Top 15 Things You Pretend Not to Do (That Nearly Everyone Does)

Top 15 Things You Pretend Not to Do (That Nearly Everyone Does)

Quick glance: scroll your phone on the toilet, pee in the shower, binge-watch past midnight, speed, recycle the wrong stuff … The list – and the data proving almost all of us are guilty – is below.

Why this article?

Objective. To spotlight the everyday “little lies” we tell ourselves, backed by up-to-date behavioural research, and to offer practical fixes so readers can laugh, learn, and maybe change a habit or two.

Core questions.

1. Which secret habits are truly universal?

2. What does the latest research reveal about their frequency and impact?

3. How can we curb the downsides without losing our sanity (or sense of humour)?

1. Scrolling on the toilet

A 2025 Digestive Diseases Week study found 93 % of adults use their phone in the bathroom at least once a week, and those lingerers were 46 % more likely to have haemorrhoids. The Sun
Fix: Keep reading material outside the bathroom and aim for < 3-minute pit stops, say gastroenterologists.

2. Peeing in the shower

Talker Research (Mar 2025) reports 45 % of Americans admit they “occasionally or regularly” let it flow under the faucet. New York PostABC 10 News San Diego KGTV
Pelvic-floor therapists warn it can train your bladder to mis-fire. Try a pre-shower bathroom break instead.

3. Snooping a partner’s phone

A WhistleOut poll (Aug 2024) shows 36 % of Americans confess to scrolling through their partner’s phone, while 58 % say it’s “OK”. WhistleOut
Digital-ethics tip: swap “secret checks” for transparent conversations about boundaries.

4. Clicking “agree” without reading the privacy policy

Pew data re-analysed in 2023 found only 9 % of adults “always” read a policy; most skim or skip entirely. Enzuzo
Reality check: use a browser plug-in (e.g., Terms of Service; Didn’t Read) to get plain-language summaries.

5. Consulting Dr Google

A 2024 survey (n = 2,000) revealed 43 % mis-diagnosed themselves after Googling symptoms and 74 % felt more anxious. Etactics | Revenue Cycle Software
Rule of thumb: limit online research to reputable .gov/.edu sites and book a real consult when in doubt.

6. Lying to the dentist about flossing

In a 2025 Aspen Dental–commissioned survey, 57 % of Americans embellish their floss routine – yet 48 % think dentists can spot the lie. New York Post
Pro hack: set a nightly phone reminder and stash floss in several rooms.

7. Regifting (shhh!)

Facing higher prices, 42 % of U.S. adults plan to regift during the holidays, a 2024 poll found. FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Etiquette tip: remove old tags, and never regift within the same friend circle.

8. Speeding but calling yourself a “safe driver”

AAA’s 2024 Traffic Safety Culture Index shows ~50 % of drivers sped 15 mph over the freeway limit in the past month even while acknowledging the danger. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety –
Use your phone’s speed-alert mode or a usage-based-insurance app for instant feedback.

9. Multitasking (camera-off) in virtual meetings

A 2024 workplace study for Notta AI found 92 % of employees multitask during meetings and 41 % do so “often or every time.” Notta
Try meeting-mode apps that block incoming email and nudge you when you open unrelated tabs.

10. “Just one more episode” binge-watching

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s 2023 survey: 91 % of adults have lost sleep to binge-watching; 38 % do so often. AASM
Sleep hygiene 101: set auto-shutdown on your streaming app at your target bedtime.

11. The five-second rule

A 2025 UK survey found 73 % of Brits will eat food dropped on the floor if they grab it within six seconds. The Sun
Food-safety scientists say bacteria transfer instantly; if it’s moist or the floor’s questionable, bin it.

12. Reusing the same password

SecurityMagazine (July 2024) reports 78 % of people reuse passwords on multiple accounts. Security Magazine
Action step: adopt a free password manager and enable two-factor authentication everywhere.

13. Putting the wrong stuff in the recycling bin

WRAP’s Spring 2024 tracker shows 82 % of UK households contaminate recycling with non-recyclables. WRAP
Check your local council’s list; when in doubt, leave it out.

14. Paying for a gym you barely visit

Industry data (SmartHealthClubs, Mar 2025) indicate up to 67 % of gym memberships go completely unused. Smart Health Clubs
Hack: schedule sessions with a friend or book pay-per-class studios to raise commitment.

15. “Innocent” social-media stalking of an ex

A 2024 global poll found 36 % of respondents admit checking an ex’s profiles. Cyprus Mail
Set time-limits on specific apps, or mute/block to break the habit and protect your mental health.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

1. Awareness beats denial. Seeing hard numbers makes habits harder to ignore.

2. Small environment tweaks → big behaviour shifts. From bathroom-free phones to password managers, automate good choices.

3. Mind the cost. Many “harmless” habits carry hidden health, security, or relationship risks.