping not being a head turner any more. They often become depressed and angry resorting to surgeries and the like. They don't know how to stand based on their character and wits, rather than a nice face.
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Eliška Hůlková 4 years ago
No, not academic performances. My sister is a conventional good looking blonde and she has met with a bias multiple times.
I want cake 4 years ago
I'm conflicted about this one. I find it weird to say 'hey, I'm beautiful', but I have been told that by enough people to know that I match my society's beauty standards. That said, there are negatives to it as well, especially if you're not the type to actively take advantage of society's bias. I've been not hired because it was between me and another candidate and I 'would have no problem getting a job' on multiple occasions. I've been completely ignored by female bartenders. I get death stares from other women, even when I'm not dressed up - this is something that other people point out to me. I can't seem to have friendships with guys because (with one exception) every single one of them ends up trying to get into my pants, even though I'm in a committed relationship and have been careful not to send any mixed signals. I can go on and on, but the point is: people assume my life is a breeze because of my looks and a number of them will go out of their way to make it harder.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago (edited)
You can’t go off what other people say. The ugliest people get called beautiful, and often. The uglies go through all the same issues you discussed from being overlooked by bartenders to being glared at by other girls. You can look at yourself and tell if you’re attractive or not, stop hiding behind other people’s opinions to pretend you’re being humble. I’m attractive, I can look at myself and make comparisons to other good looking people and apply logic. So can you.
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I think science has proven this to be a built-in prejudice that all human beings have... we respond differently to people who are "conventionally beautiful". Interestingly, I have found myself drawn more to people who are unique and/or non-conventional in their appearance- from those I have dated/been in relationships with to which actors I prefer...
Daphne Williams 4 years ago
I think being extremely beautiful can paradoxically be a disadvantage, though. To the point where it's the primary thing that people notice about you and it's mentioned to you constantly. I think that probably messes with you.
David Retsler 4 years ago
"Men" are intimidatedby very beautiful women and so they tend to avoid asking them out.
Load More Replies... I Liquored On 4 years ago
"When you’re ugly, and someone loves you, you know they love you for who you are. Beautiful people never know who to trust." - Drax the Destroyer
Fred and George Weasley 4 years ago
right what i meant by 'this is stupid' is that its stupid that people who are considered 'beautiful' are more likely to get out of prison or get better jobs.
If you’re not familiar with equality of opportunity as a concept, it’s all about making sure that everyone’s able to compete for social status, as maintaining high social mobility. Or, in other words, it’s all about looking at people’s merits, efforts, and skills, not the social position they were born in. To sound all pop-culture for a moment, I’ll say that equality of opportunity is the rags-to-riches myth that the American Dream is built on.
#19
Being able to read.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I worked in education for a good chunk of my life and saw firsthand what low or no literacy can lead to... I had young people at age 16 who could barely string a sentence together and had great difficulty accessing the information they needed to learn successfully. I could provide simplified texts for them but even those were beyond their abilities... I'm sure they've gone on to struggle in life because of it.
Margaret Clayton 4 years ago
One of my uncles couldn't read, and would only go to restaurants which had menus with pictures. This was in the 1970s when I was told/figured it out.
Joey Marlin 4 years ago (edited)
I don't agree but I can see why you might think that. Not being able to read is awful but you can still navigate the world once you recognise certain signs and symbols, you can be told that the road you want is just after the green building for example. People who are blind have to be repeatedly shown a route and a guide dog trained in it until it is familiar. You would have the ability to recognise a place if you are just picked up and dropped there suddenly even if you can't read. If you can't see things clearly that takes it to another level. You can learn to read at any age but your eyesight might not be correctable or could even get worse. People move things as well - I worked for an organisation for blind people and we would get regular announcements about obstacles on the routes to the station/tube/bus stop (skips, chairs outside cafes that were new and so on). Things that so many people don't realise you have to be aware of when you can't see clearly.
Load More Replies... Bettye McKee 4 years ago
This is a major privilege, but it's available to everyone who wants it.
Laura Stenger 4 years ago
Volunteered to read to young students. First understanding the alphabet and the diff ways of pronunciation, the sounds and how u would think it would be said. Think that’s why I say words how if u look at them...they might be pronounced. Like muscle. Can I borrow ur mus culs? 18 yo neighbor looked at me like I was 😝!!! Really smart kid too. Graduated high school early and is being mentored to take over some dudes building company. Him and his bro helped me put a new indoor/outdoor carpet on our back porch one day while other half was at work! Bought them lunch and of course I paid them. Carpet looks like 💩 right now because of inclement weather, but still have it. Has a mess of dead grass, cat hair and it’s wet. So I can’t vacuum it!
David Retsler 4 years ago
I can't imagine how stunted my life would have been if I didn't learn to read. My father was dyslexic and he pushed us kids to learn to read because he knew what it meant. It was almost to the point of abuse but he instilled a love for reading in all of us and I instilled that into my kids as well. I just can't imagine where I'd be if I couldn't read. Thanks, Pops.
#20
Having friends.
Laura Maeflower 4 years ago
This is so true. I spend most of my teens with no friends. I've seen girls/women with their group of friends and to this day I envy how easy it is for them and how lucky they are to have those friends.
Dilara Açar 4 years ago
I'm really blessed with friends I have, even though I am shy and have anxiety, I have lots of good friends.
Oly-babe 1 year ago
As someone who hasn’t had any friends in the last 10 years I agree. I’ve tried to have friends but find out people are toxic or fair weathered & it doesn’t help that I’m introverted with mental health issues. I’ve resorted to apps like peanut to try to find friends. Several months later I’m no closer to finding my bestie dispirited going way out of my comfort zone
Curry on... 4 years ago
My mom told me if I can claim one true friend to consider myself blessed. I have three.
#21
Being able to live with your parents past the age of 18
Tiari 4 years ago
This. Many young adults would give a lot if they would be able to move out of their parents‘ into their own flat/house.
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
Did you mean to put that comment with this post? One further up deals with pets... but I agree 100% with your comment.
Load More Replies... May 4 years ago
I don't understand this one. Why would staying with your parents past high school be a privilege? Wouldn't you want to live on your own at that point?
BorPand8 4 years ago
I agree with you. Being able to leave and live on your own is a privilege. Being able to stay is a privilege too, I guess -- that means your parents are still alive and they love you, or at least they're cool with you continuing to live with them. I've heard lots of horror stories about parents kicking kids out on their 18th birthdays, when the parents aren't legally obligated to look after them anymore.
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Suzy the observer 4 years ago
Some parents are the spawns of Hell. Being able to leave is awesome.
Laura Stenger 4 years ago
Nothing wrong with that. I went to school, worked and lived with my parents. Didn’t move out until I got married.
Samantha Hurrell 4 years ago
Totally agree with this, because my history of mental health problems I could never work full time, so would struggle to afford rent, I still live with my parents in my 30s.
Agata Konador 4 years ago
In my country it os not a privillage, it is absolutely necessity, as we can't afford to move.
Astrid Gustiar 4 years ago
Other view : My parents live with me. I am the breadwinner now. I take care of them. I make sure they are secure in their senior age.
In Woo_loo’s opinion, having access to clean water and proper education are the most basic privileges that absolutely everyone should have in their lives. Without them, you’re barely surviving. “Dirty water can result in many problems that most of us don’t have, but I also think that education is the most important because it's the backbone of society and people need it to improve their lives and establish a better place to live in.”
#22
Being a person of average height.
Deborah B 4 years ago
Being a man of average or greater than average hight. Short men are discriminated against more than short women. For women the reverse, small is 'petite, delicate, cute' above average height, there's discrimination.
LazyPanda 4 years ago (edited)
This could also just be talking about practicality and not just how people view you. I married a very tall man with back problems. Hospital beds. Beds period actually. Having to bend down to every sink. Doorways. Cars. When his back was really bad, he was so terrified of falling on the floor because he feared no one would be around who could help him back up. His life is significantly more expensive (and at times painful) due to his height and life not being made for him. We're not whining about it, though, there are a lot worse things people go through. But still. EDIT: I also might add his bad back came from a bad accident where he was pinned in his car for a long time because the person who rammed into him was small and white. And he's a big black man. He didn't get help until far later.
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Connie Muse 4 years ago
My daughter is shorter than average and she tells me all the time about going places and only being able to see the backs of the people in front of her. That's a big bummer when you've spent money on a ticket.
Fred and George Weasley 4 years ago
whats wrong with being not average height? why does it matter that much?
Blatidae 4 years ago (edited)
For me... I'm barely 5ft and I hate it. Can't reach things in supermarkets, teased for being tiny... I'm lucky I guess, I know people who barely come up to my shoulder. I have a friend who is super tall... and he hits his head on lower doorframes in older buildings, is actively avoided as being intimidating (despite being a gentle giant) and the world is generally too small for him. Average would be nice...
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Benjamin Smith 4 years ago
Dating is a nightmare. At 5’5” you’re just - and there is no pun intended - over looked time & again. There’s no conversation, just 5’10+ please, followed by a smiley
Curry on... 4 years ago
I'm a 5'10 female. It was more of a problem when I was a teenager, (boys liked the little petite girls) but not since. The hardest part was clothing - not having things long enough.
Solar Bakhir 4 years ago
this isnt about just short men you morons its also about people with dwarfism
#23
Not having social anxiety. Imagine how breezy life must be. The amount of effort I have to put into doing normal things like checking out at the grocery store is incredible. I keep telling people that I got better over the years, but it's not so much that social interactions get less scary but more like I'm better at getting ready for said social interaction... or better at pretending that I'm uh, "normal." I'm almost 30 and I still feel like a seven year old who's mom left them at the grocery line to grab something real quick.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
I still manage to feel bad about it, though. I worry that I'm taking jobs away.
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Christine Rhodes 4 years ago
almost 50 and finally getting better at pretending social interaction doesn't cause me anxiety. People tell me I'm "outgoing" now! Nope, just the best actress you never heard of!
Alien 4 years ago
Once I was at a Safeway buying a jar of marshmallow fluff. I went with my mom, my sister and her boyfriend, and they had already bought their groceries. I got confused because I thought that my mom paid for it even though I was going to. I started to get anxious because I was confused and then the lady at the checkout looked at my nervous face and she scooted closer to me. We were still in the Covid pandemic, so I was uncomfortable and then she said “blink twice if you’re okay.” She laughed afterwards because I think she was joking and I said “oh no I’m fine haha just awkward!” Then when I finished and we walked out, my mom said “what did that lady say to you?” And I told her what happened. She was so shocked because we were giving no signs of human trafficking. Like I was wearing nice clothes and shoes, I had my own money, I had a nice bag, I was buying one thing for myself, and I wasn’t uncomfortable around my family. I have no idea what that lady was thinking!
Alien 4 years ago
I always get anxious at grocery store checkout because I think that somehow something that was 2 dollars went up 100, and I think she thought because I was so nervous that I was trying to ask for help.
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Ashley Murphy 4 years ago
This! I’m 33 on the Autism Spectrum, and the feeling described is on point. The grocery store is my personal least favorite place on earth! I was able to afford noise canceling earbuds, and I never leave the house without them. I have come up with tricks to “mask” my weirdness and don’t make me stand out. I always make eye contact first, very briefly, and ask about their day. I always go for the emptiest line or self checkout. I load up the conveyer belt as quickly as possible, so that no one comes up behind me and makes me feel rushed. I always have my coupons and card handy so that I don’t have to dig for them.
Matt Tyson 4 years ago
So true...not being able to live a normal life, like taking out the trash, checking mail, or even talking to people.
#24
Having indoor plumbing
A.M. Pierre 4 years ago
I once met a couple from a small village in Siberia. They didn’t have indoor plumbing or central heat, but they said it was okay because “we have warm sleeping bags”. 😳 I have never felt so wimpy before.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
You don't realise how much of a blessing this is until your water supply is turned off for maintenance or your boiler breaks down... this is one thing we take for granted in the west for sure. When I lived in Canada (from the 1980s-2000s) I was appalled at some people's attitude towards wasting water- e.g. a teenaged daughter of a friend of mine used to take two fifteen minute warm/hot showers a day!
Margaret Clayton 4 years ago
In the 1980s, I visited my ex's aunt's family in Appalachia. They had no indoor plumbing, unless you counted the pump in the back enclosed mud room.
Curry on... 4 years ago
my great grandmother's house had no hot water and two pot belly stoves --- in a metropolitan area in the US. She had an outhouse before I was born, but the city 'forced' her to put a toilet (no tub or shower) in her house. She thought that was so unsanitary. LOL. Loved her to pieces.
The redditor candidly shared their opinion that we should all stop acting like all of these privileges, small and big, don’t exist. “Everyone has some kind of advantage in life that others don’t and I'm not talking about the privileges that people talk about on Twitter to cancel someone, but the ones that are so natural to us that people don’t even realize that they exist.”
#25
No student loans. Don't take it for granted guys.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Depends on where you're living. In most countries loans are indeed loans which are pretty easy to pay back. In other countries they will be an eternal burden because you have to pay off 3 times more than you've ever loaned.
sylvantic 4 years ago
my parents are really lucky that my dad managed to score a full scholarship for grad school. i probably wouldn't have siblings if he didn't.
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El Dee 4 years ago
We don't have them, but it's actually a good thing. There are no charges for higher education in my country, it's free..
Computernaut 4 years ago
It's not free, it just comes out of everyone's tax money. That's not "free".
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თაკო გოქსაძე 4 years ago
Don't take opportunity of getting student loan for granted please, it's very annoying to me :| I would gladly take a loan and study at one of the best Universities of the world, because I was accepted at some of them and wouldn't need to wait years for a full scholarship covering living expenses as well at University of lower ranking. It's not me who cares about ranking, that is taken in consideration when I am applying for PhD program or even for a job.
Isog Sargent 4 years ago
Wife and I both came from very poor families. We've been able to give our kids college educations with no loans.
Frank Kwiatkowski 4 years ago
You mean some European countries where University is free like in Germany?
David Retsler 4 years ago
This is especially f****d up in the USA. They prey on the ignorant high school grad and dangle all of this free money in front of them. The student isn't mature enough to buy a beer but they ARE mature enough to sign up for a lifetime of slavery to a bank because the banks own the CONgress that writes the laws.
Computernaut 4 years ago
I've heard how much of a nightmare it can be, I intend never to get a student loan.
Gyro Pilot 4 years ago
Smart decision: don't do it. Five years after gradustion you will be defined by your experience and work ethic, so get your education by the most economical means possible
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Nicola Roberts 4 years ago
I went to University as a mature student. I have good (not great) income but after 25 years the balance will be written off because I will retire and it still wouldn't have been paid off. UK
Dre Mosley 4 years ago
I managed to escape college not owing much. Loans were paid off long ago; What some of these kids owe now makes my head spin.
Satya Bain 4 years ago
It took me almost 30 years to pay mine off and I still don't have a degree to show for it.
#26
Having a roof over your head.
Those that work jobs that don't make a living wage have no means to provide for it. Thus they are forced in to unsafe slums or having house mates.
Every day when I pull in to my drive way I reflect on this daily. There is something to be said about the peace of mind knowing you have a welcoming home waiting for you once your done work.
Like many things we grow accustom to having something with no expectations of change, this is something I'm always grateful and respectful of.
El Dee 4 years ago
I was homeless for a short period but in my country that means I never had to spend a night on the streets. My local authority provided emergency furnished accommodation until I found a place a few months later. So grateful for that..
Tiari 4 years ago
In Germany we differentiate between „wohnungslos“ (literally home-less) and „obdachlos“ (without a roof over your head). I think it’s actually a pretty important difference. And I am really glad you got the help you deserved and seem to be in a batter place now!
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I think governments at different levels could do a lot more to alleviate or completely eradicate this problem... there is no need in the twenty first century for anyone to live in sub-standard living conditions (that includes in the developing world).
Sasha Kuleshov 4 years ago
Some countries are building exterior shelters for homeless people, while at the same time under-funding programs to fight poverty :I
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Having once spent a few weeks living in a thicket by a creek... Yeah. A home that's really *yours* is... miraculous.
David Retsler 4 years ago
I own my home. The only thing I have to pay is the property taxes.
Load More Replies... #27
Being able to complain about getting bored/not being able to socialize during a pandemic. If you're able to flourish or even live comfortably during these times, that's a privilege.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Whenever I read an article about people having terrible times because of lock downs and quarantaine, I just imagine being in a war where on top of having to stay indoors, you are cold and hungry, you can get picked up in a razzia, get shot for no reason or get bombed. And suddenly a lock down doesn't seem so bad at all.
Jenny Rose 4 years ago
It's ok to admit it does suck. Just because things could be worse doesn't mean you can't admit things aren't great
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Katie Lutesinger 4 years ago
A whole lot of people showed their clueless privilege when the pandemic hit. Oh no, I have to work from home and can't go to nightclubs for a while and have to wear a mask, this is the worst thing that ever happened to anybody ever!!! MAH FREEDUMB IS UNDER ATTACK!!! 1 I was in the exact same situation as them, up to including the part about losing neither nor my job nor my or income, and SOMEHOW I coped with being temporarily inconvenienced just fine. Brats. 🙄
KrabbyGramps666 4 years ago
For kids getting away from abusive homes at school lockdown was a nightmare.
Dillon Hughes 4 years ago
People would not complain if the didn't need so much outside influences. I love the lock down! I love my life, my woman, and my dog! What else dose one need?!
Rainy Day Wolf 4 years ago
if you have a partner and a pet you are very very privileged
Load More Replies... Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
The four of us in my house are loners. So we are loners together. Luckily my youngest aren't at the "wanting to be with friends every second" age yet. They are 11 and 13. And I love my books. I had my first grandbaby born in September. His first few months I was only able to see him twice. His dad (my son) had jyst got over covid right before he was born. My 13 started back to school after Halloween because he was falling behind in a few subjects I could not help him in like robotics. My 11 year old who has ADHD is doing better in homeschool. He needed the one on one learning. So the last year really gas not been too bad. We are lucky. Well last month my 13 year old ended up hospitalized because of cat scratch fever, but that had nothing to do with covid.
Bettye McKee 4 years ago
If you read, you're seldom bored. And you can socialize by phone. Stop whining.
Rainy Day Wolf 4 years ago
as a child I spent a lot, a loooot of time alone, I learned to entertain myself to the point that I'm unable to be bored in my home, I had no choice... So now I prefer to be alone.... And sure I was (and am) very privileged but think about it: isolation is a form of punishment (and torture) for a reason.
Julie C Rose 4 years ago
To me as a New Zealander, those people are LESS privileged than I am.
Sasha Kuleshov 4 years ago
Or having someone to help around the house while you watch youtube >:I
Woo_loo continued: “By making life as fair as possible and establishing a system that helps people who are at the bottom of society and helping them get back on their feet instead of punishing them, we can help them acquire the privileges.” Are you up for the challenge, dear Pandas?
#28
Education. Where I'm from education is paid through (very high) taxes. We even "get paid" so we can focus on school and not being forced to drop out or take a giant student debt.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I personally believe that young people should be educated for free whichever route is deemed most suitable for them (apprenticeship, college, university...): we also need to stop stigmatising non-university learning. Not everyone is interested in or capable of studying at that level!
Jenna Howe 4 years ago
Also, allow for people to grow and change as they age, and support the additional education for that. At 19 you might be eager to learn and do everything about construction. After a decade of that, you might be ready to turn to materials engineering or architecture or landscape design. Or something else entirely. Make those shifts accessible.
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Mohammad Ammar 4 years ago
Or even just being literate. Here in pakistan, I had to walk this maid to her employers house because she couldn't read the street signs or house numbers.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I can imagine life is more difficult (than it needs to be) for people like the woman you helped, Mohammad, not even having such a basic grasp of literacy. Never mind with having to read labels of products she might have to work with at her job... forget about reading for educative purposes or leisure.
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Marilyn Ransberry 4 years ago
Having a highly educated population benefits everyone in the country.
David Retsler 4 years ago
Everyone except the banks who profit from crushing people with excessive student loan slavery.
Load More Replies... Dillon Hughes 4 years ago
I agree. Those high taxes are basically you paying to insure the next generation won't run your home/country into the ground. *cough* America...
Lucy Skinner 4 years ago
Students should get more than scholarships - they should have resources for their families, because families often depend on kids to make ends meet or take care of younger children.
Shawn Barry 4 years ago (edited)
3 tries at community college to try to get a degree in database management/networking and having to drop out each time due to having to go back to work to keep my house from being foreclosed on. having to put my ADHD & depression meds on a CC (before GoodRX and my meds going generic) as single white males get NO help from anyone, and then having it all snowball into bankruptcy. Not such a fan of Capitalism American style
#29
my partner has to use IV nutrition because her stomach muscles don’t work properly preventing her from digesting food. Until I met her I never considered being able to eat as something i’m lucky to have.
Sasha Kuleshov 4 years ago
Your intestines wriggle your food down without you even noticing, that's mind blowing O_O
TheGr81sComing 4 years ago
I am pretty sure they don't wiggle but push the food down instead using muscles but I might be wrong
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Lianna Valdez 4 years ago
Once I started my tube feedings I didn't realize how much I actually missed food and to it for granted. I was always willing to try the latest diet fad and didn't think twice now I can't.
Carrie Roettger 4 years ago
I have gastroparesis (likely what the person is talking about) and right now I can eat food but I've had to give up o many things I really liked and there will be more to come in the future. Eventually i may have to be tube fed I hate that idea but it's my life.
#30
Being able to go to a store without worrying if your wheelchair can fit through the aisles of if they have front steps.
Summer Woodsong 4 years ago
There are lots, LOTS, of places that have severe challenges. You just don't notice them until they get in your way. We had a conference for folks with disabilities in Denver (someone donated the space). It was a nice hotel, but in order to get through the front door, the doorman had to go get a ramp, put it in place and then would remove it after each visitor using a chair. Then put it back in storage. Every. Single. Time. He was very busy for three days. We also didn't use that venue again.
Laura Maeflower 4 years ago
I think about this sometimes! My mother-in-law works for accessibility and once you start noticing it, you'll realize just how much this world isn't made for those with a disability. I'll go to the bank and notice there's just steps, so where would someone in a wheelchair go? It's literally a road block for them.
Debbie Burton 4 years ago
Having elderly clients that use wheelchairs when we go shopping has opened my eyes to the diffrences. Having to find a park near where we can get though the doors .... to even finding a cafe to have a coffee in that can accomodate wheelchairs.
David Retsler 4 years ago
In the US we have the Americans with Disabilities Act which mandates places to accommodate the disabled. If you're in a store that doesn't have aisles far enough apart for your wheelchair, you can file a formal complaint and it WILL be remedied. The ADA is taken very seriously in the USA. Source: friends who lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
NMN 4 years ago
But thanks for all the obese ppl with strollers, I hardly think those accessibility things were done thinking of actually disabled ppl. I just say that cos the lack of adaptations for blind ppl is appalling, there's no braille anywhere nor the things on the ground for blind to use and follow. In WI at least
Load More Replies...Do you think that all of these things are privileges that most people don’t realize are privileges? Why do you think we tend to take so many of these for granted? How many of these privileges do you have without noticing them in your daily lives, dear Pandas? Share your thoughts and any extra examples of unseen privileges in the comment section below.
#31
Being able to work from home.
varwenea 4 years ago
Suddenly, many people can due to the pandemic. Hopefully, some will continue to do so.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
This tramples over the point. Some people CANT. Like grocery store employees and doctors.
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WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
It seems that truckdrivers and pilots have a hard time, working from home.
Tamsin Far 4 years ago
During the pandemic I'm very glad that I can. Especially on days with freezing rain like today. But I still miss my colleagues and the office. So I guess I should be thankfull for having an office and colleagues which I would like to go to, too :).
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago (edited)
This should have been adopted as common business practice years ago when laptops became common place- there is a reason they're portable!
El Dee 4 years ago
Most bosses don't, and still won't, trust their staff to work anywhere where they can't be hanging over their shoulder micro-managing their day and haranguing them and wasting their time in meetings etc etc..
Lucas 4 years ago
Yet, with most jobs, if the boss is any good at their job won't they be able to tell if someone isn't getting enough done? There must be expectations, targets set. Even if the job isn't something that is quantifiable on a daily basis (x items logged or x letters produced for example) but longer term projects. Not disagreeing, just think that those bosses are lazy or have no idea how to get the best out of people.
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EA 4 years ago
So grateful for the attitude shift. Employers used to think if you can’t get to the office you shouldn’t work. End of. But why should you be forced to come in if you can’t drive with a bad back for a few days, or have a cold? Being at home makes so much sense for a lot of people! It makes you feel less anxious, personally find it very relaxing and you feel like you are a trusted worker.
#32
Reliable electricity and clean running water.
Ivo H 4 years ago
We are just in process of renovating the kitchen and our temporary tap has absolutely horrible-tasting tap water (it's old and probably little rusty) so we have to go to the bathroom for water - it's just few steps, just a little nuisance. But to imagine someone has to go outside, or few miles... It's almost unimaginable for us. Everyone should have easy access to drinkable water.
Heather Hayllar 4 years ago
Our tap water is supposed to be drinkable ....... it tastes so bad
#33
Therapy. Any basic mental health coverage.
El Dee 4 years ago
This is terrible, how can a first world country deny its populace healthcare based on their wealth. Poor health is one of the leading reasons for poverty, it's a vicious circle..
sylvantic 4 years ago
even if you have health insurance, it doesn't always cover dentists or therapists.
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Heather Hayllar 4 years ago
Obviously some countries do just as you say El Dee. Greed is a nasty thing
#34
Being mentally healthy. Basically, my childhood was such that as an adult I have an overactive amygdala - the part of the brain that handles strong emotions and instincts like fight/flight.
As I’ve gotten treatment and medication, and as my situation has gotten better, I’ve had quite a few ‘whoa’ moments where it really hits me that this is how a lot of people naturally see the world.
Jordan Smith 4 years ago
Nobody is completely mentally healthy, at least I feel. We all have something that messes with us.
Rukkia 4 years ago
Yes, we all do, however some peoples mental health impacts their ability to perform daily activities, develop strong relationships, hold down jobs, stay out of legal trouble and a slew of other things. There is a difference.
Load More Replies... Rainy Day Wolf 4 years ago
I always wonder what is like to not want to kill yourself everyday... must be pretty nice
Summer Woodsong 4 years ago
Different variety of experience cause different responses. I really believe we all do the best we can based on capacity and experience. I've been very, very lucky!
Laura Maeflower 4 years ago
I'm still not mentally well, but because I was so bad years ago I'm super glad I'm only a bit messed up instead of a lot. It does change everything, like what you think is normal and what's not. Life is soooo much easier when you're mentally healthy.
#35
A steady income, even one that means living paycheck to paycheck. You have money to support yourself and the means to get assistance where you can. A lot of people don’t have that.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
Most people don’t, and it’s terrifying! Your whole life changes when this isn’t the case.
Rainy Day Wolf 4 years ago
I always think about homeless people who for whatever reason ended up in that situation, most of them won't get to even a job interview because they have no residence, no papers, no way to clean themselves and have clean clothes... when people scream "get a job", I always think "but how? who would give them a chance?"
Indra Servo 4 years ago
considering that even the company you work for is living stimulus to stimulus
#36
Having all your basic senses (sight and hearing especially).
Kristin Ingersoll 4 years ago
I've lost my sense of smell, therefore taste (non covid related) and it is terrible. Nothing tastes right. Everything tastes off. Only the strongest smells get through and they usually end up being converted in my brain to smelling like a cigar. Gross. And OMG I miss smells! The rain. Grass. Vanilla. Food. COokies baking. NOt only that, but when my fire detector goes off, I panic. I can't tell if it's a false alarm, or not because I can't smell the smoke! I can't smell if the milk's gone sour. THere's a lot we use our sense of smell for. I didn't know how much until I lost it. :(
Load More Replies... #37
Being able to vote in elections.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
Many people in my country don't bother voting, and then they are like "OMG, how did these jerks get elected?" Gee, I don't know. (rolls eyes)
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
It’s compulsory to vote in Australia, if you don’t have a reasonable excuse you get fined.
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#38
To complain. The ability to complain is such a privilege, it's not even funny
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
Are these new BP members doing this? It was never a thing before and now suddenly these stupid comments keep cropping up like they're providing some kind of service. Well you're not. If people don't want to look they don't have to click on the comment to see it - already 'blocked' sufficiently.
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#39
Not having to send part of your paycheck to your family
Summer Woodsong 4 years ago
I joined the Air Force right out of high school. I remember buying my mother the first coat I'd ever seen her with and got her to a dentist. I was proud to be able help my folks.
#40
Growing up in a household where you aren't abused
Elizabeth Rolando 4 years ago
Or having someone believe you when u finally get the courage to speak up.
C.S. E. 4 years ago
Privilege as defined by Merriam Webster: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor. Privilege is something better than the base line. It's like saying if you grew up in a house where you weren't abused, you were given a treat, you're special. Growing up in a household where you aren't abused isn't a privilege. Being abused isn't and should not be the norm.
deanna woods 4 years ago
My mother grew up in a household where for part of her childhood she was sexually abused by her stepfather. It's very hard for her to show physical affection, but she does the best she can.
#41
Marrying someone you absolutely love. Many often marry for stability, convenience (settling/not wanting to be alone), or because they live within cultures that arrange their marriages.
giovanna 4 years ago
But, if you marry for convenience, it's a choice. I'm not talking about arranged marriages. But if you decide to settle for stability etc, it's your own choice
Chris Jones 4 years ago
I know someone who has twice married for money. She'll never have problems paying her bills or doing what she wants but she's never been content despite her stability and resents other people's clearly happy marriages. Yes, she had a choice but I'm not sure she'd make the same ones if she had her time again.
Load More Replies... Dre Mosley 4 years ago
The arranged marriage gets me. It would be miserable to get assigned someone you don't even like. One of my coworkers had to fly back home to India to me marry a woman he didn't even know.
deanna woods 4 years ago
My parents have been married for forty one years and you can tell that they still love each other very much. My mom retired from being a teacher when my dad got sick so that she could take care of him.
Marie Vallier 4 years ago
I'm not sure the divorce rate can be directly used to assess success of marriages. Often, in communities that do arranged marriages, divorce is not allowed or comes with very difficult social consequences, which might be enough to explain low divorce rates. I know plenty of people who have been married for several decades and are miserable together, but they will not divorce because of religious or material reasons. So in my opinion, being able to divorce instead of staying miserably married for the rest of your life is another privilege to add to the list.
Load More Replies... #42
Bathing. Basic hygiene in general. I lived on the streets for 4yrs and showers were hard to come by.
Attila Ángyán 4 years ago
Village people in Hungary grew up without toilet perfectly fine (including my grands). They dig a hole in the garden, put a shack above it, and covered the leftover with some leaves. It also makes a high nutritient compost a year later for your plants when you move the shack for the next hole. Some people still have garden toilet as well as a normal one and they prefer the natural way.
Load More Replies... #43
Being neurotypical.
afoben 4 years ago
As neurodiverse, I don't agree with this as it's written. I would agree however that, like the above mentioned coventional beauty, being NT makes people give you an advantage, even without realising. NTs have an unconcious bias against anything different and will more often than not favour NTs for the simple reason they cant' recognise or process minority traits. NDs have many super powers, and should never forget that either - no matter how much the NT system tells you otherwise. #actuallyautistic #whatsyoursuperpower #wrongplanetrightme
Rukkia 4 years ago
Yes. I tell my neurodiverse son this. He constantly amazes me with so many things, and yet people struggle with him because they cannot see things the way he does. Beautifully put.
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#44
Choosing who gets to touch you or not touch you
Teucer T 4 years ago
Try being a male explaining to women you don't like being touched. You get looked at like you're nuts.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I think the problem lies in the fact that many people, regardless of gender etc. do not respect other people's boundaries... autonomy over one's body is a right that many disregard when they are in a position of power over an individual or just an ignorant *rsehole...
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Deborah B 4 years ago
Being able to accept/tolerate casual touches, such as handshakes, people pushing past you in crowds, shoulders or arms touching on public transport seating, and hugs or hand holding from family and friends. There are people on the autistic spectrum (and probrably others who are neuro atypical or suffer phobias) who find any touch traumatic or distressing.
deanna woods 4 years ago
When I was in my early twenties, a man I didn't know kissed me on the cheek in a convenience store. I didn't like it and told my parents about it. My father would not let me go into that convenience store alone for a long time after that. Also when I was in high school, this guy in one of my classes would sit next to me and feel on my legs and try to put his hands between my legs. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that what he was doing was not okay.
#45
To be able to taste and smell!
Viktor Feurer 4 years ago
This "perks" are really under-appreciated. Until you loose your taste for example due to medical conditions...
Alex Bailey 4 years ago
I had a nasty illness once that left me without a sense of smell and taste for a mere three weeks and I've not forgotten how horrible it was so, yes, I completely agree that these are under appreciated.
Load More Replies... #46
Knowing that food is available basically at all times in first world countries
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
Even during this pandemic there has been little effect felt on food supply here in the UK... i have shopped locally and relied on the basics (milk, bread etc.) and had no difficulty in procuring them.
NMN 4 years ago
Having this knowledge is not a privilege, also not only developed countries (cos we are not in the 80s anymore to use "1st/3rd wOrLd cOUnTrIeS") have food available... in developing countries the food is still available, but not always affordable for all segments of the population
Amy S 4 years ago
Don't know why you've been down voted, having a medical condition that makes eating much more difficult does negate the privilege of available food if that food would make you ill.
Load More Replies... #47
A friend mentioned this to me when I was about 28 and we were walking down our city's sidewalk: Man, it's great walking with you, people just get out of our way. I'm 6'6" 230# (1.98m 103kg) and have lived my entire adult life thinking everyone was courteous and we would each make room for one another..... Apparently, people aren't always making room for one another. I had no clue.
LesAnimaux 4 years ago
I am 5'3" and a woman and one day I decided to NOT move out of the way when people (mostly white men) were walking towards me. It's amazing to see how many people just assumed I would be the one to move.
NMN 4 years ago
I'm 1.66m (5'5~6") and I had the same issue. I learned to when I notice the person will not meet me half way or expect me just to move, I start walking faster and with intent, sometimes an angry face. Oh ppl started finally making room to me or meeting me half way like they should have from the beginning
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
I'm vertically challenged but I've never felt like I had to watch where I was walking or step aside for someone. But as always, you can make a problem of something that isn't a problem. Most people nowadays are totally unaware of what's happening around them because they are fully absorbed in their phones and that's why they can't make room. They never see you coming.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago (edited)
I'm 6'3 , 107kg and a bearded, tattooed metal-head and people look away and move for me automatically, I'm the nicest guy in the world and always smiling, I have no idea why lol
Attila Ángyán 4 years ago
Do people really intentionally expecting others to get out of their way? Never heard/experienced that one. Ive lived in village, where people just take a look at each other from the distance and decide which way they will pass you (some awkward moments when you both decide to step out the same directions) or like in London, where i lived 10+years, just an endless flow of different people in front of you, some of them are really looking out and manouver out of the way, some are busy with something and it takes you extra effort to avoid bumping to each other. In the busiest times you just have to be "frogging" your way through the flow. I never thought it was a gender/race play for some people.
BananaAnna 4 years ago (edited)
I am a woman, 5 feet tall, 120 lbs. Even before the new virus, I did not like to be touched, other than by immediate family. I care not who gets out of the way first, as long as someone does.
El Dee 4 years ago
People are 'courteous' if you are: male, sometimes if you have a pram, good looking or very frail - everyone else gets barged out the way and, something I genuinely hadn't noticed before til someone pointed it out to me, women are conditioned to move aside for men immediately regardless of whether it's convenient or not. I didn't believe this until I went shopping and sure enough, it wasn't just me, it was everyone!!
#48
Being highly intelligent. I’ve had many colleagues argue they have gotten where they are simply through hard work and determination. They really are very dismissive of the notion that birth is a lottery and genetics are hit-or-miss.
Final score:
30points
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
My Sis-in-law insists that she, a tall blonde blue-eyed daughter of a family headed by a person earning top 5% income, "worked harder than anyone else" to get a job, etc., and has said "people just need to go get the education to make the money" like it's that easy. Poof! Magic wand waved! Voila! .... And I wonder, what's life like on *her* planet of S-class Mercedes-driving 7-figure-income privilege gotten by luck, marriage, and looks? B/c it isn't her hard work or intellect, and even her family admit that one... *sigh*
King Joffrey 4 years ago
I think highly successful people are not necessarily highly intelligent but rather driven and relentless.
Lucy Skinner 4 years ago
Having to not study and still getting good grades. Man, I used to have that, but one of my classmate slammed me into solid ice and now, definitely not.
deanna woods 4 years ago
Several members of my own family have gotten annoyed with me because of how intelligent I am. They have told me that I am using words that they don't understand.
#49
24-7-365 of the following: Clean, drinking water Heated water Heated/cooled indoors Electricity Food
NMN 4 years ago
I lived 28 years of my life without heated/cooled indoors. Depending where you live, that doesn't matter much or at all. Lived comfortably without it, and I'd rather be back there without AC during summer than where I am now in US WITH AC during summer. (I won't compare winter cos that would mean death where I am if there were no indoor heating)
#50
Being able to “pursue your dreams” because you have enough support systems to thrive regardless of outcome.
#51
A reasonable commute. Commuting costs and time are a huge issue for poorer people who can't afford housing near where they work, or an issue when they have to get from one job to another.
MagicalUnicorn 4 years ago
I live in Czechia for some time now and to be honest public transport is so awesome one wouldn't believe (and cheap as hell), definitely one of great things to have
Mohammad Ammar 4 years ago
I have to take a bus to uni and having to walk to the stop at 6am is really annoying but then I remember that I have fully functional legs that can take me there which is something I take for granted.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
I'm saving good time and money since working from home from last March, lucky I can and will carry on.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
Public transport is quite costly in Sth Aus. Getting a bus to and from work would cost you approx $10 a day.
#52
Health. People born with physical defects are destined to be alone and pushed away and I hate it when normal* people tries to lecture anyone (me) on depression, loneliness and a lack of opportunities and how I go through all that because "I want to". Sometimes I read quotes by celebrities saying "please don't let me be normal" and it makes my blood boil. Lucky, lucky bastards.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
Have you watched the British show "The Last Leg"? (It's on youtube) Two of the three hosts are missing a leg from birth, and they're very proactive. They made me realized I was raise to be able-ist, and really changed my point of view.
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
Love that show! Glad it also had a positive impact on your view.
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#53
The right to say “no” in any situation, whether it be sexual, social or work related and not be judged for it. Just because a girl wears nice clothes and does her hair and makeup, does not mean her “body said yes” while her mouth said no. Saying no to doing extra for a social commitment does not make me a bitch and refusing extra shifts doesn’t make me one either.
Final score:
25points
El Dee 4 years ago
The phrase used by rapists in court was 'she was asking for it, your honour' ie she was dressed 'provocatively' Unbelievably this mitigation was actually accepted until relatively recently and it was also perfectly legal to rape your wife in England too (not anymore thankfully) Rape is the only crime where the victim has to prove the crime took place. Can you imagine this with anything else? Are you SURE you had your car stolen? Did you just leave the doors open in an invitation for someone to...take it? How ridiculous!!
Botox 4 years ago
That is another privilege- to live in country, where "Rape is the only crime where the victim has to prove the crime took place". ((
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#54
Being a native English speaker. I've traveled a bit (which is a privilege in its own right, no matter how hard I've had to work to be able to so so) and everywhere I've gone, I've met people who either speak English or can direct me to someone who does. It's funny to listen to so many Americans complain about foreigners not knowing English, and yet we generally also don't take the time to learn whatever language of whatever place we are traveling to.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
A joke one of my professors told me: "How do you call a person who speaks three languages? Trilingual. How do you call a person speaking two languages? Bilingual. How do you call a person speaking only one language? American!" :P
Kuroka 4 years ago
Not true :( I speak 3 languages, and I'm american. In fact many people in america speak different languages.
Load More Replies... Suzy the observer 4 years ago
Make the effort of learning the basics: Please Thanks Sorry Hello.
#55
Walking on a sidewalk. Or in other words, walking in comfort in a relatively safe space in streets.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Sadly a lof of bicyclers won't allow you that safety. I've had several occasions where a bicycler nearly hit me at full speed in a pedestrian zone. Never got an excuse from one of them. Insults, threats and curses? Yes. Excuses? Never.
Suzy the observer 4 years ago
Same here. We walkers will have nowhere to go soon.
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#56
Religious freedom. You learn what it's like to be a Muslim in the west when you experience being a Christian in the middle east.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
Yes. Religion should be a choice. If you don't want religion, fine. If you do, fine. But don't force it on others. I know they are talking about people being murdered in other countries due to their religion. I am thankful that I am allowed to be agnostic. I know my Catholic relatives are not going to kill me over it. I wish others around the world could freely worship/not worship.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Because the reports of fanatic Christian terrorists in the east plowing with airplanes in skyscrapers are really overwhelming? Or the instances where Christian terrorists killed people over a cartoon are unmatched?
Katherine Boag 4 years ago
Imagine having to work on your holy days. Exams scheduled while fasting. Lockdowns stopping you from praying and no comment in the media. Everyone automatically treating your customs as strange, or assuming you are violent.
Suzy the observer 4 years ago
All religions are abhorrent. Nothing but superstitions, obscurantism and tools to control humans. Spirituality is important but organized religions are the very opposite of that.
#57
Economic and material privilege. People will be quick to define themselves as marginalized without realizing that being a billionaire homosexual is vastly different from being a poor, working-class homosexual, or even just a poor, working-class heterosexual person.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
A "billionaire homosexual"? I'm sure that there are many more millionaire homosexuals... but yes, marginalisation has to do with a lot more than sexual orientation. I think gender, race, social class, disability etc. can prove to be more of a barrier to life...
#59
Having healthy teeth.
Rosie Hamilton 4 years ago (edited)
Don't know which country you live in but in mine, the UK, there was still emergency dental health care. I expect there were in most. They were only not doing the routine check ups and non urgent care. The people who claimed to resort to pulling their own teeth, if any actually did, were doing so because they were scared of going out and not because there were no dentists. Still, this is stuff we must all believe just because it's reported in the heavily restricted media. /s
Load More Replies... #60
Being able to say something negative against your government.
kasa alex 4 years ago
I know many people in Australia who complain a lot about the Australian government, but never seem to realise that being able to do so is an absolute privilege. It frustrates me.
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
Which journalists have been arrested in the UK and why?
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#61
Access to painkillers and emergency medical services.
#62
Being able to sleep through the night without sirens, gunshots, bombs or family members being hauled away through the dark of night.
#63
Owning a vehicle.
I can't fathom the amount of times how people dismiss those who don't have their personal transportation and how public transportation isn't always going to match up to their conveniences.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I need a car for my job, but if I lived in a city and could get around on foot, bicycle or by public transport, I wouldn't. I estimate my car costs me £500/month to run.
King Joffrey 4 years ago
I have a car in London and, you're right, it's pure extravaganza... I pretty much only use it to go shopping once a week and for day trips (not at the moment).
Load More Replies... El Dee 4 years ago
We have excellent public transportation in my country, a car is still a luxury as you don't really NEED one..
Dill 4 years ago
Isn't that the point this person is making though - for many public transportation isn't excellent, they do need a car and they then get dismissed.
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#64
Decent mental health. Not feeling depressed or anxious at least half the time.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
I have a friend who is a great guy, very smart too, but his OCD is making his life a living Hell. He often feels trapped and hopeless.
LesAnimaux 4 years ago
Also, so many people make fun of OCD when it's a real mental illness, not just 'liking something to be neat and clean'. I'm sorry for your friend. I know what it's like. :-(
Load More Replies...
deanna woods 4 years ago
I wish everyone understood this. No one wants to walk around being depressed or anxious all the time and we can't just "get over it". Find a good support system so that you don't feel like you are growing through your mental health problems alone. My support system is my family.
not happy and he knows it 4 years ago
People at my school are seriously obsessed with faking mental health disorders. It’s disgusting. They should be happy they don’t worry about everything, or feel so down all the time.
#65
Hair.
Neva Nevičica 4 years ago
I took my hair for granted, it was always healthy and thick, and than out of nowhere i had a bout of alopecia areata. It went away, but it left me in constant fear of it coming back and counting the fallen hairs. And being afraid of getting a fever.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
40 and still got a full head of of hair, lots of grey which shows up because I've got black hair but grey is no big deal.
King Joffrey 4 years ago
Not sure about this one... So many more important issues than having hair. I'm a balding guy and honestly couldn't care less.
BonnieBlueButler 4 years ago
Tell that to an 11 year old girl who loses all of her hair and is circled by her "friends" chanting "Kokak, Kokak, Kokak".
Load More Replies... #66
Being born into a world that is set up for you. As a disabled person the problem was always with me, not with the fact that the world was not set up for people like me.
#67
Clean air, there's countries that are heavily polluted to the point you can breath fresh air it all smells like smoke and it's not good for the environment
El Dee 4 years ago
I lived like this when I was a child. The air was always thick with the smell of burning coal fires, pollution and various other smells from local factories than you could taste and even smell from clothing hung outside to dry. The pollution was so bad you'd not put white shirts on the line to dry. It's very different now, of course, but when I see pictures of China and how polluted it is, it reminds me of my childhood. So many children in my area had chest problems and so many adults are still dying well before their time too..
#68
Owning a dog. You have this incredibly complex creature that loves you no matter how you look or what you are feeling and just wants to be with you and make your life better. Our dogs may just be one aspect of our lives but to our dogs, we are everything.
Noez 🇸🇪 4 years ago
I agree. I'm crazy jealous of people who have dogs. I couldn't afford one and even if I was given one for free (as they can cost a lot to buy) I still wouldn't afford the insurance and other costs. I would actually prioritize the dog before myself, but that's not a good way to live in the long run.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago (edited)
My two moggie cats cost me plenty... and I have optional pet insurance for them. Dogs really should be insured as they are more of a liability. I rescued one from a friend's acquaintance an the other came from a shelter (I paid a nominal adoption fee for her). Prices for dogs have escalated drastically in the UK since last March and you would be hard pressed to find a puppy for less than £1000 (mixed breed) or £3000 (purebred). There has been a massive increase in dog napping as a result... :(
Load More Replies... LesAnimaux 4 years ago
Our family used to have dogs when I grew up. It's an absolute joy! Because of my job and the fact I live alone, I don't have the time to take care of a dog. Instead, I have a cat. Turns out to be the next best thing, because she waits for me at the door, plays fetch and loves to sleep on my lap.
#70
A best friend. Not a close friend, but a best friend. One with whom your sense of self is deeply intertwined.
deanna woods 4 years ago
My best friend is my sister and we have been best friends our whole lives. I understand her better than anyone else and she understands me better than anyone else. We do a lot together and we go to a lot of places together. We even live right next door to each other.
#71
Not wanting to die. Being able to forget. Leaving your house without taking anxiety medicine. The sun "rising" every day. These are endless.
Malakai 4 years ago
I remember this feeling, and it saddens me to think that so many who feel like this can't get the help they need to get through it. It's sad to think that I was more fortunate to receive treatment for suicidal depression and be able to afford it at the time--this is something EVERYONE should have affordable access to.
#72
To never know desperation.
#73
Never experiencing bullying. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.
Final score:
16points
Dre Mosley 4 years ago
Experienced it from the same bully for a few years. I take a dark pleasure in knowing my bully's life is pretty much a trainwreck.
El Dee 4 years ago
And STILL the best thing you can do if being bullied at work is to leave the job. The sad reality is that any other way of trying to deal with it will make it worse..
Carrie Laughs 4 years ago
In the UK there are important parts to employment law to protect individuals from bullying. Maybe not the smallest company but ones with employees over a certain number will have to have rules in place to deal with this. If a person is found guilty of bullying they could be sacked. The person bullying me was moved to another department and given a written warning - just missed getting him sacked because a person who had left wouldn't come back and give evidence.
Load More Replies... deanna woods 4 years ago
I was bullied a lot in school and it was very hard to deal with. I sometimes think about the people who bullied me and I get so angry, even though the bullying happened years ago.
#74
Growing up with 2 stable parents in the home.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I think many of us grew up with two unstable parents in the home when it would have benefitted us all to have only one stable parent... I have great respect for alternative family setups too, e.g. multi generational households, multi family households etc.
El Dee 4 years ago
I was always the stable parent for my daughter. My ex had no qualms about being an absolute nightmare and trying to use my daughter against me, not being worried about hurting her in the process. Eventually, after she became an adult, I did take ill. Constant abuse over decades will bring you low. I'm SO lucky that my daughter seems to have escaped the effects of this abuse..
#76
Being a woman in a developed country.
NMN 4 years ago
When can we stop calling US developed if it doesn't even have that basic right that exists in most developing countries? (here in US you might be able to have a max of 12 week unpaid leave IF your company has more than 50 employees, IF you've been working there for at least 1year, plus a few other requirements...)
Load More Replies... NMN 4 years ago
It has more to do with the culture. It is way more common for working married women to be frowned at (specially if have children) in US than in Brazil. And that's one of the reasons we left our previous church. Never heard of such bigotry before in Brazil nor someone would ever consider asking me if I would stop working upon marriage or children there, that question simply doesn't exist there, yet is a common one here in US. Crazy culture I tell ya.
Lynn Cai 4 years ago
I dunno where you live in the US, but it's very common for married women to continue working, especially if they have children. In my experience they don't get frowned upon given that it's literally impossible to survive on one family income nowadays. I guess it depends more on your social circles?
Load More Replies... #77
Normal sleep. Have ptsd and the only serious issue that comes from it for me are night terrors.
Teucer T 4 years ago
As a combat vet, the fact that I don't have PTSD got me tagged with "borderline personality disorder with sociopathic tendencies"... I asked, and the reason I was given was "It is abnormal for someone with your experience NOT to have PTSD."
King Joffrey 4 years ago
My granddad fought in WW2 and always recalled it as as the greatest adventure of his life whereas I know I'd suffer from PTSD. I guess some people are more suited to being soldiers than others.
Load More Replies... not happy and he knows it 4 years ago
I don’t actually know that the hell is going on with my sleep, any ideas? I’m actually scared to sleep. My brain keeps telling me that someone will murder me in my sleep, and stuff like that. I try so hard to keel myself awake, but I usually fall asleep, and when I do, the nightmares start. The nightmares are terrible; horrible, gory scenes and terryfying things. I often wake up having (what feels like) a panic attack. Any ideas?
#79
The fact that we shower using clean, drinkable water while there are countries that dont have a clean water source.
#80
Free time
#81
Being truly happy. I was in a really bad place for so long, and I was never really happy. I had some fleeting moments of joy, but they never lasted. Now, while I'm still trying to get over it, I have started to get back the happiness I lost at 9 years old.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I think the "pursuit of happiness" is a folly... it causes people unending misery because they will always fall short (btw advertisers know this to be the truth). 24/7/365 happiness is not possible and shouldn't be humanity's goal. If people would settle to be content and savour the moments of joy when they happen, they would be much more at peace with themselves and the world.
StIJN 4 years ago
i feel like you don't grasp the "pursuit" part. And just replace the concept with "wait for contentment"
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
All the fleeing moments of joy ARE your happiness. Anyone who believes that they can be happy all the time will end up being unhappy most of the time.
#82
Finding romantic love and having a partner who really loves and supports you til death actually parts you from eatchother. I've been alone and single for so long that I am convinced that loves isn't meant for me.
Final score:
11points
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
Not everyone wants to be or should be in a romantic relationship... I think too often this notion that you must be coupled up as an adult is actually very toxic and leads to people being in relationships that are not good for them. I think people need to have a good, deep think about what it is they actually need/want.
Noez 🇸🇪 (Submission author) 4 years ago
You really misunderstood what I meant.
Load More Replies... #83
Living in a developed country. Regardless of your situation. There’s middle class people in developing countries that only dream of having the privileges of low income people in developed countries.
Mohammad Ammar 4 years ago (edited)
Umm, I'm not too sure about this one. The middle class in developing countries are a lot more privileged than low income people in developed countries. If you're comparing the same economic class in both countries, you are correct.
King Joffrey 4 years ago
I disagree. I live in the UK and the types of holidays/cars that the average worker (I don't know, a builder or a car mechanic) can afford is the stuff of dreams for my friend who is a doctor in a developing country (and where he lives is still not bad).
Load More Replies... NMN 4 years ago
Having come from middle class in a developing country, I beg to differ. Had a waaaay better lifestyle, living conditions, JOB security, healthcare, access to higher education, employment rights, vacations, etc... when now being in lower-middle class in a developed country. But comparing Brazil with US (for any butthurt person from US that doesn't like the comparison, well, I'm not here cos I wanted to move here and I can't wait to be able to move out of here)
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago (edited)
Living in a developed country is no cake-walk either for many people... Economically-speaking low income people in the developed world have serious struggles to face which middle class people in a developing country most likely do not. It may seem to certain people in developing countries that the developed countries have wealthier people, but in fact money works differently here: for example $100 may buy a lot it their country but it is a small amount in the west (where I have lived all my life). The UK is NOT a land of milk and honey for a large swathe of the working class population who live below the poverty line.
#84
Central heat and air. Most people take it for granted that you can just go to the thermostat and turn it up if they're cold or turn it down if they're too hot. But not everybody can do that and it sucks, really really bad, if you can't.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
We don't have AC in the UK really but central heating is a nice thing, but I didn't have that when I was a kid, not for years.
Dre Mosley 4 years ago
Grew up without it, just had fans. I left home for college and that's when they finally chose to get it installed.
#85
Being able to look up absolutely anything on our phones at any time within seconds.
Matheus Oliveira 4 years ago
Having the means to be able to ponder that is a privilege as well.
Load More Replies... InfectedVoice 4 years ago (edited)
Na I used to like going to the library or getting my Grandad's encyclopedia collection out for reference, it may not have been easier but it was better for actually remembering a lot of the stuff which is easily forgotten when you look it up online and go overboard.
#86
Having windows that don’t leak cold air into the house
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
We did when I was a kid, icy on the inside as well, before we got central heating.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
I used to live in a house where the window seals were terrible and we had dew INSIDE the house. The top of our quilt would be damp, as well as our clothes etc. So much of our clothes and furniture smelt mouldy and my asthma played up chronically. So glad we moved from there.
Dill 4 years ago
Mould and lungs = bad combination. Had a similar childhood. Cough, splutter! Jack Frost would visit in the night and draw beautiful pictures on our windows though. I don't miss the cold and damp but I do miss those stunning images. I just googled some photos for a trip down nostalgia lane... 😊
Load More Replies... #87
Being able to buy luxuries. Some people can only buy things that are absolutely necessary, because they don’t have much money. I think people need to acknowledge how many things they have before being ungrateful.
Final score:
10points
King Joffrey 4 years ago
I grew up poor by modern standards but had a very happy (almost idyllic) childhood, thanks to very loving parents. Yes, I didn't have expensive clothes and I didn't go abroad until I was 17 but we had amazing camping holidays 'by the river' and in the age before social media, I wasn't really bombarded with 'how the other half live' so didn't know better.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
I am very frugal maybe from growing up in a crowded, working class family I don't know except when it comes to guitars or guitar equipment and for the pets, would spend anything for those two things, my wife is the shopper of the two of us, and that's ok.
#88
Freedom to speak.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Depends on what you're saying. Freedom of speech is no carte blanche to spew your hate or incite to violence.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago (edited)
Hate speech is illegal in the UK these days, apart from you're alright but there is no freedom of consequence, if I walked into work and called my boss the c-word and said I hated a certain race of people and said "freedom of speech", I'm still getting fired.
Dill 4 years ago
But you are free to say these things. You aren't being prosecuted for calling your boss the c-word or saying you hated a certain race of people. That is the definition of freedom of speech. You are experiencing the consequences of being an a-r-s-e because the company doesn't want to employ you, that's their right. If you go further and stand on a soap box and encourage people to harm the certain race of people you hate THAT is against the law.
Load More Replies... #89
I'm honestly suprised that I haven't seen anyone post this yet. WiFi. Especially good WiFi. Where I grew up, almost no one had WiFi, and the few people/places that did, barely had any.
Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago
I still enjoy the low-tech sources of information I grew up with... like reference books, journals (and newspapers) in the school library that you had to look up in the card index. At university it was all organised electronically, but we still had access to things like microfiches! (Internet access was via dial-up and my PC had 256RAM and a DOS operating system) I'm sure that my preference for physical books rather than e-readers will never wane!
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Yes, let's go out and have a nice dinner in a fancy restaurant while you update your Facebook status and I'll post witty comments on Twitter....
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
I first had the internet in 1998, when I was 18, I could plug it in from 9pm - 7am when everyone else was finished with the house phone, and it took about 3 nights to download a single movie, it was great.
#90
being able to choose who governs you. Most humans who have ever been alive have not had a say in the matter. A larger portion of currently living humans have that privilege than at any point in human history
#92
Being "Zero Waste". For example, if you have a medical condition that requires a lot of medication, or many medical procedures in general, it's not a choice to use tons of plastic and other disposable materials all the time. I know this is silly, but some people that choose to be zero waste don't realize that is not just a choice.
El Dee 4 years ago
Medication (ie pills) used to come in a glass bottle with a screw top. Perhaps the chemist would put it in a paper bag. All of it was recyclable. These days you get a plastic bag containing a cardboard box that has your foils of medication contained in it. Along with that is a MASSIVE sheet of contraindications folded like a map and squeezed in the box. If you have an 'odd number' of pills to get ie just a bit more that the normal box qty, then you'll get a big box half full. The plastic and the foils can't be recycled and this will FILL your bin! What was wrong with the glass bottle??
Laugh Fan 4 years ago
Also glass bottles were harder for children/animals to get in and end up eating the contents. My neighbours dog ate her meds, package and all, and had to be rushed to the vets. Lot to be said for glass bottles.
Load More Replies... #94
Growing up in a healthy, functioning family with two parents
#95
Being normal sized. I’m 6’4, 350. I have almost completely stopped shopping for clothes in stores.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
6'3 and about 240, it's bad enough for me, when I find something that fits, I buy 10 of the same thing.
#96
Being right handed. Life is so difficult for lefties
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Wine glasses are for both left and right handed people. That's the only thing that matters.
Miguel justino C 4 years ago
Almost jealous I’m not a southpaw. My pops is ambidextrous in so many ways it’s scary because he’s a lefty.
What do you think ?
Claudia Gotthardt 4 years ago
I think it is important to be thankful for the good things we get in life so thank you for listing all this positivity. :) I would, however, not call most of those "privileges" as this is something that has a negative ring to it. Privileg is often used to describe a somewhat undeserved/unfair advantage, given by some form of authority. Today you kinda feel bad if you find you have a privileg and this list is surely nothing to feel bad about. Lets just call it "Things we are thankful for". ;)
Daria B 4 years ago
Well said. Let's not turn the good things into negative stuff. We're already miserable enough. Let's turn this article into something that will remind us to appreciate the things we have.
Load More Replies...
Deborah B 4 years ago
Being able to attend school without fear that the next school shooting will be at your school. I can't imagine how kids go through highschool in the USA.
Anarchy (they/them) 4 years ago
Honestly? In my experience no one talks about it, we just go through our normal lives and internally hope that today is not the day. I mean I don't even really think about it that often until someone says something related to it. It's just there and we all pretend that it's not
Load More Replies... 
Anna McHugh 4 years ago
If we subscribe to the idea that these are 'privileges' then we're dispensing with the idea of rights - human rights. According to the Declaration of Human Rights, we're entitled to many of these things, and in countries which subscribe to the Declaration, we can hold our governments responsible for not delivering them. Many of us work hard to make sure that those governments continue to subscribe to such beliefs, and also work to assist other countries to join the nations which do. That doesn't mean they aren't 'privileged' and we are, but that there is systemic injustice which some governments fight hard to maintain. It's not about privilege and counting your blessings, it's about demanding what we've decided are rights during our single, short time on earth.
Teucer T 4 years ago
What you need to understand is that the entire concept of "rights" is an illusion. You don't really have any "rights"... Just certain things governments allow.
Load More Replies...
Mark Fuller 4 years ago
Gonna be controversial here. Live in the UK and extremely grateful that it's bloody difficult to own or use firearms. Can still use them as part of strictly controlled sport but that's the limit. Feel safer in the street and sleep better at night.
Abbyboudreaux 4 years ago
Being able to just eat food wherever you go is a huge privilege too. My son has life threatening allergies to dairy and eggs and a less severe allergy to all mammal meats. We can’t just stop anywhere to eat when we are on road trips, or accept food a relative or friend has graciously made for us, or even enjoy the candies and cookies at his school holiday parties. He always has to bring food with him so he rarely gets to eat something he hasn’t already had a million times. Another is just being able to learn at a normal pace. My son with allergies is also intellectually disabled, and his younger brother is very advanced. Between the two of them, we are constantly meeting with teachers to try to come up with the appropriate curriculums while also allowing them maximum time with *typical* kids their own age. One either end of that spectrum, it can be very alienating.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
The food thing is a good one. I'm lactose intolerant and allergic to shellfish. I will always have to carry some kind of purse for my medication.
Load More Replies...
D-m Keilman 4 years ago
Being able to grocery shop rather than accepting the gracious donations that showed on our doorstep from friends and family. Getting to choose a flavor of pop tarts was HUGE when I was 7.
Origami Chik3n 4 years ago
I had to tend to a woman with bad case of multiple sclerosis while her husband was working. It was just for a couple of hours for several times. Until then i have never thought of being able to do most mundane things, like going to the toilet by yourself or being able to hold tea cup, as a blessing.
Maya 4 years ago
Having a dad who's life isn't completely influenced by alcohol. Half the time, I will wake up to the sound of my parents fighting, usually about the amount of drinking/smoking my dad does. Its so sad, I'm just trying to pass 7th grade and all my dad can think about is when he can go to the bar. I just wish he was more present, and that we can all spend more family time together that DOESN'T involve alcohol.
Claudia Gotthardt 4 years ago
I think it is important to be thankful for the good things we get in life so thank you for listing all this positivity. :) I would, however, not call most of those "privileges" as this is something that has a negative ring to it. Privileg is often used to describe a somewhat undeserved/unfair advantage, given by some form of authority. Today you kinda feel bad if you find you have a privileg and this list is surely nothing to feel bad about. Lets just call it "Things we are thankful for". ;)
Daria B 4 years ago
Well said. Let's not turn the good things into negative stuff. We're already miserable enough. Let's turn this article into something that will remind us to appreciate the things we have.
Load More Replies... Deborah B 4 years ago
Being able to attend school without fear that the next school shooting will be at your school. I can't imagine how kids go through highschool in the USA.
Anarchy (they/them) 4 years ago
Honestly? In my experience no one talks about it, we just go through our normal lives and internally hope that today is not the day. I mean I don't even really think about it that often until someone says something related to it. It's just there and we all pretend that it's not
Load More Replies... Anna McHugh 4 years ago
If we subscribe to the idea that these are 'privileges' then we're dispensing with the idea of rights - human rights. According to the Declaration of Human Rights, we're entitled to many of these things, and in countries which subscribe to the Declaration, we can hold our governments responsible for not delivering them. Many of us work hard to make sure that those governments continue to subscribe to such beliefs, and also work to assist other countries to join the nations which do. That doesn't mean they aren't 'privileged' and we are, but that there is systemic injustice which some governments fight hard to maintain. It's not about privilege and counting your blessings, it's about demanding what we've decided are rights during our single, short time on earth.
Teucer T 4 years ago
What you need to understand is that the entire concept of "rights" is an illusion. You don't really have any "rights"... Just certain things governments allow.
Load More Replies... Mark Fuller 4 years ago
Gonna be controversial here. Live in the UK and extremely grateful that it's bloody difficult to own or use firearms. Can still use them as part of strictly controlled sport but that's the limit. Feel safer in the street and sleep better at night.
Abbyboudreaux 4 years ago
Being able to just eat food wherever you go is a huge privilege too. My son has life threatening allergies to dairy and eggs and a less severe allergy to all mammal meats. We can’t just stop anywhere to eat when we are on road trips, or accept food a relative or friend has graciously made for us, or even enjoy the candies and cookies at his school holiday parties. He always has to bring food with him so he rarely gets to eat something he hasn’t already had a million times. Another is just being able to learn at a normal pace. My son with allergies is also intellectually disabled, and his younger brother is very advanced. Between the two of them, we are constantly meeting with teachers to try to come up with the appropriate curriculums while also allowing them maximum time with *typical* kids their own age. One either end of that spectrum, it can be very alienating.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
The food thing is a good one. I'm lactose intolerant and allergic to shellfish. I will always have to carry some kind of purse for my medication.
Load More Replies... D-m Keilman 4 years ago
Being able to grocery shop rather than accepting the gracious donations that showed on our doorstep from friends and family. Getting to choose a flavor of pop tarts was HUGE when I was 7.
Origami Chik3n 4 years ago
I had to tend to a woman with bad case of multiple sclerosis while her husband was working. It was just for a couple of hours for several times. Until then i have never thought of being able to do most mundane things, like going to the toilet by yourself or being able to hold tea cup, as a blessing.
Maya 4 years ago
Having a dad who's life isn't completely influenced by alcohol. Half the time, I will wake up to the sound of my parents fighting, usually about the amount of drinking/smoking my dad does. Its so sad, I'm just trying to pass 7th grade and all my dad can think about is when he can go to the bar. I just wish he was more present, and that we can all spend more family time together that DOESN'T involve alcohol.
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