Every time I go shopping, if my favorite cheese shop doesn’t have my favorite gorgonzola in stock, I get upset. It does not really ruin my day, but it does make me a little grumpy for the next thirty minutes or so. And that, my friends, is a perfect example of a first world problem, meaning a minor inconvenience — especially if compared to bigger problems people have on a daily basis — that makes one act as if they are facing a huge challenge.
The name comes from the notion that only people whose lives are well-adjusted and generally comfortable (in many ways because they live in developed, “first world” countries) will find these issues problematic, especially compared to so-called third world problems like a lack of education, or bad living conditions.
Opinions about and attitudes towards this type of problems vary. Some say that even considering them as problems is disrespectful to those who struggle with even the most essential things. Others think that there is no such thing as a first world problem and that your everyday problems are as important as global ones.
If you are interested in my personal opinion, I would say that attitude is what matters the most here. Can you be upset about your Wi-Fi connection being not as fast as you’d like it to be? Yes, absolutely, as long as you don’t get obnoxious about it. Don’t forget that there are people who don’t have this privilege at all.
This brings us to the topic of world problems, such as hunger, pollution, and other similarly grave matters. These are the problems that need to be solved, and doing so is our joint responsibility as humankind.
Take a look at the top first world problems that we collected. Is there anything that irritates you a lot but is normally considered a first world problem?
#1
Being hungry but not for any of the food in your fridge.
unknown
Report50points
#2
You slept in too late on my day off now you have less time to do nothing.
unknown
Report36points
#3
"Ordered food... Now I have to wear pants."
unknown
Report30points
#4
"I have to wake up at 4 am because I'm going on vacation."
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Report30points
#5
"Can't hear the television over my crunchy snacks."
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Report27points
#6
"The fridge is full of food but I can’t have the same meal more than twice consecutively."
unknown
Report26points
#7
"Starbucks didn't have peppermint mocha today and suddenly it was the worst day ever."
Report
26points
#8
"Amazon delivered my stuff a day earlier than scheduled and the box (which I can see remotely with my security camera) is just sitting there in the rain."
unknown
Report25points
#9
This hotel doesn't have enough outlets to charge all your devices overnight.
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Report25points
#10
There’s not enough dressing on your salad. Now salad tastes like salad.
unknown
Report23points
#11
"The coke fizzed too much when I poured it into my glass, and I had to wait for the fizz to go down before I could continue pouring."
unknown
Report22points
#12
There’s nothing to drink at home except an unlimited supply of fresh drinking water.
unknown
Report21points
#13
"My commute to work is so short it only gets my car warm when I get there."
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Report21points
#14
There isn't any food. There is just a bunch of ingredients to make food.
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Report21points
#15
Wants to lay on the side while texting. The Smartphone auto rotates the screen.
unknown
Report21points
#16
"My laptop is dying but my charger is all the way upstairs."
unknown
Report21points
#17
Losing your smartphone and not being able to find it because it’s on silent.
unknown
Report21points
#18
"Waitrose changed their Bavette steak from smoked to Chimichurri marinated and made them about 1000 times worse. Bloody change, I hate it. Leave good things alone."
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20points
#19
The tap water doesn't taste very good here. Now you have to drive to the convenience store and buy some bottled water.
unknown
Report19points
#20
A wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear.
unknown
Report18points