to find the term 'first world problem'

[LordOfThe5Rings]

A bit annoying and ridiculous?

Sure, it may not be a universal problem, but does that mean it's only first world? By stating first world, it brings up that 'first' means best and this isn't a good connotation, either.

Why not use other terms? Or just state it's 'not a serious problem in the grand scheme of things'.

The phrasing just seems a bit... Eh. Makes me cringe when I hear it. Anyone else or AIBU?

[Sparklingbrook]

I find it a bit patronising TBH.

It's like 'you are lucky if that's all you have to worry about'. But am I supposed to have Third World problems?

[DoMeDon]

YANBU - problems are problems - everything is relative

[DesperatelySeekingPomBears]

But 'first world' is best, surely?

If you disagree, you're more than welcome to move to one of the third world countries my clients have fled from...

[Kladdkaka]

I hate it too. I think it dismisses people's feelings and is quite hurtful.

[Sparklingbrook]

I have only heard it on here in the last few months.

[LordOfThe5Rings]

Exactly, sparkling

Desperately Um no, that's not what I meant. The terminology, not the fact I come from a country considered to be first world, is what I am referring too. Bit patronising and doesn't really make that much sense in context.

[DesperatelySeekingPomBears]

Ah I see... As you were then!

[DoMeDon]

Desperately - best in what way?

[LordOfThe5Rings]

It's been in the last few months yes, but it bugs me to hear it. It makes it sound like 'it's not really important'. Sure, in the grand scheme of things it may not be, but if it's something you're struggling with, then it's a problem.

Plus, is it really making much sense? It's also kinda stating those of a third world country would never have the chance to have these problems because they have so much else to deal with.

I guess it's just the term. It somehow just makes me a little cross. I can't quite put my finger on the exact wording.

[Kladdkaka]

By the way, first world isn't necessarily best. It's a term that originated in the cold war. First world is countries aligned with the US, second world is countries aligned with the Soviet Union, and third world is countries with no alignment.

I love the fact that I officially live in a third world country (Sweden) :o

[LordOfThe5Rings]

This may not end well, on second thought.

Was just curious if it got on others goats too :)

[teacherlikesapples]

YABU- the actual expression 'first world problems' originated as a "tongue-in-cheek comedic device to make light of trivial inconveniences"
Yes we all have problems, yes it is all relative. What is huge to me might not be to you etc... The intention of the saying is not to say you are not entitled to have any problems or feel stressed with your life.

The actual expression is intended to be ridiculous!

knowyourmeme.com/memes/first-world-problems

[McHappyPants2012]

in the uk we live in the 'first world' so why is it that so many people are homeless and living on the street in rain, snow, gales and other extreme weather.

kicking someone when they are down is low.

[AgentZigzag]

It can be useful because a lot of posters start threads to get perspective on a situation, and pointing out that compared to people who have nothing what way round the loo roll goes is neither here nor there.

But I don't like it being used against someone who's really worried, not necessarily about something huge, but it means a lot to them.

I suppose if you worked for a charity and saw the difficulties people in other countries have just living, you might not be able to stop yourself giving posters on here a virtual slap sometimes.

[Sparklingbrook]

But the way it is used on here is quite dismissive sometimes.

[LordOfThe5Rings]

Exactly.

Nowadays third world seems to equal poverty stricken. Sweden isn't that well off but surely not quite as bad as some African countries?

It's funny how the meaning of things can completely change within 50 years.

[LordOfThe5Rings]

Agent Oh I definately get what you mean there. It's more annoying when the poster themselves calls their issue a 'first world problem' as if they are already saying it's nothing to bother with... Then why continue to worry about it, if it's so trivial? Surely it's not trivial if it's bothering you.

[greenbananas]

I find it a useful concept. For example, sometimes I get fed up of the fact that nothing matches in our house, it is scruffy and the curtains are revolting. Then I think about the way my brother-in-law grew up (in a very poor African country, often not enough to eat, friends dying around him because of lack of basic healthcare) and I feel so lucky that, although we are not rich by western standards, we are fed and warm with a roof over our heads.

We are very lucky, living in the UK. Even the poorest among us do not actually starve. Yes, it is unsympathetic to dismiss people's legitimate concerns, but I don't want to lose sight of how much we do have going for us.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

When I've seen it, it's used by the first person and self deprecating, acknowledging that this isn't the greatest problem in the world.


Not sure why that would grate.


Or do you have an example of another context? If it's used by the other person to dismiss and belittle, then obviously, being dismissive and belitttling isn't great.

[wearingpurple]

I like Teju Cole's response here: www.tumblr.com/tagged/teju-cole?before=1326304329

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

Buty then if someone was going to be dismissive and belittling there are a whole load of phrases they could use.

Not sure why this one is the worst.

[Kladdkaka]

Sweden isn't that well off but surely not quite as bad as some African countries?

Oh I dunno, we are the 8th richest country in the world (I'm pretty skint mind) but you should see the size of the mosquitos.

[AgentZigzag]

Third world countries are always portrayed as economically 'poor', but they have wealth in their social structures which might be much more collective and supportive than ours can ever be. And you'd think the way people talk about the countries means they're chock a block with unhappy, frustrated people, which I'm sure isn't the case at all!

Being in a first world country is always connected with waste and overindulgence, both of which aren't necessarily true, people can dislike this system as much as someone in a third world country could.

[Moln]

It's meant to be dismissive though isn't it? Can't imagine why else anyone would say it. Seems to be replacing "you've little to be worrying about"

sometimes people really do seems to come across as if a very minor problem is the worse problem in the world. In these cases it probably won't make any difference pointing it out to them.

Other times, when it's said on here I mean, I do wonder how the poster that says it can possibly think that it's the only/biggest problem in the life of the OP and not something they were giving thought to at the time they were on MN when they started the thread.

In reality there are numerous things that could be cast off as such, unless the problem related to basic survival!

[Nagoo]

I've seen it used instead of a biscuit, and yes I usually think that the poster who uses it is being a knobber.