First world problems

As one entry on Urban Dictionary reads, First World Problems are the “problems [of] living in a wealthy, industrialized nation that third worlders would probably roll their eyes at.”

Woe is we.

First, a brief lesson on the history behind first, second, third and fourth worlds, or “worlds within the worlds,” as NationsOnline put it. Though after World War II, the world split into a newer, four-world model, many are most familiar with the three-world model.

The term “first world” is most associated with development, both industrial-related and all-around established. Examples include North America, Western Europe, Japan and Australia, according to NationsOnline.

A “second world” country includes the past communist-socialist countries, and places that were once under USSR rule, like Russia, Eastern Europe and China.

Finally, there are places of the “third world.” While there are exceptions in the group, most of these countries represent impoverished and underdeveloped countries -- countries like many in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Essentially, many of our “problems” aren’t problems at all, but rather serve as magnifiers of the things that other, “lesser” countries already point fingers at us for -- complaining about that which there is nothing to complain.

In this case, we’re admitting to many of our lazy, spoiled tendencies.

Nonetheless, these #firstworldproblems are capable of evoking even the shortest-lived cases of the giggles, both for their cleverness, and underlying truth.

With a little help from some of the contributors on quickmeme, I’ve found a good representation of some of our proclaimed first world problems.

“Just used my last Pandora skip for the hour -- next song is even worse.”
“Mom asks what I want for Christmas -- can’t think of anything.”
“Upper middle class -- can’t get any financial aid for college.”
“Puts a chip in the dip -- it breaks in half.”
“Used both sides of the pillow -- now they’re both warm.”
“I have more clothes than clothes hangers.”
“Put on a suit -- forgot deodorant.”
“The gap between my classes is too long to sit and wait -- but too short to walk back to my room.”

I totally get it, though. The toughest part of my day has definitely got to be the moment my chip snaps in half.

But on a serious note -- take a minute to consider that many people would envy having some of our “problems” as problems?

#foodforthought

Allie Caren, a New Jersey native, is a sophomore at Syracuse University, currently majoring in English and Textual Studies. She most enjoys creative writing and anything allowing her to express her self-proclaimed hilarity, witticisms, and truths about the world. Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.