Warning: unpopular opinions ahead! Specifically, my own contrarian takes on some things others seem to LOVE that (in my humble opinion) are entirely overrated.
We have a rule in our family that we don’t “yuck” someone else’s “yum”: in other words, we’re not allowed to disparage a food or activity that someone else in our family really loves. Well, I’m breaking that rule today! But please know it’s all in good fun. Most of the things on this list are totally fine for other people . . . they just are’t my cup of tea (or coffee, as I happen to love tea)! Maybe you’ll agree with some of my takes; more likely (because these are UNPOPULAR opinions) you won’t, and that’s totally fine! I’m sure there are plenty of things I love that simply aren’t for you—and you know I’d love to hear about them (share with me in the comments)!
This list may have you gasping in shock, or chuckling at my naiveté and uncultured palate, but here we go: my list of activities, items, and trends that are completely overrated.
1. Coffee (especially Starbucks).
2. Luxury cars and items of clothing.
3. The Romantasy genre (and most of the Romance genre in general).
4. Spooky Halloween decorations (and everything horror related, regardless of the time of year).
5. Formal education.
6. Superhero movies.
7. Day trips to the beach.
8. Water parks.
9. Ice in drinks.
10. Birthday parties (actually, almost ALL kinds of parties).
11. Influencer culture/celebrity influencers and celebrities who are famous for being famous.
12. Reality television.
13. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and pretty much all of social media.
14. Stanley Cups.
15. High-waisted, wide-leg denim.
16. Vitamins, supplements, and essential oils.
17. Spectator sports (all of them, but especially football).
18. Competitive team sports for kids.
19. Men’s facial hair.
20. Tattoos.
21. The “Gentle Parenting” movement.
22. Blue as a favorite color. (I’m fine with blue but don’t think it deserves its cult favorite status.)
23. Unsweetened sparkling water (Waterloo, LaCroix, Topo Chico, etc.).
24. Chapstick/lip balm or lip moisturizers (they dry out your lips!).
25. True Crime (books, podcasts, shows, etc.).
26. Shark Week.
27. Elf on the Shelf.
28. Meditation (the secular kind).
It’s response time: do you vehemently disagree? Are you surprised to find we share some “unpopular opinions”? What items would be on YOUR overrated list?
I LOVE stuff like these lists!! Can’t resist. I think I agree with you on 19 of the 28. Coffee would be first on my list, too! I’d say ALL Halloween decorations, it’s an ode to the Devil, Christians need to think about this and quit. To Romantasy, I’d add anything supernatural, and anything about Vampires!! (unless that IS already included?) I did like regular school, but I don’t have anything to compare it with. I do love a trip to the beach as well as water parks. AND ICE!! Oh my goodness, all I do is make ice (no ice maker in our frig) and I can’t drink anything except milk without it. I don’t look at TikTok or Twitter (X) ever, or do facebook. And people famous for being famous! So weird! I would specify “Team” Sports (esp football) but I do like to watch individual sports on TV, like dancing, ice skating, skiing or horse racing. Not that there IS much. Competitive sports for kids, oh shudder!! I don’t mind facial hair if it’s very neat and well groomed. Do not like the “Amish” scraggly beards, or goatees. Tattoos are very high on my UGH, JUST NO list. Don’t like True Crime, either. But I am a chapstick addict and you are right. I like to wear the kind with a little reddish tint in it, to redden my lips AND soften them. I’ll probably never get over it. I tried to quit once and people told me my lips were “furry” (shredded skin). And I don’t know what Elf on the Shelf is! Since I consider myself an outlier, I am surprised that I am having trouble thinking up things I don’t like that other’s do—-that you didn’t already mention. I guess Alcohol; ‘nuts, coconut or raisins’ in any dessert, the new fad of tucking the front of your shirt in and leaving the back hanging; blue, green or purple hair, and just about all the fashion ads now (and fashion shows) that show ugly, bizarre clothes on grim looking women. What’s that all about? I wanted to get back to you on the post you did about 1984…..but I haven’t yet! Stay tuned.
I agree with you on so much of this. I also went to school and loved my experiences, but it’s changed and I don’t think it’s as advantageous as many think it to be. I also enjoy watching individual sports. Like you, alcohol is a no-go for me (I’ve tried, I just can’t stand the taste) as are nuts (not just in desserts, I can’t stand them in any form) and coconut (love the flavor, but shavings are disgusting). I do love raisins, though! I’m a fan of the front tuck but most other current fashions make no sense to me and are just so unflattering.