To be sick of the phrases First World Problems and Check your Privilege?

[LordScuttlebutt]

Trivial problems can drive you nuts too. A trivial problem may indeed by the last straw for some.

Why does having certain privileges stop you having an opinion according to some?

Anyone else annoyed by this? Either help or don't help, I say.

another goody is 'cultural appropriation'
i kinda understand people using 'holy' things as some sort of amusement, but when somebody says cooking a Chinese meal if you are not Chinese is offensive... then i thing i've heard everything

Reow

PC Principal says check your privilege

Ha. I am currently watching that season.

Nobody a tuallybeing says this in the real world do they?

If I'm pissed off because I've stepped in dog shit and trampled it over my carpet, someone reminding me that beautiful babies are being gassed in Syria will get by dog shit foot up their arse.

Yes I am deeply concerned concerned about what's going on in the world but I can think about other things simultaneously.

I've seen several responses to threads here in MN mentioning that someone should be upset about (a) because (b) and (c) are happening.

SHOULDN'T!!!!!

FFS

tuallybeing - what the hell? My autopredict can't spell.

Actually, it meant to say actually.

It's not about "don't be upset" but more like "in the grand scheme of things, if that's your only problem, you're in a good place".

Usually people say that have double standards. When they have a First World Problem, they are just as bad and it's often a way of saying shut up, which I'd prefer.

I agree perspective is good though. I get annoyed with people who might moan because a shop hasn't got any organic quinoa chips ando shout at the assistant. I feel very tempted to say that to them.

But all in all it's an overused phrase which is irritating in itself

Yes - but it's how it's said. 'You have no right to be upset' is different to 'oh well it's only a bit of gum stuck in DCs hair - you can cut it out. At least it's not nits'.

Yanbu, sometimes its nice to switch off and moan about something trivial.

For example I might moan about "bloody cold weather, its April, where's the sun? I read it was supposed to be nice this weekend. Grr." because it's safer than moaning about something that's actually seriously worrying me like family health issues perhaps.

I'm with @Camomila here the only time I see it nowadays is to shut women and in particular white women down.

I know as a white woman living in the UK I have legal privileges than not accorded to other people (women & men) in other parts of the world.

Seeing my rights being eroded & and acting against this does not mean I'm not concerned and working for the rights/care of children in Syria, FMG throughout the world, the erosion of women's rights in the USA, the impact of benefit cuts on people with Mental Health issues in the UK etc etc.

Oddly enough when you challenge these people as to what they are doing, about the issues they've raised they go quiet

Yes 'first world problems' seems to hold a caricature of the 'third' world as being at constant threat of starvation or war, and so people there do not worry about mundane things, which is patronising nonsense and a dangerous way to view the world.

Check your privilege is fine, because many posters assume their own life experience or situation applies to others, look at the many judgey things said here about people on benefits or many other things. Lots of assumptions made, lots of "well if you only worked hard" etc, without taking into consideration individual circumstances.

It certainly doesn't "shut down" the debate, which is actually the phrase that annoys me more than anything else. I think "shutting down the debate" is used by people who make statements which require more critical thought, and then can't articulate their response properly.

First world problem is actually very un-PC now, the whole concept of the First World is very passe. Very patronising.

Check your privilege is an annoying phrase, but the thought is worthwhile. It is so important to consider your personal context.

'calling' people is even worse. If anybody wants a laugh then look at the website 'everyday feminism', where college kids go to play privilege and identity top trumps.

It's basically a website berating well meaning liberals for not being the right kind of well meaning liberal, while ignoring the prejudiced majority.

Honestly, I found them annoying till I joined MN. There's so much handwringing over Maui, i guess i don't know people like that in real life.

'Check your privilege' Bleugh!

'First world problem' Yes I do think that about a lot of the threads on here and life in general. People getting upset because a MIL hasn't cut up a grape for little Calliope
I think I would phrase it thus. Count your blessings!

I was just discussing the phrase 'check your privilege' with my 18 year old. The thought is useful but the phrase is so judgmental and self-righteous. Usually the person I know using it is just as privileged as the person they're talking to. Sometimes people are assuming privilege. Who is more privileged, a straight white woman or a gay white man? Surely they are both privileged and discriminated against in different ways.

Sunset " Usually the person I know using it is just as privileged as the person they're talking to"

agree. but if, for example, I am talking to my sister, who is currently banging on about how the world owes her a living, I might say it to her. (Actually I don't, I just think it). But that's how I think of it - like I've seen people on MN saying we earn tons a year and due to something bizarre can't go on our 3 holidays this year. If someone tells them to check their privilege they will often say "I am as well off as you and I suggest you check your privilege, this isn't a legitimate moan".

'Check your privilege' seems to only be used when people are trying to make out males are more discriminated against that females tbh.

its a very popular trans-folx argument

"Check your privilege" is a very useful argument, because people forget what privileges they are granted just being born in certain place and time, gender, colour, race etc.

For example being white, male, British and born middle class grants a tremendous amount of privilege on you, that you must consider before passing judgement about others.

For example being white, male, British and born middle class grants a tremendous amount of privilege on you, that you must consider before passing judgement about others.

But check your privilege is often used to try to argue that white middle class males are more disadvantaged than others.

I understand the concept, but the only times I have seen it used/said is in bollocks situations.

YANBU. My preference is "Stop fucking whining" but it goes against guidelines or something.