# Things you're supposed to love but can only bring yourself to tolerate **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 10, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914 "2018-05-10T12:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/121 "2018-05-14T11:09:36Z")
One more thing: -Potluck suppers. If I cook a tasty dish, then basically I’m making exchanging enough food to feed 4+ people for enough food to feed one person (me). And most of it is served at a lukewarm temperature instead of nice and hot. I’d rather just chip in for pizza, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/122 "2018-05-14T11:55:32Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > Watching sports. I second that one. I’m no great sportsman and don’t do any sport, team sport or otherwise, but sport is only fun if you are taking part in it. On the boob tube? No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/123 "2018-05-14T12:02:23Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Classic literature. Yes, I know it’s supposed to make me better as a person. But I read hundreds of pages per week at work. Much the same here. I read all that good stuff at university, decades ago. I mainly spend my day reading and translating technical manuals. Somehow that just does not leave much time or mental energy for the classics. Which is not to say that one should not read them. But you need to have the time and the interest. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/124 "2018-05-14T12:05:39Z")
The replies to this thread are mainly about food preferences. All well and good, but food is a matter of taste (no dreadful pun intended) and there is no real need to like anything. The topics here should be more abstract. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/125 "2018-05-14T12:10:56Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > A big AMEN to “mindfulness!” Often, when I share I’m I’m anxious about something, my girls (group of middle-aged chicks) shriek YOGA! MEDITATION! > > Nope and nope. Tried 'em, hate 'em, they’re useless to me. In fact, meditation _makes_ me anxious. My best anxiety killer is a long drive and really loud music. > > Ironically, two of these friends are 24/7 intense little balls of anxiety despite doing heavy-duty meditation and yoga. My daughter is the same way. She has anxiety issues and meditation worsens it. She gets tired of having her college-aged friends shriek “meditation, mindfulness” at her. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/126 "2018-05-14T12:23:52Z")
This thread is morphing into “things I hate” rather than “things I tolerate.” Haters should start a different thread. ---
**Author:** ![Thinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Thinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinking)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/127 "2018-05-14T12:42:15Z")
Dogs / pets Meh. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/128 "2018-05-14T12:58:19Z")
The song “Call Me Maybe.” I don’t dislike the song, but I find it very mediocre (if that’s not a contradiction) and I don’t understand why it’s as popular as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/129 "2018-05-14T13:58:43Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Classic literature. Yes, I know it’s supposed to make me better as a person. But I read hundreds of pages per week at work. Reading classic literature after reading new legislation and regulations makes me want to stab something. Having conversations about our favorite books within a certain circle of friends (I use that term loosely) drives me nuts. “Oh, Tolstoy is my favorite author. So moving. So engaging. His work takes me to new worlds. And Orwell? Don’t get me started - such a discourse on modern life.” > > I’m torn during those conversations. I’m not sure if these people are full of shit and just trying to impress each other or if they’re actually pretentious dickholes who maybe ought to read other genres. “I’d rather trust a man who doesn’t shout what he’s found. There’s no need to sell when you’re homeward bound.” – Genesis When I’m feeling polite I just let such people gush, while admitting being non-conversant of the author in question. There is no shame in learning what motivates someone else while keeping your own machinations to yourself. Classics exist because they are good examples of what was a good idea when they were created. I won’t tell anyone what they can/can’t enjoy, but I view them merely as historical aides and case studies. Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Byron, and _hurk_ Melville have absolutely nothing to say to me about my world. OP: Dogs. Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Jazz (except for the horny New Orleans variety). Guacamole. Obedient children–soulless cogs for the capitalist machine. Disobedient children–selfish pricks. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/130 "2018-05-15T02:04:55Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > My best anxiety killer is a long drive and really loud music. Hells to the yes. Rammstein + Subaru + Turnpike \> zen garden aromatherapy meditation and shit. > [@hogarth](#): > > -Potluck suppers. If I cook a tasty dish, then basically I’m making exchanging enough food to feed 4+ people for enough food to feed one person (me). And most of it is served at a lukewarm temperature instead of nice and hot. I’d rather just chip in for pizza, thanks. Oh god I fucking hate potlucks! Hate them hate them hate them. I will tolerate one if I have to, but I’ll be spending the whole time thinking “We each spent $30 on ingredients and hours cooking to eat warmed-over sludge that we have to ooh and ahh over when we could have just thrown in 10 or 15 bucks apiece and had something brought in.” ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/131 "2018-05-15T04:59:25Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > corned beef … why would someone want to kill innocent brisket that way …and most non fried non cheese covered potatoes … I started to go meh on corned beef but then I learned you could roast it instead of boil it. Totally different experience. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/132 "2018-05-15T10:57:39Z")
NYC. Don’t get the adoration people have for it. It’s a big city and as such there’ a lot to do, most of which hinges on spending money, but that’s true of most big cities. I can certainly amuse myself there, but don’t see why it’s so special that it’s constantly being lauded in books, music, films and nor do they ever explain; it’s like anything NYC is instantly cool because, you know, NYC. Meh. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/133 "2018-05-15T23:21:15Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Oh god I fucking hate potlucks! Hate them hate them hate them. I will tolerate one if I have to, but I’ll be spending the whole time thinking “We each spent $30 on ingredients and hours cooking to eat warmed-over sludge that we have to ooh and ahh over when we could have just thrown in 10 or 15 bucks apiece and had something brought in.” I’ve participated in my company’s Thanksgiving lunch potluck every single year. Most of the time I manage to hang back far enough in line to get a decent seat – they force the ladies to the front of the line for some reason, which has the side effect of causing all the women to sit together – and the company supplies good sliced turkey and ham. I always bring an actual food item (though I’ve learned that real cranberry sauce apparently has no place at a Thanksgiving potluck – it’s too similar to the ‘cranberry congeal’ salad, apparently), and I’ll eat what I can identify. Which, of course, eliminates all of the casseroles that show up. 😕 I’m happy to try new things, but plenty of those crisp brown toppings are hiding some kind of melty cheese, which is a no-go for my gag reflex. Last year was pretty much all casseroles (and a crap-ton of prepackaged biscuits and cheap rolls brought by people who had completely forgotten until the last minute they had signed up to bring anything). A handful of my coworkers have completely lost all tolerance for the event – most notably, the guy who used to make spring rolls on site the day of the potluck, until the time someone almost lost a thumb while slicing onions for a barbecue. Now food prep is no longer allowed in-house…so, instead of showing up with hours-old spring rolls, this guy just takes a vacation day. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/134 "2018-05-16T01:32:54Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > NYC. > > Don’t get the adoration people have for it. It’s a big city and as such there’ a lot to do, most of which hinges on spending money, but that’s true of most big cities. I can certainly amuse myself there, but don’t see why it’s so special that it’s constantly being lauded in books, music, films and nor do they ever explain; it’s like anything NYC is instantly cool because, you know, NYC. > > Meh. What irritates me is how they seem to claim ownership over _everything_, even [Texas toast](http://whatsyourdeal.com/grocery-coupons/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/New-York-Texas-Cheese-Toast.jpg). New York pizza? Sorry, but NYC is the **last** place on earth I’d associate with pizza. (Only slightly behind Chicago). ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914/135 "2018-05-16T08:05:08Z")
This falls more into the “I hate” category. When chefs take sushi or sashimi grade fish and fry or grill it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youre-supposed-to-love-but-can-only-bring-yourself-to-tolerate/813914.md?page=6)