If you’re not careful, social pressure can have a powerful yet often subtle impact on your life. Even if you think you’re immune to other people’s and companies' opinions, they can still sometimes gently push you in one direction or another, where you pick up certain habits just because that’s how others behave.
In an intriguing AskReddit thread, internet users revealed the things that they believe society has “brainwashed” people into thinking that they need, even though they probably don’t. We’ve collected their most insightful opinions to share with you, and you can check them out below.
Bored Panda reached out to the author of the interesting discussion, redditor u/Beaner890, and they were kind enough to share their thoughts about social pressure and how to counter it. You'll find our interview with them as you read on.
#1
Religion.
One of my favorite sayings is from a meme: "If you need the threat of hell to be a good person, then you're just a bad person on a leash.".
Image credits: screwedupinaz
We were very curious about what the inspiration behind such an intriguing topic was. "I asked this question because I try to be self-aware and try to not be brainwashed by sales tactics, especially when it is something I do not need," u/Beaner890 said.
"While comments on my post mostly say things like religion and a new phone, I personally believe one of the most harmful things people can be pressured into thinking they need is a timeshare," they warned.
"I have personally known people that have fallen for this because they were offered a free night or a free ticket if they attended a presentation. While there, they are sold this idea that they need a timeshare because it makes more sense in the long run (it never does)."
#2
Expensive weddings.
Image credits: alangbas
#3
Gender Reveal...
Image credits: its-how-i-roll
According to the author, proponents of timeshares seem to target the most vulnerable individuals. "They know having a vacation home is something we all desire. So, they sell this idea to people who cannot afford the real thing. This is one thing that ruins people's lives and I have no idea how it is still legal."
Meanwhile, the author shed some light on how we can all resist social pressure, at least in part. "There are a couple of things people can do to not be pressured into things that are probably not necessary. The first thing is to do your own research. This is something I like doing before I do anything, especially when this can financially impact me," they said.
"The second thing is to learn how to say 'no' and just walk away. And the last thing is not caring about what others have to say. I am not here to impress anyone but myself."
#4
The newest phone every year no matter the price.
Image credits: ShadyMyLady
#5
An endless stream of clothes/accessories to follow every trend. Overconsumption of clothing is a huge issue.
Image credits: awholedamngarden
#6
The belief that everyone needs to have children, which, in my opinion, is a dangerous mindset since you have people who neglect their kids abuse their kids m****r there kids ect.
Image credits: NarrowIntroduction84
Human beings are hardwired to be social, and most of you probably want to be respected, admired, and possibly even loved by your peers and members of the community. It’s completely natural.
Out of that desire to fit in, you copy the behaviors, attitudes, and habits you see around you. On the flip side, behaving differently than everyone around you potentially means that you’re left out of the social group. And very few people intentionally want to be outsiders.
According to American Addictions Centers, most grown-ups likely deny that external sources influence their choices. However, with how ubiquitous advertising is these days, its persuasion affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent.
#7
Super white teeth. It doesn’t look weird at all.
Image credits: ovid31
#8
Expensive funerals and coffins.
Just incinerate me when it's time. I'll be dead, I obviously won't care. And even if I did believe in an afterlife I still don't see why I would care as I wouldn't be hanging around my old self.
#9
To ruin the lives of people that are different than they are.
One source of influence you might not think about all that often is how your friends shape what you do. For example, one recent study showed that people drinking in pairs tend to imitate each other’s orders, frequency of drinking, and volume of consumption.
In short, who you spend time around tends to shape what you do, just like your behavior affects those around you. This can be problematic if you have issues with addiction and substance misuse, but your social circle encourages that sort of behavior.
#10
A need to sympathize with billionaires and celebrities who don’t give two s***s about us.
#11
A new car as soon as the old car is paid off.
Image credits: Hohenmeyer2
#12
A 12 step skin care routine.
Image credits: business_socksss
AAC states that it’s crucial to develop the skills to resist the unconscious influence that your friends exert. For one, you should not hesitate to refuse to take part in behavior that you know is harmful to you. When you use short responses and quick refusals, you are not leaving any room for discussion.
“While friends may be well-meaning, they may not understand the realities of recovery as intricately as someone working through it, and they may take hesitation as a sign of uncertainty.”
#13
Designer anything.
Image credits: SaltyPopcornKitty
#14
Diamond jewelry
It can be made in labs. Chemically and atomically the exact same stuff that gets pulled out of the earth with child and slave labor. Then hoarded to artificially inflate the price. *All that blood and misery just for something shiny to look at.* "A wedding ring should be 3mo pay," screw that nonsense the entire and whole way! It's just cut and polished carbon; whoopty-f*****g-do.
Image credits: The_Mr_Wilson
#15
Religion to be a good person....you need empathy.
Image credits: InstructionFair5221
What behaviors, attitudes, and habits do you personally believe are completely unnecessary but which society has forced on most people, dear Pandas? Which ones do you think do the most harm?
What do you do to stay resilient and resist all of that (not so) subtle social pressure? What do you think society has subtly pressured you into doing? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. If you have a moment, share yours in the comments below.
#16
You can fix stuff. Don’t have to replace every time.
Image credits: smack4u
#17
Fabric softener. Just more perfumes and probably micro plastics.
Image credits: sparkyvt
#18
Social media.
Image credits: marcellabp
#19
Gonna keep this light. Most people don’t NEED a shower every day. Embrace the ponytail and wear that shirt a third time before washing. The earth will thank you. But PLEASE, however funky you get, brush and floss those teeth twice a day.
Image credits: FoxPuzzled4969
#20
A relationship. Learn to be happy on your own and things will fall into place.
Image credits: WolfGrouchy1953
#21
A gigantic fake a*s.
#22
Climbing the corporate ladder. You spend years stepping on rungs made of stress and unpaid overtime, only to realize the top floor belongs to someone else—and they just pulled the ladder up behind them.
Image credits: ajm_usn321
#23
Big trucks when not in the trades. Big SUVs for a family of 4. Etc. etc.
#24
A million vitamins and supplements every day, like hundreds of dollars a month amounts.
Image credits: Kajega
#25
To prove they're right.
You don't need to reply to every comment that denies the point you were trying to make. Your time is valuable. State your points and move on with your life.
#26
Keurigs. Making coffee is not that hard or time-consuming.
Image credits: AdMurky3039
#27
Alcohol.
Image credits: RedRibbonRacer
#28
Daily showers. Medical investigations have proven time and time again that someone who showers daily is really no cleaner or hygienic than someone who showers every other day, and showering too much can actually cause skin damage. It literally wasn’t a social norm to shower every day until fully fitted bathrooms become more common. And every time this is pointed out, people just say “Nooooo that’s groooooss!”
Obviously some people live in very humid climates or have extremely physical jobs, but the average person doesn’t get much benefit from showering once a day, certainly not more than once, which again, is bad for your skin.
#29
A lot of things for babies. Babies don’t need things, parents think they need things to make their lives easier.
Diaper genies are not easier and 100% more gross and that’s a hill I will die on.
#30
Make Up. No one actually needs it but we've unfortunately brainwashed women into thinking they need it.
#31
New cars, new clothes, new rugs, new homes, new stuff.
#32
Grass lawns.
#33
A four-year degree for jobs that pay you $18/hr and ask if you’re 'passionate about Excel.'
#34
An opinion.
It's ok to not have an opinion on something. It's ok to just not care about something. It doesn't make you the anti christ to the person asking for it if you don't have one. It doesn't mean you don't support their cause or that you are vehemently against it.
It just means you've decided to put your energies into something else.
#35
3 meals a day.
#36
Diamond ring.
#37
Birthday parties for children under the age of 6.
#38
Streaming services. Oh, I NEED to see my shows. I need my sports. The classics aren’t on most services, and the new stuff is trash. They jack the prices on these packages, remove content, people cry, and then pay it anyway. I have two services for my wife. I pay $15 for a bundle. I see people paying $100/mo for streaming, and that's just TV.
#39
Constant stimulation. Frequent long distance travel to places experiencing over tourism.
#40
Bottled water.
#41
The way our homes are with rooms and how they are decorated. It’s kinda all the same and we just have references to how they are supposed to be. Like you can make your house whatever ridiculousness you want, but most don’t .
