America's Greatest Guilty Pleasures

Everyone has guilty pleasures. Mine happen to be singing in the shower while using my hand as a microphone, listening to old-school country, watching reality tv like Big Brother or The Real World, being excited when a friend gets sick so I can help them and gossiping. Maybe mine aren't ALL that bad, but it's interesting to observe the habits people take on over time just for a smile. I have friends who, though they don't know I know it, get immense pleasure by trying to get me to panic. I know someone else who really enjoys making whistling sounds in straws because it makes her feel musical. All of these little things can be defined in one way or another as a guilty pleasure just because either you or society thinks you shouldn't enjoy it.

In America, we are opened to an immense amount of opportunities: this means the possibility for pleasure is ENDLESS. I personally think the Top Five American guilty pleasures are:

1. Fast Food
-- Fast food is without doubt one of the guiltiest of pleasures. Most people say things like "I probably shouldn't be eating this" before scarfing down a double cheeseburger (extra pickles please!), a large fry (can I get some ketchup?!), plus a large soda (diet...I don't want this to go to my hips). How can you tell that this is a huge aspect of American life? Think of all the fast food chains you know. You know the basic national chains like McDonald's, Burger Kind, Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, as well as the chains found in your particular region of the US. These may be things like Church's Chicken, Johnny Rockets, Jack in the Box, Zaxby's, and Pick up Stix (If you haven't heard of these...it's because they aren't in your area, hence regional). American's tend to have larger sizes than other countries throughout the world and eat more times a day. It's not uncommon to hear of people in the US eating at a fast-food place 2 or 3 times a week. Does that sound excessive? Not really to us. Honestly though, fast food SHOULD be a treat not a lifestyle...but I suppose that's what makes the pleasure so guilty!

2. Fad Dieting
-- Just as Americans love food, they LOVE to diet. Fad diets have evolved from "How to lose weight quick" exercise products to "How to lose weight quick" diet plans or pills. I won't lie. I am guilty of at least ONE fad diet. My diet of choice was the grapefruit diet. Eat three meals a day, plus dessert. Eggs and bacon with half a grapefruit in the morning, a salad with some type of meat for lunch (don't forget your grapefruit juice!), dinner some type of meat and veggie with a grapefruit. Though I'd probably lose weight by doing that ANYHOW, the grapefruit part made it seem special, and hey, it worked. I lost 10 pounds in two weeks! But then it stopped working (hence fad). Other examples are the Atkins Diet (no carbs...high fat), the Three Day Diets (basically a three day meal plan), the Zone Diet and the Beverly Hills Diet. Americans love instant gratification and these were just the way to get it done! Why is it a guilty pleasure? Because everyone knows these diets aren't long term and the people who do them never seem to stick with it (such as myself).

3. Celebrity Exploitation
-- We've all done it in the grocery line. There are those magazines you look at and know "They are intruding on someone's personal business." Celebrities are constantly on the front cover of magazines like People, US Weekly and Star. You know Americans read them because gossip about these celebrities is everywhere. Teens talk about their idols' personal life (OMG! Zac Efron is soooo cute!). Adults talk about the famous in a familiar way (Brad and Angelina had a baby!). And nearly everyone loves a good celebrity screw-up (REHAB AGAIN?!). No one will admit to it, but you love getting a magazine every now and then or turning the television to E! News and hearing the latest story on your favorite (or least favorite) stars. This is a super guilty pleasure because...who really cares?!

4. Bashing the Government
-- Now, without doubt, not all Americans like to do this, but feeling like a rebel, well that just makes you feel so gosh darn accomplished. Doesn't it? Television shows that mock the political system or put a humorous twist on current events are really catching on. I mean, how many people are more famous than Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert?! (I'm a huge fan). I think that Americans like to feel like the government can't dictate how they feel on issues, so the easiest way to show it? Disagree. "Bush is a non-charismatic hick." "Hilary is frigid and can't run her own campaign." Everyone has their favorite anti-governmental opinion. Many of the opinions may be based on truth, others based on media biased information, but overall, lots of Americans enjoy the chance to say "Take that government! I'm using the freedom of speech...but against you!" That's the way to stick it to the man. Just don't go feeling TOO guilty when you need to turn to that leader for a little bit of help!

And what is the final American vice?!

5. The Internet
-- Most can live with it; the majority can't live without it. Lots of people ask how many times you use the internet a day and most people lie. I say 3...it's usually 5 or 6 depending on how busy work is or how much school I have (Tuesdays its closer to two times...it's a tough day). In reality though, the average American logs on-line for about 2 hours a day. It makes sense. You can have 2 hour long sessions, a few half hour ones. Absolutely plausible. If most people do it why be so guilty? People feel they should be doing something constructive (unless they already are while online -- though that's highly unlikely most of the time). They want to be more active, social and maybe they'll avoid carpal tunnel syndrome in the process! It can't be avoided, but why not admit to it? You love the internet. I mean, if you're reading a blogging site, that MUST be the case right?

Basically, everyone has their little secrets. If you want to, share yours! Think about it next time you cut someone off in traffic...did you secretly enjoy that? (I know I sure did.)