# Things people say they want, but probably wouldn't actually like **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 30, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513 "2016-08-30T22:09:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/41 "2016-08-31T14:53:34Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Well, lots of people say they’d like to quit work and retire, but when they do, find it is usually boring, dull and mind-numbing after about a week. > > Bad habits accumulate faster than dust on a dry lake. > > Pretty soon they dream about a WalMart employment fair. I quit my job in January, calling it “early retirement,” and it’s been pretty awesome so far. I have been vaguely looking for a part time gig but I can afford to be picky. No way will I get so bored that Walmart looks good. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/42 "2016-08-31T15:30:26Z")
> [@quiltguy](#): > > The expression you voice when you’re ravenously hungry, “I could eat a horse,” is probably not all that truthful or desired in actuality. If it is, I wonder how they’d go about it? Baked? Boiled? Fried? Grilled? As is? Sauced? Go-withs? Uhhh… anybody got some TUMS™? [Sashimi](http://www.earthexcursion.com/japanese-food-basashi-horse-meat/) and [nabe (hot pot)](http://theskinnybib.com/2013/02/13/eat-horse-meat-basashi-sakuranabe-%E6%A1%9C%E3%81%AA%E3%81%B9-%E4%B8%AD%E6%B1%9F-tokyo-restaurant-japan/) are probably the most popular. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/43 "2016-08-31T15:31:57Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Like buying a Jaguar car. I was about to say classic cars. Unless you actually enjoy working on them, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/44 "2016-08-31T16:10:08Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > A Ménage a Trois. I see your threesome and raise you 72 virgins. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/45 "2016-08-31T16:38:55Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Well, lots of people say they’d like to quit work and retire, but when they do, find it is usually boring, dull and mind-numbing after about a week. I retired 5 years ago. I made it just over a year before seeking a temp job that lasted about 6 months. About 6 months after that, I took another 6-month temp job. Then I was off about a year anna half and I took a full-time job, but 6 months into that, I got bored because my boss couldn’t keep me busy, so I quit and got another job where I’ve been for 5 months now. Who knew so many people would hire an old woman! 😃 The plan now is to work till the end of 2018. Apart from staving off boredom, this job is enabling me to max out yet another 401k and pad our savings so when I retire for reals, we can do the traveling we’ve been talking about. But who knows - I may seek yet another temp job in the future. Puttering around the house just doesn’t do much for me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/46 "2016-08-31T17:46:48Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > I quit my job in January, calling it “early retirement,” and it’s been pretty awesome so far. I have been vaguely looking for a part time gig but I can afford to be picky. No way will I get so bored that Walmart looks good. 🆒 Check back in 5 years and 50 lbs. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/47 "2016-08-31T18:13:59Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Being a farmer. Salt of the earth, live close to nature, self-sufficient, healthy, rhythm of the seasons, see what you produce and know its unassailable value… all true, but it’s easy to romanticize away the un-fun aspects of a farmer’s life if you don’t actually have to do them, day in and day out – or so I’ve been told. Who thinks that? I’ve always assumed, and heard that it’s a whole shitload of never-ending grueling toil outside, in all kinds of weather, and you can’t put it off in a lot of cases. Plus it’s hard to actually be very successful at these days, with all the various expenses and low commodity prices. I agree with **Nava** … the urge for having things “tighter” or “more rigorous” usually projects at least with project based things, an image of everything working like some kind of well-oiled, precisely fitted machine, and the looseness is perceived as sloppy tolerances and/or grit in the gears. So they think they want to get rid of it. In reality, that slop is often the actual lubricant that makes things operate smoothly- if you tighten things too much, they have a tendency to get very bureaucratic and people tend to hide behind the rules to avoid responsibility and/or work. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/48 "2016-08-31T18:31:36Z")
people think they want total honesty … No they don’t … ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/49 "2016-08-31T18:37:14Z")
The other day in a SciFy thread, I said a motorcycle. Ummm… no. In fact, if you wanted to Really piss me off, leave one in front of my house with a nice big bow on it and have someone hand me the keys with a patronizing, “Here ya Go…!” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/50 "2016-08-31T18:59:58Z")
My husband does this kind of thing alot, especially when he gets frustrated. For example there was a time when we were having potty-training problems with our dog. She would always go in the same spot in front of the door, but when he got fed up and angry about cleaning it up for the hundredth time, he said we should rip out the carpet \*\*and \*\*the subfloor and just leave it that way. I have trouble not making fun of him when he says stuff like this even though it makes him madder. Because, what? We’re going to live in the house stepping carefully from joist to joist so we don’t fall through into the basement? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/51 "2016-08-31T19:23:48Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Owning your own business. A lot of people dream of quitting their crappy job and starting their own business (myself included) but you may wind up putting in twice the hours that you did at the old job, for far less money. Not to mention the toll it takes on your family. Oh god, yes. Also, every single person you work for becomes your boss. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/52 "2016-08-31T19:48:57Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I agree with **Nava** … the urge for having things “tighter” or “more rigorous” usually projects at least with project based things, an image of everything working like some kind of well-oiled, precisely fitted machine, and the looseness is perceived as sloppy tolerances and/or grit in the gears. So they think they want to get rid of it. > > In reality, that slop is often the actual lubricant that makes things operate smoothly- if you tighten things too much, they have a tendency to get very bureaucratic and people tend to hide behind the rules to avoid responsibility and/or work. Yes, I also agree with **Nava**. This was especially true in my last company. They thought that if you provided enough project management methodology and oversight, you can staff projects with strict tolerances such that you had key resources working on multiple projects with their tasks mapped to the hour. In reality, all it did was create an incredibly inflexible project equivalent of a Rube Goldberg machine where the slightest delay or change in scope threw half a dozen unrelated projects out of whack, all connected by shared resources. People also claim they want additional autonomy and responsibility in their work. But time after time when I give someone a small project and tell them “see if you can go find a way to do X”, they just look at me with the same look of stupidity and horror I might expect if I had asked them to give me a blowjob. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/53 "2016-08-31T20:29:16Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Servants. Like people to wait on you, be at your beck and call, like that! > > Sure it sounds awesome, your every whim indulged! But all servants come with an enormous loss of privacy. As they are underfoot, in your house. Even if they have their own quarters and are forbidden to look you in the eye or speak to you, you’re still not ‘alone’, in your home. Ever! You’re actually just taking on more dependants. I don’t know. I’ve stayed at resort hotels that have servants everywhere. Someone to bring you a towel, and make your bed, and fold your laundry, and make your food. I feel like I have enough privacy when I want it. Just go in your suite and close the door. With telecommunications, there’s no need for the servants to be sitting around in your space. Just call 'em when you want 'em. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/54 "2016-08-31T20:41:23Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Oh god, yes. Also, every single person you work for becomes your boss. I hate not being able to flounce/quit/storm out/slam the door. As an employee there were a few times when I said fuck this shit and walked out. I turned off my phone for a while, then eventually took the phone call asking me to come back. As an employer you can’t do that effectively. Nobody calls. You just lose money. And your employees will still expect to be paid. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/55 "2016-08-31T20:43:31Z")
From personal experience, taking up kayaking in middle age. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/56 "2016-08-31T21:05:24Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I think many of the folks who demand an end to importing “Made in China” products and demand Made-in-America instead would probably quickly complain about the steep jump in product prices that would ensue. They want to have their cake and eat it too; buy Made in America at Made in China prices, with workers being paid American wages in America. Yes, I can’t imagine how we ever survived buying American-manufactured goods, when they were always so prohibitively expensive. :dubious: At least we now have a choice - buy stuff made in China or do without it. ---
**Author:** ![Brodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Brodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brodi)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/57 "2016-08-31T21:05:41Z")
French Bulldogs My dad has spent years saying he wants one of these walking vet bills.:rolleyes: This from the man who is mostly clueless about animal husbandry, has very little patience with our current dogs and HATES spending a lot of money on animals. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/58 "2016-08-31T21:15:02Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > An ‘outsider’ as a politician. Sounds nice, but all it really means is hiring someone who is inexperienced. > . True, and so far they haven’t had a very good track record. Arnie was Gov of CA, and I think he had good intentions, and wasnt terrible, but… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/59 "2016-08-31T21:16:57Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Higher minimum wages. > > It sounds good on paper, and it makes us all want the poor working-class mother to afford to feed her family… > > …but the added cost will either end up eliminating jobs or it will cause your burger that previously cost 1.08 to cost 4.95. False. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513/60 "2016-08-31T21:18:56Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Owning your own business. A lot of people dream of quitting their crappy job and starting their own business (myself included) but you may wind up putting in twice the hours that you did at the old job, for far less money… And you are NOT "your own boss’. Every person who comes in with money in their pocket and a idea to buy is your boss, and you have to kiss their ass- or _worse_ than the unemployment line for you. Not only are you out of a job, you are out of your investment- and no unemployment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-they-want-but-probably-wouldnt-actually-like/764513.md?page=4)