Comments on: Guilty Pleasures

By: Matt Kelland

Matt Kelland — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:15:03 +0000

Most men have guilty pleasures. They just don’t like to admit it. Like watching porn on TV when they think nobody else will find out. Or having that one extra beer. Or buying a gadget they don’t need but just have to have. (You can tell that one easily by the tortuous logic we use to justify why it was necessary, rather than just saying “I wanted it”.)

You know it’s a guilty pleasure when you find yourself saying “don’t tell the wife”, and then you know it’s extra fun because of that.

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:18:00 +0000

I’m sure at least some men have guilty pleasures - I know I do. I’m assuming a guilty pleasure is a craving for something “bad” (in quotations because in this context, “bad” can be a subjective term).

I’ll also argue that some women probably do not suffer from “guilty pleasures: they either consciously or unconsciously experience this cravings without guilt or remorse.

I don’t think these concepts of “guilty pleasures” are entirely driven by gender. I think they are driven more by our mental or emotional conditioning, where gender can play a factor, but it is not the sole determining factor.

Also, I’m a layman and I have no idea if this is fact, it’s my opinion.

By: bob

bob — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:07:59 +0000

capital letters and quotation marks

By: the frogster

the frogster — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:06:54 +0000

Speaking as a man, I would like to reply. But first, I need to know the definition of that weird word you used, “guilty.”

By: Watson

Watson — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:00:16 +0000

I don’t think I have any guilty pleasures.
I have many pleasures, mind you, but I don’t feel guilty about any of them. If I like doing something then screw you I’m gonna do it! If you think it’s wierd or naughty then YOU can feel guilty about that, not me.

By: Miz UV

Miz UV — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:14:43 +0000

From my anecdotal experience, I agree that men don’t feel guilt the way women do, especially over parenting. You never hear a dad say, “Wow, I feel guilty I had to work today and couldn’t spend time with the kids.”

Me? The usual: candy, shopping, sex with the UPS guy…

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:28:33 +0000

Guilty Pleasure - mine is being alone in the house all day long. In fact, just being alone is my guilty pleasure.

By: michaeljhassett

michaeljhassett — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:03:36 +0000

Guilty pleasure and your question on the male lack of guilt seem closely related to a story in today’s NY Times- summarizing two studies that show women are losing ground on the happiness index. I covered this in my blog today, ended up asking Freakonomics to take on the converse of your question-not why don’t men feel guilty, but why do women. For the link and a funny slant on the Times story please visit

http://michaeljamesh.blogspot.com/2007/09/economics-rules-world.html

By: Hope

Hope — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:45:01 +0000

Hmmmm well I am Catholic so guilt I can do…. with or without the pleasure… though in my weaker moments Bailey’s on the rocks, a big bag of movie butter popcorn with melted real butter on top and a totally mindnumbing, useless to the migratory pattern of the birds or the turning of the Earth type chickflick is my idea of heaven just at the moment…better go get on that…shhhhh don’t rat me out.

By: Beenzzz

Beenzzz — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:42:15 +0000

Ice cream of any kind and chocolate!