# Guilty and / or embarassing pleasures

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 29, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034 "2012-08-29T15:22:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Jimbabweosu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85f322/32.png) [@Jimbabweosu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimbabweosu)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/1 "2012-08-29T15:22:30Z")

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I’m just curious as to what y’all have as guilty and / embarassing pleasures. You know what I mean- things that you enjoy that you are a little bit guilty about, or would be (or are) embarrassed slightly if people knew. For example, fois gras is a guilty pleasure (not one of mine, but I can uderstand someone both loving it, and being appalled at how it is produced.) Singing Britney Spears (is she still a thing?) or Katy Perry as loud as you can in the shower, and you are a he-man uber-macho is an embarassing one- again, not mine, but you get the idea.

My guilty pleasure: Chick-Fil-A (NO, DO NOT DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD EAT IT OR FEEL GUILT ABOUT IT-- THERE ARE PLENTY OF THREADS THAT DO SO: GO FIND ONE OF THEM FOR THAT!) I love the stuff. L O V E it. But, I have many gay friends and family members, and I just can’t eat it. Much. Once a year, max. And when I do, it sends thrills of pleasure down into my toes, and pangs of deep regret everytime I realize that I helped support such deeply anti-gay nonsense (AGAIN, this is not about Chick-Fil-A. I could just as easily said beef (It’s soooo good, but ya gotta kill an animal to get it, and a fairly intelligent one at that- compared to most).

My ‘embarassing’ pleasure? Notting Hill. The movie. I know, I know, it’s a chick-flick romantic comedy, and far from the best example of the genre (which I otherwise cannot stand). I am not dating, I am not a woman, and have been married for at least a third of my entire life. That said, I love this movie. I bough the DVD, then the boxed super-edition when it came out. I watch it every couple of months or so, (director’s commentary, and deleted scenes, too) and cry like a baby.

Like. A. Baby.

So, what’re yours?

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### Author: ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/2 "2012-08-29T16:07:47Z")

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Trashy true crime novels. So many good books out there by excellent writers … but every once in awhile I indulge in filling my head with sensationalistic crap …

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### Author: ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/3 "2012-08-29T16:17:08Z")

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Fits both: I write erotica. And read fanfic, though I rarely write it myself (but yes, occasionally, I do).

_Sigh._

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### Author: ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/4 "2012-08-29T17:38:00Z")

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I like hotdogs with that spray on cheese with Hawaiian Punch for my drink. It’s so trashy, especially since I’m kind of a foodie, but about once a year when no one is looking I have me some EZ Cheeze dogs and some HP.

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### Author: ![Bass\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Bass\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bass_Chick)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/5 "2012-08-29T17:42:32Z")

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This message board.

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### Author: ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/6 "2012-08-29T18:07:00Z")

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> [@Jimbabweosu](#):
>
> My ‘embarassing’ pleasure? Notting Hill. The movie. I know, I know, it’s a chick-flick romantic comedy, and far from the best example of the genre (which I otherwise cannot stand). I am not dating, I am not a woman, and have been married for at least a third of my entire life. That said, I love this movie. I bough the DVD, then the boxed super-edition when it came out. I watch it every couple of months or so, (director’s commentary, and deleted scenes, too) and cry like a baby.

As a guy who likes When Harry Met Sally type of chick flicks, I really like Notting Hill, too. And was totally embarrassed by a pro commercial director who is related to a friend of mine when we were discussing movies and I mentioned it as a well-rendered example of the genre. Always fun to be thoroughly dismissed. But a few years later he mentioned it to me - it was clearly a point where he decided he “got” me - because he was having trouble crossing over from commercials to movies and TV and was realizing the craft that went into NH. I won’t say I had the last laugh - he was still incredibly condescending - but it was interesting to hear him wrap his brain around it…

As a business executive in a leadership position of my company, I deal with BMW-driving, golf-loving, limited-music-knowledge types daily. Trying to mention almost any pop culture phenomenon is a minefield - the fact that I held up \*Buffy the Vampire Slayer \*as being worthy of discussion as a great series vs. \*The Sopranos \*has been almost career-limiting in its scope. And Og forbid something like _Watchmen_. So I am not embarrassed, but I have found myself in situations where folks are really expecting me to be embarrassed if that makes sense…

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### Author: ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/7 "2012-08-29T18:16:59Z")

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Mine? Reading Mercedes Lackey’s **Valdemar** books. The ones where magical horsies befriend downtrodden or angsty teens.

😕

I don’t get why I do it either. But I do.

Got any writing samples to share, **Anaamika**? And I don’t mean the fanfic stuff. 😉

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### Author: ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/8 "2012-08-29T18:20:06Z")

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> [@madmonk28](#):
>
> I like hotdogs with that spray on cheese with Hawaiian Punch for my drink. It’s so trashy, especially since I’m kind of a foodie, but about once a year when no one is looking I have me some EZ Cheeze dogs and some HP.

I’ll go on record saying that I have every intention of trying this ASAP.

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### Author: ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/9 "2012-08-29T18:29:58Z")

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> [@zoid](#):
>
> I’ll go on record saying that I have every intention of trying this ASAP.

If you really want to put yourself in a shame spiral: put the spray on cheese AND potato salad on the hotdog.

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### Author: ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/10 "2012-08-29T18:33:26Z")

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> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> Got any writing samples to share, **Anaamika**? And I don’t mean the fanfic stuff. 😉

Yes, even clean ones, if you really like.

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### Author: ![Jimbabweosu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85f322/32.png) [@Jimbabweosu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimbabweosu)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/11 "2012-08-29T20:44:28Z")

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Romansperson, Anaamika I begrudge no-one their brain-candy or orgasms! At least you’re reading and creating stuff to read.

Speaking of mass-produced ‘cheese products’ and embarassing pleasures… I always have Velveeta in my fridge. I am a foodie, but I grew up on it (parents are NOT foodies, let’s put it this way: growing up, chili was made in my home with ground beef, a large can of kidney beans, a large can of tomato juice, and a teaspoon of years-old chili powder. Mom would even add sugar, " so it wasn’t too spicy." I’m not kidding 😛 ) But, Og help me, I really like velveeta grilled cheeses, and on a burger, heaven. Elvis, I understand, did too.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of food taste, but still!

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### Author: ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/12 "2012-08-29T21:05:36Z")

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> [@Jimbabweosu](#):
>
> But, Og help me, I really like velveeta grilled cheeses, and on a burger, heaven. Elvis, I understand, did too.
> 
> Not exactly a ringing endorsement of food taste, but still!

Home made mac & cheese is definitely better with a combination of cheeses that is at least 1/3 velveeta. I usually just go 1/2 Velveeta, 1/2 grated sharp cheddar.  
Damn - now I gotta go boil some macaroni.

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### Author: ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/13 "2012-08-29T21:21:31Z")

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At Easter time, I secretly buy and snorf in the parking lot a package of virulent-yellow marshmallow Peeps. A six-pack of them is no big deal, calorie-wise, but everyone I know thinks they’re disgusting and childish. And I just love them.

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### Author: ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/14 "2012-08-29T21:22:59Z")

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I masturbate

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### Author: ![mo50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@mo50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mo50)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/15 "2012-08-29T23:05:34Z")

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I seem to enjoy watching those trashy “Real Housewives” shows when I’m hammered. Have no explanation for it. Straight male no less!

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### Author: ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/16 "2012-08-29T23:21:01Z")

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> [@PSXer](#):
>
> I masturbate

CSB

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### Author: ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/17 "2012-08-30T02:07:46Z")

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\<Looks around to make sure SWMBO isn’t nearby\>

Dairy Queen. A large steak finger basket, followed by a large chocolate lover’s Blizzard. Pure caloric heaven.

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### Author: ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/18 "2012-08-30T02:20:21Z")

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Copious amounts of Oreo Cakesters.

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### Author: ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/19 "2012-08-30T02:38:29Z")

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When I’m alone in the car, I sing along with my mp3 player. Loudly (and, no doubt, off-key).

On the increasingly rare occasion that no one else is home for dinner, I like to have cheddar cheese on crackers with salsa for dinner. We usually have whole-wheat Ritz crackers, so I figure that’s protein, dairy, whole grains, and a vegetable.

I like to watch the really crappy reality programming on cable, too. Shows about bridezillas, modern American Gypsies, hoarders…luckily, I’m rarely alone for long enough to get a dangerous overdose of them.

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### Author: ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-and-or-embarassing-pleasures/633034/20 "2012-08-30T02:49:39Z")

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Oooh, ooh, I got a good one:

I watch _RedEye_ on FoxNews as I’m going to bed each night. Greg Gutfeld is my homeboy. :o

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