I was at a tea society event the other day. It was held at the Jo Malone counter of the last great department store- Bergdorf Goodman. The store is the epitome of grace and class and reminders of what shopping used to be like. We stood in the newly renovated section of the cosmetics department, sipping Palais du Tea blends, eating little triangles of bread, sans crust, filled with light smatterings of cream cheese, chicken salad and smoked salmon. And there were macarons of course.
As we waited for our complimentary hand massages and consultation to find our signature scent blend (if you really want to know what fragrances make up my aromatic calling card I can probably be coerced into telling you…) one of the women came up to me and whispered in my ear…
“Have you seen….(voice goes lower) ‘Dirty John’?”
And I whispered back “OMG- I’m obsessed!”
And we continued to bring back our pre adolescent days by whispering in one anothers ears, and giggling. It reminded me of the days when “Fifty Shades” first came out. Which, for the record, I did not read.
But see- that’s the thing: why am I so adamant about telling you that I DID NOT read the 50 shades books?
I wrote a scathing diatribe against the book “Kissing Quotient.” I thought the book was tawdry and cheap. Yet…it was Goodreads top romance book for 2018. Which means people voted on it. Which means people read it.
But…
I don’t know anyone other than myself who admits to reading it…
So apparently this book was voted “Best Romance” even though no one read it.
Why do we whisper the names of certain shows, books, movies?
Why do we consider watching Real Housewives a guilty pleasure
What’s wrong with enjoying things that are not “intellectual”?
Why are we so embarrassed to admit that we like things that might be considered “tawdry”?
Well….we do it to ourselves.
Have you ever looked down on someone who said they did something you think is ridiculous? I know I have. (which explains why no one will admit to reading Kissing Quotient when I’m in earshot) But I shouldn’t be doing that. Ever. I should never look oddly at someone for doing something that they enjoy.
So as of today, I’m going to stop referring to my watching “Catfish” as a guilty pleasure. From now on it will just be a pleasure. I will no longer refer to it as a documentary on life in an internet age. I will proudly call it a reality show that peeks into peoples dating lives.
And I’m going to stop judging others for whatever pleasure they have.
I read 50 Shades eBook from library and thought, meh. Then the 2nd became available and I read it under duress just because I already started. Meh again. I started but never finished the 3rd and have less than no interest in the movie.
Ten years ago I would have kept all this to myself. Today? Judge me all you want. 😉🙃
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That’s how I feel. Judge me!!
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LOL. I love this post. It reminds me of how my husband used to watch the Honeybooboo show and call it an “anthropological study”! It was addictive viewing though. 😄
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Oooh….anthropological! I love that!
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😄
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That is SO true! we all do that! I LOVE RHOBH, RHOC, etc.. I shall no longer feel ashamed!! By the way, I haven’t read fifty shades, or seen the film!
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😀😀😀
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I read 50 shades and was under impressed so I didn’t bother with the rest and have not seen the movie. I agree with you, why should we make ourselves feel guilty for doing things we love to do?
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I should make that a goal next year
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I watch the wipeout channel all day long when there’s no one here to stop me😇
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Works for me
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So what’s your signature scent blend? Inquiring noses want to know!
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Ok…my base body cream is usually wood sage and sea salt, and my colognes are velvet rose & oud (if I’m feeling seductive) or English pea and freesia if I’m being playful. I am trying the wild bluebell body lotion as a change of pace though!!
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I like the wood sage & sea salt candle. I’ve not tried Jo Malone as a cologne, just as a candle. Hmmm… 🤔
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I like these fragrances because I find most of them very subtle
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I’m with you. Nothing strongly scented or easily identified. I’ll test a Jo Malone cologne and see what I think. Thanks for the idea.
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😀😀
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Good point! Have you ever read Stephen King’s book, “On Writing?” Basically, he argues the same point: there is nothing wrong with enjoying books that aren’t literary. Personally, I don’t care for Stephen King’s horror books, but that’s just a matter of personal taste, I don’t look down on them. And his “On Writing” book is very good, and something that most writers would benefit from reading!
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My daughter has read it and thinks it’s awesome. I need to read it.
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I think you would like it. His main point is to write what you want to write, and don’t worry about what others think of your genre. He also gives some excellent writing advice, and you come away from the book much more confident about sharing your own, unique voice.
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Thank you! That might be my January project!
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I have read Fifty Shades, all three, and was not impressed. Haven’t seen the movies and have no desire to see them. However, I am obsessed with “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: making the team” each season. Definitely a guilty pleasure, and my hubby can’t stand it. Great post!
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Thank you! Tbh, the only reason I didn’t read the fifty shades books is because my daughter and I share an e reader account….
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I just saw a commercial for Dirty John. It definately peaked my curiosity. Everyone likes what they like. I too try not to judge.
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I just watched the first episode of dirty john. Not impressed. Too many red flags. I would have dumped him that first night. Cant continue to watch. Too fake.
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But that’s the thing. It’s a true story.
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I know but that us what is so scary.
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I know! Smart successful woman who wants live so badly she’s blind
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You would think she would learn after four marriages. I get i5 though..she doesnt have the best relationship with her daughter. She is trying to fill an empty spot…no matter what the cost. So sad.
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Some people never learn
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I read 50 shades and I liked it. Not because it was written well but because it was written just as it was. I liked the cheesy plot line that focused on the erotica. In my mind, it wasn’t something that was meant to be a mind changing book, it was just meant for fun. Me and my girlfriends took turns reading, laughing and talking about it and all went to see the movies together. When I look back now, I’m glad we all got together to chat and enjoy the cheese. It was in its base a book about a change. Throughout the books you see this dark soul begin to fall in love for the first time and change his beliefs and deal with his demons. All while having more money then he could ever think to spend up and taking his girl on wild adventures we all would love to go on. I’m always good for being taken to a different place with someone who can make me feel great. Made for fun evenings and conversations with my girlfriends that made us all laugh and dream. In my book, that was all good!
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