Life is full of ups and downs, but some experiences and things are universally considered bad. These things make us cringe, shudder, or wish we could rewind time. From the mundane to the truly terrible, this list explores 18 things everyone agrees are bad, regardless of background, culture, or personal beliefs.
BED BUGS
These little vampires sneak into your bed while you’re asleep and feast on your blood. Ugh, the thought alone can send shivers down one’s spine! Once they’re in your home, they’re like unwelcome guests who just won’t leave. They hide in cracks and crevices, making it nearly impossible to eliminate them. So yeah, it’s no mystery why bed bugs creep everyone out. They’re the ultimate nightmare for anyone who wants a peaceful, blood-sucker-free sleep.
“I had an infestation that took two exterminators to kill. I came back from a two-week work trip, and it was just like something out of a horror movie. I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy,” says a user.
CRACKING A NAIL
“Cracking a nail so badly that the crack extends well into the nail bed. Bonus points if you then catch one of the flaps on something, and it jolts your nail meat underneath and sends that burning sensation throughout your finger,” says a user.
It’s like a tiny little earthquake happening under your fingertip. Every time you touch something, the crack throbs and pulsates. It’s like having a constant paper cut on your fingernail, but worse. Plus, a cracked nail bed is an open invitation for bacteria and other nasty things to get in and cause an infection. And trust us, nobody wants to experience that.
WATERY LIQUID IN CONDIMENT BOTTLES
“That watery liquid which comes from condiment bottles if you don’t shake them first,” says a user.
Imagine you’re super excited to slather some ketchup on your fries, but you get blasted with a watery surprise instead of the glorious red sauce you’re expecting. Not exactly an appetizing start to your meal, right? The watery stuff is the part that separates from the thicker, tastier bits because it’s less dense. It dilutes the actual flavor of the condiment, making it bland and unsatisfying, which nobody likes (for all the right reasons).
ALZHEIMER’s
“Alzheimer’s. I lost my father. He died three years later,” says a user.
Alzheimer’s gradually erodes a person’s sense of self, stripping away their memories, personality, and abilities. This can be incredibly painful for both the individual experiencing it and their loved ones who witness the transformation. Seeing the decline of a loved one can lead to feelings of grief, guilt, and anger. Additionally, the constant caregiving demands can be physically and emotionally draining.
CANCER
“Cancer. I have survived it five times! For me, it is the worst,” says a user.
Cancer is a devastating disease that attacks the body’s cells, causing uncontrolled growth and ultimately leading to organ failure and death. This destructive nature instills fear and dread in most people. Plus, it robs individuals of their sense of control over their bodies and lives. This loss of control can be profoundly frustrating and demoralizing, leading to feelings of helplessness and despair.
FORGETTING TO TURN THE SWITCH ON WHILE CHARGING YOUR PHONE OVERNIGHT
“Waking to realize that your phone wasn’t charging overnight,” says a user.
Waking up to a dead phone is pretty much the worst. It’s a universal experience that unites us all in our shared misery. A dead phone is like a black hole in your pocket. You have no idea what messages, calls, or essential updates you’ve missed. It’s analogous to walking into a room of people whispering secrets you can’t hear.
STEPPING ON WET AREAS WITH SOCKS ON
“Stepping on a wet spot while wearing a sock,” says a user.
The sound of one’s sock squelching against their foot is enough to make them cringe. It feels like a betrayal as if the very ground itself has turned against you. A soggy sock instantly sucks the warmth out of your foot, leaving it feeling like a forgotten popsicle in the freezer.
Not only does it feel like a shock to the system, but it also serves as a reminder of the cruel nature of the universe, something nobody feels okay with.
TOE INJURIES
“Hitting your toe on your bed frame,” says a user.
Toes are filled with sensitive nerves, and hitting them just right (or, somewhat wrong) can feel like a tiny hammer blow. It’s almost like someone’s taken a special interest in making your life miserable for a fleeting moment. You hop around on one foot, muttering under your breath, feeling all kinds of silly – certainly not something people look forward to.
UNSKIPPABLE ADS
“YouTube unskippable ads,” says a user.
There is a reason why unskippable YouTube ads are universally hated – they spoil the content you’re about to watch. Imagine waiting for the big reveal in a trailer, but the ad shows it right before you see it yourself. So yes, such ads are annoying, intrusive, repetitive, and often irrelevant. They’re like the mosquito buzzing around your ear while you’re trying to sleep – you can’t focus, and all you want is for them to go away!
EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA
“Explosive diarrhea, specifically when it’s happening to you. If it happens to someone else, it’s probably just funny,” says a user.
The unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of explosive diarrhea can lead to embarrassing situations, especially in social settings. Characterized by sudden, forceful expulsion of watery stool, it often pops out of nowhere with little to no warning. Oh, and the cramps, the urgency, the feeling of your insides being turned inside out makes it worse. Overall, it’s enough to make anyone want to curl up in a ball and cry.
KIDNEY STONES
“Kidney stones. I’ve had multiple nurses tell me they would rather give birth to triplets than have another kidney stone,” says a user.
Kidney stones are tiny, jagged rocks that get stuck in your urinary tract. As they try to make their escape, they scrape and irritate your tissues, causing pain that can range from “mild discomfort” to “feeling like you’re giving birth to a porcupine.” While in some cases, the little bugger will pass on its own (with lots of fluids and maybe some pain meds). But other times, you might need surgery or other procedures to get rid of it.
AIDS
“AIDS. Some extremely religious people believe AIDS was God’s punishment and therefore don’t think it’s a bad thing,” says a user.
Once you get HIV, it stays with you for life. While medication can help manage the virus and keep it under control, there’s currently no cure. HIV attacks your immune system, making fighting infections and diseases harder for your body. This can lead to serious health problems.
Living with HIV can be immensely challenging, both physically and emotionally. It can affect one’s relationships, work, and overall well-being.
BANKS CHARGING NSF FEES
“When you only have 5$ in your bank account, and the bank charges you a 10$ NSF fee for not having any money, so now you sit at -5$ BUT then the bank charges you a 25$ over limit/overdraft fee, so now you’re at -30$ because you only had 5$ in your account,” says a user.
Nobody likes it when their bank hits them with a fee for not having enough money in their account – it feels like a slap in the face. After all, it’s unexpected, annoying, and can leave you feeling like you just got robbed.
When a small mistake like forgetting you only had $5 in your account costs you $30, you cannot move on quickly. That’s like paying six times the price for a latte! It’s just not proportional and might make you feel like the bank is taking advantage of you.
FLEAS
“Fleas. I cannot find a reason to justify their existence. I am, however, open to hearing reasons if anyone has any,” says a user.
Fleas! Those tiny jumping menaces drive both humans and pets crazy. They hop, skip, and jump from one host to another, spreading their itchy misery wherever they go. This can lead to infestations that are hard to get rid of. If that was not enough, scratching their bites can lead to infections, making things even worse. They’re just plain gross. No wonder they’re on everyone’s “most hated” list.
NICOTINE
“Nicotine, even smokers can and will acknowledge it’s bad and that you shouldn’t start,” says a user.
Nicotine is a stimulant that gives you a temporary buzz but is also really addictive. Not only is it hard to quit once you start, but it can also mess with your brain and body in the long run. On top of that, nicotine can lead to some severe health problems – it can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, increase your risk of cancer, and damage your lungs.
So, you see, it isn’t good. It’s like a bad boyfriend – you know it’s not good for you, but it’s hard to break free.
DEFORESTATION
“Deforestation for farm animals,” says a user.
First off, forests are home to many plant and animal species, and deforestation destroys their habitat, leading to species extinction and decreased biodiversity. Secondly, farm animals raised in cleared forest areas often suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to essential resources, such as food, water, and shelter. All in all, everyone knows it’s bad.
SPOILED FOOD
“Food with mold on it. I’m looking at you, blue cheese,” says a user.
Mold is a sign that food has begun to decompose and is no longer fresh. It indicates that the food may contain harmful bacteria or other microbes besides mold, further increasing the risk of illness. As such, humans have evolved an aversion to spoiled food, including moldy food, as a way to avoid consuming harmful substances. This aversion is likely programmed into our genes to protect us from foodborne illness.
CIGARETTES
“Cigarettes. I don’t know any smoker who considers them good and will recommend people against it if they’re curious to try it. That said, most people I know who start smoking get their first cigarette from a smoker,” says a user.
Cigarettes are highly addictive due to the presence of nicotine, which acts on the brain’s reward system. This can lead to dependence and difficulty quitting smoking. Smoking also damages the lungs and airways, leading to major health concerns. Given the significant health, social, and economic costs tied to smoking, it should be clear why people think cigarettes are harmful.
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This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.