20 Things Most Americans Want Banned
Americans, especially those who visit other countries, know that many things get out of hand to the point of being ridiculous. Some things are universally disliked, while others represent common sense. Regardless, here are 20 things most Americans would not miss if they were banned.
Office politics
Out of all the topics offered, a CNBC and SurveyMonkey survey found that almost half of US workers would ban talking about politics in the office. All three workforce generations, Gen Z, millennials, and boomers, agreed that this topic brings nothing to their lives. This was confirmed by a ResumeHelp poll, which found that half of US workers believe talking politics is bad for business, and 45 percent regret ever engaging in these discussions.
Child pageants
Over 3,000 annual pageants for kids under 11 are held across the States. Many specialists and regular folks pointed out that these pageants bring more problems than prizes, from mental health issues to physical harm to children. France was the first to ban pageants for those under 15, and for good reasons, leaving many Americans wondering what we are waiting for.
Telemarketing calls
Spam calls are the worst. Most people want to know how the telemarketer got their numbers, followed by how to eliminate spam callers, because they tend to increase once they start. Some people get as many as 20 calls daily, and the most frightening thing is that the spam caller can sell your number to other scammers or telemarketing companies.
Loud TV commercials
Many have noticed that movies and series have gotten quieter, but when an ad pops up, it is as loud as possible. Some believe it is a marketing trick, which we cannot confirm, but we can agree that commercials are annoying. But, when it comes to volume, there should be bans.
Job ads without salaries
Applying for a job is stressful, but phrases like “competitive salary” only make matters worse. Companies should be more transparent because most people work to pay their bills, not because they are deeply in love with their jobs. All companies have budgets, so there is little room for negotiation.
Not using headphones in public places
Many people enjoy talking or even blasting their music through speakerphones. It is almost as if headphones or earbuds were never invented. There are also those whose music is so loud that you can hear it despite being in the middle of a busy train. It is distracting and annoying, and most people do not want to hear other people’s conversations, music, or even video game sounds.
Ticket bots
People make thousands of dollars by selling tickets at inflated prices on the secondary market. Even worse, resellers use software to buy tickets in bulk, making already overpriced tickets outrageously expensive.
Screaming kids
While it is impossible to ban children from screaming, many find it irritating and stressful because the first thought is usually that a child might be in distress. Yet, most of the time, children shout in restaurants or similar places because parents or guardians can’t be bothered. It is rude, and people want it resolved.
Dogs everywhere
Dogs of all sizes are now everywhere, and while they are adorable, owners shouldn’t bring their dogs with them every single time they leave to do an errand. Some people are allergic, others might be scared, and not everyone has to like your dog. It feels like people are against dogs, but in reality, they are against overly clingy owners who have to realize that dogs prefer parks to shops.
Buzzing lights
If there is one thing that can turn a perfectly innocent place into a horror movie, it is buzzing lights. It does not help that it is likely a loose wiring or an overloaded circuit because that only means something’s off. Most would prefer to be in the dark than to listen to the subtle yet always present buzz of the lights.
Cell phone culture
Cell phones are part of everyday lives, but some etiquette would make the world a better and even safer place. Keeping your phone on in a theatre, public transportation, or even a church is common, but be prepared for angry glances. Even worse, many people scroll through their phones while talking to others, making human contact less valuable.
Sugar overload
If you visited any other country, you might have noticed that their sugary delights are less about sugar and more about flavor. There is sugar even in bread. Americans have a sugar problem, which is linked to higher chances of heart issues and diabetes 2. No one wants to ban sugar, but it would be nice if the US weren’t the number one sugar consumer in the world.
Tailgaters
Tailgating means driving too close to the vehicle in front, which increases the risk of a rear-end crash. A person needs to be cool, calm, and collected because road rage is not the solution. Many tailgaters are under the influence, so they are already breaking the law, but some are simply trying to be annoying, and the consequences can be deadly.
Lifelong politicians
Most Americans believe that term limits should apply to all government officials. A staggering 87 percent of people are pro-term limits for Congress members. Limited terms should also be the norm for Supreme Court justices. If presidents can serve only two terms, most do not see why similar rules shouldn’t apply to Congress or Supreme Court members.
Fireworks
The elderly, people with PTSD, small children, people with autism, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s, and even many pets can experience significant trauma caused by fireworks. That’s why many agree that celebrations should have limited spaces for fireworks, away from the rest of the population, who might be sensitive only to the sounds and flashes but to toxins, chemicals, and smoke that stay in the atmosphere for days.
Shady donations
Dark money is one of the less talked-about issues in US politics. It refers to spending to influence elections, policies, and political discourse without transparency. It is not an issue attached to one party but an increasing general problem, making it harder to trust the election process.
Social media
A Pew Research Center survey found that around two-thirds of Americans believe social media negatively affects everyday lives. Only 10 percent found social networks to have a positive impact. Banning social media seems drastic, but if we could only return to the 2010s, things would look much better.
Bans on abortion
Surprisingly, 62 percent of Americans think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, which speaks against current abortion bans. The Pew Research Center’s survey found that younger generations are more pro-abortion than older ones, with 73 percent of people between 18 and 29 saying it should be legal in all or most cases.
24-hour news cycle
Here is strange yet significant data: fewer Americans are closely following the news now than a few years ago. In 2016, 51 percent followed news closely, compared to 38 percent in 2022. Freedom of the press is vital for democracy, but the 24-hour news cycle isn’t. It puts pressure on reporters, leaving more room for misinformation.
Junk mail
Though not as intrusive as spam calls, most junk mail is nonconsensual, leaving people wondering how this is still legal. We all know the internet is not the safest place, but we don’t need reminders, especially in our mail. It is annoying, and it is scary knowing that if you notice an increase in junk emails, your mail was harvested by a hacker who breached a database on a website where you subscribed.
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