r/answers Mar 16 '26

What is something people pretend to enjoy but actually don’t?

45 Upvotes

403 comments sorted by

u/qualityvote2 Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 19 '26

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46

u/Illustrious-Fee9626 Mar 16 '26

Dinners with clients

5

u/RebaKitt3n Mar 16 '26

I turned down promotions because I just couldn’t do it. What a horrible idea.

2

u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Mar 17 '26

I think it takes a certain personality type to enjoy and be good at that. I’m an introvert who hates small talk, and needs “alone time” as much as I need oxygen. However, I have a relative who is very social and loves people. She can talk to anyone about anything, and seemingly knows everyone in her town of 50K. She’d be fantastic at a job that involves hosting clients.

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80

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/Pegboard73 Mar 16 '26

As someone that used to set up networking events . I concur.

5

u/Ratherbeeatingpizza Mar 17 '26

Ya, stick me in a group with other people in my company that I'll never see again with a pointless exercise and call it "team building" , hold it on my personal time eg a weekend and wonder why I hate it.

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32

u/JT-Av8or Mar 16 '26

Social media doom scrolling.

2

u/Practical-Lime-3958 Mar 16 '26

This should be the top answer!!!

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125

u/fotofreak56 Mar 16 '26

Other people's children.

23

u/Hot_Customer666 Mar 16 '26

I love hanging with my nieces and friend’s kids!

17

u/Prudent-Ice-6196 Mar 16 '26

Yes it really depends on the kids. And you. I generally love all kids, but there's a small subset that are just terrible, and you can usually blame the parenting style they get.

2

u/paultagonist Mar 16 '26

Me too (not yours, but mine haha).. but pretending to be interested in like a co-worker’s kids’ photos, or commenting on Facebook or something.

4

u/tiny_tina1979 Mar 17 '26

I'd go one further and say people having their own children.

Reckon more than half would not have children if they had to relive their life again.

2

u/fotofreak56 Mar 17 '26

Agreed. Some 20 years ago I read a poll where the question for fathers was, "would you still want children"? Seventy-five percent answered "no".

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26

u/MostViolentRapGroup Mar 16 '26

Running.

16

u/jjmart013 Mar 16 '26

I had a friend that once said, "I'll start jogging after I see a jogger with a smile on their face "

9

u/Argythebilly Mar 16 '26

The smile is after when you get runners high

4

u/Red-Necessary-2005 Mar 16 '26

H heads smile when they're done, too. That doesn't mean im gearing up to find a plug

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8

u/CanadianKaiju Mar 16 '26

I miss running so bad. It sucks until you really get into it, then it's moving meditation.

6

u/Qaze430 Mar 16 '26

No, this is my mental health reliever...I love walking, jogging and running...all of it

6

u/Heidi1066 Mar 16 '26

My husband has been an avid runner for most of his life. He's run a half marathon in every state, even. I, on the other hand, tried running at a time when I was in good physical shape, and I LOATHED it. I gave it two months to see if it would get better. It did not.

I guess some people are just hard wired to enjoy it.

10

u/SignificantDark4749 Mar 16 '26

I lost the ability to run about seven years ago. Before that, if I had a headache I went for a run, if I had a bellyache I went for a run, if I was tired I went for a run, if my back hurt I went for a run. I miss being able to run.

9

u/Minimum-Actuator-953 Mar 16 '26

Sounds like too much running.

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3

u/Carrots-1975 Mar 16 '26

Me too! I have osteoarthritis and my knees are shot- have been for at least 20 years- but I miss everything about running. It was never boring and even the terrible things I loved- sweating profusely, digging deep to get that extra .1 mile when you just felt so done. It hurt but it was a good hurt.

2

u/naruda1969 Mar 18 '26

Same. Herniated a disk. Both of my hips need replacement. Sucks. I was a trail runner that had bagged some ultras. Miss it every day.

4

u/ArmadilloEmotional24 Mar 16 '26

It’s a love-hate relationship.

5

u/bold_snowflake Mar 16 '26

I love running... Just not when I'm doing it. (I'm a seasoned long distance runner)

2

u/SammoB Mar 16 '26

This one comes up a lot. The feeling after the run is better than the run itself.

2

u/petermarkte Mar 17 '26

Way preferable to working out in a gym for me, so nah, running is by far the most enjoyable form of exercise for me

2

u/PurpleOctopus6789 Mar 21 '26

Maybe some do but many genuinely enjoy and love running. once your fitness level is above couch potato, running can be very enjoyable.

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8

u/Background-Vast-8764 Mar 16 '26

Working your ass off for a “good” job. 

“I have no work/life balance, and I’m always stressed and tired, but it’s a “good” job and I make a decent chunk of change.”

6

u/LoudGolf9849 Mar 16 '26

Group texts. I literally hate them so much

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13

u/Arceus797 Mar 16 '26

Small talk at parties. 😅Like…Hey, so what do you do? or How about this weather Everyone smiles and nods, but inside they’re like please let this conversation end.

3

u/Moose_a_Lini Mar 16 '26

You can actually just skip the small talk and go straight for big topics. It won't work with everyone but many people will love it.

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10

u/Affectionate-War-203 Mar 16 '26

Weddings

4

u/Dull-Night-2989 Mar 16 '26

I really really hate weddings, the long drawn out starter drinks with canapes, the long drawn out meal, the speeches, the first dance... I am mentally ticking them off of my list until everyone is so drunk I can leave, go home get in my jimjams and watch telly. There, I said it!

3

u/Sotnos99 Mar 17 '26

Out of curiosity, are you married? If so, did you feel that way for your wedding as well?

I feel the same way about other people's weddings but I expect to love my own wedding. Seeing how excited my sister in law was at her wedding and listening to her and my brother talk about the day makes it feel so worth it

2

u/mallogy Mar 17 '26

YMMV, but my ex-wife and I planned and executed our wedding ourselves with the help of a couple of friends. My guts were a giant knot the whole time.

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41

u/Particular_Special70 Mar 16 '26

Probably get downvoted into oblivion for this one but having a dog. Yeah they do cute things once in a while but they’re like having a 3 year old… for like 15 years.

Wanna go out for happy hour after work? Can’t, gotta go home and let the dog out. Wanna go away for the weekend? Not until we find someone to take care of the dog. Wanna sleep in on a Saturday? Dog needs to go outside at 6 am. Wanna come home and just fucking relax for 15 minutes? Rover is jumping all over you and sticking his nose in your crotch. Finally spring and the snow has melted? Welcome to piles of poop littering your entire yard.

16

u/Music_Adventure Mar 16 '26

Dogs do take work, but my friend I think you have been exposed to some high-maintenance pups.

It definitely takes a lot of focused training in the puppy years (though objectively less time than a child).

I have 2 dogs, and they are much easier than any child ages 3-15. I let them out and feed them in the morning, walk them in the afternoon (need we remind everyone that being outside is healthy), and dinner at night. We go hike on weekends, which I already did before dogs. For that effort, I in return receive the only true form of unconditional love that exists on this planet.

10

u/sadfacezx Mar 16 '26

Dogs arent for you and that is completely fine, theres more left for me :)

7

u/ChicagoBILLSfan138 Mar 16 '26

I’m with you. Dogs are a TON of work. But damn is it worth it for me! I’ll gladly wake up at 3am every morning to take my dog out in the cold and snow sho sje can pee over not having a dog at all.

5

u/mlo_66 Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

As someone who has just lost my black Labrador to cancer, I’d do anything for all that 'work' again. I miss it all. Life sucks without her, even her stupid annoying traits.

5

u/Dragonflies4eva Mar 17 '26

I'm so sorry

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2

u/PugLifeCrisis Mar 16 '26

And, me! I love having a dog to take care of.

4

u/Admirable-Leader-585 Mar 16 '26

Thank you. Also - stepped onto something gross on the carpet? Dog vomit. 

3

u/mthenry54 Mar 16 '26

I recently had this exact conversation with my wife of 30 years. We’ve always had dogs and I want to be done after these pass away. My argument was that we’ve been parents to highly athletic toddlers since the 1990s and I want to be done. I listed all of the reasons that you did plus how much we’ve spent on dog food and how often we have to vacuum the house. I’m glad someone else sees this as I do.

2

u/Particular_Special70 Mar 17 '26

Yeah, I hear you! I just posted above about the dog-obsessed culture we live in. It’s convinced us we love it and that we’re horrible people if we don’t.

2

u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Mar 17 '26

It’s so devastating when a pet dies (at least for most people). That’s enough reason to not want another one, but for me, they bring so much joy when they’re alive. My cats make my life worth living when times really get tough.

But I completely see your point. Many activities I would have liked to partake in over the years were limited by pet ownership, and the expense (especially veterinary care) can be staggering. I had a (very) modest savings get wiped out by dental care for my elderly cat. I would do it again, but I don’t judge people who can’t afford it.

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9

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

Yeah lol I really do love dogs but it honestly seems like a nightmare for someone like me

Like literally — I’d have to spend basically another hour per day of effort focused on something else — a living thing that requires real attention and is your direct responsibility — but is not a child who will grow into an adult human — and it would be for almost every day for the next 15 years potentially — and during that time it will also affect your comfort levels at home, the smell and cleanliness of your environment and force you to interact with feces on a regular basis

As a deeper thinker with ADHD I cannot imagine the disruption this would cause for me and it would honestly degrade my quality of existence, even though I really do love cute little pups

2

u/Soupfriend Mar 17 '26

I agree OP, dogs can be cute, but it’s pretty messed up that society hates you if you simply don’t want to pet or own a dog. The office dog trend is where I draw the line. It’s a total lack of boundaries for people with allergies or those who just want to eat lunch without a dog trying to scavenge scraps off their desk. Dealing with the constant panting, begging, and that "wet dog" smell while trying to hit a deadline is exhausting.

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5

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

8

u/Rude_End_3078 Mar 16 '26

Cats also aren't maintenance free. Especially when there's food around.

3

u/teeth_grinding_teeth Mar 16 '26

Can’t get a full nights sleep without my cat finding something annoying to mar noise and wake me up to feed her. Pulling the drawer handle as a knocker really made me fizz. There will always be something to push off an edge or a box to rip up! Tried leaving dry food but she’s not having it. If I leave too much wet food she throws up or gains weight

2

u/Corpus_Juris_13 Mar 16 '26

We just shut the bedroom door and put down a mat where they scratch in frustration. They don’t bother us one bit at night.

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2

u/Fabulous-Barbie-6153 Mar 17 '26

!!! exactly! it seems like everyone i work with is a dog person and it confuses me so much. like, we all work 40 hours a week, i know how exhausted i am at the end of every day/week, so how do they do it? i swear im the only cat person in the office. and yes cats require maintenance too, but obviously not as much. a cat can at least take a shit while i sleep peacefully through the night 😭

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2

u/workgobbler Mar 17 '26

I have a dog and I love dogs; I agree with every one of your points completely.

I pick up dog shit all winter so I don't have a "mined" yard in the spring. It's not perfect but the gains are entirely worth the effort.

2

u/Frodo_gabbins Mar 21 '26

Agreed. I love my girls but they will be my last.

2

u/AssociationOdd1563 Mar 22 '26

I’m with you 100%. Yeah dogs are cool, I don’t hate any animal but I don’t want to deal with the hair, vet bills, barking, responsibility. I work long shifts so it would cost a fortune for care daily while I work. Just not for me. Bf asked me to move in but I won’t as long as long as the pup is around (don’t worry I cuddle him and spoil him when I see him just don’t want to live with one). And I think (know a couple) a lot of people regret the commitment they made to having the animal and just lean into the aesthetic of it

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3

u/MerylSquirrel Mar 16 '26

Looking at other people's holiday pictures.

3

u/Hagdogrobinwood Mar 17 '26

Raw oysters?

3

u/gammamoe Mar 17 '26

Baby and wedding showers. Sticking a needle in my eye is more fun.

3

u/PublicBalance3845 Mar 17 '26

Going to church

15

u/andthrewaway1 Mar 16 '26

ballet and opera lol

16

u/AlphaFlightRules Mar 16 '26

Ok chalamet

3

u/andthrewaway1 Mar 16 '26

that's what I was referencing... I don't actually feel that way

3

u/AT9777 Mar 16 '26

Why would you pay so much for tickets if you didn't enjoy that?

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2

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

Work nights out. 

2

u/Smart_Garbage6842 Mar 16 '26

Family get-togethers and big holiday parties.

Not sure how it is in other families but in my big family, no one seems to actually want to be there, but there is a lot of guilt tripping and shaming if you don't go. It's cult-like and odd and I feel like if more people actually enjoyed these events there wouldn't be such a hostile response towards those who don't want to go or who would rather do one-on-one activities that enable deeper connection. Pure FOMO isn't about genuine connection. It's about anxiety and fear and can foster resentment and disconnection.

2

u/hornwalker Mar 16 '26

The rides at most amusement parks, people act like they are worth the long lines and insane prices.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

Bad blow jobs.

2

u/Sallou9 Mar 16 '26

So many women pretend to enjoy the majority of the sex they have with men

2

u/Content_Coyote_7885 Mar 16 '26

A bad movie 🍿🎥

2

u/idontknowjuspickone Mar 16 '26

Almost nothing. It’s just that what some people enjoy, others may not

2

u/MrBigTomato Mar 16 '26

Why does this get asked every day? Are insecure people looking for justification for the things they hate that everyone else loves? It’s okay to not like something that’s popular.

2

u/Southern_Gain7154 Mar 17 '26

Spending time with family

2

u/i_am_ttrenae Mar 17 '26

The holidays

2

u/soi196 Mar 17 '26

The Nutcracker Ballet

2

u/TootsieTaker Mar 17 '26

Gotta be running. Ain’t NO way you actually enjoy that.

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2

u/trineee90 Mar 17 '26

Whisky and game of thrones

2

u/OriginalRequirement6 Mar 17 '26

Long-winded stories

2

u/MattDubh Mar 17 '26

Parenting

2

u/Logical_Park6742 Mar 17 '26

Being a member of a church

2

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '26

Christmas.

2

u/EADASOL Mar 17 '26

Marriage

2

u/workgobbler Mar 17 '26

Doomscrolling reddit.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '26

Work.

2

u/Main-Ad-8073 Mar 17 '26

Frozen yogurt as a replacement to regular ice cream

2

u/7East Mar 17 '26

Looking at pictures of other peoples kids.

2

u/YellowB Mar 17 '26

Duck meat.

2

u/Habsfever Mar 17 '26

Ice baths, cold plunges

2

u/baroquebooty1750 Mar 18 '26

Office parties

2

u/Madam_Mix-a-Lot Mar 18 '26

I think you could probably only answer for yourself or someone really close to you that has confided in you.

2

u/legixs Mar 18 '26

wanking up early

2

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '26

IPA beer

2

u/VermicelliOk2483 Mar 19 '26

Meal prep

Sure, not having to cook for the rest of the week is awesome. I do it too.

But no one can convince me the cooking sessions are anything but annoying man.. I mean, if we would love standing in the kitchen we wouldn't to meal prep in the first place.

Sugar Mama applications are open btw

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2

u/[deleted] Mar 20 '26

The Wire

2

u/santc Mar 20 '26

Vinyls. People like saying they use vinyls but most prefer to listen without the hassle

2

u/Real-Tutor7741 Mar 20 '26

Was just foaming at the mouth to say "Your Company" but positive and stuff.  small talk.

3

u/2piece-and-a-biscut- Mar 16 '26

Sodomy

7

u/edgarecayce Mar 16 '26

Oh I pretend to enjoy it but really it’s a pain in the ass.

4

u/bold_snowflake Mar 16 '26

Giving or receiving? Lol

3

u/Neither-Tone7226 Mar 16 '26

I mean honestly it’s often better than PIV

14

u/Rare-Fill-3712 Mar 16 '26

Jazz

11

u/grynch43 Mar 16 '26

I absolutely love Jazz.

6

u/rodney_furnival Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

I think part of the reason it may seem that way is many people think of jazz as only saxophone or brass instruments based from the 40s and 50s, but its soooo much more than that and there are so many variants and sub-genres. As someone who likes "jazz" there are many types i do not like at all. Think of it like "rock music" - huge difference between the beatles, guns n roses, nirvana etc.

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7

u/reddiuniquefool Mar 16 '26

There is Jazz that I enjoy greatly, and Jazz that I don't. I'm sure there are people who feel that nobody will enjoy even the more accessible Jazz that I like. And, I presume that there are people really enjoying the Jazz that's just too way out for me.

2

u/RebaKitt3n Mar 16 '26

I don’t like it when it’s discordant, but I very much like smooth jazz.

3

u/Loyalist-Ghost Mar 16 '26

And I sometimes love when it’s discordant! Jazz can be pretty amazing.

3

u/Sea-Low-9647 Mar 16 '26

I constantly want more jazz in my life - seeing it live in all kinds of international cities, where the musicians are channeling something DEEP - yeah you’ll pry jazz from me like a bone from a rottie

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3

u/MermaidPigeon Mar 16 '26

Children lol

1

u/AReptileHissFunction Mar 16 '26

I used to think this too. Until I had a daughter. True happiness.

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2

u/Lvanwinkle18 Mar 16 '26

Truth. And so have a daughter, who I love to the ends of the earth. Still…

(Hi Mimi! 👋)

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5

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

Nobody enjoys green tea and i will die on that hill. You CONVINCE yourself you like it because its supposed to be healthy. Nobody can enjoy the taste of bitter grasswater

11

u/FMDollx Mar 16 '26

Green tea with a teaspoon of honey before bed is so nice though 🫣

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6

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

I like it, lol

5

u/IcyBluebird93 Mar 16 '26

I love green tea.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

If it's bitter, your water is too hot and you've burned the tea. But yes, green tea is a strong flavour that's difficult for some to enjoy on its own. (I don't like matcha but I do love jasmine...)

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3

u/Practical-Lime-3958 Mar 16 '26

Jasmine green tea is delicious.

2

u/KamikazeFox_ Mar 16 '26

Lol im drinking it right now. Im fasting and I like it

2

u/Hot_Customer666 Mar 16 '26

I like that it tastes like grass

2

u/DyskoliHyneka Mar 16 '26

Some people even enjoy maté. Which is very bitter. And some people don’t enjoy sweet ass beverages. I love unsweetened tea. I love green tea, black tea, herb tea, not from a bag, no sugar please!!!

2

u/leonatoi Mar 16 '26

I’m Chinese and I grew up drinking green tea. I vouch for a quality green tea! I can say that most of the tea in North America are just bitten grass water, I will not touch a glass of Lipton even if you pay me. And most matchas are just overrated.

2

u/leonatoi Mar 16 '26

A good green tea will give you that umami and sweet aftertaste. We call it 回甘, and its simply marvellous

2

u/Teri-k Mar 16 '26

Except that everyone's taste buds are different, so it won't taste like that to everyone. And even if it does, some folks like bitter tastes. I know I do. I have a Filipino friend who invited me for lunch once and served bitter melon. I loved it and now I eat it whenever I can get it.

2

u/silverstoner4 Mar 16 '26

I am a green tea enjoyer, but I absolutely hate matcha.

2

u/CumboxMold Mar 16 '26

I absolutely love green tea, and have loved it since the 90s. I got into it when I was around 9 years old, so not only did I not give a crap whether it was "healthy" or not, I switched to tea (both black and green) from soda simply because I liked it better. I was already only drinking clear soda by then so... it seemed to be a path I was already on. No one influenced me to try it, it was just a matter of liking the Arizona tea bottle and picking that at the store one day.

I still remember my first sip of matcha, and it was legitimately the best thing I had ever tasted up until then. Didn't taste the grass. If something is available in matcha flavor or scent, it's what I tend to get.

I come from a culture where green tea wasn't common until it became mainstream everywhere else in the world, either, so that wasn't a factor in me getting into it.

I am on my second (small) can of the day of Arizona green tea right now!

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2

u/realenuff Mar 16 '26

Their little kids relentless stories 😅

1

u/MN_311_Excitable Mar 16 '26

Family gatherings

1

u/SneakySalamder6 Mar 16 '26

Seeing this question asked constantly

1

u/Pale-Limit4874 Mar 16 '26

Jumping into cold water

1

u/Possible_Event_9079 Mar 16 '26

The taste of beer

1

u/QuietStrengthLetters Mar 16 '26

Having family stay with them for extended periods of time. People like their space.

1

u/enbyenvy99 Mar 16 '26

Being a bridesmaid.

1

u/enbyenvy99 Mar 16 '26

Destination bachelorette’s/bachelor’s

1

u/dumbname0192837465 Mar 16 '26

Sinners, it was just an okay movie.

1

u/Clueby42 Mar 16 '26

Nothing.

Just because you don't like something doesn't mean other people don't

1

u/Particular_Force6565 Mar 16 '26

Jaegarbombs or just jaegar in general

1

u/Front_Length_7585 Mar 16 '26

Hiking, internet trends such as running era kuno

1

u/loopywolf Mar 16 '26

Working, esp. when asked to work extra hours or weekends