12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated

by Marian Schembari on January 18, 2012

Do you ever feel like you’re just totally not in on something? Ever since I started going to concerts I’ve been writing this list of things that I feel like I should enjoy, but just really, really don’t. Just go with it…

Live concerts – All the hipsters in the world might shoot me, but I have yet to go to a gig that didn’t involve crowds of people, having beer spilled on me and not being able to hear any voices over an off-balance sound system. I adored seeing Mumford & Sons but only because I knew all the words and totally sang over them. Otherwise, the thought of music festivals makes me hyperventilate a little bit. Plus, the photos you take always have a blue tinge to them and generally look like crap:

High heels – Yes, everyone looks good in heels, but I also think very few women know how to actually walk in them. Most ladies sound like rather large horses stomping down the street/hallway/house and they end up taking off said shoes after a few hours anyway. So tell me what exactly is wrong with my comfy Chucks?

Cookie add-ins – Unless you’re a chocolate chip or a very delicious walnut, I don’t want you anywhere near my fucking cookie. This means you macadamia/raisin/dried fruit/coconut/oat/sprinkles/m&ms. GET OUT OF MY COOKIE. YOU ARE RUINING MY DOUGH EXPERIENCE.

Smartphones – I got a hand-me-down iPhone back in August and while it makes my ability to answer work emails from the road infinitely easier and now I know where I’m going all the time, my new instagr.am obsession hasn’t changed my life or anything. I still don’t really understand the hype and would (don’t quote me on this) be perfectly happy going back to my 10 year old Nokia with no camera or predictive text.

Texting – And on that note, I still don’t understand people’s issue with picking up the phone and calling someone. I hate texting. I hate text speak. I hate trying to schedule something in 50 message when it can easily be solved during a 2 minute conversation. I hate staring at my little screen typing and accidentally saying something is “book” instead of “cool”. I hate those little keys. I hate waiting days for a reply. I miss the phone. Does anyone use that thing anymore?

Cat photos – I don’t get them. I don’t really get cats either, but photos of cats doing “cute” things makes me want to die a little. Give me a video of a penguin being tickled any day.

Blue cheese – I once had a blue cheese pizza that blew my freaking mind, but usually? I can take it or leave it. It’s mold and it tastes like mold.

The Beatles – Ha! I’m just kidding. Don’t be absurd.

Seth Godin – Really guys? He writes blog posts that are only a few sentences long and feature regurgitated cliches with slightly better vocabulary. They sound like horoscopes or something you’d find in a fortune cookie, i.e. “Pain is part of work.” Or, “Whenever you start a project, you should have a plan for finishing it.” Really guys? THIS is the guy you call your god?

British humor – Toilet jokes and men dressed up as women. Give me a break. (Note: This does not include Monty Python which, for whatever reason, is genius. See below.)

Wine and cheese – I love wine. And I love me some cheese. But is it just me or does the wine totally overpower the cheese? I can’t taste that lovely medley everyone talks about. I want to drink my wine THEN eat my cheese. Or vice versa. But not together because then they both taste weird. Is it odd that this is my second cheese reference?

Jim Carrey – Okay, so he was epic in Liar, Liar (which I’ve seen 50 million times), but does no one else think he acts like he’s gone of the deep end? He actually scares me a little bit.

Things that are not even remotely overrated:

1. Johnny Depp/Ryan Gosling/Robert Downey Jr

2. Judd Apatow movies

3. Driving fast

4. Pizza from Two Boots, cupcakes from Buttercup, chocolate chip cookies from Levain

5. Monty Python

What else is totally overrated? What’s totally underrated?

Tagged as: lists, overrated, random shit I don't know where else to post

Pauly D
Overrated: RealJourneys tours. Except for the boat that takes one from Te Anau Downs to the foot of the Milford Track (an essential thing), guided tours eliminate the adventure of actually “getting there,” and any potential sublime diversion that may present itself along the way. // Underrated, driving from Cromwell to Kingston via the Nevis Road (4×4 only, and even then it can be dicey). The venison pies at the store in Mossburn. The Milford Track (even though it seems impossible that it’s underrated, it still is). Dinner at Red Cliff in Te Anau.
And this roadsign.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
Awesome list, thanks Paul!

http://www.giuliettathemuse.com/ Giulietta Nardone
Hi Marian,
Fun list!
What’s overrated will differ from person to person, for example I love wine and cheese and crackers together – think you need the crackers. Then it’s more of a taste blend. I’m also on the fence about The Beatles, despite the fact as a young girl my friends and I fought over who would “date” Paul. They are wonderful songwriters and I like some of their songs. In general, though, the music doesn’t speak to me. Guess I’m more of an Isley Brothers/ B-52′s/Donna Summer kind of girl.
I do agree with you about texting. By the time you type it in, you could have called the person. I’m from a different generation so I don’t quite understand why we have to give other people blow-by-blow descriptions of what we are doing and where we are going. I sometimes wonder who calls the shots, people or high-tech gadgets.
That said, I’d list technology and 24 hour news as overrated and nature and conversations as underrated.
Thanks, G.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
I totally agree. What I find overrated someone else may love and adore. But that’s what I love about getting older, I’m finally realizing what does and doesn’t work for me.
Agree with you on 24 hour news – 99% of it is just repeated from before. Thank God New Zealand doesn’t have that ;-)

http://twitter.com/HemngwayHeroine HemingwayHeroine
This was great! I too would happily go back to my old, clunky phone. I have a Blackberry and use it well, but that’s only because my office offered it to me. I would have no inclination to use one otherwise.
And maybe you just haven’t found the right wine/cheese pairing?

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
Glad someone agrees on the phone thing, I thought I was the only one!
And I’ll keep trying on the cheese pairing. It must be out there somewhere!

Aidan Larson
I agree with a few like cats and esp the earnest live music thing but: you’ve got it all wrong on the blue cheese and texting. I could eat blue cheese, drink wine and text all day long.
aidan

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
Haha, that would be the life!

Kelly Canfield
Really? Live concerts? What about connecting with other fans? Meeting your favorite artists? I’m not a fan of the thousand-person concerts where you only have a view of the screen, but music festivals are one of the best ways to directly connect with the people making the music. Take that spilled beer and the impending apology as an opportunity to make a new friend. Throw yourself into the music and let the rest fade away.
Honestly, this list makes me a little sad. Long live “everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” cookies and uber-fem heels that make your legs look miles long.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
Nope! Music for me is a hugely personal thing. Without meaning to sound like an asshole, I just don’t care about other fans. I don’t even like to talk about the music I like anymore because I’m so sick of being judged by my tastes and I feel like I get so easily influenced by other people’s opinions. Anyway, that’s another rant. But no, I’ve been to huge and small concerts alike and both the people and quality of sound completely annoy me.
Sorry my list made you sad, but to each her own! I, for one, like the fact that I’m coming into my own and becoming more self-aware with the things I just don’t enjoy. I’d rather spend my time in sneakers, eating dough filled cookies and listening to my favorite tunes at home than pretending to be someone I’m not.

http://twitter.com/Incandescere Candace Nicholson
I think I understand where you’re coming from, Marian. My preferred place to listen to music is in my kitchen and living room, where I can turn it up and dance without wondering if someone thinks I look foolish or crazy.
I often hate answering the question: “So what kind of music do you listen to?” Because I know that the response will undoubtedly include a judgment about my taste, either silently or vocally. And I’ve never been the cookie-cutter stereotype people can easily figure out, especially when it comes to music.
I don’t get influenced by other people’s opinions though. I’ll always do my own thing and enjoy who I enjoy, but that judgmental look and comment will make me like that person a lot less.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
Serious props on not getting influenced by other people. I feel like a bit of a wimp. But you know when you read a book review before the book and it sort of taints how you read it? I guess that’s how I feel about music. It won’t make me stop listening to someone, but it might make me embarrassed to blast it in the car if someone I like says they’re lame.

http://www.stephauteri.com Steph Auteri
Oh my god, Marian. This post made me want to simultaneously defend things (like texting; then again, I’m socially ridiculous) and give a “hells yeah” for others (Seth Godin’s uber-fans; Jim Carrey; etc.), but then I decided that the only important thing to fight you on was the one thing nearest and dearest to my heart: cats.
Then again, not everyone can be a cat person. I have three of them. We regularly hang out on the couch together and have in-depth discussions on everything from Farscape to proper asana technique. And at night, we cuddle up together (much to the chagrin of my husband).
I now want to send you an image of a kitten fist bump, but I’m gong to restrain myself.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
You know, I totally thought of you when I wrote the cat thing. It’s funny, because I love cat people (like you), but hate cats themselves with every fiber of my being. And if you send me a photo of you fistbumping your cat I may light myself on fire. That said, I have some weird photos of my dog back home doing adorkable things so we might be even.

http://twitter.com/v11oyd Virginia Lloyd
Marian: Thank you. You are spot on about the conversation phobia that people increasingly have these days. People relying on texting rather than talking, and emailing rather than talking, it drives me insane. A total waste of time and a thousand times more likely to lead to misunderstandings. Then a whole raft of new texts, updates and what-nots to recover from them. Despite several friends begging me to cross over to the so-called “smart” phone, I am quite happy with my minimal-functionality phone (and its minimal price – how people afford these toys is beyond me).
Don’t give up on the wine and cheese thing yet – maybe you’re pairing bland cheese with overpowering red wine, which will neuter both. Lots of classic pairings abound – hey, there’s probably an app for that.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
Right?! I’m so sick of not being able to communicate with people face-to-face. Or voice-to-voice. I mean, I text and email with the best of them (and my job is all about online media), but I do feel like people spend too much time on gadgets and not enough time connecting.
Here’s my wine and cheese issue: I KNOW I’ve had good pairings. I just spent a month writing copy about wine and cheese pairings and trying everything under the sun. To be honest, I prefer combining BEER with cheese. You’d be surprised how well they go together! Still, I’ll keep trying on the wine front, promise.

http://twitter.com/Incandescere Candace Nicholson
::gasp and swoon:: Just kidding. Great list!
I imagine all of us have our overrated/underrated lists. I think they’re fun to read, and you learn a little more about your blogger.
Personally, I would include The Beatles on the overrated list, and I stand by it wholeheartedly. They were great songwriters, but I think their voices sound like someone’s stepping on their nuts. I like my male singers to sound like men (except for the gay guy on Glee and Phil Bailey from Earth, Wind and Fire).
But if I could add to the overrated list I’d have to include most of the female celebs that appear on 90% of the women’s magazine covers, including but not limited to: Beyonce, J.Lo, Scarlett Johanson, Zooey Deschanel, that pale chick with the big eyeballs playing Catwoman in the new Batman flick. I could go on, but I hear a torch-wielding mob approaching my front door.
P.S. Ditto on Seth Godin, but British humor is so much more than you think.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
LOL. Yeah, I knew a bunch of things on my personal list wouldn’t go over to well.
I grew up on the Beatles and I just love everything about them. As for your female celebs, I am totally 100% with you. Except for Zooey Deschanel. I’d marry that girl in an instant.

http://twitter.com/marianschembari/status/159636346384814080 Marian Schembari
12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/xK9K8FtD
http://twitter.com/kwise321/status/159642092161871875 Kate W. Reuterswärd
I'm with you on about half… :D RT @marianschembari: 12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/rfjaDkzs
http://twitter.com/idealogmag Idealog
Agree on British humour, texting, heels, overly fussy cookie and ice cream and chocolate flavours, and texting.
I hate wine but love cheese. Including blue cheese. Yep, somewhere along the way I learned to like eggplant, seaweed and smelly cheese.
I’m actually not a Beatles fan myself. Don’t dislike them, but they don’t do much for me. I find Seth occasionally throws up an interesting thought, but I also think he’s hugely overrated.
Live concerts, I’m iffy on. I’ve been to some awesome ones, but there are definitely gigs and bands that I think I’d rather watch the DVD of, you know? I’d kill to see Elton John live, but I would have to be riiiiight up close to make it worth it.
I got my first iPhone as a handmedown for work too. But it has seriously CHANGED MY LIFE. I wouldn’t go back!
http://twitter.com/daniellewriter/status/159661515664916480 Danielle Bullen
On to something here RT @marianschembari: 12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/dZklfDfw
http://twitter.com/egesther Esther Goh
This is an awesome list.
Agree on British humour, texting, heels, overly fussy cookie and ice cream and chocolate flavours, and texting.
I
hate wine but love cheese. Including blue cheese. Yep, somewhere along
the way I learned to like eggplant, seaweed and smelly cheese.
I’m
actually not a Beatles fan myself. Don’t dislike them, but they don’t
do much for me. I find Seth occasionally throws up an interesting
thought, but I also think he’s hugely overrated.
Live concerts,
I’m iffy on. I’ve been to some awesome ones, but there are definitely
gigs and bands that I think I’d rather watch the DVD of, you know? I’d
kill to see Elton John live, but I would have to be riiiiight up close
to make it worth it.
I got my first iPhone as a handmedown for work too. But it has seriously CHANGED MY LIFE. I wouldn’t go back!
The number one thing I can think of right now that’s crazy overrated in my book is oysters. Just…ick.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
LOL. Awesome comment, Esther. I know what you mean about loving certain foods more as you get older. I used to HATE blue cheese and now I’m sort of ambivalent. This is progress, methinks. Still haven’t tried oysters.

http://joannefaith.com/ Joanne Faith
High heels are totally overrated. They seduce you and then fuck up your back.
My list includes swimming and the beach. I’d rather sit in a park somewhere than get sand in my face/hair/bag/other shit.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
You are CRAZY about the beach – sand is supposed to get all up in your business, that’s why it’s awesome ;-)
Glad you’re seeing the light about high heels. Maybe now we’ll sort of be the same height.

http://twitter.com/geekyshopaholic/status/159764526324125697 Paula
I agree, except for the texting. I love not having to talk to people! :) RT @MarianSchembari: 12 Important Aspects… http://t.co/9ISYWW7c
http://www.youtube.com/user/laptoplivings Laptoplivings
Haha…we should SO never get married because we’re NOT very opposite!! LOL I agree with just about all of your list except the the concerts. I’ve been to over 3 dozen major events that include everyone from AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Alice Cooper, to the Stones, The Who, and ZZ Top and I TOTALLY love the atmosphere. To this day some of my favorite Albums / CD’s are live recordings. The energy at a good concert is intoxicating by itself but with a little help the buzz is just amazing!
Speaking of music and exceptions on your list…. I totally have to agree with Candace Nicholson… I think we should leave The Beatles on the list and add Jimmy Hendrix while we’re at it.
Other things that are highly overrated include people from the government who say they’re “here to help”, and ANYTHING contrary to the Magna Carta and the United States Constitution… extra especially anything or anybody who wants to fuck with the 2nd Ammendment!!

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
I would really love to love concerts as I’m a total music hound, but I just can’t get into them. Sounds like you’ve been to some awesome gigs though, so more power to you! I clearly just haven’t been to the right ones.
And The Beatles are genius.

http://twitter.com/gillianmoorenz/status/159782560057135104 Gillian Moore
12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/xK9K8FtD
http://www.facebook.com/davevandewalle Dave Van de Walle
I didn’t catch the live music bug until I met my wife. I had seen some concerts that people would tell you were epic: Van Halen? Fishbone? Among the worst nights of my life.
Now that I am (1) older, (2) wiser and (3) much more skeptical about everything, I would so rather see up-and-coming bands in small clubs. So I hear you loud and clear on that. (And I do hear you loud and clear thanks to earplugs.)
http://www.butterflycopywriting.com/ Lucy Smith
Apple products. Overinflated marketing hype. I heard a joke the other day I enjoyed: (Q) How do you know when someone has an iPhone? (A) They tell you about it.
Most of the things on your list I totally agree with (except blue cheese and cats – I love them both. Not together, that’s just silly, and I’m not sharing my blue cheese with my cat.)
@dbsalk
For the record: White chocolate macadamia nut cookies are awesome. Deal with it. ;-)
Overrated: Stephenie Meyer. I would understand all the hype about the “Twilight” series if she was actually a good writer. I was forced to read the first third of “Twilight” and realized that she is simply not all that talented with the written word. If someone is dying for some vampire fiction, they could pick up “The Vampire Chronicles.” Or “‘Salem’s Lot.” Or “I Am Legend.” Those are all stories by authors who don’t sound like they’re still in high school.
Overrated: staying in a hotel suite. I have a theory that usually when someone requests a suite as opposed to a regular room, it’s not because they need the extra space. They want to stay in a suite so they can tell their friends that they’re staying in a suite.
Underrated: snow days. People might gripe and complain about a good blizzard (like the one we’re bracing for in Chicago), but I see it as an opportunity to snuggle up with someone you love, make some hot chocolate, and watch movies.
Sarah
I sooo agree with you on texting! Come on, folks, it’s like a telegram, and who sends telegrams anymore? Unfortunately, people are increasingly communicating instead of interacting. Fortunatel$y, I have known some of my best friends for so long, we only use the phone to communicate, and then only to arrange an actual meeting. I know, how dinosaurish of us!
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http://www.groundedtraveler.com Andrew
Monty Python is definitely epic. I actually quite like Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty and the Mask, though there have definitely been some bad ones too.
As for Pizza, if you like New York Pizza have you tried Sal’s in Auckland yet? We went nearly every day to the one on K-Road. According to their website, the actually import all the ingredients from the US. And it’s pretty reasonable price wise, not to mention often playing 80s music videos on the screens.

http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari
I LOVE Sals! There’s one right across the street from my office and we all go every Friday for some veggie pizza :)

http://twitter.com/chickybus/status/164944341096333313 Lisa E
Love this! :) RT @MarianSchembari: 12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/SbrBm4eZ
http://twitter.com/brankicau/status/166990412182069248 Brankica U
12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/P3ba6YQt by @MarianSchembari
http://twitter.com/brankicau/status/166990497037037568 Brankica U
12 Important Aspects of Life That Are Hugely Overrated http://t.co/PKmYlGlO by @MarianSchembari
Charles van Caloen
Hmm, is it weird to respond to this now? Anyway, I don’t think many people are really into Jim Carrey anymore but I think he was actually underrated in a recent movie of his, “I Love You Philip Morris” which was absolutely brilliant but got no press because it’s a love story about a gay con artist. Anyway, Johnny Depp IS overrated. I’m tired of him thinking he’s so quirky and funny. He keeps playing the same roles and it’s getting old. I also can’t agree with you about wine and cheese. Or cats. They might be the pinnacle of natural selection and should be shown proper respect. Otherwise, I’d say this is pretty spot-on.
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