# Choices in which you have no preference - do you ever feel obliged to choose the less popular?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choices-in-which-you-have-no-preference-do-you-ever-feel-obliged-to-choose-the-less-popular/691311>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 21, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choices-in-which-you-have-no-preference-do-you-ever-feel-obliged-to-choose-the-less-popular/691311 "2014-06-21T18:31:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choices-in-which-you-have-no-preference-do-you-ever-feel-obliged-to-choose-the-less-popular/691311/1 "2014-06-21T18:31:26Z")

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I’m thinking of situations where choices are available, and you are in the minority in that you don’t have a strong preference. Do you ever feel obliged\* to choose the less popular option, so as to leave more of the more popular option available for those who do have a preference?

Example: I don’t care whether my seat on the train faces forward or back - but I know there are people who prefer a forward-facing seat (including those who feel travel-sick if they sit facing the rear of the train) - so I usually pick a seat facing backwards, especially if the train is quite full.

I also know people who have no particular preference (or have broad tastes) regarding boxed chocolates - and they typically let the box pass around before they make their choice - so they don’t take the last one of someone else’s favourite.

Do you ever feel similarly compelled? Is it a social obligation for you (or else, how would you describe it?

If your view is to the contrary, or anything else (dunno - maybe you’re never generally aware of the preferences of others or something), that’s also valid data for this thread - all opinions welcome.

\*_Obliged_ might not be the right word - so substitute any other similar term you like - to the effect that _something_ - even common courtesy - means you choose the less popular option.