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20 stupid things people do to look cool

Humans are social creatures used to living in groups, and our standing in these societies greatly depends upon the image we project. In fact, looking cool is often a deciding factor in our behaviour. However, many of the things we do to appear casual are far from it and actually convey a more negative than positive image. Here's a list of 20 stupid things people do to look cool.

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Going into debt for designer clothes

Whether it's to be fashionable or because you consider luxury brands to be an investment, going into debt so you can wear big names is not a good idea. Of course, some accessories, like handbags, can be excellent investments, but only if you have the funds to afford them. Being in debt is not cool.

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Having the last word

Having the last word is an exhilarating feeling, but it never lasts very long, because having the last word does not necessarily mean you've satisfactorily resolved the conflict. Winning a dispute just to win says a lot about a person, namely that their ego and need to be right are more important than listening to the other person and communicating properly.

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Talking on speakerphone in public

Anyone who uses public transit on a regular basis has witnessed a particularly unpleasant situation: someone answering a call on speakerphone. These private conversations invade everyone's space. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to confront these people and help them understand that they are being disruptive rather than cool.

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Bragging about working too much

Occasionally working long hours to complete an important project or at a satisfying job is one thing. On the other hand,if people brag about working more than 40 hours a week, especially at a job they don't like, it's pretty troubling. There's no glory in being exhausted and unhappy with no free time.

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Taking pictures of cash

In general, being cool means not having to announce or justify it, just like a good joke doesn't need an explanation. That's why posting photos of cash on social media definitely has the opposite effect. Rather than looking cool, these people give the impression of trying too hard to show that they have money. It's simply bad taste.

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Occupying an entire bench or seat

You've probably heard of the phenomenon known as "manspreading." It's the bad habit that men have of sitting with their legs apart. Whether on public transportation, in waiting rooms, or on public benches, people who take up all the space are rarely as cool as they want to appear.

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Bragging about not liking to read

Everyone has their own tastes, and preferring one activity to another is perfectly natural. On the other hand, boasting that you don't like certain specific activities may seem strange. Reading is one of them. Bragging about not having read a book outside of school and not liking to read in general doesn't make for the coolest image.

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Not liking something that's very popular

While some people love to join fan groups, others decide to reject an idea or individual simply because they are already popular. These people often think that their divergent opinions make them very cool and different, when in fact, such negativity makes conversation difficult and sometimes even unpleasant.

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Exaggerating bad habits

Conversations that become competitions about who has the worst lifestyle habits can quickly become unpleasant. Indeed, what is the benefit of bragging about being lazy, messy, or addicted to cigarettes and other substances? Yet, some people think that having bad habits makes them look nonchalant, when actually the opposite is true.

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Justifying nasty comments

Have you ever reacted to a mean comment or insult only to receive the "it was just a joke" excuse? Much like people who are always looking for the last word, those who cannot apologize after making inappropriate comments are far from cool. Confront such behaviour, because these comments can have significant consequences.

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Playing loud music in public

Just like conversing on speakerphone, playing music on your phone or a portable speaker in public can irritate the people around you. Sharing public space requires a certain etiquette to ensure that no one feels imposed upon, and limiting ambient noise is part of that. Using headphones and adjusting volume appropriately is basic politeness.

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Boasting about not being on social media

In the same vein as despising popular trends, there's not much fame to be had in bragging about not being on social media. Sure, addiction to social media can be harmful and take up a lot of time and energy, but not being on them at all, rather than using them in moderation, doesn't make you any cooler than anyone else.

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Putting pressure on your friends

While some forms of pressure can be beneficial (such as encouraging a friend to pursue his or her dream), putting pressure on your friends or peers is usually not very nice. If someone doesn't want to participate in an activity, try something new, or do a certain thing, pressuring them by saying things like "all the cool people are doing it" proves exactly the opposite.

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Bragging about being unfaithful

Again, why brag about such a thing? No one earns social credit by being unfaithful and having several lovers, quite the contrary. Such behaviour is a breach of trust with someone who has put themselves in an emotionally vulnerable position. The least you can do in this situation is be honest and end the relationship, rather than be unfaithful. To also brag about it is particularly despicable.

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Exposing internalized sexism

Have you ever heard phrases like "I'm not like other girls (or other guys)"? People who pride themselves on being different from others of their gender and laugh at stereotypical behaviour are no better than those who conform to them. They're actually exhibiting internalized sexism, meaning they're repressing and perpetuating fundamentally sexist judgments, which is not cool at all.

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Making fun of others’ hobbies or interests

As mentioned earlier, everyone's entitled to their tastes. Laughing at someone else about a particular hobby or interest because it's perceived as cheesy says more about the person poking fun than it does about the person showing an interest in something that may seem old-fashioned. Live and let live is a much cooler approach than judging others on their hobbies!

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Abusing swear words and insults

Everyone's sensibilities vary, but certain words and slurs are never appropriate to use. This is especially true of insults directed at a person's gender, orientation, physical or mental ability, or skin colour. Using these words not only decreases your cool factor, but actually makes you appear intolerant.

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Boasting about your parents' wealth

While it may seem obvious, some could use a reminder. Bragging about others' success doesn't earn the braggart more credit. Those who boast about their parents' success and wealth appear more like spoiled children than cool people. Focusing on your own accomplishments without constantly bragging about them is a much better look.

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Using your zodiac sign as a universal excuse

There's nothing wrong with being interested in astrology. Many people make their birth chart to know themselves better, acknowledge their faults, and work on self-improvement. Others, however, use their zodiac sign as an excuse to continue their bad behaviour. They would do better to use astrology as a tool rather than a cop-out.

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Disrespecting service personnel

Some people think they can do whatever they want, and their behaviour towards people they consider inferior can reveal a lot about their own temperament. Service personnel, from department store clerks to wait staff at restaurants and bars, deserve as much respect as any other type of worker, and to mistreat or belittle them is unacceptable.

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