1. Going to the Movies
Hollywood loves box office numbers, and Americans claim to love the theater experience—giant screens, popcorn, surround sound. But attendance has dropped by over 50% since the early 2000s. Even before the pandemic, streaming was becoming the preferred option.
Many people hate the rising ticket prices, noisy audiences, and the time commitment. Add in the convenience of home viewing, and it’s no wonder theaters are struggling. We say the big screen is unbeatable, but our actions say otherwise. The couch wins nearly every time.
2. Going to the Gym
Fitness culture is huge in America—we’ve got gym memberships, protein powders, and a billion-dollar workout apparel industry to prove it. Yet 67% of gym memberships go completely unused. That’s right: people are paying to not go.
We say we love the gym, but we often dread the routine, the time commitment, and let’s be honest—the sore muscles. It feels good to have worked out, not necessarily to work out. Gym selfies might scream motivation, but the stats tell a lazier tale. Deep down, many of us would rather binge a fitness influencer than actually become one.
3. Hosting Holiday Dinners
Everyone romanticizes the idea of a big family meal—grandma’s stuffing, festive table settings, laughter echoing through the house. But hosting? That’s another story. According to surveys, stress levels skyrocket for hosts during the holidays, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
People cite cleaning, cooking, and coordinating as top stressors. And let’s not forget the interpersonal drama—nothing like a family argument over pumpkin pie. Yet year after year, we say we “can’t wait” to do it all over again. It’s tradition wrapped in mild dread.
4. Watching Award Shows
The Oscars, Grammys, Emmys—you name it, we say we’re tuning in. But ratings have been steadily declining for over a decade. In 2021, the Oscars hit an all-time low with just 10.4 million viewers, down from 43.7 million in 2014.
Despite all the hype online, most people find these shows bloated, overly political, or just boring. We love complaining about the snubs more than actually watching the event. “I didn’t even see that movie” has practically become a badge of honor. Yet we still act like we’re missing something important.
5. Camping
Americans glorify camping as a return to nature, a wholesome family adventure, or a solo journey to “unplug.” But studies show many campers actually dread the bugs, bad weather, and lack of toilets. A 2022 report by Kampgrounds of America found that over half of first-time campers weren’t likely to do it again.
There’s this idealized version of camping—s’mores under the stars, Instagram-worthy tent shots—that rarely matches reality. People hate being cold, wet, or dirty, and yet the camping narrative persists. We say it’s rejuvenating, but often come back more stressed than when we left. Deep down, we miss our mattresses.
6. DIY Home Projects
Home improvement is supposed to be empowering—thanks, HGTV. But in practice, most Americans start projects they never finish or end up spending far more than planned. A Harvard study found U.S. homeowners spend over $400 billion annually on improvements, yet many admit to mistakes or hiring pros to fix their work.
We love the idea of rolling up our sleeves and transforming a room. But we secretly loathe the dust, delays, and weekend-consuming effort. It’s fun to plan a DIY project, less so to survive it. That “I did it myself” pride often comes with a heaping side of regret.
7. Supporting Local Businesses
“Shop local!” is a rallying cry every holiday season. But most Americans still spend the bulk of their money at big-box stores and online giants like Amazon. A 2023 survey showed that while 82% of consumers want to support local shops, only 27% regularly do so.
The intention is there, but convenience usually wins. Price, availability, and fast shipping are tough to beat. We love the idea of a thriving Main Street, but rarely put our money where our mouth is. Nostalgia doesn’t stand a chance against two-day delivery.
8. Attending Work Happy Hours
Workplace culture often pushes after-hours socializing as a bonding tool. And while many employees say they “look forward” to happy hour, polls suggest most would rather skip it. A 2019 survey by Office Pulse found that 66% of employees felt obligated to attend, not excited.
People don’t want to seem antisocial, but after a long day, forced mingling over lukewarm beer doesn’t hit the spot. There’s pressure to show up, smile, and keep it professional. Secretly, many are counting down the minutes until they can go home. It’s camaraderie laced with quiet resentment.
9. Voting in Elections
Ask any American and they’ll probably say voting is a cornerstone of democracy—and they’re right. But despite this patriotic enthusiasm, voter turnout in the U.S. is consistently low compared to other developed nations. In presidential elections, turnout hovers around 60%, and for midterms, it drops closer to 40%. That means a lot of people who say voting is essential just don’t show up.
There are plenty of reasons given: long lines, confusing ballots, lack of faith in the system. But those same people might post “Go Vote!” memes every cycle. It’s a cultural value that’s not always backed up by behavior. Civic pride meets couch inertia.
10. Taking Road Trips
Road trips are a staple of the American dream—endless highways, quirky roadside attractions, playlists on blast. But when push comes to shove, many travelers admit they can’t stand the long hours, cramped legs, and fast food monotony. AAA regularly reports record travel volumes, but complaints about traffic and exhaustion are equally high.
People romanticize the journey, but forget that it involves gas station bathrooms and kids asking “Are we there yet?” on loop. The Instagram photos don’t show the boredom and back pain. We love the idea of a road trip—just not the actual driving part. Nostalgia is a powerful editor.
11. Reading the News
Staying informed is a civic duty, and most Americans say they care deeply about current events. But trust in news media has hit historic lows, and news avoidance is on the rise. A 2023 Reuters Institute study found that 38% of Americans actively avoid the news due to stress or fatigue.
We say it’s important, but many of us are overwhelmed, skeptical, or just burnt out. Doomscrolling is real, and it’s exhausting. There’s a disconnect between valuing journalism and wanting to mentally escape it. Sometimes, ignorance feels like a sanity-saver.
12. Cooking at Home
Cooking is celebrated in American culture—food blogs, TV chefs, meal kits, you name it. But in reality, nearly 60% of meals are still eaten outside the home or delivered. People cite time, energy, and cleanup as major barriers.
We say we love cooking because it feels wholesome and adult. But often, it’s easier to reheat or reorder. The idea of home-cooked meals is lovely; the actual prep, less so. Most of us want the smell of fresh-baked bread without the flour explosion.
13. Talking About Money
Americans claim to value financial literacy and open conversations about money. Yet money remains one of the most taboo topics—more so than politics or religion, according to surveys. People are uncomfortable discussing salaries, debt, or even budgeting with close friends or partners.
We know transparency is important, but social norms and shame often keep us silent. Personal finance is personal, maybe too much so. It’s easier to pretend we’ve got it all handled. The silence around money speaks louder than words.
This post 13 Things America Claims to Love but Secretly Hates Doing was first published on American Charm.
