Honestly, we all fake liking a bunch of stuff. Sometimes it’s just easier than being the annoying one who says no. Other times we get so used to pretending that we don’t even stop to think if we actually like something or not. So we just nod along, smile, and say things like “That’s great” or “I love that,” even when inside we’re hoping to find a way to skip it.
The truth is, everyone’s got a list of things they only pretend to enjoy and I’m pretty sure yours isn’t much different from mine.
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Artsy Coffee Drinks With Five Ingredients
You order the lavender matcha caramel cold foam thing because it looks cool on camera. The flavors don’t really mesh well, but you try to pretend like you like everything about it, even if you really want to just order a normal iced coffee next time.
Branded Tote Bags From Events
They give you one of those generic totes, and we act like we actually need them. They’re usually not even sturdy enough to carry anything except a magazine. But we thank them like we really want them, then end up throwing them away in a couple of months.
Pop-Up Selfie Museums
We think we are going to these things because they are this immersive, new art experience. But it’s all backdrops and props made for one second of content. Once the photo’s done, there’s nothing to actually do.
Group Video Calls With More Than Five People
They’re loud, cringey, and filled with half-conversations and awkward silences. But we pretend like it’s the best bonding experience ever. It’s really just everyone trying not to interrupt each other or nodding while scrolling on their phone in the corner. Nobody likes being on those calls for more than 15 minutes.
Tiny Hotel Toiletries
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We grin at the “luxury” shampoo and soap like it’s a gift. But it barely cleans, makes your skin dry, and takes half the bottle to get through your hair. We save them like trophies and never use them again. It’s more about the feeling of value than the actual value.
Those Aesthetic Productivity Apps
They look nice and make you feel like a better person. But after the third reminder or color-coded to-do list, it drains you. You spend more time organizing your goals than actually doing anything.
Secret Menu Items at Fast Food Places
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We make it sound like we’re getting something special. For example, ordering a “secret menu” burger with extra pickles and no sauce usually just tastes like a messy, regular burger. Most of the time, it’s just regular ingredients put together in a strange way. It’s not worth the trouble of trying to explain it to a confused cashier.
Subscription Boxes You Forgot to Cancel
The first box is always fun. By the third, you have a drawer full of samples, things you’ll never use, and have stopped caring. Whether it’s beauty boxes like Ipsy or Birchbox, snack subscription boxes like Graze, or even monthly book clubs, the thrill has gone. We pretend like we’re just as hyped as the first month, when we actually forgot we were paying for it.
Waiting in Line for the Best Food Spot
We wait outside for 20 minutes while hyping ourselves up, even though we’re hangry and sweaty. Then, inside, the food is good but not good enough to make the line worth it or the price. It’s the same for ramen joints and trendy avocado toast places. We just act like it was so worth it because we don’t want to feel silly.
Oversized Influencer Merch
We wear it like we’re doing fashion, when really it’s probably made cheaply and has an obnoxiously large logo that reads “Limited drop.” It’s not comfy enough to wear around the house, but not cool enough to wear outside. We just keep taking pictures of it, as if it’s iconic.
Online Articles With Seventeen Pop-Ups
We watch an article have three “Sign up now!” messages pop up as we scroll, only to read one paragraph. But we still share the article like it’s the gospel. It’s obnoxious from start to finish, but we act like we learned something life-changing.
Sound Baths and Crystal Healing Sessions
You act like you believe everything they’re saying, even if you don’t, nodding like you can feel the “energy change.” Everyone just wants a place to sit and relax in silence, but it turns into a show of people pretending to feel “aligned.” You leave unsure if you actually liked it or just didn’t want to be rude.
New and Improved App Updates
We all pretend that the new app design is the best thing to come along in a while. Nothing is where it’s supposed to be, the features we love are gone, and everything is more difficult than it needs to be. But we act like it’s better instead of complaining to no one in particular.
Watching Shows Just to Stay in the Loop
You continue to watch that new series you just don’t like because you feel like you need to be “caught up.” The storyline is nonsensical and the characters are grating, but other people are watching it. So you assure your friends it’s “not that bad,” when really you’re dragging your feet to get through the whole season.
Forced Team-Building Games at Work
You pretend you’re all bonding over stacking marshmallows or solving riddles. You know that everyone else in the room is just as miserable and wishes they were at their desks, but you cheer everyone on as though they are all the greatest team in the world.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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