Modern advancements in areas such as transportation, technology, healthcare, and education have improved the quality of life for a considerable portion of the global population.
However, we humans are pretty egoistic by nature, and the biggest trouble to us is usually the one we're in ourselves. So when Reddit user Jennimackenzie made a post on the platform, asking its users "What's the most ridiculous 'first world problem' you've seen people get worked up over?", many had memories to share.
From having to wait a little while to enjoy a freebie to misbehaving smartphone apps, the question has received over 3.6K answers. Continue scrolling to read those that climbed to the top, garnering plenty of upvotes.
#1
Vaccination. Nothing screams "I'm oblivious to my own privilege" like an ignorant antivaxxer.
263points
#2
Like 90% of cultural appropriation discourse. Cultural appropriation is supposed to be for when things which have significant, deep, special cultural significance are taken and commodified to a point it disrespects or undermines the original purpose or meaning of said significant thing. Not “omg this white girl has a dream catcher in her room” or “omg this white person went to Japan and wore a Kimono” Like people are dying Kim, and you’re p***ed because Becky got braids done when she went abroad? Also more often than not the people getting mad about that s**t aren’t even from that culture they’re just random white people virtue signalling. And a lot of the time, when you ask the people of said culture, they either don’t really give a s**t or are actually happy at people taking an interest in and participating in their culture. Just screams “I’m so privileged that I have nothing in my life actually worth complaining about so I’m going to get offended on other peoples behalf over things that aren’t actually that much of a problem.”
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226points
We managed to get in touch with Jennimackenzie, and the Redditor was kind enough to share some background about their post.
"I got the idea for it when I was in the kitchen at work, scrolling through Reddit and waiting for the Keurig," they told Bored Panda.
"I saw a post where the author was absolutely indignant about his fast-food experience (he was asked to pull out of line and wait in a parking spot when going through the drive-thru)."
#3
When I was about 19 years old, I was at my boyfriends family BBQ. I was wearing this pretty floral sundress. His cousins girlfriend showed up in the same dress and she was SO mad that she went and changed. I will never understand being upset when someone is wearing the same thing as you. Did you really think that your shirt you bought off the rack is going to be unique to you? No.
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202points
#4
HOAs. These people have been waiting their whole lives to stir some s**t up over something minuscule.
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188points
#5
I work in a public library. People will get so so mad if they have to be put on a wait list for a book. A popular book that just came out. Ok our services are not only free but so are the books. You’re welcome, a******s.
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174points
After going through the replies they've received, Jennimackenzie noticed some recurring themes, most notably food.
That's understandable. While many of us don't have to worry about our next meal, up to 783 million people worldwide are hungry. That means one in ten people goes to bed on an empty stomach every night.
Furthermore, of those 783 million people, 333 million are facing severe hunger.
#7
My own. We have a bidet toilet seat (Fabulous! Everyone should have one!) and not only does it wash your bum and blow dry it, but the seat's heated! It's shocking how much a heated toilet seat makes the whole process more agreeable. Except: We had a power outage and I went to use the toilet and the seat was cold! Unacceptable! This shall not stand! I was really upset because it didn't feel good. Then I stopped and thought: This is the most first-world problem anyone's ever had. I was really pissed because my heiny was tepid. I got over it.
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151points
#8
When iPhone users get annoyed when they’re texting someone using Android and their messages appear green instead of blue
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136points
It's a big problem even in the developed world. For example, in the United States, over 44 million people, including 13 million children, experience food insecurity annually.
It is a systemic issue that can happen to anyone, not a personal failure. People facing hunger often struggle with high living costs, expensive housing, unemployment, and low-wage jobs.
#9
Weddings are a gold mine for this question. People get so hyped up over their "most important day of their life," they'll destroy friendships, go into debt, and have crazy expectations. It's not always the couple who go crazy, either. Sometimes, it's the parents or another family member who feels entitled to control the wedding.
It's just a party. Be considerate of guests, have plenty of food and drinks, and enjoy it.
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133points
#10
Not wanting to wear masks, some people equating wearing a mask with going to a concentration camp really was eye opening about the entitlement of some people.
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133points
#11
My boss from about a decade ago was this insanely rich dude who always went to the bank to get fresh and crisp currency. He'd call the bank in advnace to make sure they had some on hand. I think he was a germaphobe.
He had a trash can that he'd throw $1 and $5 bills in that he thought was "dirty" and regularly just donated it vs spending it.
I asked him why he did this and he said it was too much trouble and asked if I wanted it. I said f**k yeah dumped it into my bag and when I got home it was close to $400 in singles and fives.
//edit: Whoa didn't expect such a response. Another time, he wanted to upgrade all the computers in his studio, so we went to a store and bought 10 PCs. They all had $150 mail in rebates and he wasn't bothered to go through the trouble of mailing them in. 3 weeks later I received $1500 after spending a whole afternoon filling out all those goddamn forms.
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125points
Jennimackenzie said that the discussion was really interesting to read, but they think the prevalence of first-world problems also tells us something about contemporary society.
"People are generally blissfully unaware of what each and every one of us is going through in life. There's a distinct lack of understanding when it comes to 'the big picture' or 'us.'"
"Frustration is hardwired; no matter how easy we might have it, we will find a way to be frustrated with something and lose our cool," the Redditor added.
#12
I've survived everything from chemotherapy to two decades of immunotherapy, have undergone a dozen surgeries, spent a year of my teens paralyzed (had to re-learn how to walk), gone into cardiac arrest on several occasions, my mother is a diagnosed narcissist, and I recently left my abusive soon-to-be-ex-husband. Not a whole lot phases me, and it takes a LOT to anger or upset me. I am a genuinely patient, kind, and understanding person.
Recently took some vacation, which included renting a car. The guy in line ahead of me completely and totally lost his marbles about the type of car they gave him.
He ***demanded*** a Tesla. They told him they didn't have any available. Bickering ensued. The lone staff member, a gal who couldn't have been older than 22/23, was the only person on staff that night. She went above and beyond by contacting another local rental company (in the same large airport garage), and asked if they had any Tesla's available. They did, but it was only 60% charged. Customer threw a s**t-fit about it only being 60% charged.
Dude....... they *specifically* told you they didn't have any Tesla's available, then went above and beyond to acquire one for you through a different company, but you still throw a tantrum about the charge level it's at!? 🤨😐🤦♀️
Talk about entitlement.
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113points
#13
A lady in our neighborhood was renovating her 5-bedroom home while building a similarly sized vacation home in Arizona.
She said “oh you have NO IDEA how stressful it is to decorate two homes at once!”
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106points
#14
Not being able to get haircuts during lockdown. I will never forget the people with those posters
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93points
#15
Crying over their favourite celebrity breaking up with a partner.
91points
#16
Anything Starbucks related. Holiday cups, star rewards points reset, pay it forward etiquette, whatever.
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82points
#18
Haha so last week, I ended up changing a train ticket last minute and when I went to sit in the seat (there was assigned seating on this one), the guy I’d be sitting next to had all his stuff sprawled out on it and was using my tray table to hold his food, with his laptop on the other. So I politely told him that was my seat and he was like “ugh did you just book this last minute? The app said it was empty and that I would have this row to myself”. He huffed and puffed for the entire 2 hour ride into NYC lol. It was kind of comical tbh.
I’ll never understand why people get so worked up over having seat mates on public transport.
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79points
#19
I was working the return desk at a Target next to a military base so I have so many stories. One of my favorites was a lady who had her baby shower before revealing the gender and was livid that she had received floral newborn diapers when she’s having a boy. It was a huge box of super expensive, all organic diapers, that we didn’t carry and therefore could not return. I cannot accurately express her fury and disgust. How dare either suggest her boy could wear feminine diapers 🙄 I suggested she donate them if she didn’t want to use them and she instead threw away the entire box. When she left we pulled it out and threw it in our donate bin.
There have also been multiple times where mom’s order massive toys and when we bring them out to the car they get furious that they aren’t wrapped. We don’t offer wrapping services. Here’s the thing, if you don’t want your kids to see the toys you got them for Christmas or their bit to day DONT BRING THE CHILD WHEN YOU PICK IT UP. I’ve had multiple women scream and curse me out that I had ruined their kids Christmas by bringing the toys they ordered out to the car like they requested.
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79points
